Integrated Electrochemical Cell Testing Device for Reproducible Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrochemical cell testing methods are laborious, lack reproducibility, and do not allow for complete characterization, especially due to complex assembly processes and fragile equipment that restricts testing to small electrode sizes, limiting the representation of material quantities.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical cell testing device with a base and cover containing a test compartment, current collectors, measurement probes, and electrical connectors, allowing for easy assembly and non-destructive testing of various cell sizes and types, with features like fluid management and adjustable pressure, enabling comprehensive characterization without the need for screws or crimping machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If standard testing cells are used with external heating elements, temperature probes, and pressure sensors added, then measurement capabilities are improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase greatly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilitiesVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates heating elements, temperature probes, pressure sensors, and gas management components directly into the cell housing structure during manufacturing. This merging of functions into a unified integrated design eliminates the need for separate external components and their complex assembly, while maintaining comprehensive measurement and control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If commercially available pressure measurement and gas analysis products are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device fragility increases resulting in high failure rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement and gas analysisVSAvoidfailure rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs robust, simple pressure sensors and gas analysis components that are inherently more resistant to failure. The design prioritizes mechanical robustness and simplicity over sophisticated but fragile commercial products, resulting in lower failure rates during cell testing and characterization while maintaining adequate measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If small electrode sizes are used in testing cells, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different cell sizes and material quantities is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting cell designVSAvoidcell size and material quantity range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the test cell with a standardized housing and component integration approach that can accommodate various electrode sizes and cell configurations. The integrated heating, sensing, and gas management systems are scalable and adaptable to different cell dimensions, allowing the same basic design to serve multiple testing requirements without requiring specialized cells for each size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Manufacturing precision

If laborious assembly processes are used for standard testing cells, then manufacturing precision may be improved, but productivity decreases and reproducibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell assembly precisionVSAvoidtesting throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates heating elements, sensors, and other components into the cell housing during the manufacturing process rather than during assembly. This preliminary integration ensures precise positioning and connection before the cell reaches the user, eliminating time-consuming manual assembly steps while maintaining high manufacturing precision through automated production techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3300159A1Electrochemical cell testing device
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
  • EP3300159A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3300159A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3300159A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention concerns an electrochemical cell testing device (10), comprising a base (11) comprising at least one test compartment (13), a first and a second current collector (15, 16) arranged within the test compartment (13) such that the current collectors (15, 16) face each other, at least one measurement probe (17) arranged within the test compartment (13), electrical connectors (18, 19, 20) for the current collectors (15, 16) and the at least one measurement probe (17), wherein the electrical connectors (18, 19, 20) are arranged accessible from the outside of the test compartment (13), and a cover (12) closing the at least one test compartment (13) hermetically. The test compartment (13) is adapted to receive electrodes and an electrolyte of an electrochemical cell to be tested.