Tuesday 31 December 2013

My Lithium ion battery is reducing in capacity but takes longer to charge - why?

One question that I often get asked is “As it ages, my Lithium ion battery reduces in capacity but takes longer to charge  - why is this?”

It does seem strange doesn’t it? If the battery capacity is reduced then it is reasonable to think that the charge time would reduce by a proportional amount – after all, Lithium ion batteries are very efficient during charge aren’t they?

Well the answer is to do with battery resistance and the method with which a Lithium ion battery is charged. Lithium ion batteries are charged with what is called ‘CV/CC’ which standard for ‘Constant Voltage’ / ‘Constant Current’ – the battery is first charged with a constant current until the voltage reaches a pre-determined point (this is usually 4.20V for most Lithium Ion cells) and then the voltage is held constant and the current is allowed to taper down. Charge is terminated when the current tapers down to a fixed level. The majority of the charge is integrated during the constant current portion of the charge and less is input while the current is tapering down.

As a Lithium ion battery is cycled (charged and discharged) its available capacity reduces which results in shorter device runtime. At the same time, the internal resistance increases which can be seen as a reduced voltage during discharge, especially at higher load currents. The increase in internal resistance also increases the voltage drop across the cell during charge which means that the time taken too reach the CV (constant voltage) point is reduced, so less capacity is integrated and the remaining charge is input during the less efficient current tapering portion.

 The chart below shows the charge performance of a typical lithium ion battery over 300 cycles. The results are represented as a percentage of the performance on cycle 1. When the battery is new the charge capacity is 100%. After 100 cycles the capacity has dropped to 95% of its initial capacity but the charge time has increased to 104% because the  time taken to reach the CV point has fallen to 90% of the initial time. By the time 300 cycles has been reached the capacity has fallen to 86% and the charge time has risen to 112% due to a CV time of 71%.
 



Different cells may behave differently depending on type and application but this clearly shows why an older Lithium ion battery will have a reduced capacity but take longer to charge than when it was new.

It is worth remembering that temperature also alters the internal resistance of a Lithium ion battery. Colder batteries have a higher resistance so can also take longer to charge than warmer ones. These factors should be considered when designing a battery and charger system.

If you want to discuss this topic further or have a new battery / charger project in the planning please drop me an email.


Happy New Year!
Neil Oliver

Monday 23 December 2013

Merry Christmas* and a Happy New Year

 
 
...to all of our customers and suppliers
 
(* batteries not included)

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Förkvalificerade batterier påskyndar utformningen av medicinska instrument

~ Det nya VR-sortimentet gör integreringen enkel för designtekniker ~

Accutronics, den brittiska batterispecialisten, har lanserat ett nytt sortiment av förkvalificerade och förtestade batterier. De nya, anpassningsbara VR420 batterierna är idealiska för användning i medicinsk utrustning och industrielektronik. Sortimentet har utformats, utvecklats och tillverkats av Accutronics i Storbritannien och uppfyller alla tillämpliga säkerhets-, prestanda- och transportstandarder. 

De nya 14,4 V-batterierna använder den senaste litiumjontekniken och ger hög volumetrisk och gravimetrisk energitäthet, så att utrustningen går längre och väger mindre.

Dessutom innehåller VR420 en SMBus- (systemhanteringsbuss) och SBS-kompatibel (smart batterisystem) impedansspårande bränslemätare som gör att batteriet kan skicka viktiga batteridata mellan sig självt, en smart värd och en smart laddare. När det har konfigurerats i en produkt kan värdutrustningen enkelt begära dynamisk information från batteriet som körtid till tom tank, cykelantal och utmatningsström samt statisk information som serienummer, tillverkarnamn och artikelnummer. Dessa data gör att kundens enhet kan hantera sin egen effekt bättre, vilket kan öka enhetens körtider och minska antalet stopp i förtid. Dessutom finns en LED-display med fem staplar på batterihöljet så att användaren enkelt kan avgöra laddningsstatus i steg om 20 %.

VR420 har sina egna aktiva och passiva skyddsanordningar som hindrar den från att överladdas, laddas ur för mycket eller överbelastas vid vårdslös användning. Med säkerhetscertifiering IEC62133 och UL2054 kan VR420 lätt utformas för nya enheter till minimal tid och kostnad.

VR420 är utformad för tuffa arbetsmiljöer och har ett svart flamskyddande plasthus med polariserade skenor på båda sidorna så att VR420 kan skjutas in i en värdenhet med minimal ansträngning.

Transporten av VR420 förenklas genom att produkten har en lagrad energi på mindre än 100 wattimmar, vilket har certifierats av en oberoende källa efter Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5) avsnitt 38.3.

”VR420 är verkligen en kraftfull produkt”, sa Neil Oliver, teknisk marknadsföringschef på Accutronics. ”Den särskilda kombinationen av litiumjonceller, smart batterielektronik och innovativ höljesutformning är ledande i klassen och innebär att VR420 kan användas för att driva ett stort sortiment av professionella produkter på både industri- och läkemedelsmarknaden”.

VR420 finns i två versioner: VR420A och VR420B som levererar 6,2 Ah och 4,4 Ah. A-versionen har högst kapacitet, medan B-alternativet är optimerat för tillämpningar med högre utmatning som motordrivna fläktar, där hög effekt krävs snabbt.

VR420A och VR420B kan köpas direkt i butik eller specialanpassas för särskilda kundbehov. ”Accutronics har utformat och tillverkat Entellion-produktsortimentet med fokus på kunderna. Om kunden kräver specialprogramvara, egna etiketter eller en annan plastfärg för att matcha sin enhet, kan vi lätt hjälpa till”, sa Michele Windsor, marknadsföringschef på Accutronics. ”Eftersom produkten redan har designats, bearbetats och certifierats är tiden och kostnaden för anpassning mycket lägre än för en helt specialanpassad design – anpassningsmetoden ger kunderna det de vill ha med en minimal investering”.

Friday 29 November 2013

Les batteries préqualifiées accélèrent la conception d'appareils médicaux

~ La nouvelle gamme VR simplifie l'intégration pour les ingénieurs de conception ~

Accutronics, spécialiste des batteries basé au Royaume-Uni, vient de lancer une nouvelle gamme de batteries préqualifiées et prétestées. Les nouvelles batteries VR420 personnalisables sont idéales pour les applications telles que les instruments médicaux et les appareils électroniques industriels. La gamme a été conçue, développée et fabriquée par Accutronics au Royaume-Uni et est conforme à toutes les normes de sécurité, de performance et de transport au Royaume-Uni. 

Les nouvelles batteries 14,4 V ont recours à la toute dernière technologie lithium-ion, fournissant ainsi une haute densité d'énergie volumétrique et gravimétrique qui permet le fonctionnement plus long des appareils, pour un poids pourtant moindre.

En outre, la VR420 inclut une jauge à suivi d'impédance conforme SMBus (System Management Bus) et SBS (Smart Battery System) grâce à laquelle la batterie transmet les données pertinentes à un hôte et à un chargeur intelligents. Lorsqu'il est configuré dans un produit, l'équipement hôte est capable de demander des informations dynamiques à la batterie, telles que la durée d'exécution avant épuisement, le nombre de cycles ou le courant de décharge, ainsi que des informations statiques telles que le numéro de série, le nom du fabricant et le numéro de pièce. Ces données permettent à l'appareil du client de mieux gérer son alimentation, d'où une hausse du temps d'exécution et une baisse du nombre d'arrêts prématurés de l'appareil. Par ailleurs, un témoin lumineux à DEL sur cinq barres intégré au boîtier de la batterie permet à l'utilisateur de déterminer la charge facilement, par simples incréments de 20 %.

