Modular Environmental Test Chamber for Adaptable Equipment Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental test chambers require custom manufacturing for various configurations, making them costly and inefficient for testing equipment under diverse temperature and humidity conditions, as they need to be tailored for specific applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular environmental test chamber system comprising an equipment module with air treatment equipment and interchangeable chamber modules of different sizes, each equipped with heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification capabilities, allowing for flexible configuration and reduced manufacturing needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom manufacturing is used for various test chamber configurations, then testing capability for diverse equipment is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The test chamber is divided into separate modular components: a reusable equipment module containing air treatment equipment and interchangeable chamber modules that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows the same equipment module to work with multiple chamber module configurations, reducing custom manufacturing needs while maintaining versatility for testing diverse equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment module is designed as a universal component that can be paired with different chamber modules to create various test chamber configurations. The air treatment equipment, control systems, and airflow pathways are standardized to work with multiple chamber module types, enabling one equipment module to serve multiple testing applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom-configured chambers are manufactured, then coverage for various applications is improved, but installed equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the expensive equipment module from the simpler chamber modules, the system allows users to invest once in the equipment module and then selectively add or interchange chamber modules as needed. This reduces the need to purchase multiple complete custom-configured chambers, lowering overall installed equipment cost while maintaining application coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables users to discard or set aside chamber modules for specific applications and recover the expensive equipment module for reuse with different chamber modules. This recovering of high-value components across multiple applications reduces total equipment investment.
3Productivity
If chamber modules are made interchangeable, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but sealing and airflow alignment precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber modules are pre-manufactured with standardized sealing surfaces, airflow passage geometries, and alignment features that ensure proper mating with the equipment module. This preliminary preparation of precise interfaces during manufacturing allows for quick interchangeability without requiring field adjustment, maintaining both manufacturing efficiency and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The design standardizes critical parameters such as sealing surface dimensions, airflow passage cross-sections, and connection interface geometries across all chamber modules. By controlling these parameters during manufacturing, the system achieves interchangeable precision without sacrificing manufacturing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective environmental testing across a wide range of equipment without the need for custom configurations, allowing users to maintain multiple modules for various applications and minimizing installed costs by providing temporary modules as needed.
Implementation Method 1
heating equipment for selectively heating the flowing air
Implementation Method 2
cooling equipment for selectively cooling the flowing air
Implementation Method 3
humidification equipment for selectively humidifying the flowing air
Implementation Method 4
dehumidification equipment for selectively dehumidifying the flowing air
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental test chamber, and method of providing an environmental test chamber, includes combining an equipment module made up of an equipment housing and air treatment equipment in the equipment housing with a selected one or more of a plurality of chamber modules connected with the equipment module to provide the environmental test chamber. The equipment housing includes an opening defining an airflow passage and an airflow path extending to the airflow passage. The air treatment equipment includes air moving equipment flowing air along the airflow path through the airflow passage and air-conditioning equipment in the flow path. The air treatment equipment includes one or more of (i) heating equipment for selectively heating the flowing air, (ii) cooling equipment for selectively cooling the flowing air, (iii) humidification equipment for selectively humidifying the flowing air, and/or (iv) dehumidification equipment for selectively dehumidifying the flowing air. A plurality of chamber modules of different sizes from each other are provided. Each of the chamber modules has a chamber housing with an opening defining an airflow passage in the chamber housing that aligns with the airflow opening in the equipment module and an access opening that is selectively opened for accessing an interior of the chamber module. In this manner, the one or ones of the chamber modules that is connected with the equipment module determines a configuration of the environmental test chamber.