Vehicle Charging Indicator with Light Guide Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eco-friendly vehicle charging systems lack visibility of charging status, especially in dark or underground environments, requiring users to verify charge levels through control boxes or by entering the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with an indicator device that uses different colored lighting to signify charging status, including red for charging, green for completion, and blinking red for abnormalities, featuring a light guide plate, reflection plate, and LED light sources for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a charging completion indication is displayed on a substrate within the vehicle, then the charging status can be indicated, but the indication is not easily visible to the driver in underground or dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing LED indicators (red for charging, green for completion, yellow for abnormality) to provide clear visual feedback about charging status. This resolves the visibility problem by using distinct colors that are easily distinguishable in dark environments without requiring additional lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging status indication is segmented into multiple distinct visual signals (different colored LEDs) rather than a single indicator. This allows simultaneous display of multiple charging states (charging, completed, abnormality) and makes it easier for drivers to quickly identify the current status at a glance in dark environments.
2Loss of information
If the charging status is indicated inside the vehicle, then the charging information can be displayed, but the driver must enter the vehicle or check control boxes to verify charging completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external charging port cover with integrated visual indicators as an intermediary device. This cover displays charging status (charging, completed, abnormality) directly at the charging port location, allowing drivers to verify charging status from outside the vehicle without entering or accessing control boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging status information is made self-visible through the external indicators on the charging port cover. The system automatically displays the current charging state without requiring driver intervention to check internal control boxes or enter the vehicle, enabling drivers to quickly verify status while standing outside.
3Reliability
If multiple indicators are used to show different charging states, then the charging status can be clearly identified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multi-functional LED indicators that can display multiple charging states (charging, completion, abnormality) through different colors. This single component performs multiple indication functions, providing reliable status information without significantly increasing device complexity compared to using separate indicators for each state.
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
Enables users to easily recognize the charging state and maximizes visibility, improving convenience, stability, and reliability by providing clear visual cues for charging completion and potential issues.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate disposed to guide light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a reflection plate disposed to reflect the light through the light guide plate
Implementation Method 3
a charging apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing accommodating a charging portion, a case mounted to the housing, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) accommodated inside the case and having a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A charging apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing accommodating a charging portion, a case mounted to the housing, a PCB disposed inside the case and having a light source, a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the light source, a reflection plate configured to reflect the light through the light guide plate, a lens coupled to the case to form a region for accommodating the light guide plate and the reflection plate, and a cover hinged to the housing to open or close the housing.