MCL205-1201 puts 12V on your Hip

The new MCL205-D1201 is a polycarbonate belt mountable holster for the 7.2V 84Wh NH2057ZD29 battery pack. It allows portable devices to powered for longer from its 12V 60W output which is supplied via a coiled cable terminated in a standard 5.5mm/2.1mm DC plug.

 

The inclusion of an on-board charger with an input voltage range from 10VDC to 24VDC allows the MCL205-D1201 to charge its battery quickly and easily from a number of different power sources. An AC powered desktop power supply with a 24V output is supplied as standard along with a vehicle cigarette adapter.

 

The MCL205-1201 also includes an integrated USB charge port that can be used to charge phones, tablets and other USB powered devices.

 

 

The regulated 12VDC output is rated at 60Watts continuous. NH2057ZD29 battery packs are sold separately and a soft padded nylon splash proof cover is available as an accessory (part number 906014).

Three versions are available (each with a different AC power cord)

• MCL205-1201E (Supplied with European Schuko CE 7-7 2-pin AC Plug)
• MCL205-1201A (Supplied with American NEMA 6-15-R AC plug)
• MCL205-1201U (Supplied with UK BS1363 3 Pin AC Plug)

What is included?

 

(*) A polycarbonate battery holster with a belt clip and an output cable.

(*) A 65W in-line AC:DC power supply with 24VDC output

(*) A 6' (~1.8m) AC cable with a European, American or UK plug (see above)

(*) A cigarette lighter cable for charging the battery from a vehicle.

 

 

 

Neil Oliver

Technical Marketing Manager

Accutronics

 

 

CC3800 Credit Card Battery gains IEC62133:2012 Certification

The Entellion CC3800 Credit Card battery now boasts certification to the latest revision of this safety standard, making it even easier to design into the next generation of portable medical and industrial devices.

 

 

"Secondary cells and batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes — Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary cells, and for batteries made from them, for use in portable applications IEC62133:2012" supersedes the 1st edition which was published in 2002 and is mandatory for batteries used in many battery powered devices, from medical equipment to test and measurement equipment.

 

The CC3800 boasts an impressive array of features making it the ideal choice for medical and industrial OEMs wanting an off the shelf battery solution for handheld electronic products.

 

• 3.7V high energy density Lithium Ion technology
• Credit card footprint (54.0mm x 85.6mm)
• Impedance Tracking fuel gauge with I²C communication
• Active protection circuitry (OV, UV, OC, SC)
• Redundant passive over-current protection
• 7 position Tyco connector interface
• Tough plastic enclosure
• IEC62133:2012 (safety) & UN38.3 (transportation) compliant
• CE marked (EMC/ESD compliance)
• Also available as a 2300mAh model (9.1mm high CC2300)
• Customisation to labelling, case colour and firmware possible

The CC3800 is supported by a dedicated desktop charger - the CX6100 which allows charging outside the host product.

For more information about the CC3800 please feel free to drop me an email

Neil Oliver
Technical Marketing Manager

 

30 second charging: boon or bane?

Israeli company StoreDot has developed a new battery that could one day allow a phone to be charged in 30 seconds. It seems too good to be true, so we uncover the technology behind the headlines and explore the long term implications.

Accutronics' smallest battery

By Neil Oliver

It's a daily battle; morning, noon or night, come rain or shine, at home or while travelling, it's one of the most annoying daily occurrences. I am of course referring to that moment when your battery dies.

Well, it seems that this problem may not be around for much longer. Israeli company StoreDot has designed a new biological semiconductor material that has some unique characteristics.

Developed from naturally occurring compounds these ‘quantum dots’ are made up of peptides; the short chains of amino acids that form the building blocks of all proteins. When manipulated in the right conditions, these peptides can naturally grow into a crystalline formation in a tight, intricate structure, where the molecules are less than two nanometres apart.

The resultant quantum dot material, exhibits remarkable properties. Its confined nanocrystalline structure means that it can be excited on frequencies in the visible spectrum and, because it’s comprised of semiconductor materials, it is able to hold electrical charge highly efficiently.

What this means is that the same quantum dot material could eventually be used as the device display, the battery and power unit and the memory and storage module all in one. Just think about that for a second, a single panel material can essentially replace the multiple materials and components of current devices.

StoreDot has only just scratched the surface of this technology. Their quantum dot battery charges from flat to full in less than 30 seconds. However, using the same material as an internal layer in a flexible casing could yield a paper thin device, flexible enough to wrap around a wrist or be used as surface materials on public transport and even used for fully digital, yet biodegradable, newspapers and books.

However, it's important to remember that this innovation, whilst potentially revolutionary, must still undergo rigorous testing challenges to ascertain its behaviour in high and low temperatures, its structural integrity under mechanical strain and degradation over time. The cost of production will need to compete with already well established organic materials such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) already used widely by device manufacturers.