Le VR420 inclut ses propres dispositifs de protection active et passive, qui préviennent les surcharges, les décharges excessives ou les charges excessives résultant d'un usage abusif. Certifiée IEC62133 et UL2054, la batterie VR420 s'intègre facilement aux nouveaux appareils en un minimum de temps et d'investissement.

Conçue pour les environnements de travail agressifs, la VR420 est logée dans un boîtier en plastique noir ignifuge qui inclut un rail polarisé latéral permettant de la glisser dans l'appareil hôte avec un minimum d'effort.

Le transport de la VR420 est simplifié, puisque le produit a une énergie stockée de moins de 100 wattheures et a été certifié indépendamment pour la charte des transports des Nations-Unis (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5) section 38.3.

« La batterie VR420 est un produit vraiment puissant », annonce Neil Oliver, directeur du marketing technique d'Accutronics. « L'association particulière d'éléments de batterie lithium-ion, de circuits de batterie intelligents et d'un boîtier de conception novatrice produit un résultat de tout premier rang. La VR420 peut être utilisée pour alimenter une série complète de produits professionnels des marchés médical et industriel », ajoute-t-il.

La VR420 se décline en deux versions : la VR420A et la VR420B, fournissant respectivement 6,2 Ah et 4,4 Ah. La version A assure la capacité la plus haute, tandis que la version B est optimisée pour les applications de courant de décharge plus important, comme c'est le cas des ventilateurs entraînés par moteur qui requièrent une quantité considérable de puissance rapidement.

Les VR420A et VR420B sont disponibles dans le commerce ou peuvent être personnalisées en fonction de besoins particuliers. « Accutronics a créé et fabriqué la gamme Entellion de produits, spécialement pour ses clients. Lorsque nos clients nécessitent un logiciel spécial, un étiquetage particulier ou une couleur de boîtier différente pour s'accorder à l'appareil hôte, ces modifications peuvent être facilement réalisées », précise Michele Windsor, directeur du marketing d'Accutronics. « Le produit étant déjà conçu, équipé et certifié, les délais et les coûts habituellement investis dans la personnalisation sont nettement inférieurs à ceux d'un produit purement personnalisé. L'approche de personnalisation donne au client ce qu'il désire, moyennant un investissement minimal », conclut-elle.

Thursday 21 November 2013

Pre-qualified batteries speed up medical device design

Range of pre-qualified an pre-tested batteries~ New VR range makes integration simple for design engineers ~

Accutronics, the UK-based battery specialist, has launched a new range of pre-qualified and pre-tested batteries. The new customisable VR420 batteries are ideal for applications such as medical equipment and industrial electronics. The range is designed, developed and manufactured by Accutronics in the UK and meets all relevant safety, performance and transportation standards. 

The new 14.4V batteries utilise the latest Lithium Ion technology, delivering high volumetric and gravimetric energy density so that equipment runs for longer yet weighs less.

Furthermore, the VR420 includes a SMBus (System Management Bus), SBS (Smart Battery System) compliant impedance tracking fuel gauge that allows the
battery to communicate pertinent battery data between itself, a smart host and a smart charger. When configured in a product, the host equipment is able to easily request dynamic information from the battery such as runtime to empty, cycle count and discharge current as well as static information such as serial number, manufacturer name and part number. This data allows the customers device to better manage its own power which can increase device runtimes and reduce the number of premature device shutdowns. Additionally, a five bar LED display on the battery case allows the user to easily determine the state of charge in simple 20% increments.

The VR420 includes its own active and passive protection devices which prevent it from being over-charged, over-discharged or overloaded in an abuse condition. Holding safety certification to IEC62133 and UL2054, the VR420 is easily designed into new devices with minimal time and cost.

Designed for rugged work environments the VR420 features a black flame retardant plastic housing which includes a polarised rail feature down either side so the VR420 can be slid into a host device with minimal effort.

Transportation of the VR420 is simplified as the product has a stored energy of less than 100 Watt-Hours and it has been independently certified to the Manual of Tests and Criteria (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5) section 38.3.

“The VR420 is a truly powerful product” said Neil Oliver, Technical Marketing Manager at Accutronics. “The particular combination of Lithium ion cells, smart battery electronics and innovative enclosure design are class leading and mean that the VR420 can be used to power a wide range of professional products in both industrial and medical markets” he added.

The VR420 is available in two versions; VR420A and VR420B, supplying 6.2Ah and 4.4Ah respectively. The ‘A’ version provides highest capacity, whilst the ‘B’ option is optimised for higher discharge applications such as motor driven ventilators, where a considerable amount of power is required quickly.

The VR420A and VR420B can be purchased off the shelf or customised to suit a particular customer need. “Accutronics have designed and manufactured the ‘Entellion’ range of products with our customers in mind. When customers require special software, their own labelling or a change in plastic colour to match their device, these can all be easily accommodated” said Michele Windsor, Marketing Manager at Accutronics. “As the product has already been designed tooled and certified the times and costs usually involved for customisation are far less than for a purely customised design – the customisation approach gives the customer what they want with minimal investment” she concluded.

Monday 4 November 2013

Bereits qualifizierte Akkus beschleunigen Entwurfsprozess bei medizinischen Geräten

~ Neue VR-Serie erleichtert Konstrukteuren die Integration ~

Accutronics, der britische Akkuspezialist, hat eine neue Serie von bereits qualifizierten und getesteten Akkus auf den Markt gebracht. Die neuen anpassbaren VR420-Akkus sind für Anwendungen wie medizinische Ausrüstung und Industrieelektronik ideal. Die Serie, die von Accutronics in Großbritannien entworfen, entwickelt und hergestellt wird, erfüllt alle relevanten Sicherheits-, Leistungs- und Transportstandards. 

Die neuen 14,4-V-Akkus nutzen die neueste Lithiumionen-Technologie und weisen eine hohe volumetrische und gravimetrische Energiedichte auf, so dass sie bei geringerem Gewicht längere Laufzeiten ermöglichen.

Der VR420 umfasst einen SMBus- (System Management Bus) und SBS-konforme (Smart Battery System) Füllstandsmesser mit Impedanzverfolgung, der die Kommunikation relevanter Akkudaten zwischen dem Akku, einem intelligenten Host und einem intelligenten Ladegerät ermöglicht. Sofern dies im Produkt konfiguriert wurde, kann die Host-Ausrüstung vom Akku dynamische Informationen wie Laufzeit bis zur Entleerung, Zykluszahl und Entladestrom sowie statische Informationen wie Seriennummer, Herstellername und Artikelnummer anfordern. Anhand dieser Daten kann die Energieverwaltung des Kundengeräts verbessert werden, was die Laufzeit erhöhen und die Zahl der vorzeitigen Abschaltvorgänge bei den Geräten reduzieren kann. Außerdem kann der Benutzer durch ein 5-Balken-LED-Display auf dem Akkugehäuse den Ladezustand mühelos in einfachen 20%-Schritten ermitteln.

Der VR420 ist mit eigenen aktiven und passiven Schutzvorrichtungen ausgestattet, die einen Missbrauch durch Überladung, übermäßige Entladung oder Überlastung verhindern. Der VR420, der über eine Sicherheitszertifizierung gemäß IEC62133 und UL2054 verfügt, kann schnell, einfach und kostengünstig in neue Geräte integriert werden.

