Test Chamber Bulkhead for Vibration Sealing Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test chambers pose safety risks when testing dangerous materials like lithium-ion batteries, as the flexible membrane used for vibration decoupling and sealing can be destroyed during tests, leading to the escape of toxic gases and potential explosions, endangering operators and surrounding systems.

Innovation Solution

A test chamber design featuring a pressure-resistant and fireproof bulkhead with a thermal insulation layer that bridges the gap between the wall and the vibrator device, providing additional protection against explosions and chemical leaks, while maintaining vibration decoupling and temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible membrane is used to seal the gap between the wall and vibrator device, then vibration decoupling and sealing are achieved, but the membrane can be destroyed during tests with dangerous materials, leading to escape of toxic gases and potential explosions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidsafety risk from membrane destruction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite structure consisting of a flexible membrane combined with a bulkhead. The membrane provides vibration decoupling and sealing, while the bulkhead adds structural strength and fire resistance. This composite approach maintains the benefits of the membrane while adding protective capabilities to prevent catastrophic failure when testing dangerous materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bulkhead serves as a pre-prepared protective barrier that cushions against potential membrane failure. By having this additional protective structure in place before tests begin, the system is prepared to contain harmful effects if the membrane is destroyed during testing of dangerous materials like lithium-ion batteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If an opening is formed in the wall for the vibrator device, then vibration testing can be performed without subjecting the entire vibrator device to temperature changes, but air exchange between the test chamber and surroundings occurs, preventing effective temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration testing capabilityVSAvoidtemperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane seals the opening in the wall while allowing the vibrator device to pass through. This flexible sealing approach maintains the structural integrity and thermal insulation of the test chamber wall, preventing air exchange while accommodating the vibrator device for vibration testing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the vibrator device is sealed to the test chamber with a flexible membrane, then no air exchange occurs between the test chamber and environment, but the membrane can be easily damaged in case of explosion or fire, endangering operators and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidresistance to explosion and fire
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a flexible membrane with a bulkhead to create a composite sealing structure. The membrane maintains sealing integrity and flexibility, while the bulkhead provides enhanced strength and resistance to explosion and fire, protecting operators and equipment from catastrophic failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The bulkhead acts as an intermediary protective element between the test chamber environment and the external surroundings. It mediates the transmission of extreme forces from explosions or fires, protecting the membrane and external equipment while maintaining the sealed environment necessary for temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 bulkhead ensures safe containment of test materials during temperature and vibration tests, preventing the escape of toxic gases and pressure waves, and protecting the environment from harmful chemicals, thus enhancing operator and system safety.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible membrane, which bridges a gap between the wall (20) and the vibrator device (15)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The bulkhead (24) comprises a thermal insulation layer (39) arranged in the gap (22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3832282B1Test chamber and method for testing test material
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 WEISS TECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3832282B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3832282B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for testing test specimens (12) in a test chamber (10) that can be closed off from an environment (26) and is temperature-insulated, and to a test chamber, wherein the test chamber comprises a temperature control device for temperature control of the test chamber and a vibrator device (15) which is arranged in an opening (21) formed in a wall (20) of the test chamber, wherein test specimens can be arranged on a vibrator (14) of the vibrator device within the test chamber and mechanical vibrations on the test specimen and a temperature change in the test chamber can be generated in a test period according to a predetermined test sequence, wherein a gap (22) formed between the wall and the vibrator device is sealed by means of a flexible membrane (23), wherein a bulkhead (24) of the test chamber connects the wall and the vibrator device, wherein the bulkhead is pressure-resistant and/or fire-resistant compared to the membrane.