EV Charging Connector Lock Sealing Against Moisture Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging connector parts for electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining reliable operation under varying ambient conditions, particularly at low temperatures, due to the risk of moisture ingress and freezing of locking elements, which can hinder the establishment and release of a locking connection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sealing element with a sealing lip that slides against the locking element to seal the transition between the locking element and the wall, combined with a drainage channel to prevent moisture accumulation and a design that supports the locking element, ensuring reliable operation across different environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking element is arranged in a position where it can be moved through the wall opening into the plug opening region, then the locking connection can be established between the charging connector part and the mating connector part, but moisture can enter the region of the locking element causing freezing at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element with a sealing lip is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking element and the wall opening. The sealing lip rests on the locking element and seals the transition zone, preventing moisture from reaching the locking element while allowing the locking element to move freely through the wall opening for establishing and releasing the locking connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element functions as a flexible barrier that conforms to the locking element's movement. The sealing lip, being flexible, maintains contact with the locking element during its movement through the wall opening, continuously preventing moisture ingress without restricting the locking element's operational freedom.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing element with a sealing lip is added to prevent moisture ingress, then the risk of freezing is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to change its physical state or properties in response to environmental conditions. The sealing material's parameters (such as elasticity, hardness, or dimensional stability) are selected to maintain effective sealing across a wide temperature range, ensuring consistent moisture protection without requiring additional heating elements or complex control systems.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of freezing by wiping off moisture and draining it away, allowing the locking element to function reliably even at low temperatures without the need for additional heating elements, thus ensuring consistent connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element is movable relative to the sealing lip while sliding against the sealing lip
Implementation Method 2
DE 10 2020 118 121 A1 and DE 10 2015 113 519 A1 disclose solutions for charging connector parts in the form of vehicle-side charging sockets, in which a water drain is provided from the region of a plug opening
Data Source
AI summary
A charging connector part of a charging system for electrically charging an electric vehicle includes: a plug opening within which at least one electrical contact element is arranged, and via which the charging connector part is connectable by plugging with an associated mating connector part; a wall, delimiting the plug opening, on which wall a wall opening is formed; a locking element which movable through the wall opening of the wall into a region of the plug opening so as to lock the charging connector part with the mating connector part; an actuator for adjusting the locking element; and a sealing element having a sealing lip, resting on the locking element, the sealing element sealing a transition between the locking element and the wall. The locking element is movable relative to the sealing lip while sliding against the sealing lip.