Der für raue Arbeitsumgebungen konzipierte VR420 weist ein schwarzes flammwidriges Kunststoffgehäuse auf, das auf jeder Seite über polarisierte Schienen verfügt, so dass er mühelos in Host-Geräte eingesetzt werden kann.

Da der VR420 weniger als 100 Wattstunden Energie speichert, ist der Transport des Produkts unkomplizierter. Zudem wurde der Akku gemäß dem Handbuch über Prüfungen und Kriterien (ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev5), Abschnitt 38.3, unabhängig zertifiziert.
„Der VR420 ist ein wirklich leistungsstarkes Produkt,“ erklärte Neil Oliver, Technical Marketing Manager bei Accutronics. „Aufgrund seiner speziellen, klassenführenden Kombination von Lithiumionen-Zellen, intelligenter Akkuelektronik und innovativem Gehäusedesign kann der VR420 zur Stromversorgung einer breiten Palette von professionellen Produkten im industriellen und medizinischen Bereich verwendet werden,“ meinte er weiter.

Der Akku VR420 ist in zwei Versionen erhältlich, VR420A und VR420B, die 6,2 Ah bzw. 4,4 Ah liefern. Version ‚A’ bietet die höchste Kapazität, während Option ‚B’ für Anwendungen mit höherer Entladung optimiert ist, wie z. B. motorbetriebene Beatmungsgeräte, bei denen ein hohes Maß an Leistung schnell benötigt wird.

VR420A und VR420B sind als Serienfertigung lieferbar, können jedoch auch speziellen Kundenanforderungen angepasst werden. „Accutronics hat bei der Entwicklung und Herstellung der Produktserie ‚Entellion’ die speziellen Anforderungen seiner Kunden berücksichtigt. Wenn Kunden besondere Software, eigene Etiketten oder eine andere, ihrem Gerät angepasste Kunststofffarbe benötigen, können wir diese Anforderungen problemlos erfüllen,“ erläuterte Michele Windsor, Marketing Manager bei Accutronics. „Da Entwurf, Werkzeugeinrichtung und Zertifizierung für das Produkt bereits durchgeführt wurden, ist der Zeit- und Kostenaufwand für die Anpassung weitaus geringer als bei einem rein kundenspezifischen Design – durch den Anpassungsansatz erhält der Kunde das gewünschte Produkt mit minimalem Aufwand,“ meinte sie abschließend.

Friday 1 November 2013

Battery Design: The key to improving wearable medical devices

Developing a battery powered wearable medical device?

Please take time to read this article, published in Med-Tech Innovation.

Neil


Thursday 24 October 2013

Battery manufacturer gets Smart Award

~ Technology Strategy Board awards Accutronics £100,000 for medical battery ~

Midlands based battery manufacturer Accutronics has received a Smart Award from the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board. The company received a £100,000 grant to support ‘proof of concept’ work on a new high voltage, high capacity battery for the medical device market.
Technology Strategy Board awards Accutronics


The Smart Scheme offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology. The aim is to bring to market successful new products, processes and services. There are three types of grants available: Proof of Market, Proof of Concept and Development of Prototype.

Accutronics applied for and won the Proof of Concept grant for a new battery for medical devices. Named Chameleon, the new product range includes high voltage, high current smart batteries which are designed and certified with the needs of medical OEMs in mind.

"When you work in an SME, you are busy all the time and often feel like you can't take time off to apply for grants," said Rob Phillips, managing director at Accutronics. "However, it's crucial for manufacturers to invest in innovation and make sure they engage in programmes that support those R&D efforts.”

"The funding we received from the Technology Strategy Board and their ongoing support has fast tracked our product development strategy for Chameleon. We were able to design and bring a product to market much quicker," Phillips continued. "My advice to SMEs is to make the most of the opportunities available and take part in the innovation schemes – the support we’ve secured has been very worthwhile” he concluded.

Accutronics secured its first grant from the Technology Strategy Board in September 2009 when it was awarded a £3000 Innovation Voucher. With this award Accutronics was able to commission a consultant to design robust battery cases which were later introduced into the company's product offering as rugged battery designs.

In 2010 the battery manufacturer also undertook a successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Project with Aston University and as a result, Accutronics were able to recruit a senior member of staff into their research and development team.

Friday 4 October 2013

Intelligenter als andere Ladegeräte

~ Medizinische Geräte heizen die Nachfrage nach intelligenten Lösungen für Akkus und Ladegeräte an ~

Auf der COMPAMED 2013 in Düsseldorf präsentiert Accutronics seine Kompetenz bei Design, Entwicklung und Herstellung von Akkus und intelligenten Ladegeräten für den Einsatz im medizinischen Bereich. Die von dem aus Newcastle-under-Lyme in Großbritannien stammenden Anbieter von Akku-Lösungen verwendete Technik ermöglicht eine intelligente Kommunikation zwischen Akku und Ladegerät. Dies erhöht die Sicherheit der Geräte, verringert die Ladezeit und verlängert die Lebensdauer der Akkus. Compamed findet vom 20. bis 22. November statt. Sie finden Accutronics in Halle 8b, an Stand F30. 

Das intelligente Ladegerät enthält einen Mikroprozessor, der für die Kommunikation mit intelligenten Akkus entwickelt wurde, in die Mikrochips integriert sind. Intelligente Akkus und Ladegeräte von Accutronics werden weltweit in Geräten wie Ventilatoren, Röntgendetektoren, Verneblern, Patientenmonitoren und Datenschreibern in der Endoskopie eingesetzt.

Die Technik gewährleistet die Steuerung durch den Akku; Spannungs- und Stromversorgung werden vom Ladegerät nur bei Bedarf angefordert. So wird nicht nur ein Überladen des Akkus vermieden, es wird auch Energie gespart.

Die intelligente Ladetechnik von Accutronics ist außerdem zellchemie-unabhängig, eine Aufrüstung bei Einführung neuer Akkutechnologien wird also überflüssig. Dies ist besonders relevant in einem Bereich, in dem die Technik sich rasant entwickelt und Produkte verschiedener Generationen häufig nicht miteinander kompatibel sind.

Die intelligenten Ladegeräte des Unternehmens sind sowohl im Design als auch in der Verwendung flexibel. Sie können für die Aufnahme von Niederspannungs-Gleichstrom (DC) oder Wechselstrom (AC) eingerichtet werden. Je nach Anforderungen des Kunden sind außerdem Lösungen mit Einzel- oder Mehrfachladeschächten möglich.

„Accutronics entwickelt mit seinen AccuPro-Service maßgeschneiderte Akkus und Ladegeräte speziell für Erstausrüster (OEM-Kunden),“ erklärt Rob Phillips, Geschäftsführer von Accutronics. „Unser Ziel ist es, Lösungen anzubieten, die auf die Bedürfnisse des professionellen Spitzentechnologiemarktes wie z. B. den Medizin- und Gesundheitsbereich, zugeschnitten sind.“

„Im Idealfall erarbeitet Accutronics schon in der Frühphase der Produktentwicklung gemeinsam mit dem Kunden eine maßgeschneiderte Lösung für jedes einzelne Projekt,“ erläutert Phillips weiter. „Mit unserer Entellion-Produktreihe bieten wir jedoch auch einsatzfertige Lösungen, mit denen unsere Kunden Zeit und Geld sparen. Beispiele für den Einsatz von Entellion sind unsere Kreditkarten- und VR420-Akku-Produktreihe sowie der kürzlich eingeführte modulare Intelligent Power Vault®.

