Charging Cable Transport Control for Heavy Vehicle Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the electrification of commercial vehicles is the difficulty in managing charging cables due to their weight and contamination, which poses a risk of damage during maneuvering and charging, especially in confined spaces like truck depots, where conventional charging solutions are prone to damage and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a carrier structure with a cable transport system that includes a cable transport element and an operating element, allowing for controlled movement of the charging cable relative to the carrier structure, enabling easy positioning and retrieval of the charging plug without manual effort, using mechanisms like control rods, cable winches, and adjustable carrier cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging cable is positioned outside or at a sufficient distance from the charging zone after charging, then the risk of damage to the charging plug and cable is reduced, but the manual positioning of the heavy and contaminated cable becomes problematic and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable transport device enables the charging cable to be moved automatically without manual intervention. The transport element (such as a trolley or robotic mechanism) self-propels the cable along a predefined path from the charging zone to the storage position, eliminating the need for users to manually handle the heavy and contaminated cable while still achieving the safety objective of positioning it outside the charging zone
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary cable transport device is introduced between the charging cable and the user. This intermediary mechanism handles the cable movement task, allowing the user to simply initiate the transport command without physically touching or moving the heavy cable, thus resolving the contradiction between safety positioning and ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional charging columns or charge distributors are anchored in the ground at truck depots, then charging infrastructure is established, but the risk of damage due to maneuvering operations and charger failure becomes too high in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The charging infrastructure is made dynamic and movable rather than fixed. The cable transport device can be repositioned along tracks or rails within the depot, allowing it to adapt to different vehicle positions and maneuvering requirements. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain charging functionality while avoiding damage risks associated with fixed ground-anchored chargers in confined spaces
3Reliability
If the dispenser is positioned at a sufficient distance above the roadway to reduce damage risk, then the risk of damage is reduced, but the cable management of the charging cables becomes a particular challenge
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is segmented into multiple functional components: a cable reel mechanism for winding and unwinding, a transport element for moving the cable horizontally, and a dispenser positioning system. This segmentation allows each component to handle a specific aspect of cable management independently, reducing the overall complexity despite the elevated dispenser position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling a charging cable for charging a vehicle has a carrier structure arranged at a charging zone. A charging cable that is fastened to the carrier structure and connected to an electricity source carries a charging plug for plugging into the vehicle to be charged. A cable transport device has a cable transport element which is coupled to the charging cable in such a way that the charging cable is movable relative to the carrier structure. The cable transport device further has an operating element which is coupled to the cable transport element in such a way that control commands for controlling the cable transport element can be input by a user in order to position the charging plug in the charging zone.