Mobile Charging Column Transport Platform With Dual Rolling Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for mobile charging stations are complex, costly, and require significant effort to move and set up, especially due to the high weight of these stations, and lack effective collision protection.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a receiving device and two rolling devices, one on the underside for moving the transport device and another on top for aligning the mobile charging station, along with a collision protection mechanism that pivots for protection during movement, allowing for easier and cost-effective handling and setup of mobile charging stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile charging stations are made heavy-duty for reliable operation, then operational reliability is improved, but ease of movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidease of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent parts: a heavy-duty mobile charging station and a separate transport device. This segmentation allows the charging station to maintain its required weight and reliability while the transport device handles mobility, resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and ease of movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transport device acts as an intermediary between the mobile charging station and the final destination. This intermediary handles the movement task, allowing the charging station itself to remain stationary and heavy-duty during operation, thus maintaining reliability while enabling easy transport through the mediator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If integrated transport mechanisms are added to mobile charging stations, then ease of movement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport function is segmented from the charging station and placed in a separate transport device. This avoids adding complex transport mechanisms to the charging station itself, maintaining simplicity of the charging station while providing ease of movement through the dedicated transport device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport device is designed as a universal platform that can handle different mobile charging stations. By creating a separate multi-functional transport device rather than integrating specialized transport mechanisms into each charging station, overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining ease of movement.

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

3Productivity

If complex tools like cranes or forklifts are used for moving charging stations, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement efficiencyVSAvoidtool complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device is designed to be self-sufficient with its own rolling devices and receiving mechanisms, eliminating the need for external complex tools like cranes or forklifts. The system serves its own transport needs through the integrated transport device, improving productivity while reducing the complexity and cost of required equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The transport device serves as an intermediary that replaces the need for complex external tools. Instead of using cranes or forklifts to move the charging station directly, the transport device mediates the movement process, enabling efficient transport with simpler, more cost-effective equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If collision protection is added to transport devices, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Collision protection is implemented as a preliminary protective measure on the transport device. The protective elements are positioned in advance to prevent or mitigate collision damage before it occurs, improving reliability while adding minimal complexity through simple protective structures rather than complex active protection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The transport device simplifies the movement and setup of mobile charging stations using forklifts or pallet trucks, reduces production costs by eliminating the need for integrated transport mechanisms, and provides effective collision protection during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first rolling device (5) for moving the transport device (1) on a surface is arranged on a receiving device underside (4) of the receiving device (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a second rolling device (7) for moving the mobile charging station (2) relative to the receiving device (3) is arranged on a receiving device upper side (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

a collision protection device (13) for protecting the transport device (1) from a collision with a motor vehicle is arranged on the receiving device (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3611047B1Transport device for a mobile charging column and mobile charging column system
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3611047B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611047B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport device (1) for moving a mobile charging station (2) which is designed to charge a battery of an electric vehicle, comprising a receiving device (3) for receiving the mobile charging station (2), wherein a first rolling device (5) for moving the transport device (1) on a base (U) is arranged on a receiving device underside (4) of the receiving device (3). A second rolling device (7) for moving the mobile charging station (2) relative to the receiving device (3) is arranged on a receiving device upper side (6) of the receiving device (3). Furthermore, the invention relates to a mobile charging station system (20) with a mobile charging station (2) and a transport device (1), in particular with removable collision protection.