Modular Battery Test Chambers for Fire-Resilient Facility Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional testing facilities for vehicle components like batteries and electric motors are costly, inflexible, and prone to significant damage during extreme events such as fires or explosions due to their fixed and integrated nature.

Innovation Solution

A modular testing arrangement comprising infrastructure and test modules within transportable containers, allowing for flexible and scalable setup, with climate control systems and fire safety measures, enabling easy replacement of damaged components and reducing risk during emergencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If testing facilities are built as integral fixed structures within manufacturing facilities, then testing capabilities are provided, but construction time increases and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The testing facility is divided into separate modular containers (test chambers, control rooms, support facilities) that can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site. This segmentation enables parallel construction of different modules, reducing overall construction time while maintaining flexibility in configuration and location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The facility transitions from a fixed integral structure to a dynamic modular configuration where containers can be relocated, reconfigured, or scaled based on testing requirements. This dynamic approach provides adaptability without requiring complete facility reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If special-purpose testing facilities are built as integral structures, then testing capabilities are provided, but investment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoidinvestment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the facility into standardized modular containers, the system enables reuse of identical modules across multiple testing applications and locations. This reduces overall investment cost through economies of scale in manufacturing and deployment while maintaining reliable testing capabilities in each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular containers are designed with universal applicability, where a single container design can serve multiple testing purposes or be deployed across different facilities. This multi-functionality reduces total investment by eliminating the need for specialized custom-built facilities for each testing requirement.

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

3Reliability

If testing facilities are built as integral structures, then testing capabilities are provided, but damage in case of fire or explosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting capabilityVSAvoiddamage extent
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The facility is segmented into separate modular containers that physically isolate testing operations from support facilities and other containers. In case of fire or explosion, this segmentation limits damage containment to individual containers, protecting the overall facility and enabling selective replacement of damaged modules while maintaining operational capability in undamaged areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular container design is used, then flexibility and damage limitation are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While segmentation into modules increases operational flexibility, it also creates complexity in inter-module connections and coordination. The system manages this complexity through standardized interfaces and modular control architectures that simplify integration while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3579005B1Modular arrangement for testing vehicle batteries
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 PROVENTIA EMISSION CONTROL OY
  • EP3579005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3579005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3579005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an arrangement for testing vehicle components, said arrangement comprising a test system and at least one test chamber (111-116) for components to be tested. In the invention, the arrangement comprises an infra structure module (221) comprising a transportable container (231) for accommodating test system equipment, and at least one test module (121-126) comprising a transportable container (131) comprising the test chamber (111) for the vehicle components to be tested. At least one test module is arranged next to the infra structure module. The arrangement further comprises test system connection element for operatively connecting the test system equipment at the infra structure module (221) to the test module (121).