Charging Station Vertical Door Access Without Side Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging stations have doors that either block access when open or expose internal components to the elements, causing inconvenience and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with a door that moves along a vertical path to three positions: closed, first opened, and second opened, allowing controlled access and protection from the elements, with the first opening providing access to less sensitive components and the second opening providing full access for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door opens sideways to allow access to the space, then maintenance access is enabled, but pedestrians are blocked and vehicles cannot park close to the charging station
Solution Approach 1:
The door movement path is changed from horizontal (sideways) to vertical direction. The door can move downward to a first opened position or upward to a second opened position, both providing maintenance access without extending horizontally into the space next to the charging station, thus eliminating blockage to pedestrians and parked vehicles.
2Ease of operation
If the door opens completely to provide full access, then all internal components are accessible, but electronic components are exposed to rain and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening functionality is segmented into two distinct positions: a first opened position for accessing less sensitive components and a second opened position for accessing more sensitive components. This segmentation allows controlled exposure, where the door can be opened minimally to the first position for routine maintenance, reducing exposure time and protecting sensitive components from the elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be stopped at multiple positions (closed, first opened, second opened) along its vertical movement path. This dynamic positioning enables the door to be opened only as much as necessary for the specific maintenance task, minimizing exposure of internal components to rain and dirt while still providing required access.
3Ease of operation
If a sideways opening door is used, then access to the space is provided, but the door blocks the space next to the charging station
Solution Approach 1:
The door movement is transitions from horizontal plane to vertical plane. By moving the door vertically along guides rather than horizontally on hinges, the door opens upward or downward without occupying the horizontal space next to the charging station, thus preserving the full area for pedestrian passage and vehicle parking.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a charging station for charging a vehicle. The charging station comprises a housing enclosing a space. The housing comprises a door adapted to allow access to the space. The door is moveable along a movement path to a closed position, a first opened position and a second opened position. The closed position is between the first opened position and the second opened position along the movement path. In the closed position, the door blocks access to the space. In the first opened position, the door creates a first opening to allow access to the space. In the second opened position, the door creates a second opening to provide access to the space.