- Built-in battery management unit allows easy replacement of lead storage battery
- Charged in just 20 minutes and retains 80% of capacity over 10 years’ use
- Three-quarters lighter than commonly used lead storage batteries
TOKYO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — March 8, 2017 — Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced the latest addition to its SCiB™ line-up of innovative lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, the SIP series of modules for automated guided vehicles (AGV) and other types of industrial equipment. The new modules will be available from April.
AGV are mobile robots widely used in transportation of materials and components around factory floors and warehouses, and also in settings that include hospitals and offices. As tools for supporting work flows, their availability and reliability are key concerns. Typical AGV use lead batteries that suffer from long charge times and short lifecycles; Toshiba’s SIP series modules offer a much more cost-efficient solution.
SIP series modules integrate a battery management unit that manages voltage and internal temperature, facilitating easy replacement of lead storage batteries. Typical, widely used lead batteries have a charge time of 8 to 10 hours*1, but SIP series modules charge in just 20 minutes. Lead batteries have a short life, and need to be replaced in roughly 2-year cycles*2, but SIP series performance characteristics maintain over 80% battery capacity for about 10 years of use*3. On top of all this, Toshiba’s new modules are smaller and lighter, approaching only one fourth the weight*4 of lead storage batteries. As a final plus, SIP series modules can be used in temperatures as low as -30°C making it suitable for equipment that operates in low-temperature environments, such as cold storage and refrigerated warehouses.
Isao Aoki, Vice President of Industrial & Automotive Systems Div. of Toshiba’s Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Company said, “This is an excellent business opportunity. Our SCiB™ is lighter than a lead battery, has a rapid charge time, good charge and discharge characteristics and longer life performance. It is ideal for AGV and other industrial applications. Building on these technological strengths, we are continuing to develop the SCiB™ business in multiple directions, including automotive, home use, public and industrial applications, and large-scale energy storage system.”
| *1 | Toshiba survey. | ||
| *2 | Recharged 400-600 times, under condition of charging and discharging once a day | ||
| *3 | Estimate based on standard conditions of use as defined by Toshiba | ||
| *4 | Size: | Comparison of commonly used 12V50Ah class lead storage battery set-up of two batteries connected in series (24V) with SIP24-23. | |
| Weight: | Comparison with approx. 8kg SIP against typically used 12V50Ah class lead storage batteries of 2 batteries connected in series (24V). | ||
| Lead storage battery capacity 50Ah is equivalent to 25Ah at 50% depth of charge. (Toshiba survey). | |||
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Other features |
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1. |
Reduction of service and maintenance burdens |
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| Since SIP series modules don’t need uniform charging and refilling of water tank, service and maintenance requirements are lower compared to lead storage battery. | ||
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2. |
User-friendly interface |
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| SIP series modules have a digital output circuit*5 which enable to confirm a four-step remaining battery level and error status. User can use the Controller Area Network to see the detailed conditions. | ||
| *5 | MOS-FET Open-drain Output. | |
Applications
Automated guided
vehicle, electric carts, construction machines, aerial vehicles, mixer
vehicles, trash collectors, tow tractors, forklifts, road sweepers,
welding machines, security systems, disaster prevention systems,
measuring devices, instrumentation devices, emergency lighting,
communications systems equipment, uninterruptible power supply
equipment, small wind power generators, etc.
| *6 | Not for use for applications to run on public road | |
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Application effect of Automated Guided Vehicle*7 |
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| Item | Lead storage battery | SIP series | Effect | |||
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Charging
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8-10 hours |
Approx. 20 minutes | Shorter charge times boost operational availability | |||
| Quick charge | Difficult (accelerates degradation) | Possible(less degradation) | ||||
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Life
|
2-3 years |
Approx. 10 years |
Reduce battery replacement and discard by a factor of one third | |||
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Backup
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Requires two types of back-up battery for charging and replacing | Not required | No need for back-up battery | |||
| Weight | Approx. 30kg | Approx. 8kg | Make AGV lightweight | |||
| Maintenance | Water tank may be refilled | Not required | Reduce maintenance time | |||
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Monitoring
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None | Monitored by battery management unit | Prevents battery deterioration | |||
| *7 | Comparison with commonly used 12V50Ah class lead storage battery consisting of 2 series connections (24V) with SIP24-23. Excludes back-up battery for dealing with malfunctions. |
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Spec of SIP series |
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| Item | 24V specification | 48V specification | ||||
| Type name | SIP24-23 | SIP48-23 | ||||
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Module
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1 unit | 2 units in parallel | 2 units in series | |||
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Nominal
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DC25.3V | DC50.6V | ||||
| Output voltage | DC16.5 to 29.7V | DC33.0 to 59.4V | ||||
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Nominal
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22Ah, 556Wh | 44Ah, 1112Wh | 22Ah, 1112Wh | |||
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Ambient
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-30 to 40°C | -30 to 40°C | ||||
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Ambient
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85% RH or less (no condensation) |
85% RH or less
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| Dimensions |
W247 × D188 ×
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W2475 × D188 ×
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W247 × D188 × H165 mm × 2 | |||
| Weight | Approx. 8kg | Approx. 16kg | Approx. 16kg | |||
| Price | Open price | |||||
About Toshiba
Founded in Tokyo
in 1875, Toshiba Corporation is a Fortune Global 500 company that
contributes to a better world and better lives with innovative
technologies in Energy, Infrastructure and Storage. Guided by the
philosophy of “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba
promotes operations through a global network of 551 consolidated
companies employing 188,000 people, with annual sales surpassing 5.6
trillion yen (US$50 billion; March 31, 2016).
Find out more about Toshiba at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm
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