Das erstgenannte Produkt bietet Höchstleistungen in einem kompakten, kreditkartengroßen Format, während letzteres die neueste intelligente Lithium-Ionen-Akkutechnologie, intelligente Ladeelektronik und eine effiziente geregelte Leistungssteuerung in einem wiederaufladbaren Hochenergie-Akkusystem vereint, das problemlos in medizinische Geräte und Notstromgeräte integriert werden kann.“

Friday 27 September 2013

NJ1020HP for Phillips M3 and M4 monitors


The Inspired Energy NJ1020HP is one of our most popular standard smart batteries and is used worldwide in Phillips M3 and M4 patient monitors (the battery is also known by the part numbers M3046A, 1420-0551 or M3046-61302).  Today I thought I would give you some more information on this fantastic product and tell you more about the power behind it.

First, the power source:

The NJ1020HP contains ten Nickel Metal Hydride 4/3 cells – these provide excellent service life for important applications such as patient monitors. Each cell is rated at 1.2V and 3.8Ah (Ampere Hours). When ten are connected together in series they make a 12V 3.8Ah battery. As battery safety is paramount the battery also contains three passive safety devices to ensure it can never be over charged or over loaded – the NJ1020HP is a VERY safe product.

Second, the electronics:
 
The NJ1020HP is a ‘smart battery’ – this means that is contains electronic circuitry which constantly monitors the charge and discharge activity of the battery and uses this to accurately report the state of charge to the Phillips monitor. The NJ1020HP also has a four bar LED display which presents the battery capacity in 25% increments when you push the button on the top of the battery.

Third – The case and connector:
 
The NJ1020HP has a tough, flame retardant plastic casing which ensures no harm comes to either the cells or electronics. The 5-way connector on the end of the battery is a genuine part from Tyco and allows the battery to charge, discharge and communicate with the Philips M3 or M4 monitor.


Need a charger? Many of our customers find that our CH5000 (single bay) and CH5050 (dual bay) desktop charger / calibrators are the perfect companion to the NJ1020HP – these chargers allow the batteries to be charged away from the patient monitor and the calibrating function allows the electronic fuel gauge to be calibrated, bringing it back in line with the performance of the cells. This function would normally be performed by the medical engineering department in a hospital when the monitor goes down for its annual service. I have visited medical engineering departments here in the UK and they find these charger/calibrators invaluable.



If you need more information on our NJ1020HP then you can visit our website. You can purchase up to 23 batteries online or request a quote if you want more, or simply contact Customer Service on 01782 566688 or sales@accutronics.co.uk and we'll be glad to help.

Thursday 26 September 2013

Smarter than the average charger

~ Medical devices increase demand for smart battery and charger solutions ~

Accutronics will showcase its skills in the design, development and manufacturing of medical batteries and smart chargers at COMPAMED 2013, in Dusseldorf. The technology used by the Newcastle-under-Lyme provider of battery solutions allows intelligent communication between the battery and charger. This increases the device’s safety, reduces charge time and maximises battery life. Compamed will take place between November 20 and November 22, Accutronics can be found in Hall 8b Stand F30. 

A smart charger contains a microprocessor designed to communicate with smart batteries that have embedded microchips. Accutronics’ smart batteries and chargers are used worldwide in devices such as ventilators, nebulisers, patient monitors and endoscopy data recorders.

The technology ensures that the battery remains in control, only requesting voltage and current from the charger when it needs it. This ensures that the battery will not be overcharged and saves energy.

Another significant advantage of Accutronics’ smart charger technology is that it is chemistry independent, which means that it doesn’t need to be upgraded as new generation batteries are released. This is particularly important in a field where technology is evolving fast and the incompatibility of different generation products is a common problem.

The company’s smart chargers are flexible in both design and use. They can be developed to accept either low voltage direct current (DC) or alternate current (AC) supply. Furthermore, single or multiple bay solutions are possible, depending on customer requirements.

“Accutronics develops specific custom batteries and chargers for its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers through its AccuPro service,” explained Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics. “Our aim is to offer tailored solutions for professional high technology markets, such as the medical and healthcare sectors.

“In an ideal situation, Accutronics would work with the customer from the early stages of product development and create a customised solution for each individual project,” continued Phillips. “However, we also have the Entellion product range which provides off the shelf solutions, saving our customers time and cost. Our credit card and VR420 battery range together with our recently released, modular, Intelligent Power Vault® are examples of Entellion in practice.

“The former delivers high power in a compact, credit card sized unit, while the latter incorporates the latest Lithium-ion smart battery technology, intelligent charging circuitry and efficient regulated power control in a high energy, rechargeable battery system that is easily designed into medical devices and power backup equipment.”

Monday 19 August 2013

All medical credit card batteries accepted

Over the past decade, developments in rechargeable lithium ion battery technology have permitted consumer electronic devices to become smaller and lighter whilst running for longer. This same technology has allowed medical devices to become portable, allowing both equipment and patients to roam freely around hospitals.  But did you know that a convergence of consumer and medical devices, utilising wireless sensors are poised to reinvent how we view both of these groups of devices. 

Convergence of medicine and electronics 
The reason engineers don’t make good surgeons is their tendency to shut things down when they go wrong - something you can’t do with the human body! Portable medical devices are already used extensively by some of us at home, including blood pressure monitors or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machines to relieve muscular aches and pains. Chances are you’re more likely to be in the ‘senior’ age range if you are buying such machines, but they save a trip to the doctor or hospital.

Portable medical devices cover the application spectrum from wearable wireless products and chronic disease monitors to pulse oximeters. According to IMS Research, current wearable devices are concentrated around a few products mainly in the healthcare and medical, and fitness and wellness application areas.

In these areas, there is a greater use-case for wearable technology, to transmit data such as vital signs, and track user performance. In the case of pulse oximetry, this is a non-invasive method of allowing the monitoring of the saturation of a patient's haemoglobin. A sensor is placed on a thin part of the patient's body, usually a fingertip or earlobe, or in the case of an infant, across a foot.

The right battery 
Batteries used in such applications, have to be light and small, with enough capacity to do the job required and come with the right certification for a safety conscious world. They must be able to accurately report their state of charge and be furnished with internal protection devices. Lithium ion batteries are correctly aligned to this requirement which is why Accutronics developed the CC2300 and CC3800 credit card batteries.

Both models have a footprint identical to that of a credit card and they are available in two thicknesses, are approved to IEC and UL standards and can have their case colour, fuel gauge firmware, labelling and packaging customised to suit particular customer requirements.

So next time your doctor mentions ‘terminal malfunction’, don’t panic! He may just be referring to his computer. And when you ask medical staff to shut a window, make sure they don’t think you mean clicking on the ‘x’ at the top right of the computer screen. This is what happens when the worlds of medicine and electronics converge!

Image courtesy of stockimages, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Friday 16 August 2013

Solution lithium-ion de haute énergie massique pour le remplacement à chaud

~ Le système IPV est conforme aux réglementations de transport ~

Les équipements et applications qui doivent fonctionner de manière continue ne peuvent pas compter exclusivement sur l'alimentation secteur. Des solutions supplémentaires sous la forme de batteries de secours sont également nécessaires. C'est pourquoi Accutronics, premier développeur et fabricant indépendant de batteries du Royaume-Uni, a lancé le système IPV (Intelligent Power Vault), batterie lithium-ion de haute énergie massique. 

