Charging Assembly Override Member for Locking Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical charging assemblies for vehicles often have locking devices that can unintentionally stick or jam, requiring complex and costly mechanical override mechanisms to disconnect the charging connector, which complicates installation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A charging assembly with a locking device featuring a housing, release member, and override member, where the override member is slidably mounted and can be actuated by an external instrument to transition the locking pin from an extended to a retracted position, allowing for disconnection without relying on electrical actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex mechanical override mechanism with cable routing through the vehicle is used, then the locking pin can be manually actuated, but the device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of manual override from the complex cable-routing system and implements it locally at the charging inlet. The override member is integrated directly into the locking device housing, eliminating the need for cables routed through the vehicle body. This local extraction maintains the reliability of manual actuation while dramatically reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the override mechanism with the locking device housing, creating an integrated assembly. The override member is slidably mounted within the housing and directly coupled to the release member, combining what were previously separate systems (override mechanism and locking device) into a single unified component that reduces installation complexity.
2Reliability
If a cable routing system is used for mechanical override, then the locking pin can be actuated, but the installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the costly cable routing through the vehicle body and replaces it with a localized override mechanism integrated into the locking device. This extraction eliminates the need for complex installation procedures involving vehicle panel removal and cable routing, significantly reducing installation costs while maintaining the essential override function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive override member that can be easily manufactured and installed as part of the locking device assembly. Rather than using expensive, complex cable systems, the invention uses a straightforward mechanical component that achieves the same functional result at lower cost.
3Extent of automation
If electrical actuators are used for locking, then automated locking is achieved, but the system fails when battery is dead or actuator is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a mechanical override member as a backup system that is ready in advance to compensate for electrical actuator failures. When the battery is dead or the electrical actuator is damaged, the override member provides a manual mechanism to actuate the locking pin, ensuring that the system remains reliable under adverse conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the override member as an intermediary mechanical system that can take over when the electrical actuator fails. The override member acts as a mediator between the operator and the locking pin, providing an alternative path for actuation when the primary electrical path is unavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging assembly includes a charging inlet and a locking device mounted to the charging inlet. The locking device includes a housing, a release member, and an override member. The release member is connected to a movable locking pin via a mechanical linkage. The locking pin in an extended position is configured to secure a mating connector of an external power source to the charging inlet. The override member is slidably mounted to the housing, and includes a tail that is coupled to the release member. The override member has a contact surface configured to be engaged by an external instrument to translate the override member relative to the housing such that the tail actuates the release member causing the locking pin to transition from the extended position towards a retracted position to enable the mating connector to be disconnected from the charging inlet.