Humanoid Robot Motor Supplier in China

Humanoid robot motor overview

Humanoid robot motors are electromagnetic devices that are essential to humanoid robots because they generate driving torque by converting or transmitting electrical energy according to the law of electromagnetic induction. It is thought of as the robot's execution unit. It can be referred to as the "heart" of humanoid robot movement since it is mounted on each joint to regulate joint movement as required, which directly affects the robot's performance.

Robot joints are the fundamental building blocks of robots, and motors, which are essential parts of the joint system, perform tasks such torque increase, transmission, and deceleration. Humanoid robots, which possess human-like perception, decision-making, behavior, and anthropomorphic movement traits, are typically employed in human-like contexts. The motor is in charge of propelling the robot's joints during this process so that it can walk, run, and bounce.

Out of all the essential parts of humanoid robots, motors have a value share of up to 25%. As an illustration, consider the Tesla humanoid robot, which has 28 actuators across its body, some of which use frameless torque motors, and its intricate hands, which use hollow cup motors. There are twelve hollow cup motors on a single robot, six on each hand.

The ongoing progress in motor technology is also propelling the develoPment of humanoid robot technology. These advancements, which range from brushed to brushless motors and from regular to coreless motors, not only enhance motor performance but also increase the accuracy, adaptability, and efficiency of humanoid robot movement. The market for humanoid robots is expanding rapidly because to advancements in artificial intelligence and legislative backing, which will also give the motor industry more room to thrive.

Key motor types

(I) Classification according to application field

1.Features and use cases of control and power motors: With their high output power, power motors concentrate on motor running, braking, and drive. Automobiles, home appliances, tiny machine tools, and other industries frequently employ them. In cars, for instance, power motors give the vehicles the strength they need to move. Control motors concentrate on the motor's output properties, including its amplitude-frequency, phase-frequency, and output characteristics, as well as its accuracy and sensitivity. They are ideal for robots, semiconductors, photovoltaics, lithium batteries, industrial automation, and other domains. They primarily provide execution, detection, and solution activities in autonomous control systems.

2.Subdivision of control motors:

• o Stepper motor: simple structure, converts electrical pulse signals into angular displacement, and rotates a fixed angle in the set direction for each input pulse signal. Usually used in open-loop control systems, such as office automation, communication equipment, printing equipment and other fields. However, its efficiency and control accuracy are relatively low.
• o Servo motor: compared with stepper motor, it adds encoder and feedback mechanism, with high control accuracy and fast response speed. It is widely used in occasions requiring precision control, such as semiconductors, photovoltaics, lithium batteries, industrial automation, robots, etc. The hollow cup motor is a special servo motor with a coreless rotor. It has the advantages of small size, high control accuracy, long life, fast speed, high energy efficiency and high energy density.
• o Torque motor: with torque as the control direction, it can still provide stable torque to the load when the motor is at low speed or even stalled. It has the advantages of low speed, large torque, strong overload capacity and fast response, and is divided into framed torque motor and frameless torque motor.

(II) Brushless or brushless motor classification

1.Brushless coreless motors and brushed coreless motors differ structurally:

The brushed coreless motor uses mechanical brush commutation and lacks an iron core in its rotor. The coils revolve, but the magnetic poles remain stationary. The commutator and coils revolve when the motor is operating, but the carbon brushes and magnets do not. Through contact between the carbon brushes and the commutator, the electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy. The brushless coreless motor uses electronic commutation and lacks an iron core in its stator. The magnetic poles rotate, but the coils remain stationary. To ensure spark-free operation, the electronic commutator automatically modifies the current direction based on the rotor's position.

2.The differences between the two in terms of commutation method, control method, rotor structure, whether there is a Hall sensor and lifespan:

• Commutation mode: Brushed hollow cup motors use mechanical brush commutation. There is relative friction during operation, which will generate noise and electric sparks, reducing the service life of the motor. Brushless hollow cup motors use electronic commutation, which has the characteristics of high efficiency, small torque fluctuation, long service life, delicate structure, convenient maintenance, and easy maintenance.

• Control mode: Brushed hollow cup motors use current control; brushless hollow cup motors need to be matched with motor drivers to achieve drive control.

• Rotor structure: Brushed hollow cup motors are coils, commutators and connecting plates that rotate between the shell and the permanent magnet to form the rotor; the coils of brushless hollow cup motors are fixed, and the magnets rotate in the middle, which is also the rotor.

• Is there a Hall sensor: Brushed hollow cup motors do not have Hall sensors; brushless hollow cup motors have Hall sensors.
• Life: The life of brushed hollow cup motors depends on the commutator, which is generally 1000-3000h; brushless hollow cup motors use bearings, which have a longer life of up to 10000h +.