Accutronics a créé un système modulaire prêt à l'emploi qui tire son énergie de batteries lithium-ion secondaires intelligentes et amovibles de 100 Wh par l'intermédiaire d'une unité de contrôle centrale. C'est ainsi qu'un système d'alimentation à moins de 100 Wh peut être fabriqué tout en respectant les réglementations des transports. Le système peut intégrer jusqu'à huit batteries, pour un total excédant 700 Wh.

Intelligent Power Vault™ est un dispositif de gestion de l'alimentation qui a recours à de multiples batteries Li-ion pour assurer l'alimentation rechargeable d'une série complète d'appareils. Le système Intelligent Power Vault™ comporte un module de commande extérieur et des fentes permettant de recevoir de deux à huit modules de batteries. Chaque module du système Intelligent Power Vault™ est une batterie rechargeable compacte de 86,4 Wh appelée « VR420 ».

Le système de chargement permet de retirer facilement les batteries pour le transport, sans outil. Une fois hors du réceptacle, les batteries ne sont pas soumises aux réglementations des transports et peuvent être expédiées avec le système Intelligent Power Vault™ dans le cadre d'un emballage conforme UN qui permet l'envoi de batteries lithium-ion de moins de 100 Wh avec le matériel.

À moins de 8 kg, le système Intelligent Power Vault™ à huit batteries est deux fois et demie plus léger qu'un accumulateur au plomb-acide, d'où la facilité pour l'intégrateur de l'insérer à la base du chariot. Parmi les autres applications figurent les scanners dentaires 3D, le matériel de communications et les périphériques informatiques intégrés, principalement pour les ordinateurs industriels et les systèmes de secours en robotique.

« Un système de batterie de secours peut être portatif, rentable et fiable, à condition d'utiliser les technologies appropriées », explique Michele Windsor, directrice des ventes directes et du marketing chez Accutronics. « Il n'est pas surprenant d'apprendre que les solutions d'alimentation grand public ne sont pas adaptées à cet usage et ne conviennent pas aux applications vitales pour l'entreprise », conclut-elle.


Friday 9 August 2013

Litiumjonlösning med hög energi ger hot-swap-funktion

~ IPV får skickas enligt transportbestämmelserna ~

Säkerhetsutrustning och tillämpningar som behöver vara i gång kontinuerligt kan inte förlita sig enbart på den vanliga strömförsörjningen, utan ytterligare energilösningar i form av reservbatterier krävs också. Därför har Accutronics, Storbritanniens ledande oberoende företag för design, utveckling och tillverkning av batterier, lanserat Intelligent Power Vault™ (IPV), vilket är ett litiumjonbatterisystem med hög energidensitet. 

Accutronics har skapat ett modulärt batterisystem som finns att köpa nu och som drar energi från uttagbara smarta litiumjonbatterier under 100 Wh och matar dem genom en central kontrollenhet. Detta gör att man kan tillverka ett energisystem med mindre än 100 Wh som uppfyller kraven i transportbestämmelserna. Upp till åtta batterier kan byggas in i systemet, vilket ger över 700 Wh.

Intelligent Power Vault™ är en enhet för energihantering som använder flera smarta Li-ion-batterier i syfte att förse en rad olika enheter med uppladdningsbar, batteribaserad strömförsörjning. Intelligent Power Vault™ består av en kontrollmodul på utsidan och fack för mellan två och åtta batterimoduler. Alla enskilda moduler i Intelligent Power Vault™ är kompakta, uppladdningsbara litiumjonbatterier med 86,4 Wh som kallas VR420.

Laddningssystemet gör att du enkelt kan ta ur batterierna vid transport utan att några verktyg behövs. När de enskilda batterierna väl har tagits ut ur stället är dessa undantagna transportbestämmelserna och kan skickas tillsammans med Intelligent Power Vault™-enheten i enlighet med en förpackningsbestämmelse från FN som tillåter att litiumjonbatterier med 100 Wh skickas med utrustning.

Intelligent Power Vault™ med åtta batterier väger mindre än 8 kg och är två och en halv gånger lättare än ett likvärdigt blybatteri, vilket gör det lätt att installera i underdelen av en vagn eller ett rullbord. Andra tillämpningar innefattar tredimensionella dentala skannrar, kommunikationsutrustning och inbäddade datorer – främst för industridatorer och robotstyrd säkerhetskopiering.

”Under förutsättning att rätt teknologi används kan reservbatterier vara bärbara, kostnadseffektiva och pålitliga”, förklarade Michele Windsor, direktförsäljnings- och marknadschef på Accutronics. ”Det är ingen överraskning att vanliga konsumentenergilösningar inte utgör det bästa alternativet vad gäller detta, och dessa är inte heller pålitliga nog för tillämpningar som behöver vara i gång kontinuerligt”, sade hon sammanfattningsvis.

Thursday 8 August 2013

CR Series rack mount chargers allow simultaneous charging of 12 batteries

For those who need to charge a large quantity of batteries that the same time we can now offer the Inspired Energy range of 'CR12' series rack mountable chargers.

 


Each rack can charge up to twelve Inspired Energy batteries at the same time which minimises battery and device downtime. CR12 series rack chargers can be mounted into a 19" rack or into a ruggedised case for field use - see the example below where 36 batteries are being charged simultaneously in a flight case.

 
 
 


Tuesday 6 August 2013

Batteries & Fuel Cells Seminar Early Bird Discount

Accutronics has again partnered with Shmuel De-Leon Energy to provide a two day 'Batteries and Fuel Cells' training seminar on the 2nd & 3rd of April 2014.
 
Mr De-Leon is a world expert on both batteries and fuel cells and will travel from Israel specifically to deliver this seminar, which had previously been delivered in Europe and the USA. The seminar will be held at the Best Western Moat House hotel in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
 
The seminar provides a comprehensive review of current and future electrochemical energy sources. It covers cells and raw material selection, design, manufacturing, testing, safety, transportation and disposal of energy sources. The seminar programme focuses on present and future needs of portable and stationary electrochemical energy sources and highlights the latest technological developments. primary, rechargeable, reserve, commercial, industrial and military batteries, fuel cells, ultra capacitor systems and their accessories.
 
The price for the seminar is just £499 but get our early bird discount
and register before 1st of January 2014 at £449
 
 
To find out more about this event please visit our dedicated webpage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Battery for Nera World Communicator

Accutronics now stock the NI2020M422 which is a direct replacement for the original 101553 battery used in the Nera World Communicator device. The World Communicator is used extensively by journalists and relief agencies worldwide when reliable satcoms are required.

 
 
The NI2020M422 utilises high energy Lithium Ion technology for long runtime and a columb counting fuel gauge for accurate runtime prediction. The NI2020M422 was originally developed for Nera in Norway and the battery contains special programming that ensures perfect compatibility with the World Communicator device.
 
You can buy the NI2020M422 on-line using our new website. Click here to go directly to the NI2020M422 web page.
 
Neil Oliver
 
 
 



Friday 2 August 2013

Leistungsstarke Lithiumionen-Lösung bietet Hot-Swap-Funktionalität

~ Transport von IPV fällt nicht unter Transportvorschriften ~

Bei wichtigen Geräten und Anwendungen, die ständig in Betrieb sein müssen, kann man sich nicht ausschließlich auf die Netzstromversorgung verlassen. Es werden zusätzliche Energielösungen in Form von Notstromakkus benötigt. Accutronics, ein führendes unabhängiges britisches Unternehmen, das Akkus entwirft, entwickelt und herstellt, hat deshalb das Intelligent Power Vault (IPV), ein leistungsstarkes Lithiumionen-Akkusystem, auf den Markt gebracht. 

