Charge Port Locating Assembly for Electrified Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no universal standard for the location of charge ports on electrified vehicles, leading to confusion for operators who may forget or be unaware of the port's location, resulting in inconvenient positioning during charging.
Innovation Solution
A display system within the vehicle that uses a vehicle symbol and charge port symbols to indicate the position of the charge port, with the charge port symbol positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to show its location along the longitudinal axis, and optionally differentiated by color and shape for multiple charge ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If charge ports are located in different areas of electrified vehicles without a universal standard, then the vehicle design flexibility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because operators cannot easily locate the charge port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a display device as an intermediary between the charge port and the operator. The display presents a vehicle symbol with a charge port symbol positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to indicate the charge port's location, mediating the information transfer without requiring physical inspection of the vehicle exterior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the charge port location on the display screen. The charge port symbol is positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to replicate the actual spatial relationship of the charge port on the vehicle, allowing operators to identify the location through the graphical representation rather than searching the physical vehicle
2Measurement precision
If operators must exit the vehicle to locate the charge port, then the information accuracy about charge port location is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by displaying the charge port location information before the operator needs to use it. The display device proactively presents the vehicle symbol with the charge port symbol, providing location information in advance so operators don't need to exit the vehicle to search for the charge port
Solution Approach 2:
The display device serves as an intermediary that provides accurate charge port location information without requiring physical inspection. The charge port symbol positioned relative to the vehicle symbol conveys precise location information through visual representation, eliminating the need for operators to exit and physically locate the port
Data Source
AI summary
An example locating assembly includes, among other things, a display within an electrified vehicle, a vehicle symbol presented on the display, and a charge port symbol presented on the display. The charge port symbol is positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to indicate a position of a charge port. An example locating method includes displaying a vehicle symbol and a charge port symbol on a display of an electrified vehicle. The charge port symbol is positioned relative to the vehicle symbol to indicate a position of a charge port.