Unmanned operation is an inevitable trend in robot development, and the history of mobile robot technology is the history of the evolution of unmanned operation. The charging methods for AGVs are also constantly being innovated. Currently, the charging methods for mobile robots (AGV/AMR) are mainly divided into four types: battery swapping, manual charging, contact charging, and wireless charging.
Before 2014, applying wireless charging technology to the AGV field was quite challenging. In recent years, more and more companies have overcome this technological barrier, applying wireless charging to autonomous mobile robots and warehouse logistics vehicles in flexible scenarios. Due to its safety and high charging success rate, it has been adopted by more and more companies.
Wireless charging technology originates from wireless power transfer technology and can be divided into two types: low-power wireless charging and high-power wireless charging. Currently, the penetration rate of wireless charging is not high, but some mobile robot companies aiming to penetrate the high-end market have a more advanced understanding of wireless charging products. Due to the technical characteristics of wireless charging, most people have a lack of understanding of its functions and usage.
Founded in 2015, Zhonghui Innovation provides wireless charging solutions based on magnetic resonance principles for mobile robots, electric bicycles, warehouse logistics vehicles, golf carts, and power tools. To help users gain a comprehensive understanding of wireless charging, Zhonghui Innovation released the "Magnetic Resonance Solution Selection Manual" on July 18. The manual consists of seven parts, with the selection section including four controller options, four coil specification options, and 16 models covering various common electrical performance requirements in the 60W-900W power range. The manual also includes "Precautions for Use," "Operating Instructions," "Troubleshooting and Solutions," and "Safety Precautions."
With the increasing number of smart devices supporting wireless charging, different brands offer their own dedicated charging kits. Whether it's a mobile robot or a mobile phone, charging devices are indispensable. Zhonghui Chuangzhi possesses mature wireless charging technology for both low-power electronic products and high-to-medium power mobile robots, and has achieved modularization, enabling rapid industrial-scale application.
Regarding the working principle of wireless charging modules, a representative from Zhonghui Chuangzhi stated that wireless charging modules mainly consist of two parts: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a transmitter host and a transmitter plate; the receiver includes a receiver host and a receiver plate. The receiver host is located inside the mobile robot and connects to the power supply and main control unit, while the transmitter host connects to the mains power. When charging is needed, the mobile robot moves to the charging location, and after the transmitter host and receiver host establish communication, charging is immediately achieved. The shape and size of the module host and the transmitter/receiver plate can be customized within a certain range according to the needs of the mobile robot product structure. Zhonghui Chuangzhi has accumulated years of technical expertise in the field of wireless charging, and launched 3D wireless charging technology several years ago. Now, it offers standard wireless charging modules and customized solutions for mobile robots, AGVs, electric bicycles, and small household appliances, contributing to the industry's development.
In launching physical products, Zhonghui Innovation has taken the lead in the industry, possessing a complete process management system and quality assurance system; for mobile robots and other industries, it has shipped up to 200,000 modules of 100W and above; for medical electronics and mobile phone accessories, it has supplied more than 4,500 modules of solutions under 100W to the medical electronics and mobile phone accessory industries. In addition, its 2200W wireless power supply project passed the domestic 3C certification in May 2020 and is sold on JD.com, while also being marketed in overseas markets.
"Zhonghui Chuangzhi's high-power wireless charging technology is already very mature. Customers don't need to worry about 3C certification issues or the inability to pass relevant certifications after applying wireless charging," said the head of Zhonghui Chuangzhi.
Zhonghui Chuangzhi's wireless charging solution provides precise and reliable charging for lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and supercapacitors, protecting and extending battery life. It also features a customizable IP67-rated protective casing. The charging process is contactless, enabling long-distance, airborne charging for enhanced safety. The solution is also sealed, making it waterproof, dustproof, moisture-proof, and explosion-proof. It is maintenance-free, allowing for instant charging with minimal maintenance costs. Therefore, wireless charging offers superior safety and protection compared to wired charging.
Zhonghui Innovation's wireless charging technology has the following characteristics:
1. High transmission efficiency: The theoretical peak efficiency can reach 93%, and the actual customer test results can reach 84%-89%.
2. High degree of freedom in transmission: The transmission distance can reach 10~200mm, and the transmitting and receiving ends do not need to be precisely aligned, allowing for a large offset.
3. Multiple protection mechanisms: It has protection functions such as no-load, over-temperature, over-voltage, over-current, and short circuit. It can charge autonomously without communication, or establish communication to enable the robot to control the charging parameters and process.
4. Safe and reliable: The operating frequency is in the range of tens of kHz, which is ultra-low frequency operation, with no radiation damage and foreign object detection.
5. Good electromagnetic compatibility: The technology is mature and can be used to obtain 3C, CE, FCC, KC and other certifications for products without affecting the operation of other functional modules of the robot.
6. Fast customization: The underlying technology is relatively mature, and the shape and size of the main unit and cable coil, as well as the charging distance, can be customized, resulting in a short delivery cycle.
We have launched wireless charging standard modules for 12V/24V/36V/48V power batteries, which are suitable for various lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries and supercapacitors. Our products can be widely used in ground inspection robots, track robots, inspection drones, AGVs, logistics robots, service robots, military robots, underwater robots, sweeping robots, etc. We have established long-term and stable cooperative relationships with more than 70 robot companies and have become excellent suppliers or strategic partners.
Zhonghui Innovation boasts a highly experienced, professional, efficient, and responsible team. The company has over 50 employees, including more than 25 core technical personnel and over 20 key technical staff. It holds over 200 invention patents and over 100 utility model patents (including 4 foreign object recognition patents). The company applies domestically rare and relatively mature wireless power supply/charging technology to mobile phones, mobile robots, drones, power tools, smart homes, and other fields, promoting the modularization of wireless charging across multiple industries.
This company is the first high-tech enterprise in China to fully master point-to-point, planar, track-based, and three-dimensional spatial wireless power supply technologies. It is also a "National High-tech Enterprise," providing reliable low, medium, and high-power wireless power supply and wireless charging solutions. Particularly in the field of mobile robot technology research and development and production, it possesses independent intellectual property rights and core technology patents, and is the first company to achieve mass production. Currently, the company has successfully implemented wireless charging applications in multiple AGV sectors. A representative from Zhonghui Chuangzhi stated that the company is currently receiving continuous orders for low-power wireless charging. In the medium and high-power wireless charging business segment, the company will focus on expanding into areas such as mobile robots, AGVs, drones, and electric bicycles. Therefore, the company's future business focus will be on deepening existing industry applications while continuously exploring new industry demands and broadening the industry applications of wireless charging/power supply.
