Charge Cable Lock Fixing Pin Design for Secure Inlet Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge cable lock devices for vehicles are inefficient in coupling and fixing to inlets, leading to potential unauthorized removal and increased complexity in the coupling process.
Innovation Solution
A charge cable lock device with a U-shaped fixing pin featuring a finger grip for easy handling, which is inserted through the lock and inlet housings from the back side, providing secure coupling and concealment to prevent unauthorized removal, and a fastener that maintains the pin in place, ensuring a stable and efficient locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixing pin is used to couple the charge cable lock device to the inlet, then the coupling efficiency is improved, but the risk of unauthorized removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fastener as an intermediary component between the fixing pin and the inlet/lock device. This fastener mediates the connection by providing a secure engagement mechanism that is not directly accessible from the outside, thus maintaining coupling efficiency while preventing unauthorized removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing pin is nested within the inlet housing and lock device housing, with the pin passing through both components. This nesting arrangement conceals the fixing pin and makes it inaccessible for unauthorized removal, while still providing secure coupling when properly installed.
2Reliability
If the fixing pin is inserted from the back side to traverse both housings, then unauthorized removal is prevented, but the coupling process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is pre-installed on the inlet housing before the fixing pin is inserted. This preliminary action prepares the receiving structure in advance, guiding the fixing pin into the correct position and simplifying the overall coupling process despite the pin needing to traverse both housings from the back side.
3Reliability
If the fixing pin is concealed by the back side of the lock housing, then unauthorized removal is restricted, but the handling of the fixing pin becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing pin is segmented into distinct functional portions: a concealed portion that passes through the housings and provides secure fixation, and an exposed portion with a finger grip that extends beyond the back side for easy handling. This segmentation allows the pin to simultaneously provide security through concealment and ease of operation through the accessible grip portion.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A charge cable lock device (23) is for use with an inlet that includes an inlet housing (35). A charge cable (6) including a rocking arm (17) with a hooking portion (18) is connected in a removable manner to the inlet. The charge cable lock device (23) includes a lock member (25), a lock housing (26), and a fixing pin (29). The lock member (25) is movable to a lock position and an unlock position and configured to contact the rocking arm (17) to restrict disengagement of the hooking portion (18) of the rocking arm (17) from the inlet when the lock member (25) is located at the lock position. The lock housing (26) supports the lock member (25). The fixing pin (29) is configured to be inserted into the lock housing (26) and the inlet housing (35) and fix the lock housing (26) to the inlet traversing the lock housing (26) and the inlet housing (35).