With the rapid development of robotics, the battery, as the core power source, directly determines the operational efficiency, endurance, and safety of devices. In scenarios such as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), industrial robotic arms, and logistics drones, lithium-ion batteries have become the preferred choice due to their high energy density, lightweight, and long cycle life. This article, combined with industry practices, analyzes the key selection factors for robot lithium batteries and provides customized solutions from the professional supplier Yilai Power.
The battery voltage needs to match the voltage platform of the robot's motor and controller:
7.4V (2S): Suitable for small educational robots and service robots (such as desktop robotic arms), with a typical capacity of 500-2000mAh, supporting continuous operation for 2-4 hours in low-power scenarios.
11.1V (3S): Commonly used in medium-sized mobile robots (such as warehouse AGVs), with a capacity of 3-5Ah, capable of meeting over 8 hours of logistics handling needs.
14.8V (4S) and above: Dedicated to large industrial robots or high-performance drones. For example, a 20Ah battery can support a heavy-duty robotic arm's continuous operation for 6 hours, with an energy density of over 200Wh/kg.
Yilai Power Technology Highlights: Providing customized multi-series parallel solutions (e.g., 6S/12S systems) with intelligent voltage balancing technology to ensure balanced cell voltage and improve system stability.
The discharge rate directly affects the robot's performance during acceleration, climbing, or sudden load changes:
Standard scenarios (≤5C): Suitable for robots that move at a constant speed, such as inspection robots. For instance, a 10Ah battery with a 5C discharge rate can provide a continuous current of 50A, ensuring smooth motor operation.
High-power scenarios (10C-25C): Logistics drones and combat robots require instant high currents. For example, a 14.8V 4000mAh 25C battery can output a peak current of 100A, supporting a drone's 30-meter vertical climb within 3 seconds.
Risk Warning: Using low-discharge-rate batteries in high-load scenarios can cause a sudden voltage drop (sag), potentially leading to motor stalling or system reboots. Real-time monitoring of dynamic internal resistance is necessary through the Battery Management System (BMS).
The BMS is the "brain" of robot batteries, with core functions including:
Overcharge/Overdischarge Protection: Dynamically adjusts based on cell type, cutting off the circuit within 0.1 seconds when the voltage reaches 4.3V or 2.5V (accuracy ±0.05V).
Overcurrent/Short Circuit Protection: Supports 100A instantaneous current cutoff, with hardware response time for short circuit protection <5μs.
Cell Balancing: Using active balancing technology, the voltage difference between cells is controlled within ±5mV, extending the cycle life by more than 20%.
Communication Interface: Integrated with CAN/LIN buses, it supports real-time communication with the robot's main control system to exchange battery status (voltage, temperature, remaining capacity).
Typical Solution: Yilai Power's 4S 150A intelligent BMS, suitable for high-power robotic arms, supports a 200 samples per second data sampling rate, meeting industrial real-time control needs.
High-discharge rates or prolonged operation can lead to battery temperature rise, requiring a combination of passive heat dissipation and active temperature control:
Structural Optimization: Using aluminum housings and thermal conductive silicone grease, the thermal resistance of the cells is reduced to below 5K/W.
Liquid Cooling Solutions: For robots with power ratings above 200W, micro-channel liquid cooling plates are embedded to control cell temperature differences within ±3°C.
Temperature Thresholds: Standard operating range of -20°C to 60°C, with wide-temperature versions using silicon-carbon anode technology, adapting to -30°C to 65°C.
Case Study: A certain outdoor inspection robot equipped with Yilai Power's wide-temperature battery was able to operate continuously for 4 hours at -20°C, maintaining cell temperatures within the safe range of -15°C to 25°C.
Space is critical for robots, and Yilai Power offers high-density integration solutions:
Cell Selection: Prioritizing the use of 21700/4680 large cylindrical cells or soft-pack lithium polymer cells, increasing energy density by 15%-20% compared to 18650 cells.
Custom Designs: Customizing arc-shaped and T-shaped battery packs according to the robot's chassis profile, achieving a space utilization rate of up to 95% (compared to 70% with traditional square batteries).
Lightweight Materials: Using carbon fiber housings instead of metals, reducing weight by 30%, while still meeting IP67 waterproof standards.
Industrial robots need to balance longevity and cost:
Standard Scenarios: Consumer-grade cells with 500 cycles (e.g., ternary lithium) are suitable for small and medium-sized enterprise equipment.
Long-Life Scenarios: Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells with over 2000 cycles (80% DOD), combined with Yilai Power’s pulse charging technology, can reduce the decay rate to 0.05% per cycle, ideal for 24/7 operation in logistics AGVs.
Data Comparison:
| Cell Type | Cycle Life (cycles) | Energy Density (Wh/kg) | Applicable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ternary Lithium | 500-800 (80% DOD) | 200-260 | Mobile robots, drones |
| LiFePO4 | 2000+ (80% DOD) | 160-200 | Industrial robotic arms, energy storage robots |
Exports or high-risk scenarios require the following certifications:
Transport Safety: UN38.3 (air transport), IMDG Code (sea transport).
Environmental Standards: CE, RoHS, REACH.
Functional Safety: ISO 12405-2 (electric vehicle battery safety requirements).
Yilai Power's Advantage: All battery packs are UL94 V-0 flame retardant tested and provide MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), supporting customers in quickly passing final product certifications.
Different applications place strict demands on the battery, including:
Vibration and Impact: Through ISTA 3A testing, capable of withstanding 10G acceleration shocks.
Dust and Liquids: IP68 protection rating, submersible for 30 minutes in water at a depth of 2 meters.
Electromagnetic Compatibility: Compliant with CISPR 25 Class 5 standards, suitable for industrial environments with high electromagnetic interference.
Case 1: Logistics Drone Power Solution
Requirements: 10kg payload, 45-minute endurance, supports operation at -10°C.
Configuration
Battery Type: 14.8V (4S) Soft-pack Lithium Polymer.
Capacity/Rating: 5000mAh/20C, energy density 240Wh/kg.
BMS: Integrated low-temperature preheating function (-10°C auto-start heating film).
Certification: UN38.3, etc.
This solution successfully met the customer's requirements for 45 minutes of full-load endurance and low-temperature reliable operation.
Case 2: Industrial Robotic Arm Long-Life Solution
Requirements: 24-hour continuous operation, cycle life ≥ 2000 cycles, oil and corrosion resistance.
Configuration
Battery Type: 12.8V (4S) Lithium Iron Phosphate.
Capacity/Rating: 30Ah/5C, supports fast battery swapping.
Protection: IP68 waterproof and oil-resistant, surface treated with Teflon coating.
Thermal Management: Built-in micro-pump liquid cooling system, temperature rise <15°C/hour.
This solution met the customer's requirements for 24/7 continuous operation, long service life, and harsh environmental protection.
The selection of robot lithium batteries is a deep coupling of technology and application, requiring comprehensive evaluation across voltage, discharge rate, BMS, thermal management, and more. Yilai Power, as an industry-leading battery solution provider, offers a complete service process from sample customization (7-day sample) to bulk delivery (21-day cycle), helping customers create high-performance, reliable robot power systems.
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