EV Charging Base Structure for Retrofit Cable Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging infrastructure systems require time-consuming and costly foundation work, including threading and cutting cables into foundation boxes, which is inefficient, especially for multiple lines, and often necessitates special civil engineering and concreting efforts.

Innovation Solution

A charging infrastructure system featuring a base and tubular enveloping body that encloses cables in a U-shape, allowing for stable installation without the need for extensive foundation work, enabling easy retrofitting and reducing civil engineering efforts by using existing cables and simplifying the installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a box-shaped foundation is used to install charging modules, then the charging module can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and requires extensive civil engineering work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of charging module installationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation structure is segmented into modular components: a base element with U-shaped cable receiving cavities and an enveloping body. This segmentation allows the cable to be laid first, then the base and enveloping body are assembled around it, eliminating the need for time-consuming threading operations into closed foundation boxes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the cable into a pre-built closed foundation box (traditional approach), the invention inverts the sequence by building the foundation structure around the already-laid cable. The base and enveloping body are assembled in reverse order, with the cable already in position, thus eliminating the need for threading and cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If traditional foundation boxes are used, then the charging module has a stable base, but the process requires threading and cutting cables which is inefficient for multiple lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is divided into separate functional elements: the base element providing structural support and the enveloping body providing protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled efficiently around pre-laid cables, greatly improving productivity for multiple cable installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is laid in the ground before the foundation structure is assembled. This preliminary action allows the cable to be positioned and secured first, then the base and enveloping body are simply placed around it, eliminating the need for subsequent threading and cutting operations that would reduce productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If closed foundation boxes are used, then the cable is protected, but separate foundation work involving civil engineering and concreting is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protectionVSAvoidfoundation work complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enveloping body serves as a flexible protective shell that encloses the cable and base structure. This shell provides cable protection without requiring rigid closed foundation boxes, thereby eliminating the need for complex civil engineering and concreting work while maintaining adequate protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential protective function from the complex closed foundation box structure. By taking out only the necessary cable enclosure function and implementing it through a simpler base and enveloping body assembly, the complexity of civil engineering work is eliminated while cable protection is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing cables are to be retrofitted with charging modules, then additional charging infrastructure can be added, but traditional methods require extensive modification work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrofitting capabilityVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

For retrofitting existing cables, the invention inverts the traditional approach by not modifying the existing cable infrastructure. Instead, the base and enveloping body are assembled around the already-installed cable, allowing charging modules to be added without extensive modification work, thereby improving both adaptability and installation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The base element with its U-shaped cable receiving cavities and the enveloping body serve as a universal foundation structure that can accommodate both new and existing cables. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to be used for initial installations and retrofitting scenarios, simplifying the retrofitting process while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4475366A1Charging infrastructure system
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 HAUFF TECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4475366A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2c
  • EP4475366A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4475366A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a charging infrastructure system for mounting a charging module for an electric vehicle. The charging infrastructure system comprises a cable running in a ground in one direction, a base arranged above it which has a leg on each side of the cable and a connecting section arranged transversely thereto and connecting the legs, which form a cavity open downwards and on both sides in the direction of the cable, into which the cable is received when the charging infrastructure system is mounted, and a tubular housing body arranged on and connected to a top surface of the base facing away from the cable, wherein the legs and the connecting section arranged transversely thereto enclose the cable in a U-shape on a bottom surface of the base forming the cavity when viewed in the direction of the cable.