Feature: Power
In the unlikely event of an internal
short circuit, LTO cells will discharge slower than cells with a carbon anode. T e slower chemical reaction generates less heat, reducing the risk of thermal runaway or thermal propagation compared with other types of Li-ion cells – which is crucially important in applications such as marine.
Inside factories In-factory effi ciencies mean greater automation, and one area that can benefi t from this is that of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) – small electrically- powered vehicles used to move materials and goods, oſt en around the clock. Considering the typical working profi le of a small AGV, LTO battery technology can bring great benefi ts here; they can drive about 75% of the time, with low power consumption. Liſt ing cargo uses most power, whilst
energy is recaptured and returned to the battery when lowering goods. In a typical 20-hour, 1200-run day, an AGV will use about 4.8kWh of energy. When considering the charging strategy
and selecting the optimum battery, there are two options: fi rst, the AGV runs a full working day and depletes a large battery, which can then be recharged in about an hour; and second, regular recharges are used to keep a much smaller battery topped up during the day. In terms of working time, the two scenarios are the same, with some 60 minutes of each day
Toshiba’s range of Super Charge ion Batteries (SCiB) feature a 24V/22Ah LTO battery
dedicated to charging. T e daily recharging option requires
a 165Ah battery, whereas in the second option, a 16.5Ah battery is typically recharged for six minutes, ten times per day. T e challenge here is that much faster charging is required, and the relative charging power is ten times higher. LTO technology recharges more quickly, without any risk of Li-metal plating. As a result, despite the lower energy density, this solution weighs under 10kg and, assuming a factor of two of the Euro/kWh, the cost for the cells would still be only a fi ſt h. Apart from the lower initial cost of the
battery, its smaller size and weight will make design easier and reduce the AGV’s cost. T e operation will be much more effi cient and new applications, such as shuttles connected to warehouse shelves, will become possible. From the perspective of robustness and ruggedness, the LTO solution off ers
low risk of fi re, does not require a warm environment for charging, or frequent replacement. Toshiba’s range of Super Charge ion
Batteries (SCiB) feature a 24V/22Ah LTO battery, designed specifi cally for industrial applications such as AGVs. T e pack can operate from -30°C to +45°C and is capable of delivering up to 125A for 200 seconds. Measuring just 247 x 188 x 165mm
and weighing only 8kg per pack, the SCiB batteries can be joined in parallel, or in series for 48V operation. Status and diagnostic data is provided via CAN bus. Toshiba’s battery technology is ideal for
AGVs, which are becoming very common and must be small, nimble, reliable and cheap to acquire and operate. Traditional school of thought states that batteries should deliver “more capacity at a lower cost”; the choice of an LTO battery can dramatically reduce costs whilst delivering a safer and more robust solution.
Figure 1: Li ions can easily enter voids in the LTO spinel structure
www.electronicsworld.co.uk February 2023 27
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