1. The role of magnetic components in robots
1.1. Accurate positioning
In robot systems, magnetic sensors are widely used. For example, in some industrial robots, the built-in magnetic sensors can detect changes in the surrounding magnetic field in real time. This detection can accurately determine the position and direction of the robot in three-dimensional space, with an accuracy of millimeters. According to relevant data statistics, the positioning error of robots positioned by magnetic sensors is usually within ±5 mm, which provides a reliable guarantee for robots to perform high-precision tasks in complex environments.
1.2. Efficient navigation
The magnetic strips or magnetic markers on the ground serve as navigation paths and play an important role in scenes such as automated warehousing, logistics, and production lines. Taking intelligent handling robots as an example, the technology of using magnetic strip navigation is relatively mature, low-cost, and accurate and reliable in positioning. After laying magnetic strips on the operating line, the intelligent robot can obtain the error between the machine itself and the target tracking path through the electromagnetic field data signal on the path, and complete the navigation work of the machine transportation through accurate and reasonable calculation and measurement. In addition, magnetic nail navigation is also a common navigation method. Its application principle is to find the driving path based on the magnetic data signal received by the navigation sensor from the magnetic nail. The distance between the magnetic nails cannot be too large. When between two magnetic nails, the handling robot will be in the state of encoder calculation.
1.3. Strong clamping adsorption
Equipping the robot with magnetic clamps can greatly improve the robot’s operating ability. For example, the Dutch GOUDSMIT magnetic clamp can be easily installed in the production line and can safely handle ferromagnetic products with a maximum lifting capacity of 600 kg. The MG10 magnetic gripper launched by OnRobot has programmable force and is equipped with built-in clamps and part detection sensors for manufacturing, automotive and aerospace fields. These magnetic clamps can clamp almost any shape or form of ferrous workpieces, and only a small contact area is required to achieve a strong clamping force.
1.4. Effective cleaning detection
The cleaning robot can effectively clean metal fragments or other small objects on the ground by magnetic adsorption. For example, an adsorption cleaning robot is equipped with an electromagnet in the fan-shaped slot to cooperate with the stroke control switch, so that when the fan-shaped slot enters the predetermined area, the electromagnet is powered off, so that the metal waste parts fall into the collection slot, and a diversion structure is provided on the bottom of the fan-shaped slot to collect the waste liquid. At the same time, magnetic sensors can also be used to detect metal objects on the ground, helping the robot to better adapt to the environment and respond accordingly.
1.5. Precision motor control
In systems such as DC motors and stepper motors, the interaction between the magnetic field and the motor is crucial. Taking NdFeB magnetic materials as an example, it has a high magnetic energy product and can provide a strong magnetic field force, so that the robot motor has the characteristics of high efficiency, high speed and high torque. For example, one of the materials used by Zhongke Sanhuan in the field of robots is NdFeB. In the motor of the robot, NdFeB magnets can be used as permanent magnets of the motor to provide a strong magnetic field force, so that the motor has the characteristics of high efficiency, high speed and high torque. At the same time, in the robot’s sensor, NdFeB magnets can be used as the core component of the magnetic sensor to detect and measure the magnetic field information around the robot.
2. Application of permanent magnet robots
2.1. Application of humanoid robots
These emerging fields of humanoid robots require magnetic components to realize functions such as voltage conversion and EMC filtering. Maxim Technology said that humanoid robots need magnetic components to complete these important tasks. In addition, magnetic components are also used in humanoid robots to drive motors and provide power for the movement of robots. In terms of sensing systems, magnetic components can accurately sense the surrounding environment and provide a basis for the robot’s decision-making. In terms of motion control, magnetic components can ensure the robot’s precise and stable movements, provide sufficient torque and power, and enable humanoid robots to complete various complex motion tasks. For example, when carrying heavy objects, strong torque can ensure that the robot can stably grasp and move objects.
