Angled Sector Charging Outlets for Fleet Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging points are inefficient for large fleets of electric vehicles due to high installation effort and rigid assignment to parking spaces, leading to wasted resources and increased arrival and departure times, especially for commercial vehicles with varying lengths and socket positions.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple charging points, each with three or four outlets arranged at angles of 30° to 60°, preferably 45°, around a loading point, allowing vehicles to access charging stations directly without maneuvering, and a modular carrier system with movable charging points and solar-powered energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional charging points with rigid one-to-one assignment to parking spaces are used, then individual vehicles can be charged, but the installation effort increases disproportionately with the number of vehicles and the use of parking spaces becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is segmented into multiple independent outlets (three or four) at each loading point, each capable of serving different vehicles. This segmentation allows one loading point to serve multiple vehicles simultaneously or sequentially, increasing charging capacity without proportionally increasing installation effort.
Solution Approach 2:
Each loading point is designed with multiple outlets that can universally serve different types of vehicles with varying socket positions. The loading points are not dedicated to specific parking spaces but can adapt to any vehicle configuration, making the system multi-functional and highly versatile.
2Productivity
If rigid assignment between loading point and individual parking area is implemented, then simple control is achieved, but arrival and departure times increase due to long waiting and maneuvering times
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static rigid assignment to dynamic flexible assignment. Vehicles can dynamically access any of the three or four outlets at a loading point regardless of their exact parking position, enabling faster access and reducing maneuvering time while maintaining high charging throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet arrangement in three or four sectors surrounding the loading point creates a radial configuration rather than linear arrangement. This dimensional change allows vehicles approaching from different directions to access charging outlets more directly, reducing maneuvering distance and time.
3Ease of operation
If outlets are arranged vertically aligned to approach routes, then direct access is achieved, but adjacent sectors cannot intersect the approach route effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The outlets are arranged asymmetrically in three or four sectors at angles of 30° to 60° (preferably 45°) to the approach path rather than vertical alignment. This asymmetric arrangement allows adjacent sectors to intersect the approach route, creating overlapping coverage zones that improve both direct access and overall sector coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arrangement of outlets in sectors surrounding the loading point creates a circular/spheroidal coverage pattern. This curved geometric arrangement allows sectors to naturally intersect and overlap along approach routes, providing continuous coverage and multiple access angles for incoming vehicles.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A device (100) for charging electrically powered vehicles (102) is described. The device (100) comprises several charging points (104), each of which includes three or four outlets (106) with a charging cable for supplying charging current to an electrically powered vehicle (102). The three or four outlets (106) are arranged in three or four sectors (108) surrounding the charging point (104). Each sector (108) is oriented at an angle (110) of 30° to 60°, preferably 45°, to a straight approach path (112) running between several charging points (104).