EV Charging Docking Station With Locked Concealed Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging solutions for electric vehicles require multiple charging cables for stationary and mobile use, leading to inconvenience, additional costs, and safety hazards due to exposed plugs and cumbersome handling.
Innovation Solution
A docking station integrates a mobile charging control unit with a power supply network, featuring a connector, locking mechanism, and a housing that allows the charging control unit to be securely mounted, enabling both stationary and mobile charging without additional cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile charging cable with exposed plug is used for stationary charging, then the charging control unit can be easily connected to the power grid, but the exposed plug becomes a safety hazard and visual disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as an intermediary device between the power grid and the mobile charging cable. It provides a recessed socket that receives and conceals the exposed plug of the mobile charging cable, eliminating the safety hazard and visual disturbance while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the charging control unit is mounted on a wall bracket, then the exposed plug is concealed and safety is improved, but the installation becomes complex requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station merges the wall mounting function with the power socket function into a single integrated unit. The socket is directly embedded in the wall-mounted housing, eliminating the need for separate wall brackets and reducing installation steps while maintaining the safety benefit of concealing the plug.
3Reliability
If a separate wall-mounted charging solution is used, then the charging control unit is protected and not lying on the floor, but an additional device is required increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station provides multiple functions in a single device: it serves as both a protective wall-mounted housing and a power grid connection point. The mobile charging cable can be docked here for stationary charging or removed for mobile charging, eliminating the need for separate wall-mounted charging solutions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile charging cable is designed with integrated connector, then it can be used both stationary and mobile with one device, but the connector removal and installation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as an intermediary that simplifies connector handling. The recessed socket with locking mechanism provides guided insertion and secure locking, making the connection process easier and more reliable than direct plug-to-socket connection, while still allowing quick removal when mobile charging is needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Docking station (30) for connecting a charging control unit (12) to a power supply network, comprising a housing (32) enclosing the components of the docking station (30) and having connection contacts (48) arranged in the housing (32) for conductors of the power supply network as a first component, comprising a connector (24) arranged in and penetrating a housing wall as a coupling part of an electrical plug connector formed with a mating connector (16) as a second component, and comprising a locking element that fixes the mating connector (16) to the connector (24) when the plug connector is closed, which is movable back and forth between a locking position and an unlocking position, and comprising a locking element for locking the locking element in its locking position as a third component.that the charging control unit (12) is both electrically connected and mechanically supported at the connector when the plug coupling is closed.