EV Charging Port Cover Using Compression Fit Around Plug Handle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective systems for electric vehicle charging ports are difficult to secure and often get ripped off, failing to effectively protect against weather and external debris, especially in harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A removable protective device made of compressible material with a central hole for the socket handle, fitting snugly into the charging port and securing via compression, ensuring the port is closed and protected during charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective membrane is used to cover the charging port, then protection against weather and debris is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the membrane is difficult to secure and can easily be ripped off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible protective membrane made of elastomeric material that can be stretched and compressed. The membrane is designed to be elastic enough to accommodate the charging plug insertion and removal while maintaining protection against weather and debris when in place
Solution Approach 2:
The protective membrane changes its physical state between stretched (during installation and when plug is inserted) and relaxed (when protecting the port). The elastomeric material allows the membrane to transition between these states, enabling easy installation and removal while maintaining secure attachment
2Ease of operation
If the protective device is made of compressible material, then ease of operation is improved by allowing simple stretching over the plug handle, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise compression fitting dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible material allows the protective device to change its dimensional parameters dynamically. When stretched during installation, the material expands to accommodate the plug handle, and when relaxed, it contracts to create a secure compression fit, eliminating the need for complex fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device combines compressible material with an elastomeric protective membrane. This composite structure provides both the ease of installation through compression fitting and the durability needed for secure attachment, balancing operational simplicity with structural requirements
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 device provides easy and effective protection against weather and debris, remaining securely in place without needing to remove the plug, and can be customized to fit various vehicle models.
Implementation Method 1
the device is made of a compressible material, the orifice is configured in size to receive the electrical socket or a handle thereof and to be held by said electrical socket or handle by compression
Implementation Method 2
The protective device is easy to use and protects the vehicle's electrical charging port from bad weather (rain, snow, ice, etc.) or external dirt (dust, sand, pollen, dead leaves, etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
A removable protective device and method for protecting a charging port of an electric vehicle during electrical charging thereof with an electrical socket are disclosed. The removable protective device defines an outer perimeter configured in size to fit into or on the charging port and comprises an orifice passing through the removable protective device substantially at its center, and wherein the device is made of a compressible material. The orifice is sized to receive a handle of the electrical socket and to be held by said handle by compression, and the device once held by said socket handle enables the charging port to be closed and protected when the socket is inserted therein. The removable protective device is easy to use and protects the vehicle's electrical charging port from bad weather (rain, snow, ice, etc.) or external dirt (dust, sand, pollen, dead leaves, etc.).