Accutronics hat ein modulares Standard-Akkusystem entwickelt, das Energie von herausnehmbaren intelligenten Lithiumionen-Akkus bezieht, die weniger als 100 Wh liefern. Die Akkus werden über einen zentralen Controller gespeist. Dadurch kann ein Energiesystem mit weniger als 100 Wh hergestellt werden kann, das die Einhaltung der Transportvorschriften ermöglicht. Es können bis zu acht Akkus in ein System integriert werden, das über 700 Wh bereitstellt.

Intelligent Power Vault™ ist ein Power-Management-Gerät, das mehrere intelligente, wiederaufladbare Lithiumionen-Akkus zur Stromversorgung einer breiten Palette von Geräten verwendet. Intelligent Power Vault™ besteht aus einem seitlichen Steuermodul und Steckplätzen für zwei bis acht Akkumodule. Bei den im Intelligent Power Vault™ enthaltenen Einzelmodulen handelt es sich um kompakte wiederaufladbare 86,4-Wh-Lithiumionen-Akkus, die VR420 heißen.

Das Ladesystem ermöglicht eine einfache Herausnahme der Akkus zum Transport, ohne dass Werkzeuge benötigt werden. Sobald die einzelnen Akkus aus dem Rack genommen wurden, fallen sie nicht mehr unter die Transportvorschriften und können mit dem Intelligent Power Vault™ im Rahmen einer UN-Verpackungsvorschrift, die den Transport von Geräten mit bis zu 100 Wh zulässt, befördert werden.

Angesichts eines Gewichts von weniger als 8 kg ist Intelligent Power Vault™ mit acht Akkus zweieinhalbmal leichter als ein entsprechender Bleiakku und kann somit von Integratoren problemlos im Sockel eines Gerätewagens installiert werden. Andere Einsatzbereiche sind 3D-Dentalscanner, Kommunikationsausrüstung und eingebettete Computersysteme - hauptsächlich Industrie-PCs und Roboter-Backup.

„Die Akku-Notstromversorgung kann eine tragbare, kosteneffiziente und zuverlässige Lösung darstellen, wenn die richtigen Technologien verwendet werden,“ kommentierte Michele Windsor, Direct Sales and Marketing Manager bei Accutronics. Sie erklärte abschließend: „Es überrascht nicht, dass für den Verbrauchermarkt bestimmte Energielösungen hier nicht die beste Möglichkeit sind und zur Unterstützung kritischer Anwendungen nicht die erforderliche Zuverlässigkeit bieten.“


Thursday 27 June 2013

High Energy Lithium ion solution provides hot swap functionality

~ IPV can be shipped under transportation regulations ~
Intelligent Power Vault

Critical equipment and applications that need to run continuously cannot rely solely on mains supply; additional energy solutions in the form of battery backup are also required. To this end Accutronics, the UK's leading independent battery design, development and manufacturing company, has launched the Intelligent Power Vault (IPV), a high energy density lithium-ion battery system. The product is an ideal solution for applications where energy reliability, flexibility and safety are paramount, such as medical & industrial applications. 

Over the past ten years, Lithium Ion battery technology has become the default choice for powering portable electronic devices as it provides longer runtimes and lower weight than older chemistries such as nickel cadmium (NiCad), nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lead acid.

However, the transportation of Lithium Ion batteries by air, sea and road is heavily regulated and Lithium Ion batteries must pass mandatory transportation tests before they can be shipped. Once tested, these batteries must be packed in accordance with strict packaging and paperwork requirements and limitations are placed on the number and weight of batteries shipped. Batteries with energy in excess of 100Wh have additional restrictions placed upon them which can make their transport costly for the company or individual trying to ship the battery.

Listening to OEMs' requirements Accutronics has created an off the shelf, modular battery system that draws energy from removable, sub 100Wh Lithium Ion smart batteries and feeds them through a central controller. This allows an energy system with less than 100Wh to be manufactured whilst still complying with transportation regulations. Up to eight batteries can be built into one system, providing in excess of 700Wh.

Intelligent Power Vault™ is a power management device that uses multiple Li-ion smart batteries to provide rechargeable battery power to a wide range of devices. The hot-swappable smart battery technology represents a revolutionary way of storing energy for critical applications.  Modularisation offers the high energy density and flexibility of smart Lithium-Ion battery technology with reduced shipping limitations.

The Intelligent Power Vault™ consists of a control module on the exterior and slots for between two and eight battery modules. Each of the individual modules contained in the Intelligent Power Vault™ is a compact 86.4Wh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, called the VR420.  Special brackets for mounting in a 19 inch rack are available for units configured with eight batteries.

The loading system allows batteries to be easily removed for transportation without the need for tools. Once taken out of the rack, the individual batteries are excepted from shipping regulations and can be shipped with the Intelligent Power Vault™ under a UN packing instruction that allows the shipment of Lithium Ion batteries with less than 100Wh with equipment.

As a result, the Intelligent Power Vault™ can be transported anywhere by air, sea or road without the cost and complexity associated with dangerous goods shipping.

The Intelligent Power Vault™ has been successfully employed in a variety of high tech applications.  Weighing less than 8kg, the Intelligent Power Vault™ with eight batteries is two and a half times lighter than an equivalent lead acid battery, making it easy for the integrator to build it into the base of the trolley or cart.

The Intelligent Power Vault™ is also used in high-end automated laboratory equipment where power failure cannot be tolerated. Other applications include 3D dental scanners, communications equipment and embedded computing devices - mainly industrial PCs and robotic backup.

“Battery backup can be portable, cost effective and reliable, provided the right technologies are used," explained Michele Windsor, direct sales and marketing manager at Accutronics. "Unsurprisingly, consumer style energy solutions are not the best way of achieving this and they can’t be relied upon to support critical applications", she concluded.

Lithium-Ion battery technology allows OEMs to guarantee the safety and reliability of the end product, with flexibility and ease of use in mind.  And, unlike other similar energy solutions, the IPV can be easily shipped, without any transportation complications or delays.

Monday 3 June 2013

Batteries for Medical Devices Survey Aids Unicef


As a leading developer and manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for medical applications Accutronics is passionate in understanding the future battery requirements of its OEM customers in the medical market.

We have an excellent track record in the design, development and manufacture of both standard and custom rechargeable batteries for a wide range of medical devices and have been able to use our expertise in Lithium ion chemistry and smart battery technology to provide tangible user benefits to the OEM customers that use our products.

At the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 we asked OEMs in medical device markets to complete an on-line questionnaire called “Batteries for Medical Devices“ in which we asked them to look forward as to what their battery needs might be in the future, both from a technical and a commercial point of view. The information collected will help Accutronics make the right decisions about future product development to enable us to serve our customers even better in the future.

We understood that their time was valuable and therefore gave an added incentive to help us with our research, Accutronics agreed to make a donation to the children’s charity UNICEF.

It has taken some time to collate the responses but we are pleased to publicise that because of the contribution OEMs made to our research, Accutronics has made a donation of €1,000 to UNICEF.




You can find out more about their valuable work by visiting their website at www.unicef.org

Tuesday 28 May 2013

Credit Card Battery meets the needs of design engineers in quality-driven professional electronic devices

The credit card battery was developed by Accutronics in response to its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customer’s demands for a compact and rechargeable lithium-ion battery available for delivery on a short lead time.
 
