Charge Cord Light Indicators for EV Charging Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy transfer systems lack intuitive and visible indicators for charging and discharging operations, particularly in environments where the charge cord may be obscured or in situations where user notification is critical.
Innovation Solution
An energy transfer system incorporating a charge cord with integrated light sources and a controller that generates visual indicators, such as moving light patterns, to convey information about charging, discharging, and environmental conditions, thereby enhancing user awareness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators are added to the charge cord, then user awareness of charging conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using light sources that emit different colors to indicate various charging conditions. The controller activates specific light sources based on the charging state, such as green for charging, red for discharging, and yellow for errors, providing intuitive visual feedback without complex displays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the charge cord into multiple sections with individual light sources distributed along its length. This allows different segments to display different information simultaneously, such as showing charging status at one end and location indication at another, providing comprehensive information without requiring a single complex indicator system
Solution Approach 3:
The patent employs periodic action through blinking or pulsing light patterns to convey different states. For example, blinking lights can indicate active charging operations while steady lights indicate idle states, providing clear temporal differentiation of charging conditions without requiring additional display elements
2Illumination intensity
If light sources are arrayed along the charge cord, then location visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible circuit boards or thin film substrates to mount the array of light sources along the charge cord. This allows the light sources to be arranged in a flexible linear pattern that conforms to the charge cord's shape, enabling easy integration during manufacturing while providing continuous illumination along the cord's length
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible circuit board or adhesive substrate as an intermediary component between the charge cord and the light sources. This intermediary simplifies manufacturing by providing a pre-fabricated platform for mounting multiple light sources in a linear array, which can then be easily attached to the charge cord as a complete assembly rather than individually wiring each light source
3Loss of information
If moving light patterns are used to indicate energy flow direction, then information clarity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic activation of light sources in sequence along the charge cord to create moving light patterns that indicate energy flow direction. By activating lights in a sequential pattern (e.g., from charging station to vehicle for charging, and reverse for discharging), the system provides clear directional information while keeping each light source active only briefly, minimizing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination
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
The system provides clear and intuitive visual indicators that enhance user awareness of charging and discharging operations, prevent tripping hazards, and improve notification of environmental conditions, thereby improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a display system including at least one light source attached to the charge cord
Data Source
AI summary
An energy transfer system includes a charge cord configured to electrically connect a battery system to an energy source or an energy storage system, the battery system configured to power an electric motor of a vehicle. The energy transfer system also includes a display system including at least one light source attached to the charge cord, and a controller configured to control the display system to generate a visual indicator on the charge cord, the visual indicator indicative of a condition related to an energy transfer operation.