2.2. Application of joint motors
The permanent magnet components of the magnetic rotor for the joint motor of the robot include a rotating mechanism and a retaining mechanism. The rotating ring in the rotating mechanism is connected to the mounting tube through a support plate, and the outer surface is provided with a first mounting groove for mounting the first magnetic component, and a heat dissipation component is also provided to improve the heat dissipation efficiency. The retaining ring in the retaining mechanism is provided with a second mounting groove for mounting the second magnetic component. When in use, the retaining mechanism can be conveniently set inside the existing joint motor housing through the retaining ring, and the rotating mechanism can be set on the existing joint motor rotor through the mounting tube, and the mounting tube is fixed and restricted by the retaining hole. The heat dissipation groove increases the contact area with the inner surface wall of the existing joint motor housing, so that the retaining ring can efficiently transfer the absorbed heat to the motor housing, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency. When the mounting tube rotates with the rotor, it can drive the rotating ring to rotate through the support plate. The rotating ring accelerates heat dissipation through the first heat sink and the second heat sink fixed on one side of the heat conducting strip. At the same time, the flow airflow generated by the rotation of the motor rotor can accelerate the heat discharge inside the motor through the heat dissipation port, maintaining the normal operating environment of the first magnetic block and the second magnetic block. Moreover, the first connecting block and the second connecting block are convenient for the installation and replacement of the corresponding first L-shaped seat or the second L-shaped seat, so that the first magnetic block and the second magnetic block can be conveniently installed and replaced according to the actual use situation.
2.3. Micro robot application
By magnetizing the micro robot, it can flexibly turn and move in a complex environment. For example, researchers at Beijing Institute of Technology combined NdFeB particles with soft silicone PDMS materials to make a micro soft robot, and covered the surface with a biocompatible hydrogel layer, overcoming the adhesion between the micro object and the soft tip of the robot, reducing the friction between the micro robot and the substrate, and reducing damage to biological targets. The magnetic drive system consists of a pair of vertical electromagnets. The micro robot turns and vibrates according to the magnetic field. Because the robot is soft, it can flexibly bend its body and can flexibly turn in a complex bifurcated environment. Not only that, the micro robot can also manipulate micro objects. In the “bead moving” game designed by the researchers, the micro robot can be controlled by the magnetic field, through layers of mazes to “move” the target beads into the target groove. This task can be completed in just a few minutes. In the future, the researchers plan to further reduce the size of the micro robot and improve its control accuracy, which proves that the micro robot has great potential for intravascular operation.
3. Robot requirements for magnetic components
The value of a single magnetic component of a humanoid robot is 3.52 times that of a NdFeB magnet. The magnetic component is required to have the characteristics of large torque, small magnetic declination, small motor size, and high unit magnetic performance requirements. It may be upgraded from a simple magnetic material to a magnetic component product.
3.1. Large torque
The torque of a permanent magnet synchronous motor is affected by multiple factors, among which the magnetic field strength is one of the key factors. The permanent magnet material and the optimized magnetic circuit structure in the magnetic component can increase the magnetic field strength, thereby improving the torque output of the motor. For example, the size of the magnetic steel directly affects the magnetic field strength of the motor. Generally, the larger the magnetic steel, the greater the magnetic field strength. A larger magnetic field strength can provide a stronger magnetic force, thereby increasing the torque output of the motor. In humanoid robots, a larger torque is required to increase the load-bearing capacity to complete various complex tasks, such as carrying heavy objects.
3.2. Small magnetic declination
A small magnetic declination can reduce motion errors. In the motion control of humanoid robots, precise movements are crucial. If the magnetic declination is too large, the output torque of the motor will be unstable, thereby affecting the motion accuracy of the robot. Therefore, humanoid robots require very small magnetic declination angles of magnetic components to ensure accurate movements of the robot.
3.3. Small motor size
The design of humanoid robots usually needs to consider space limitations, so the motor size of the magnetic component is required to be small. Through reasonable winding design, magnetic circuit structure optimization and shaft diameter selection, the torque density of the motor can be improved, thereby achieving greater torque output while reducing the size of the motor. This can make the structure of the robot more compact and improve the flexibility and adaptability of the robot.
3.4. High unit magnetic performance requirements
The magnetic materials used in humanoid robots need to have high unit magnetic performance. This is because humanoid robots need to achieve efficient energy conversion and motion control in a limited space. Magnetic components with high unit magnetic performance can provide stronger magnetic field force, making the motor have higher efficiency and performance. At the same time, high unit magnetic performance can also reduce the size and weight of the magnetic component, meeting the requirements of humanoid robots for lightweight.
4. Future development
Magnetic components have shown excellent value in many fields due to their unique performance, and their development prospects are bright. In the industrial field, it is a key aid for precise robot positioning, efficient navigation, strong clamping and adsorption, effective cleaning and detection, and precise motor control. It is indispensable in different types of robots such as humanoid robots, joint motors, and micro robots. With the continuous expansion of market demand, the requirements for high-performance magnetic components are also rising. Enterprises need to continuously improve product quality and technical level in the process of development to create magnetic component products with higher performance and more reliable quality. Market demand and technological reforms will further promote the magnetic component industry towards a broader future.
Post time: Nov-19-2024
