Vehicle Charging Base Guide Mechanism for Stable Open Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

The loading floor of a vehicle, when opened to access a space beneath, often falls shut due to gravity, requiring user intervention to maintain the open position, and handling the transition from closed to open positions is cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle with a holding device featuring a guide element and a support element, where a bearing element moves along the guide element to an end position, forming an acute angle with the vertical, and is supported by the support element to maintain the open position, allowing easy rotation and pivoting for user-friendly operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the charging base is designed to rotate between a stowed position and an extended position to enable charging of vehicles parked at angles, then charging versatility is improved, but the mechanical complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging angle adaptabilityVSAvoidbase mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging base is designed to rotate dynamically between a stowed position (aligned with the vehicle direction of travel) and an extended position (positioned laterally of the vehicle). This dynamic repositioning allows the base to adapt to vehicles parked at various angles while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through controlled motion rather than complex static mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system is segmented into a movable charging base and a stationary charging pile. The base can be independently positioned and rotated to achieve optimal charging alignment, separating the functions of power delivery (stationary pile) and vehicle access adaptation (movable base)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the charging base is extended laterally of the vehicle to enable charging, then charging accessibility is improved, but the risk of collision with the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging accessibilityVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the vehicle's presence and position before extending the charging base laterally. The rotating mechanism is controlled to move the base into the extended position only after confirming it is safe to do so, reducing collision risk while maintaining charging accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging base acts as an intermediary element between the stationary charging pile and the vehicle. It can rotate to an extended position that optimizes the charging connection while maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle body, mediating between the need for accessibility and collision avoidance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the charging base is designed to rotate to different positions, then charging flexibility is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging base incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that enable it to autonomously detect its position, determine the optimal charging alignment, and rotate to the appropriate angle without requiring complex external control systems. The base serves itself by automatically navigating to the correct position based on vehicle detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting the charging vehicle's position and orientation to control the rotation of the charging base. The control mechanism receives feedback about the current base position and the detected vehicle parameters, automatically adjusting the base angle to achieve optimal charging alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4612023B1Motor vehicle with a charging base, and method for bringing a charging base into an open position
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 AUDI AG
  • EP4612023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4612023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4612023B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a charging base (14) which can be brought from a closed position into an open position. A holding device (30) for holding the charging base (14) in the open position comprises a guide device (32), and by bringing the charging base (14) into the open position, a bearing element (38) of the charging base (14) can be moved along the guide device (32) into an end position (42) in which the bearing element (38) is arranged lower in the vertical direction (z) of the motor vehicle than when the charging base (14) is in the closed position. The bearing element (38) can be moved from a starting position, which the bearing element (38) assumes in the closed position of the charging base (14), into an intermediate position (40) by rotating the bearing element about a pivot axis of the charging base (14), and the bearing element (38) can be moved from the intermediate position (40) into the end position (42). The invention additionally relates to a method for bringing the charging base (14) into the open position.