With the rapid development of science and technology, robots have been widely used in industry, medical care, family and other fields. As the core of the robot’s power, the type of robot battery directly affects the robot’s performance, range and application scenarios. Below is an in-depth analysis of commonly used battery types.
1. Lithium-ion Batteries: The Backbone of Robotics
1.1 Basic Principle and Characteristics
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in robotics due to their high energy density, long cycle life and light weight. During operation, lithium ions are reversibly embedded and de-embedded between the positive and negative electrodes to store and release electrical energy.
1.2 Advantages
High Energy Density: It can store a large amount of power in a small volume and weight, which can provide long-lasting power and prolong the working time of mobile robots that require high endurance, such as logistics AGVs.
Long cycle life: Can withstand hundreds to thousands of charge/discharge cycles, reducing maintenance costs and battery replacement frequency.
Fast charging capability: Part of the lithium-ion battery realizes fast charging, which significantly reduces robot downtime and improves work efficiency.
1.3 Wide range of application scenarios
In industrial robot batteries, lithium ion battery for robotics ensure that robotic arms complete production tasks accurately and efficiently. In service robots, care robots and sweeping robots rely on it for smooth operation.
2. Nickel-metal hydride batteries: once mainstream, nowadays holding fast
2.1 Technical characteristics
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are environmentally friendly and have a high power output, and were important in the field of robotics in the early days. The positive electrode is nickel oxide, the negative electrode is hydrogen storage alloy, and the electrolyte is potassium hydroxide aqueous solution.
2.2 Unique Advantages
Good low-temperature performance: good discharge performance in low-temperature environments, polar research robots and other applications have advantages.
High power discharge: it can instantly output high current to meet the high power demand of robot startup and acceleration.
2.3 Application areas
Although the market share is squeezed by lithium-ion batteries, it is still applied in the field of small robots with cost-sensitive and low-temperature requirements.
3. Lead-acid batteries: an economical and practical choice
3.1 Structure and principle
Lead-acid batteries are traditional batteries with lead dioxide at the positive electrode, lead at the negative electrode, and sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte, which stores and converts electrical energy through chemical reactions, with mature technology and simple structure.
3.2 Cost and performance advantages
Low cost: low cost of raw materials, mature manufacturing process, competitive overall cost, suitable for large-scale low-cost application scenarios.
High safety: high safety in normal use, not easy to fire, explosion and other serious accidents.
3.3 Application Limitations and Scenarios
Lead-acid batteries have low energy density, high weight and short cycle life, and are not suitable for robots with high requirements for range and mobility. At present, they are mainly used for low-speed, short-distance and cost-sensitive robots, such as some modified electric tour bus service robots.
4. New Battery Technology: Hope for the Future
4.1 Solid State Battery
Solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid electrolytes and are expected to improve energy density, safety and charge/discharge performance. When commercialized in the field of robotics, they can significantly extend range and shorten charging time.
4.2 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Hydrogen fuel cells are fueled by hydrogen, have high energy conversion efficiency and zero emissions, and are suitable for large-scale, long-running robots, such as heavy-duty handling robots. However, the current cost is high and the hydrogen refueling infrastructure is not perfect.
Conclusion
Different batteries have their own advantages and disadvantages in the field of robotics, and are suitable for different scenarios. Lithium-ion batteries are the mainstream, nickel-metal hydride batteries have applications in specific environments, lead-acid batteries are used in economical and practical scenarios, and new batteries bring hope for the future. Looking forward to better battery technology to promote the development of robotics industry.