EV Charging Inlet Connector With Removable HMI Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inlet connector units for electric and hybrid vehicles are costly and complex, lacking modularity and ease of configuration with or without a human-machine interface (HMI), which hinders mass production and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A modular inlet electric connector unit with a removable HMI module that slides into a seat on the connector body, allowing for easy configuration and production of various models with or without HMI, using a standardized supporting casing and interchangeable HMI modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a human-machine interface is integrated into the connector body, then user-friendliness and information provision are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector unit is divided into separate functional modules: a connector body and a removable HMI module. The HMI module can be independently assembled or removed, allowing the connector body to maintain simplicity while the HMI functionality is added only when needed. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the operational interface from the core connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMI module is designed to be dynamically configurable through removable supporting bodies that can be exchanged based on application requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the same connector body to adapt to different user interface needs without permanently increasing complexity, as the HMI components can be added or removed as required.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standardized modular structure is used, then mass production and cost reduction are improved, but adaptability to different configurations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is designed as a universal base structure that can accommodate multiple types of HMI modules through standardized seats and supporting bodies. This universal design allows mass production of the core connector unit while maintaining adaptability to different configurations by simply exchanging the HMI modules or supporting bodies, thus resolving the contradiction between standardization and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture with removable supporting bodies enables dynamic reconfiguration of the connector unit. The standardized interface allows different HMI configurations to be mounted on the same connector body, providing configuration flexibility without requiring multiple unique connector designs, thereby facilitating mass production while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connector models with different HMI configurations are produced, then application-specific needs are met, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into a standardized body and interchangeable HMI modules, the invention allows different application-specific configurations to be achieved through module assembly rather than manufacturing entirely different connector models. This reduces production complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to meet specific application needs through selective module combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized connector body and HMI modules are pre-manufactured separately using optimized mass production processes. This preliminary action allows each component to be produced efficiently in volume, and then assembled into application-specific configurations, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing complete customized connectors for each application.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inlet electric connector unit for recharging an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle comprises a connector body (2) adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and having a plurality of inlet electric contacts (42, 44) adapted to receive cooperating contacts of a connector carried by a recharging cable. The connector body (2) has a central portion (4) having the above-mentioned inlet electric contacts (42, 44) and further includes at least one seat (33) which opens on a front side of the connector body (2) and located adjacent to the above mentioned central portion (4). The seat (33) is configured for removably receiving a human-machine interface module (5) for controlling, and/or providing information on, a recharging operation.