Charge Port Covering Assembly with Automatic Door Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicle charge ports are vulnerable to inadvertent contact, contamination, and tampering due to the lack of effective protection mechanisms, and existing coverings require manual removal before charging, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A charge port covering assembly with a door assembly that moves from a covering position to an accessing position in response to a charger's approach, utilizing ring segments and a locking mechanism to allow seamless charger coupling without prior manual removal, and spring-biased components for automatic return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover is used to protect the charge port, then protection against contact and contamination is improved, but manual removal is required which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly automatically opens when a charger is inserted, eliminating the need for manual removal. The system serves itself by detecting the charger's presence and automatically transitioning from a protected state to an accessible state, thereby maintaining protection while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly transitions from a static covered position to a dynamic opening position in response to charger insertion. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt between protection mode and charging mode, resolving the contradiction between maintaining protection and enabling easy access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed cover is used to protect the charge port, then protection is improved, but design flexibility for charge port placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is segmented into a door assembly that can independently move relative to the housing. This segmentation allows the charge port position to be flexible within the housing while the door provides consistent protection, thereby maintaining both protection and design flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If the door assembly is spring-biased toward the covering position, then automatic return to protected state is improved, but force requirements for opening may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides a biasing force that ensures automatic return to the covered position, but the charger insertion provides sufficient force to overcome this spring bias during opening. This partial action approach maintains automation while allowing easy opening when needed.
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 solution effectively prevents contact and contamination while allowing easy and convenient charging by automatically transitioning from a covered to an accessible state, enhancing safety and design flexibility for charge port placement.
Implementation Method 1
the door assembly is spring-biased toward the covering position
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes a door assembly moveable between a covering position where the door assembly blocks access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the door assembly permits access to the charge port. A plurality of ring segments are configured to move to permit the door assembly to pivot from the covering position to the accessing position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes blocking access to a charge port using at least one door assembly in a covering position, and moving a charger toward a coupled position with the charge port to transition the at least one door assembly from the covering position to an accessing position.