Movable Walk-In Cell Test Chamber With External Cycler Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current P&L testing setups for secondary batteries face challenges in scalability, efficiency, and ease of installation, particularly in mass production environments, where there is a need for more efficient energy use, reduced footprint, and faster testing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A movable walk-in chamber with a thermally isolated enclosure, racking for cell storage, and cycler interfaces on the outer walls, allowing for efficient testing of thousands of secondary cells in a compact space, with integrated cabling for power and communication, enabling flexible and automated testing while minimizing heat transfer and installation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional separate temperature chamber and cycler setup is used, then testing can be performed, but the footprint in factory is large and installation time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature chamber and cycler interfaces into a single integrated walk-in chamber structure. The cycler interfaces are built into the chamber walls, eliminating the need for separate equipment placements and reducing both footprint and installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The walk-in chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal isolation for temperature control, houses racking for cell storage, incorporates cycler interfaces for electrical connections, and includes ventilation systems. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate equipment pieces needed.
2Productivity
If more cycler interfaces are added to increase testing capacity, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber walls are divided into multiple standardized cycler interface modules distributed along the perimeter. Each interface follows a standardized design, allowing multiple testing stations to be incorporated without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the chamber wall can be configured with different numbers and types of cycler interfaces based on local testing requirements. The racking systems are also segmented to match the distribution of interfaces, allowing flexible configuration for high productivity without uniform complexity throughout.
3Ease of operation
If racking is placed inside the thermally isolated chamber, then cell accessibility is improved, but temperature control becomes difficult due to heat from cyclers
Solution Approach 1:
The cyclers are extracted from inside the thermally isolated chamber and placed outside. Only the cycler interfaces remain inside the chamber walls, allowing racking to be positioned close to interfaces for easy accessibility while preventing heat generation inside the temperature-controlled environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber wall itself acts as an intermediary structure that houses the cycler interfaces. This allows electrical and thermal separation while maintaining functional connection, enabling racking to be accessible near interfaces without exposing cells to cycler heat.
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
The solution enables fast, efficient, and controlled testing of large numbers of secondary cells with reduced energy consumption and installation time, while maintaining high security and safety standards, and allows for easy scaling and adaptability to different cell types.
Implementation Method 1
The enclosure forms at least one thermally isolated temperature chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally pertains to testing of secondary batteries. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a movable walk-in chamber for testing secondary cells. According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a movable walk-in chamber for testing secondary cells comprising an enclosure, racking, a plurality of cycler interfaces and cabling. The enclosure form at least one thermally isolated temperature chamber. Furthermore, the enclosure comprises a walking aisle arranged between an entrance and an exit. The racking is arranged at inner walls of the enclosure along the walking aisle. Secondary cells can be inserted in the racking for testing and removed after testing. The plurality of cycler interfaces are arranged at outer walls of the enclosure. Each cycler interface comprises a power interface and one or more cell interfaces. The cabling is arranged to connect the power interfaces to at least one central power connector, whereby cyclers connected to the cycler interfaces can be powered from the movable walk-in chamber. The cabling is also arranged to connect the cell interfaces to poles of secondary cells inserted in the racking, whereby cyclers connected to the cycler interfaces are able to perform testing on cells arranged in the racking.