Vehicle automation is rapidly transforming B2B industries such as agriculture, construction, and logistics, driving efficiency and productivity. At the core of this transformation, actuators enable precise control over mechanical movements, making them essential in vehicle automation. However, selecting the right actuator is crucial for ensuring safety, reliability, and long-term actuator performance. This article explores the key safety factors in actuator selection for vehicle automation, including reliability, load capacity, emergency stop mechanisms, compliance with industry standards, and more.
Understanding the Role of Actuators in Vehicle Automation
Actuators are mechanical components that convert electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic energy into motion, enabling vehicle automation functions. Electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators are viable options that serve different benefits and drawbacks to suit specific requirements and environmental conditions. Reliability in actuators is essential to preventing operational failures that could compromise vehicle safety, making their selection a high-priority task in the various automotive B2B industries.
Key Applications in Vehicle Automation
In electric linear actuators, electric current is used to produce rotational motion in an electric motor that’s mechanically linked to a gearbox and utilizes a lead screw to cycle the actuator’s shaft attached to an ACME drill nut for linear motion. Implementing fail-safe manual overrides, high load ratings, and environmental resistance in actuators has led to successful deployments in industrial automation. These safety margins combined with linear motion in vehicle automation can be found responsible for:
- Steering and braking - Ensuring smooth and responsive movement.
- Suspension adjustment - Adapting to road conditions for safety and comfort.
- Doors and convertible roofs - Enhancing safety, convenience, and efficiency.
- Agricultural Machinery - Precision steering and implementation control of agricultural equipment.
- Robotic Forklifts - Used in warehouses for efficient material handling.
- Other automation features - Adjusting windows, storage compartments, seats, campers, etc.
Key Safety Factors to Consider When Choosing an Actuator
Reliability and Durability
Continuous operation scenarios require actuators with high durability to prevent system failures. Environmental resistance therefore is necessary to ensure actuators can withstand extreme temperatures, moisture, dust, corrosion resistance, and vibration. Select actuators with low-wear components and high ingress protection ratings to extend lifespan and reduce maintenance downtime.
Load Capacity and Force Ratings
Ensuring the selected actuator can handle expected loads without failure is crucial for operator and passenger safety. Safety margins should be 25-50% above the standard load requirement to account for unexpected stress or strain.
Precision and Control
Accurate positioning is vital for applications that require precise motion or multiple actuators with positional feedback to move together synchronously. Encoders, sensors, and their compatible control systems help maintain precise operation.
Emergency Stop and Fail-Safe Mechanisms
Selecting actuators with fail-safe mechanisms and integrating emergency stops help to reduce the risk of operator injuries or applications getting damaged due to unforeseen circumstances. Electrical overload protection, mechanical slip clutches, limit switches, and manual overrides are built-in features found in certain electric linear actuators that can help enhance overall safety.
Compliance with Safety Standards and Certifications
Actuators should meet ISO 26262 (Functional safety in road vehicles) and ASIL certification (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) standards. Depending on the specific use case, other industry standards and certifications that you may need to consider include:
- ISO 16750 - Environmental testing for automotive electronics
- UL & CE - Electrical and material safety compliance
- SAE J1939 - CAN Bus communication for vehicle integration
Power Source and Efficiency
Electric linear actuators should ideally have low power consumption to optimize battery life in electric vehicles. Maximizing energy efficiency utilizing brushless DC motors and regenerative energy systems enhances longevity and reduces power waste.
Noise Levels
Reducing noise levels contributes to passenger comfort and compliance with noise regulations. Consider low-noise actuators that utilize gear materials such as thermoplastics or dampened designs for quieter operation.
Choosing the Right Supplier
Selecting the right trusted suppliers ensures high-quality actuators that meet the safety standards of the automotive industry. The key areas to look for in suppliers include:
- Warranty options - A strong warranty indicates durable quality products and ongoing technical support.
- Customization capabilities - Certain specifications and compliance requirements may not be available in stock actuators and require custom manufacturing to suit specific automotive needs.
- Industry Experience - Having a history of supplying actuators for safety-critical applications ensures the necessary expertise and skills to assist in areas such as product recommendations, troubleshooting, and after-sales service.
- Overall value - A balance of quality, price, and turnaround time ensures the best value to meet your needs and requirements without compromising in any key areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is safety a critical consideration when selecting an actuator for vehicle automation?
Safety is critical for ensuring operators and passengers will be protected from injuries or risks of accidents. Manufacturers must also meet industry standards and safety compliance requirements for their consumers.
What are the most important certifications to look for in actuators used in automated vehicles?
Certifications that are specific to meet the compliance requirements and environmental regulations of each application to account for safety, reliability, and compliance with industry standards. These may include ISO 26262, UL & CE, SAE J1939, and ASIL certifications.
How can fail-safe mechanisms improve the safety of actuators in automated systems?
Fail-safe mechanisms can come in various forms including actuator designs with limit switches, electrical overload protection, mechanical slip clutches, or manual overrides in the event of an electrical power outage. These examples all help reduce the risk of operator injuries or applications getting damaged.
What environmental factors should actuators be resistant to in vehicle automation applications?
Protected areas inside the vehicle will not require much environmental resistance while exposure such as installation outside the vehicle requires IP66 ingress protection or higher to protect against dust and water. Salt spray ratings are ideal for vehicles that are exposed to salted roads or corrosive environments.
What features should I prioritize when choosing a supplier for vehicle automation actuators?
The right balance of quality, price, and turnaround time are some of the main factors considered when selecting suppliers for actuators in vehicle automation. Strong warranty options are also valuable as an indicator of durable quality and ongoing technical support. Other factors include having customization capabilities tailored for specific automation needs and a history of being trusted suppliers of actuators for safety-critical applications.
IN SUMMARY
Selecting the right actuator for vehicle automation is crucial for ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability. Key considerations include functional safety standards, environmental resistance, emergency stop features, and energy efficiency.
As one of the top suppliers of electric linear actuators and motion control products, Progressive Automations offers industry-leading flexibility, quality, support, and field experience to meet all your needs. If you have any other questions about what we can offer, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We are experts in what we do and want to ensure you find the best support in the actuator selection process for vehicle automation.
sales@progressiveautomations.com | 1-800-676-6123