Murata Introduces Mass Production of a FORTELION 24V Battery Module for Industrial Equipment

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has developed a FORTELION 24V Battery Module (all-in-one type) that is ideal for industrial equipment requiring high output such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs)*1 and robots. Mass production starts in April 2020. This module is equipped with "FORTELION", Murata's proprietary lithium-ion secondary battery, which uses olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material and combines long life with an exceptionally high level of safety.

 

Image courtesy of Murata. 

In recent years, the use of service robots and AGVs in warehouses has expanded in the interests of improving productivity and overcoming manpower shortages. Conventionally, these devices are equipped with lead-acid batteries, but in view of issues such as long charging time and short battery life, there is an increasing need to replace them with lithium-ion secondary batteries, which boast faster-charging capability and longer battery life. In addition, Murata is committed to reducing the use of batteries that contain lead, which is hazardous to the environment.

In response to these needs, Murata has developed a new battery module that is the same size as a conventional lead-acid battery. Equipped with"FORTELION" lithium-ion secondary batteries, this module delivers longer life and rapid charging capability as well as realizing a high level of safety.

 

Highlights of product

• Size compatible with lead-acid batteries
  Many service robots, AGVs, and electric forklifts have power systems operating on voltage multiples of 24V, so it is common to connect two lead-acid batteries each with an output voltage of 12V in series. Murata's FORTELION 24V Battery Module (all-in-one type) is structured as a 24V system in a single battery management unit (BMS)*2. Because the module is equivalent in size to a conventional lead-acid battery, replacement is easy.

• Dustproof and waterproof
  The module has an IP54*3 rating, delivering protection against dust and water, and also meets the UL2271*4 safety requirement for batteries for light electric vehicles, so it is safe for outdoor use.

• Accurate remaining capacity calculation
  The battery’s remaining capacity via CAN communication is accurately indicated as a percentage (%) using Murata's unique arithmetic processing technology based on the company’s know-how developed with PCs, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.

 

Highlights of "FORTELION"

• Highly safe
  Thanks to the stable crystalline structure made possible by employing olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (lithium ferrophosphate) as the cathode material, "FORTELION" is less vulnerable to breakage and less likely to catch fire, even if subjected to a large impact or significant pressure, and maintains a reliable battery performance even under intense workloads.

• Long life
  Designed to undergo more than 10,000 charge-discharge cycles, "FORTELION" provides a much longer expected operating life than lead-acid batteries that typically require replacement around 500 cycles or regular lithium-ion secondary batteries that are capable of 2,000 to 3,000 cycles.

• Fast charging
  "FORTELION" can be charged to 90% of its full capacity in about one hour, allowing devices equipped with this battery to be charged during standby mode.

• Excellent discharge characteristics
  Less susceptible to voltage effects, "FORTELION" can be used for long periods and is also free from the memory effect*5 observed in nickel-cadmium batteries caused by repeated partial discharge events.

 

Major applications

• Service robots, security robots
• Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
• Electric forklifts