(III) Frameless torque motor

1. Overview of frameless torque motor characteristics: With only two components—the rotor and stator—a frameless torque motor is a permanent magnet motor with output torque as the measurement index. It satisfies the needs of humanoid robot joints for compact motor size, high torque, and quick response thanks to its features of small size, high power, and high torque output at low speed. For instance, a frameless torque motor can achieve direct driving, rapid reaction speed, compact structure, space savings, high efficiency, and easy integration with other robot joint components. It can also produce a lot of torque in a small volume.

2. Analyze its barriers and competition landscape：

• Barriers: Magnetic circuit and process design are the main technical barriers of frameless torque motors. Overseas manufacturers started early and have first-mover advantages in process technology. For example, South Korea's TM TECH rotor uses integral magnetizing magnetic ring technology, the United States Kollmorgen uses distributed fractional slots and carbon fiber binding technology, and Germany's TQ Robodrive uses modular stators and epoxy plastic encapsulation technology. Domestic companies started late, and there is a gap in torque density compared with foreign high-end frameless torque motors. In addition, high-end products have high requirements for magnetizing technology and motor manufacturing processes. Frameless torque motors usually need to be customized according to specific mechanical design dimensions, which puts forward special requirements for winding machine equipment in the production process. At the same time, when achieving high power density, it is necessary to control the temperature rise of the motor, which poses a challenge to the heat dissipation design of the motor.
• Competitive landscape: The global leader is Kollmorgen, and its motor performance is in the first echelon in the world. Domestic companies with rapid progress include Buke Co., Ltd. and Aerospace Electric, but compared with overseas leaders, domestic frameless torque motors have a small output torque and still have a gap in product performance. As the market capacity expands, servo manufacturers such as Huichuan Technology, Hechuan Technology, Wuxi Xinjie, and Leadshine also have the foundation to enter the frameless motor market.

Humanoid Robot Motor Supplier

Buke Co., Ltd.: As a frameless torque motor manufacturer, it actively deploys in the field of humanoid robot motors. Its products are small in size and high in power, which can meet the strict requirements of humanoid robot joints for motors. Buke Co., Ltd. focuses on the research and development and innovation of motor technology, continuously improves the performance and quality of its products, and provides stable and reliable power support for the movement of robots.

 Ming's Electric: It has outstanding performance in the field of hollow cup motors and is one of the important players in the global hollow cup motor market. Its product performance can be compared with overseas competitors and can meet the application needs of high-end fields such as humanoid robots. Ming's Electric has continuously invested in research and development to improve the technical level of hollow cup motors, and has significant advantages in motor efficiency, speed, response speed, etc.

 Dingzhi Technology (a subsidiary of Jiangsu Leili): It has realized the automated production of hollow cup motor windings. The minimum diameter of hollow cup motors can reach 8mm and the maximum speed can reach 80,000 rpm. In the field of humanoid robot motors, Dingzhi Technology provides high-performance motor products for robot's dexterous hands and other parts with advanced production technology and strict quality control.

Tuobang Co., Ltd.: One of the earliest domestic companies to break through the technical threshold of hollow cup motors. In the field of humanoid robot motors, Tuobang Co., Ltd. focuses on product innovation and research and development, and continuously improves the performance and reliability of motors. Its hollow cup motor products have certain advantages in energy efficiency and control accuracy, providing a strong guarantee for the robot's motion control.

Tianqi Co., Ltd.: In the humanoid robot motor industry chain, Tianqi Co., Ltd. mainly focuses on motor recycling and remanufacturing. Through advanced recycling technology and processes, Tianqi Co., Ltd. can effectively recycle and reuse waste motors, reduce the production cost of humanoid robots, and also contribute to environmental protection.

Jiangsu Leili: It has subsidiaries such as Dingzhi Technology and has strong strength in the field of hollow cup motors. Jiangsu Leili integrates resources and continuously improves the performance and quality of motor products, providing reliable power solutions for the development of humanoid robots.

WeiChuang Electric: It has certain advantages in humanoid robot motor drive control. WeiChuang Electric's motor driver can achieve precise control of the motor and improve the operating efficiency and stability of the motor. Its products are widely used in industrial automation and other fields, providing technical support for the motion control of humanoid robots.

Haozhi Electromechanical: As an encoder and sensor manufacturer, it plays an important role in the humanoid robot industry chain. Haozhi Electromechanical's products can provide real-time feedback on the moving position of each axis of the robot, providing data support for the precise control of the robot. Its encoder products are characterized by high precision and high reliability, and have broad application prospects in the field of humanoid robots.

Hechuan Technology: It has a certain market share in the field of humanoid robot motor control. Hechuan Technology's motor controller can achieve efficient control of the motor and improve the performance and stability of the motor. Its products have certain advantages in response speed and control accuracy, and provide a reliable solution for the motion control of humanoid robots.

Top Group: It has a certain layout in the fields of humanoid robot chassis systems. Top Group's products can provide stable support and motion platforms for humanoid robots, and it has rich experience and technical advantages in the design and manufacture of chassis systems.