Most OEMs want to be able to integrate a battery into their application, without jumping through hoops to develop a new energy source for every new product. However, finding a product that meets their quality expectations and comes with the right level of functionality and regulatory compliance is no mean feat.
 
Electronic device OEMs in professional markets have difficulty accessing smaller high quality rechargeable lithium ion battery packs for their portable devices. This might seem surprising, given the success of these batteries in consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers. However, the requirements of OEMs in professional markets are very different from those in the consumer sector, and there is often a disconnect between managing expectations and what the battery industry is willing or, indeed, able to provide. For instance, the lifecycle of an average consumer battery is 18 months. In contrast, specialist OEM devices have a lifespan of 15 or more years, which makes the risk of obsolescence very high. This means that embedding a consumer battery, which may become obsolete in just a couple of years, is not a viable solution for manufacturers. Regardless, OEMs often have to buy a battery which was, likely as not, designed for a mobile phone or portable camcorder; but such products don't come with the technical backup required and the OEM is at the mercy of the product life cycle of the consumer device for which the battery was originally intended.
 
The CC2300 and CC3800 credit card batteries were developed by Accutronics in response to these OEM’s demand for a short lead time, compact and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery solution for their portable devices. The batteries are pre-engineered, tooled and qualified before they reach the end user.  They feature 3.7V Lithium Ion cell technology coupled with an impedance tracking fuel gauge, an active protection system that makes them resistant to over-charging, over-discharging and short-circuiting, and a compact connector, all contained in a package with a footprint identical to that of a credit card.
 
 
Full compliance to international safety and transportation standards is assured as Credit Card Batteries are CE marked and meet the requirements of IEC62133 and UN38.3 which means that OEMs do not need to perform additional testing when submitting products to certifying bodies. The Credit Card Battery is excepted from Dangerous Goods regulation which significantly reduces the cost and complexity associated with transportation.  Both batteries are supplied with comprehensive technical back-up and a number of useful accessories which enable the OEM designer to easily integrate the battery into the device system.
 
“The crux of all of our products is the technical support that goes hand in hand with them,” explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. “We believe that our credit card batteries fill a gap in the compact battery market for a fully-supported, OEM oriented battery solution. Device design engineers need technical guidance and feedback when they specify battery products and Accutronics is one of the few companies providing that support as standard. In addition to this, our excellent quality and delivery performance complete the service package that will get the device OEM to market quickly and confidently.”
 
Credit card batteries ship with a standard EEPROM set-up, UL94V-0 grey plastic casing, Accutronics labelling and bulk packaging. These can be customised to meet individual OEM requirements.
 
The credit card batteries are part of the ‘Entellion’ range from Accutronics which are smart, innovative portable power products, designed to meet the emerging needs of professional OEMs and market trends.

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Prefabricerade smarta batterier ger snabbare marknadslanseringar

Accutronics, det oberoende företaget inom design, utveckling och tillverkning av batterier och laddare har lanserat Entellion, en ny serie smarta, innovativa mobila produkter som är utvecklade för att möta de nya behoven hos funktionsrika enheter på de professionella marknaderna.

I Entellion kombineras företagets erfarenhet inom anpassade OEM-batterier med en förståelse för nya krav och trender på OEM-marknaden. Entellion-produkterna är tillgängliga som de är, men de kan även anpassas så att tillverkare av elektroniska bärbara enheter snabbt och säkert kan anpassa sig till sina målmarknader.

De första prefabricerade produkterna var litiumjonbatterierna CC2300 och CC3800 i kreditkortsformat som låter designingenjörer integrera ett smart litiumjonbatteri i nya bärbara enheter med minsta möjliga ansträngning och till mycket låga kostnader. Batterierna är utformade för hög driftsäkerhet och säkerhet och för att förkorta tiden till marknaden samtidigt som kostnader för verktygsanpassningar och certifieringar elimineras.

Den nyaste produkten är de smarta litiumjonbatterierna i VR-serien som innehåller impedansspårning och SMBus- och SBS-kompatibla mätare, LED-laddningsindikatorer med fem nivåer, ett tåligt hölje, kopplingsgränssnitt med sex punkter och glidskenor för enkel montering. Alla batterierna är godkända enligt UN38.3 (transport), IEC62133 och UL2054 (säkerhet) vilket gör att de kan enhetsanpassas till låga kostnader och insatser.

Företaget arbetar tillsammans med, men oberoende av, världens ledande celltillverkare för att kunna välja rätt cell för varje tillämpning, optimera egenskaper som kapacitet, märkkapacitet, livslängd och termiska prestanda.

Uppladdningsbara litiumjonbatterier (Li-ion) är den dominerande batteriteknik som används för bärbara elektroniska enheter. Tack vare en högre gravimetrisk och volymetrisk energidensitet, ger litiumjonbatteritekniken längre driftstider och lägre vikt jämfört med äldre tekniker som nickel kadmium (NiCad), nickelmetallhydrid (Ni-MH) och blybatterier.

”I en värld som domineras av bärbar elektronisk utrustning är behovet att hantera batteriet avgörande”, förklarar Rob Phillips, VD vid Accutronics. Han avslutar med att säga att ”dessa inbyggda smarta elektroniska system gör att batterierna kan hantera laddningen både effektivt och säkert, och inbyggda mätare ger exakt information till värdutrustningen i realtid”.

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Vorgefertigte Smartakku-Serie ermöglicht schnellere Produkteinführungszeit

Entellion Akkus
Entellion Akkus
Accutronics, ein unabhängiges Unternehmen, das Akkus und Ladegeräte entwirft, entwickelt und herstellt, hat Entellion auf den Markt gebracht. Diese neue Reihe von intelligenten, innovativen, tragbaren Akkuprodukten ist speziell auf die neuen Anforderungen funktionsreicher Geräte auf professionellen Märkten ausgerichtet.

Entellion vereint die Fachkompetenz des Unternehmens im Bereich der kundenspezifischen OEM-Akkuprodukte mit seiner Kenntnis der speziellen OEM-Anforderungen und Markttrends. Entellion-Produkte sind ab Lager lieferbar und können auch kundenspezifisch angepasst werden, so dass Hersteller von tragbaren Elektronikgeräten ihre Zielmärkte schnell und sicher erreichen können.

Die ersten vorgefertigten Produkte waren die kreditkartengroßen Lithiumionen-Akkus CC2300 und CC3800, die es Konstrukteuren ermöglichen, intelligente Lithiumionen-Akkus mühelos und kostengünstig in neue tragbare Handheld-Produkte zu integrieren. Sie sollen ein hohes Maß an Funktionalität und Sicherheit bieten, reduzieren die Produkteinführungszeit und eliminieren gleichzeitig die Werkzeug- und Zertifizierungskosten.

Die neuesten Produkte sind die intelligenten Lithiumionen-Akkus der VR Series, die über hochmoderne SMBus- und SBS-konforme Füllstandsmesser mit Impedanzverfolgung, eine visuelle Ladezustandsanzeige mit fünf LEDs, ein robustes Gehäusedesign, eine Sechswege-Steckverbindungsschnittstelle und Gleitschienen für ein einfaches Einsetzen ins Gerät verfügen. Alle Akkus bieten standardmäßig UN38.3- (Transport), IEC62133- und UL2054-Zertifizierung (Sicherheit), so dass sie kostengünstig und mit geringem Aufwand in Geräte integriert werden können.

