EV Charging Socket Lock With Mechanical Emergency Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge connection systems for motor vehicles fail to allow disconnection of the charging plug from the socket during power failures or interruptions, as the electrically activatable locking device is inoperable without a power source.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical emergency unlocking unit is integrated with a remote transmission string and a manually operable actuating element, allowing the charging plug to be removed by swiveling a mechanical switching element from a blocking to an opening position, even in the absence of electrical power, using a flexible Bowden cable and guide elements for efficient mechanical actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically activatable locking device is used to secure the charging plug, then the charging plug can be reliably locked during normal operation, but the charging plug cannot be removed during power failures or electrical interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into two independent subsystems: an electrical locking subsystem for normal operation and a mechanical emergency unlocking subsystem for power failure scenarios. The mechanical switching element and control element with remote transmission string form the emergency subsystem, which operates independently of the electrical locking device, allowing plug removal even when electrical power is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical emergency unlocking unit is pre-configured and ready for immediate use during power failures. The control element is pre-positioned to engage with the switching element, and the remote transmission string is pre-routed through guide elements, enabling instant manual intervention without requiring electrical power or complex activation sequences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical emergency unlocking unit is added to the locking device, then emergency disconnection capability is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote transmission string acts as an intermediary mechanical element that transmits force from the manually operable actuating element to the control element. This intermediary mechanism allows the emergency unlocking function to be activated from a remote location (outside the vehicle) without requiring direct access to the locking mechanism, simplifying the user interface while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing a mechanical override inside the vehicle that requires opening panels or accessing internal components, the solution inverts the approach by providing external access through the remote transmission string. The actuating element is positioned on the outer vehicle side, allowing emergency unlocking from the outside without compromising vehicle security or requiring internal access.
3Reliability
If the control element positively grips around the switching element, then reliable mechanical actuation is achieved, but the control element may unintentionally move the switching element back to blocking position
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed with dynamic engagement characteristics - it positively grips the switching element during the unlocking motion to ensure reliable actuation, but includes features that allow it to disengage or become non-intrusive when returning to its initial position. This dynamic behavior ensures the switching element can be reliably moved to the opening position while preventing unintentional movement back to the blocking position during normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge connection system for use with a passenger car with an electric drive, including an electric charging socket on the vehicle side designed for coupling to a charging plug, and an electrically activatable locking device associated with the charging socket for securing the charging plug in the charging socket. The locking device has a mechanical emergency unlocking unit which is activatable by means of a remote transmission cable coupled to a manually operable actuating element which is movably mounted on the vehicle side.