So is 30 second charging a boon or a bane? For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), this technology highlights the importance of holistic and integrated design. As we continue to become reliant on wearable and portable medical equipment, the need to match innovative design with reliable, safe and secure battery systems becomes ever more important.

For expert guidance on the best choice of batteries and chargers for your applications please get in touch with sales@accutronics.co.uk for further information.

Standing on the precipice looking down

Have you seen the film Sliding Doors? In the movie, Gwyneth Paltrow's love life and career hinge on one defining moment; whether or not she catches a train. I recently had my own Sliding Doors moment, that illustrated how design for medical devices can easily go in two very different directions.

by Rob Phillips

Smart batteries for medical devices

I was recently invited to a supplier day by an OEM, where the plastics, fan motherboard and smart battery providers got together with the design engineers from the client to talk over a new project. I call this type of gathering a precipice meeting; it allows you to work together as a team, standing on the edge of a precipice before the project truly begins.

In the 'bad old days' suppliers in each of those categories were usually pitted against each other, one manufacturer played off against the other, and the purchasing team would try to pick out good ideas from the various proposals.

Today, the modern precipice meeting is smarter and more inclusive, allowing suppliers to prove their worth by creating the most functional solution, not simply the cheapest. The purchasing people are partnered more effectively with the designers, which can only be a positive when it comes to the end product.

Life-critical applications
Medical technology is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and, because medical devices and equipment can be life-critical, they demand designs which are innovative, but also safe and reliable. During the early stage of the design process it's invaluable to share ideas of best practice and discuss the possible pitfalls. The input produced can have a huge impact on the design and its ultimate success.

Design engineers are clued-up when it comes to their product as a whole, but they can't be expected to be an authority on every component of the design. As battery experts we believe that OEMs should not be shackled by commodity batteries and we relish the chance to align ourselves with creative manufacturers. For us, a huge amount of energy and anticipation goes into every project and it's exciting to play our part in delivering a new generation of medical device.

Sharing ideas
Of course, it requires an element of trust between each of the members of the group, because they share their intellectual property, but the end result is a better environment and product for all involved. It's not just the design engineer who comes away with new ideas, having different manufacturers in the room means that you can all gain insights into areas outside your sphere of activity.


Precipice meetings are true Sliding Doors moments. They are an opportunity to test a project and fix the potential problems a long time before manufacturing begins. I'm sure Gwyneth Paltrow and the rest of the team behind the movie would approve.

Lifespan and the Apple expectation

Apple has applied for a patent to build a docking station to charge devices like the iPhone and iPad, which will retract the connector when the "iDevice" is being removed, to prevent damage to both the dock and the item. 

By Neil Oliver 

The move illustrates a trend in the consumer IT environment for improved reliability and increased robustness. However, that trend has been evident in industry for decades. But it isn't necessarily a good thing for the two concepts to become intertwined.

The expectations we should have of a battery for a professional medical application, for instance, would - in a world where the battery or charger is optimised for performance - be very different to those we might have in a consumer environment.

For instance, a medical professional might see the embedded battery in an iPhone or an iPad and be impressed by the sleek, seamless design it provides. As a result, they may well expect the power source in their professional devices to also be embedded.

However, in a medical device, with a product life cycle of ten to fifteen years, an embedded battery would be impractical. Over that kind of lifespan, the battery would have to be replaced five or six times, which would be impractical and costly. In a consumer device like an iPhone, the entire product is likely to have been replaced before the battery fails.

Size requirements 
Just as the aesthetics of an embedded battery might seem attractive at first glance, attempting to reduce the size requirement of a battery by embedding it might also seem like a good idea. This would remove the need for battery housing, thus reducing the space requirement.

However, this can only really be a workable option in a disposable or very short lifespan medical device. In more typical applications, where the device costs tens of thousands of pounds and lasts for more than a decade, it isn't practical for the same reason. A removable, rechargeable battery is the only workable option from a cost and reliability perspective.

Battery lifespan
Battery lifespan can also be a radically different requirement depending on the medical application. In some instances, replacing the battery every year is fine and also what the user expects - from both a practical and financial perspective.

However, if a battery designed for a frequently used application is only capable of 300 cycles, which is to say 300 full charges and 300 full discharges, it would be unlikely to last for even one year. The feedback that most of our OEM partners receive from hospitals is that they expect the battery to last for two to three years.

Most phone batteries will have a lifespan of around 300 cycles. This means that, after a year or two, the user will need to replace the battery or the device. As a manufacturer of batteries for professional applications, it’s crucial to understand the expectation this creates; otherwise you can very easily expose your OEM partner to criticism from the end user. Normally this means advising the OEM to change the expectation of its user community, compromise the power budget in some way or adapt the device itself.

