Los mechanical actuators transform energy hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical in the activation of a process whose purpose is generate an effect or action in an automated process. Their application is widespread in the automotive industry, but do you know how they are applied to the different pressure systems of the automobile?High reliability, simplicity of use, minimum maintenance, safety and precision of movement... If you are looking for these properties in your drive mechanisms, you should study very well What kind of actuator It is more suitable for each project; because depending on the work we need to do, we will obtain a very different performance.

Types of mechanical actuators

Hydraulics

These actuators are based, by their operation, on the pressure exerted by a liquid -generally an oil-. Automotive equipment that works with hydraulic actuators obtain higher speed and mechanical strength, and they are large in size, so they are used for applications where a heavy load.Among the advantages of using hydraulic actuators are the high rates between power and load, their Higher frequency response or its wide speed range; regardless of produce more force than a pneumatic system of the same size, for example. On the other hand, the possible existence of oil leaks and the need for different additional equipment (particle filtration, air removal or cooling systems) can pose a significant handicap when choosing this type of actuator. As for their most widespread applications, hydraulic actuators are used in automotive pumps or motors.

Tires

To activate its operation, connect compressed air on one side of the plunger or vane, generating a force in the direction of expanding the space between the plunger and the wall of the cylinder or the body. By means of a mechanical device, The movement becomes rotational. Its most widespread applications include, for example, engine cylinder systems. If we consider their advantages, pneumatic actuators are cost-effective in terms of material, since air is not flammable and can work regardless of external conditions. In addition, they prevent overloads and, in the event of a leak, are not harmful to safety. However, they work with an expensive and noisy energy source, which requires the prior preparation of compressed air: removal of impurities and moisture.

Electric

The structure of an electric actuator is simple compared to that of hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, since only electrical energy is required as a drive source. Since they work with electrical cables to transmit control signals, they are highly versatile and they avoid spatial restrictions between the energy source and the actuator. There is a large number of models and it is easy to use them with electric motors standardized according to the application; although in most cases it is necessary to use reducers, since the motors are continuously operating. Among its many advantages we find, as we have said, simple access to energy; in addition to a faster signal transmission and higher control accuracy. On the contrary, some of its disadvantages are the possibility of engine overheating or wear of the reduction gear.

You might be interested to see some applications: Main electric actuators in the automotive industry

CLR electric actuators: Audi RS success story

This project began more than a decade ago with the objective of solving a problem that the car company Audi presented at the time. To improve your variable suspension system Dynamic Ride Control, Audi's TIER 1 supplier needed to incorporate gearmotors capable of Adjust the hardness of the shock absorbers of your hydraulic pressure system, avoiding the use of any type of electronic control. The operation would be manual through a button located on the dashboard. The main problem with this ambitious project was to ensure that the designed gearmotors work at maximum performance, withstanding the high vibration volumes of the shock absorber. El engineering equipment of CLR, I had to look for a compact solution, resistant to harsh outdoor conditions (water, humidity or snow) and capable of withstanding heat peaks above 85 Grades. Finally, the actuator was fully adapted to the demanding regulations governing its application in the automotive sector; as well as to the numerous quality requirements of one of the leading companies in the automotive industry. At CLR we work every day to offer electric actuators adapted to the needs of your projects in automotive . Our extensive experience in the field of vehicle electromechanics, it allows us to offer precise, quiet and durable solutions, providing an innovative approach committed to the results of your project. Are you looking for a new supplier of automotive components or actuators? In this Complete CLR guide we give you some guidelines when it comes to evaluating and selecting your Tier 2 suppliers.