Charging Lid Lock Control for Water Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging systems are vulnerable to water ingress during washing, leading to potential electric leakage and other issues due to the charging lid being unlocked when an access key is present or the doors are unlocked, allowing wash water to enter the charging port.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with a water droplet detector and a controller that locks the charging lid in a closed state when water droplets are detected, regardless of the unlock condition, using a lock mechanism to prevent water entry during washing, and unlocks the lid when the access key is present and a door unlock signal is received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging lid is unlocked when an access key is present or doors are unlocked, then convenience for charging access is improved, but water ingress risk during washing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging lid lock state is made dynamic rather than static. The controller automatically adjusts the lock state based on real-time detection of water droplets and presence of access keys. When no water droplets are detected and an access key is present, the lid is unlocked for convenient charging. When water droplets are detected, the lid is locked to prevent water ingress, regardless of access key presence. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between convenience and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is implemented using a water droplet detector that continuously monitors the vehicle surface for water droplets. The detector's output feeds back to the controller, which then adjusts the charging lid lock state accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic response to environmental conditions, preventing water ingress while maintaining charging convenience when appropriate.
2Reliability
If the charging lid is locked to prevent water ingress, then protection against water damage is improved, but access convenience for charging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock state transitions from a fixed protective state to a dynamic state that adapts to operational needs. The controller evaluates both water droplet detection results and access key presence signals to determine the appropriate lock state. When charging is needed (access key present) and no water droplets are detected, the system dynamically unlocks the lid, maintaining protection when needed while enabling access when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dual feedback inputs: water droplet detector status and access key presence detection. The controller processes both feedback signals to make intelligent lock state decisions. This multi-input feedback mechanism ensures the lid remains locked for protection during washing while automatically unlocking for convenient charging access under safe conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a charging lid, a water droplet detector, and a controller. The charging lid is configured to cover a charging port of an inlet in an openable and closable manner. The water droplet detector is configured to detect water droplets on the vehicle. The controller is configured to release a lock of the charging lid when an access key configured to wirelessly communicate with the vehicle and provide an instruction to lock or unlock a door of the vehicle is present near the vehicle or when an unlock condition for keeping the door unlocked is satisfied. The controller is configured to, in response to the water droplet detector detecting water droplets, lock the charging lid in a closed state, regardless of whether the unlock condition is satisfied.