Often, in this situation it is the power budget and thus the battery’s lifetime that suffers. It’s very difficult for an OEM to double the size or weight of a device, to allow for a larger power source for instance, and a good battery manufacturer will understand that.

The irony is that because manufacturers focus on the most obvious demands from the end user, the actual needs of this end user may not get enough consideration. The organisation that has to change the battery every year, and pay for that change, may have been willing to suffer a slight increase in size, in exchange for improved functionality and reduced operating expenditure.

Once an end user such as a hospital, considers the realities of increased cost and maintenance, they may well be very happy for the device to lack the product design brilliance of an iPad, but provide lower maintenance and replacements costs.

Nevertheless, from a personal point of view, I will be the first person to snap up the new i-Device charging and docking station. Like many people in the electronics industry, I'm a technology fan and find both the patent and the product interesting. However, I won’t be changing my view regarding the needs of professional battery applications as a result.

Read more about Accutronics’ work in professional medical battery applications here.

Charging ahead in innovation

~Accutronics celebrates a year of innovation at America's largest medical technology show~

Smart batteries for medical devices

International battery manufacturer Accutronics will join thousands of medical industry suppliers and
service providers at MD&M West, on February 10-12, 2015 in Anaheim, California, where the British company will showcase the latest products from its Entellion range. Accutronics can be found in Hall E at Booth 412.

The theme of the 2015 conference is a celebration of 30 years of medtech innovation, and this year British manufacturer Accutronics has proven it is more than up for the challenge. During 2014, the independent battery expert launched two new products to add to its range of smart portable power products, both of which will be exhibited at the event.

Most recently, Accutronics introduced the CMX Series, a range of innovative smart batteries and chargers. With the increase in the use of portable medical devices, such as acute ventilators and anaesthesia workstations, the new smart battery fulfils the needs of manufacturers of high powered medical devices.

During the summer the company also introduced the CX6100, an innovative desktop charger for its groundbreaking credit card battery range. The new charger has a rapid charge capability and can be used around the world, thanks to its wall mounted power supply. The credit card battery range provides OEMs with a rechargeable range of Lithium Ion professional batteries for portable and wearable medical devices.

"The medical market is a challenging environment and there's a constant demand on medical OEMs to produce innovative portable devices," explained Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics.

"Thanks to our understanding of the market requirements we've been able to develop a range that meets the need for high energy density and high power discharge, without compromising on safety and reliability in life-critical applications."

At the event, the Accutronics team will showcase its skills in the design, development and manufacturing of medical batteries and smart chargers. On display will be the complete Entellion range of products which bridge the gap between standard off-the-shelf products and a custom design with inherent development fees, saving customers time and money. The range can easily be customised with options including product labelling and case colours, software setup and SHA-1 algorithmic security, which prevents counterfeit batteries being used under fraudulent warranty claims.

Going global

Accutronics is a UK developer and manufacturer of custom rechargeable batteries for professional applications. The business runs a global operation from its HQ and manufacturing facility, near to the city of Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands. Set up in September 2009, Accutronics has around 80 employees and its battery products are exported to over 30 countries across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics, offers advice to companies considering exportation.

Rob Phillips discusses custom rechargeable batteries at Compamed

Exporting enables us to reach the majority of our potential customers, the vast majority of whom are not based in the UK, rather than limiting our business to our own backyard. We target specific product application market sectors, such as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of portable medical devices, chosen to match our capabilities as a potential strategic supplier. We then research who these companies are and where they are based.

For any business considering exporting, my advice is to think big and look into it properly and personally. The worst that can happen is that you end up with a wiser, wider perspective on your business sector and decide in a well-informed way not to proceed. More likely, you will open up much greater potential growth for your business.

Carry out desk research, but then travel and investigate your potential future markets directly. Industry events, such as conferences and exhibitions, are a great opportunity for further research.

In November we exhibited at Compamed in Dusseldorf, Germany, a leading trade fair for the medical industry which hosts 700 exhibitors from 40 countries, and runs alongside the huge Medica exhibition on the same trade fair site.

For UK firms active in the medical equipment market, the sheer size and scope of this event is in a different ball park to UK-based trade fairs. Quite simply it needs to be experienced to be believed. I'd suggest attending an event like this and assessing whether you want to invest in an exhibition booth next time.

Depending on your sector, there may be some potential barriers, but if you have a good product or service that you believe in, then in our experience buyers are very interested in giving you a chance, regardless of your HQ location. In our industry sector, we successfully export to over 30 countries without using agents, distributors or any other export partners. Today, export makes up 95% of Accutronics’ sales turnover.