Das Unternehmen ist unabhängig tätig, kooperiert jedoch mit weltweit führenden Akkuzellenherstellern bei der Auswahl der richtigen Akkuzelle für jede Anwendung, um Merkmale wie Kapazität, Entladungsrate, Lebensdauer und thermische Leistung zu optimieren.

Wiederaufladbare Lithiumionen-(Li-Ionen)-Akkus sind die bei der Stromversorgung tragbarer Elektronikgeräte dominante Technologie. Angesichts ihrer höheren gravimetrischen und volumetrischen Energiedichte bieten Lithiumionen-Akkus längere Laufzeiten und ein geringeres Gewicht im Vergleich zu älteren Technologien wie Nickel-Cadmium-(NiCad)-, Nickel-Metallhydrid-(NiMH)- und Bleiakkus.

„In einer von tragbaren Elektronikgeräten dominierten Welt ist das Akkustrom-Management äußerst wichtig,“ erklärte Rob Phillips, Managing Director von Accutronics. „Durch diese eingebetteten intelligenten elektronischen Systeme können Akkus den eigenen Ladevorgang effizient und sicher verwalten, während die integrierten Füllstandsmesser präzise Echtzeit-Informationen an das Host-Gerät liefern,“ meinte er abschließend.

Monday 29 April 2013

Batteries préassemblées pour une mise sur le marché plus rapide

Entellion batteries
Entellion batteries
Accutronics, spécialiste indépendant de la conception, du développement et de la fabrication de batteries et de chargeurs, a lancé Entellion, nouvelle gamme de produits d'alimentation intelligents et novateurs conçus pour répondre aux besoins des appareils professionnels aux multiples fonctions.

Entellion regroupe l'expertise de l'entreprise en fabrication de batteries OEM à sa connaissance approfondie des besoins des produits professionnels OEM et des tendances du marché. Les produits Entellion sont proposés dans le commerce et peuvent être également personnalisés pour accélérer la mise sur le marché d'appareils électroniques portables par leurs fabricants qui réalisent ainsi leurs objectifs.

Les premiers produits préassemblés étaient les batteries lithium ion de format carte de crédit CC2300 et CC3800, qui permettent aux ingénieurs de conception d'intégrer une petite batterie au nouveau produit portable avec un minimum d'effort et à moindre coût. Ces produits ont été conçus pour de hauts niveaux de fonctionnalité et de sécurité, réduisant ainsi le délai de mise sur le marché, tout en éliminant les coûts associés à l'outillage et à la qualification.

Les produits plus récents sont les batteries lithium ion intelligentes standard de la série VR qui présentent le tout dernier SMBus de suivi de l'impédance et les jauges conformes SBS, l'indicateur de charge à cinq DEL, un boîtier robuste, une interface à connecteur six directions et des glissières pour une insertion aisée dans l'appareil. Toutes les batteries sont assorties des agréments UN38.3 (transport), IEC62133 et UL2054 (sécurité) de série, et sont par conséquent prêtes à l'insertion dans les appareils avec un minimum d'effort et à moindre coût.

L'entreprise travaille en collaboration indépendante avec les plus grands fabricants mondiaux d'éléments de batteries, pour sélectionner l'élément adapté à chaque application, en optimisant les caractéristiques telles que la capacité, le régime, le cycle de vie et la performance thermique.

La technologie rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) est la plus utilisée dans les appareils électroniques portables. Par sa densité d'énergie massique et volumétrique supérieure, la technologie lithium ion assure des durées d'utilisation plus importantes et des poids moindres en comparaison aux combinaisons plus anciennes que sont le nickel cadmium (NiCad), le nickel-métal-hydrure (Ni-MH) et le plomb.

« Dans un monde dominé par les appareils électroniques portables, il est essentiel de pouvoir gérer l'alimentation par batterie », explique Rob Phillips, directeur général d'Accutronics. « Ces systèmes électroniques intelligents intégrés permettent aux batteries de gérer leur propre chargement efficacement et de manière sûre, tandis que les jauges internes donnent au matériel hôte les informations exactes en temps réel. »

Monday 15 April 2013

Pipped to the post but still future contenders

As we said last month, in 2013 Accutronics was yet again a strong contender for the Sentinel Business Awards having been shortlisted for the International Trade Award. Last year we won the Small Business of the Year Award, as well as the heavily contested Lombard Award for Innovation in Products and Processes at the Manufacturing Excellence Award held in November. 


This year, we were runners up in The Sentinel awards, which is a creditable performance in a very stringent category given the impressive competition we were up against. This has made us all the more determined to win next year.

Sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, the International Trade Award celebrates the outstanding achievements of established exporters involved in international trade, overseas strategic alliances or manufacturing partnerships.

Had we not outgrown the Small Business of the Year Award by taking our turnover above the maximum stipulated in the category, we believe we would have been strong contenders here again. That said, the winner and shortlist in this category were also very impressive and deserving.

But why are we so confident about our export performance? Well, Accutronics’ exports reach thirty countries and 90% of 2010-2011 turnover came from markets outside the UK. Accutronics boasts a 15% share in our target European medical device market

Recently we've won new accounts in Norway and Denmark, to complement the existing customer base which includes customers in Sweden, France, the UK, Switzerland, the USA, the Republic of Ireland, Germany and Israel.

Needless to say, we are very proud of what we've achieved. So watch this space because next year, we aim to win!

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Custom batteries

At Accutronics, we have standard batteries to suit almost any new portable device, but we also recognise that many applications are unable to accommodate standard batteries and require a custom battery to be designed instead. 

To this end, Accutronics has rebranded its design and manufacturing activities as Accupro, a service which provides both custom batteries and chargers to OEMs in professional markets.

When standard off-the-shelf batteries will not suffice, most battery manufacturers will suggest modifications to a product’s design. At Accutronics however, we work with the OEM to create truly outstanding battery solutions which provide tangible end user benefits in terms of low weight, minimal volume and ease of use.

Correct cell selection is critical in achieving optimal battery and device performance and we can help customers select the right cell for each application, optimising characteristics such as capacity, rate capability, cycle life and thermal performance.

Whilst batteries come in all shapes and sizes and a range of chemistries, you may often need a solution tailored to meet a specific application need.

With the Accupro service, Accutronics offer all of the commercially available rechargeable battery chemistries, but it is Lithium ion proves most popular given its high degree of safety and high volumetric and gravimetric energy density. Depending on the requirements of the application, Accutronics engineers will select from cells with different cathode formulations to provide the best mix of performance attributes. Cathode formations such as pure cobalt (LiCoO2) for high energy, Nickel Manganese Cobalt (Li(NiMnCo)O2) for rate capability, safety and cost or Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) for outstanding cycle life and power delivery are amongst the selections available to Accutronics engineers when developing any new battery under the Accupro brand.

Accupro embedded intelligent electronic systems allow batteries to manage their own charging both efficiently and safely while on-board fuel gauges provide equipment with accurate real time runtime information to ensure the best performance from your battery.

Accupro caters for all sizes of battery, from the smallest single cell solution with simple electronic protection through to large high voltage batteries with active cell balancing, impedance tracking fuel gauging and tiered protection systems. There are no brown-outs at peaks of demand, no failure of critical components at extremes of temperature and no oversized PCBs taking up space and making the battery (and your device) larger than it needs to be.

Accupro uses the latest digital prototyping techniques to get the design to market quickly. Accutronics performs finite element analysis (FEA) of the CAD models and employs 3D printing technologies such as stereolithography (SLA) or selective laser sintering (SLS) equipment to generate physical prototypes. Mould flow simulation is used to test and validate the injection moulding design prior to tooling.