Overview: Servo motors differ from most other motors in that they are specifically designed for precise positioning rather than speed control. This makes them a good choice when building robots. Servo systems are widely used in robots because they allow robot controllers to position joints at precise angles.
Therefore, unlike ordinary brushed DC motors, it can be made to run at a specific speed by applying different voltages. Through the servo, the computer sends a signal to command the servo to move to a specific angle: my servo.write(90) ; // Set the servo to 90 degrees ( midpoint ).
1. How do servo motors work?
The structure of a servo motor is much more complex than that of a brushed DC motor.
1. Main working components of a servo motor: A servo motor contains a brushed DC motor. However , besides this motor, there are other components that give servo systems unique functionality compared to other types of motors. This is mainly related to the intended use of the motor.
2. On top of the motor, below the cover, there is a set of gears. These gears serve two main purposes: to give the motor a mechanical advantage, producing torque greater than the motor's output ; and to connect the motor and a positioning sensor. In most servo systems, the positioning sensor is a potentiometer. The potentiometer allows the servo mechanism to know the exact angle of the motor shaft (called a servo horn). Finally, the servo is controlled by an onboard control circuit board, which translates commands from a connected computer into motor motion via signal lines .
II. Advantages of Servo Motors
1. Absolute Positioning System: The key to using servos is that they allow the computer to set a specific angle at which the motor will move. However, if the servo mechanism moves, the controller can query the motor to determine its angle.
2. High speed and high torque: The drive system and servo system can generate a large amount of torque and can move at high speed.
3. High holding torque: Another advantage of using a servo system is that once it is set to a specific angle, the servo system will resist forces attempting to move it out of position. If the force on the servo system is too great to hold, and the motor moves out of position, it will move backward again once the force is removed.
III. Disadvantages of Servo Motors
1. Mechanical complexity: Servo motors combine brushed DC motors, potentiometers, complex gears, and controller PCBs . This complexity means there are more potential points of failure than other types of motors.
2. Expensive: Due to their complexity, servo systems (especially high-performance models) can become expensive.
3. Design Challenges: Compared to other types of motors that can be installed in holes or use standard mounting hole patterns, servo systems are more difficult to integrate into designs.
The motor shaft is off-center from the housing center, as is the mounting flange. There is no pivot point on the back of the chassis. The top of the motor is not completely flat. All these factors combined make integrating the servo system into your design somewhat tricky.
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