Photo: klk.
The list of IFOY nominees: Inductive charging is not new. Various systems have previously offered the option of driving the device to a charging position, where wireless charging then takes place. The start-up Magment allows charging while driving via "magnetic concrete".
Currently, electric vehicles require at least two to three hours of charging time within a 24-hour period. Electrifying industrial floors with dynamic wireless charging reduces or eliminates these charging breaks. Electric fleets in intralogistics, as well as battery capacities, can be reduced, which would significantly lower capital expenditures (CAPEX) for long-term assets like these vehicles.
The patented magnetizable concrete, combined with proprietary winding and casting technologies, enables the production of robust inductive charging pads that allow for the integration of wireless infrastructure into the ground. Each of these one-meter-long charging pads contains 42 meters of copper cable. During the evaluation of the test setup, Magment explained that the system can charge virtually any vehicle battery voltage – up to a maximum of 170 amps. According to the measurement display, the efficiency is over 90 percent. In the test setup, two pads are installed beneath chipboard panels, over which a current collector, intended to simulate the AGV, travels.
The key point: At no point on either of the two MagPads, which together with the electronics, a coil and the corresponding electronics on the receiver side form the dynamic wireless charging path MagTrack, does the charging curve of the oscilloscope show a drop in charging power.
To realize this compelling concept, Magment is working closely with manufacturers of autonomous forklifts and pallet trucks, industrial flooring manufacturers, and warehouse owners. The goal is to implement a dynamic, wireless charging infrastructure to recharge vehicles while they are in operation. The ultimate aim: to maximize warehouse productivity by maximizing the operating time of warehouse equipment to nearly 100 percent.
However, to make charging during transport profitable, after some consideration, longer distances in the warehouse are required, and due to the integration into the warehouse floor, careful profitability calculations are necessary.
The coveted trophies will be awarded on Thursday, June 30th, at BMW Welt in Munich
Until then, the result will remain a secret – both for the finalists and for the public.
www.ifoy.org
