Vehicle Charging Port Door Linkage for Hygienic Dust Protection

Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electric vehicles face inconvenience when using the fast charging port, as they need to manually remove and handle a dust cap that can be dirty from dust and other foreign substances.

Innovation Solution

A charging port opening and closing apparatus that includes a door unit with first and second doors, a trigger unit, a link unit, and a conversion unit, allowing the fast charging port to be opened and closed without direct user contact, using a mechanism that includes a moving block, rotating shaft, and connector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust cap is used to cover the fast charging port, then the charging port is protected from dust and foreign substances, but the user must manually remove and handle the dirty dust cap which causes inconvenience and hygiene issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust protectionVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging port door unit automatically opens and closes itself through the linkage mechanism connected to the charging gun, eliminating the need for manual dust cap removal and installation by the user. The system serves itself by using the charging gun insertion/removal action to trigger door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The door unit acts as an intermediary between the charging gun and the charging port, providing automated protection while allowing convenient access. The linkage mechanism serves as a mediator that translates charging gun movement into door opening/closing actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a dust cap is used to cover the fast charging port, then the charging port is protected from dust and foreign substances, but the user has to personally attach and detach the dirty dust cap which creates hygiene problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign substance protectionVSAvoidhygiene

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door unit automatically opens and closes itself through the linkage mechanism connected to the charging gun, eliminating the need for manual dust cap removal and installation by the user. The system serves itself by using the charging gun insertion/removal action to trigger door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If a manual dust cap system is used, then the structure is simple, but the user must directly contact the charging port which reduces safety and ease of use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door unit acts as an intermediary between the charging gun and the charging port, providing automated protection while allowing convenient access. The linkage mechanism serves as a mediator that translates charging gun movement into door opening/closing actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging port door unit automatically opens and closes itself through the linkage mechanism connected to the charging gun, eliminating the need for manual dust cap removal and installation by the user. The system serves itself by using the charging gun insertion/removal action to trigger door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 apparatus enables convenient and hygienic operation of the fast charging port by eliminating the need for direct user contact and manual handling of the dust cap, ensuring user safety and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member disposed inside the trigger and compressed or decompressed according to movement of the trigger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The connector may be movable along an axial direction of the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20250050728A1Charging port opening and closing apparatus for vehicles

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a charging port opening and closing apparatus for vehicles capable of opening and closing a fast part of a charging port without direct contact of a user's body with the charging port. The charging port opening and closing apparatus for vehicles for opening and closing the charging port coupled to a charging gun includes a door unit including a first door and a second door disposed in front of the charging port, a trigger unit including a trigger disposed at a position penetrating the first door and the second door, a link unit coupled to the first door and the second door and pushing or pulling the first door and the second door while being rotated, and a conversion unit connecting the trigger and the link unit and rotating the link unit while being rotated in conjunction with movement of the trigger.