Charge Port Lock Device with Swing Arm Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge port lock devices for electric vehicles fail to prevent unintended disconnection of charge connectors from charge ports during charging, leading to incomplete charging sessions due to accidental disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A charge port lock device featuring an engagement lever and swing arm mechanism that securely engages with the charge port, utilizing a lock actuator and swing arm to restrict disengagement, ensuring the charge connector remains connected during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charge connector is connected to a charge port for charging, then charging power can be supplied to the battery, but unintended disconnection may occur during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: an engagement lever for initial connection, a swing arm for locking, and a lock actuator for control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm acts as an intermediary between the engagement lever and the charge connector. It provides a mechanical locking action that secures the connection during charging, preventing unintended disconnection while allowing controlled release when needed.
2Device complexity
If a simple connection mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but connection stability during charging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm provides a dynamic locking mechanism that can transition between locked and unlocked states. During charging, the swing arm engages to provide stable connection. When release is needed, the lock actuator moves the swing arm to disengage, allowing controlled changes in connection state while maintaining stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement lever performs preliminary action by initially guiding and engaging the charge connector with the charge port. This preliminary engagement positions the components correctly before the swing arm provides the final locking action, ensuring stable connection without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent disconnection, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the lock actuator, which automatically moves the swing arm into the locked position when the charge connector is properly inserted. This eliminates the need for manual locking operations, maintaining ease of use while ensuring reliable connection during charging.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring manual action to lock the connection, the system is designed so that proper insertion of the charge connector automatically triggers the locking action through the lock actuator. The operation is inverted: rather than lock-then-connect, the system connects-then-locks automatically, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
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AI summary
A charge port lock device includes an engagement member provided on a charge connector for restricting disconnection of the charge connector by being engaged with an engagement portion provided on a charge port, a restriction member provided on a vehicle for restricting disengagement of the engagement member, and a lock actuator for driving the restriction member. According to the charge port lock device, avoided can be an unintended disconnection of the charge connector from the charge port during charging in a connected state of the charge port and the charge connector.