Description

Wiferion develops and sells wireless energy systems for electrically powered industrial trucks, driverless transport systems and mobile robotic applications. The scalable, modular energy systems are based on the patented, inductive charging system etaLINK 3000, which is already in use at well-known industrial and logistics companies. The charging solution does not require plug-in or sliding contacts and enables efficient, fast intermediate charging of the batteries. Users benefit from reduced downtimes, wear-resistance, lower costs thanks to smaller battery capacities and economical intermediate charging processes. Thus, Wiferion offers an effective technology to automate the charging processes of its customers.

Innovations

• Efficiency: The system has an outstanding efficiency of 93 percent. Through intelligent topology and system design, Wiferion has succeeded in eliminating the former disadvantages of wireless power transmission.
• Reduced costs in process charging: The etaLINK 3000 does not require plug-in- or sliding contacts and enables “in process charging” of the batteries. Charging processes can thus be flexibly integrated into intralogistics processes. Users benefit from reduced downtimes, no wear, peak current capping, lower battery costs and economical charging processes.
• Safety and charging independent of the environment: Today’s plug solutions are not made for outdoor use. In addition, connectors only provide IP protection when plugged in. The etaLINK 3000 system is contactless and protected from environmental influences with an IP class of IP67.
• Competitive price: The charging solution has cost parity at system level with conventional charging solutions while being free of wear.
• Simple retrofit: The etaLINK 3000 inductive charging system can also be combined with retrofit projects, so that users can sustainably increase their capacity utilization and fleet efficiency through flexible and scalable integration.

Market relevance

• Today there is a lack of loading solutions for industrial trucks with which it is possible to realize intermediate loading with high currents of forklifts under ambient conditions with easy handling and high reliability. The etaLINK system closes this gap and opens up the full potential of lithium batteries.
• The contactless charging systems are suitable both for end users in industry, such as automobile manufacturers, and for manufacturers of mobile robots, industrial trucks and driverless transport systems.
• The potential for electrifying the global economy is immense. Many industrial companies have recognized that they have to act and want to invest in a resource-conserving and sustainable energy supply.
• Inductive charging systems are the basic prerequisite for getting the most out of the use of AGVs/industrial trucks.
• Wiferion went into series production in 2018 and already has an impressive customer list. KUKA, a leading international supplier of industrial robots and automated production solutions, has chosen Wiferion as its partner to equip its new mobile robotic platforms with contactless loading systems.

Customer benefits

• Automated loading processes: The mobile wireless charging systems and energy management solutions enable new processes. Users benefit from reduced downtime and require smaller battery capacities.
• Fast intermediate charging: etaLINK 3000 does not require plug-in- or sliding contacts and enables intermediate charging of the batteries with 3 kW. The rapid charging process is initiated within one second.
• Cost reduction in operation: Through intelligent distribution of the charging cycles, enormous costs can be saved in battery procurement in energy prices through peak current capping.
• No wear and tear: Expensive spare parts and downtimes as well as regular maintenance are a thing of the past.
• No infrastructure measures: Quick and easy installation, e.g. using floor plates, makes expensive interventions in the building structure unnecessary. No WLAN environment is necessary, as the system is equipped with its own optical communication.
• High security: protection class IP67 also allows outdoor installations and the pallets can be crossed by vehicles. In addition, there is no risk of tripping as the system can be integrated into the floor or onto the hall wall.
• Connectivity: The system provides user data for real-time planning via interfaces.
• Retrofit: Even subsequently electrified FFZs and FTSs can be connected to an inductive charging system. For this purpose, Wiferion offers a Plug & Play forklift trough with an integrated combination of battery and charging system.