Electromechanical Actuator Guide for Charging Cable Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuators for locking charging cables in charging receptacles often face jamming issues due to manufacturing and calibration constraints, particularly in applications with limited space, where precise alignment and support for the locking pin are compromised.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical actuator with a housing, locking pin, and drive that features a guide system with an elongated section for radial guidance and an end section for alignment, allowing the locking pin to move from a retracted to an extended position, and utilizing a rack and pinion drive for efficient linear movement, while the guide and drive are located partially or completely outside the housing, and the charging receptacle has a complementary housing to accommodate the actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the actuator housing is made compact to reduce space requirements, then the space efficiency is improved, but the alignment precision and locking pin support are compromised leading to jamming issues
Solution Approach 1:
The guide for the locking pin is divided into two distinct sections: an elongated section for radial guidance and an end section for alignment with the charging receptacle. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally, with the elongated section providing stable radial support and the end section ensuring precise alignment, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while keeping the actuator compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure extends in multiple dimensions: the elongated section provides radial guidance in the radial dimension, while the end section provides alignment in the axial dimension. This multi-dimensional approach allows the actuator to maintain precise alignment and support functionality without requiring a large overall volume, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and alignment precision.
2Reliability
If the locking pin is supported at multiple positions within the housing to prevent jamming, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into an elongated section and an end section, each performing a specific support function. The elongated section supports the locking pin radially, while the end section provides alignment support. This segmentation achieves reliable multi-position support without requiring complex additional components, thus improving reliability while controlling device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the guide and drive are located outside the housing to facilitate assembly and maintenance, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the housing protection function is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into sections with different locations: the elongated section is positioned outside the housing for ease of assembly and maintenance, while the end section extends into the housing to provide alignment support and maintain protection function. This segmented approach allows different parts of the guide to serve different purposes in different locations, balancing manufacturing ease with protective function.
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
This configuration provides a low-space requirement actuator that prevents jamming and ensures secure locking of charging cables, maintaining functionality even with manufacturing tolerances and limited space constraints, while offering improved power efficiency and alignment with the charging receptacle.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a rack and pinion drive for efficient linear movement
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electromechanical actuator (20) for locking a charging cable (1) in a charging receptacle (21), wherein the actuator (20) comprises a housing (22), a locking pin (23) and a drive (25), which is configured to move the locking pin (23) from a first position, in which the locking pin (23) releases the charging cable (1), to a second position, in which the locking pin (23) engages in an opening (6) of the charging cable (1) inserted into the charging receptacle (21), wherein the actuator (20) comprises a guide (24) for the locking pin (23), wherein the guide (24) and the drive (25) are located at least partially outside of the housing (22), wherein the guide (24) comprises, outside of the housing (22), an elongated section (29) for guiding the locking pin (23) and an end section (30) for aligning the guide (24) with the charging receptacle (21). The invention further relates to a charging receptacle (21) complementary with said actuator.