Hollow-Tube Electric Connection Assembly for Cooled High-Current Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric connection systems for charging equipment require separate charging and connection terminals, leading to higher costs and reduced manufacturing efficiency, and suffer from significant resistance and temperature rise issues due to large current carrying requirements.

Innovation Solution

An integral electric connection member with a hollow tube design featuring detachable connection ends and fluid through-holes for cooling fluid flow, allowing for both electrical connection and heat dissipation, reducing temperature rise and manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate charging terminal and connection terminal are provided, then electrical connection function is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the charging terminal and connection terminal into a single integrated electric connection member. This connection member includes a first connection end for detachable electrical connection with the charging seat and a second connection end for detachable electrical connection with the connector, eliminating the need for separate charging and connection terminals while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric connection member serves multiple functions: it acts as both the charging terminal (first connection end) and the connection terminal (second connection end), enabling the same component to perform both electrical connection tasks, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If crimping or welding is used to connect cable to terminals, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is integrated directly into the electric connection member as an integral piece, eliminating the need for separate crimping or welding operations to attach the cable to the terminals. This一体化 design simplifies the manufacturing process and improves production efficiency while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Power

If large current is carried by the cable, then charging speed is improved, but temperature rise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidtemperature rise
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cooling fluid flow channel within the electric connection member to carry away heat generated by large current flow. The cooling fluid flows through the hollow interior of the connection member, absorbing heat and preventing excessive temperature rise, thereby enabling high-power charging while maintaining safe operating temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution enables efficient heat dissipation and convenient detachable connections, reducing costs and improving safety by integrating electrical and cooling functions within a single piece, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

The inner cavity of the electric transmission body is served as a cooling fluid flow channel, and a first fluid through-hole and a second fluid through-hole are respectively formed in the circumferential walls at both ends of the electric transmission body, to allow the cooling fluid to flow into the electric transmission body through one of the first fluid through-hole and the second fluid through-hole, and flow out of the electric transmission body through the other of the first fluid through-hole and the second fluid through-hole.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4459800A1Electric connection member and electric connection assembly
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP4459800A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4459800A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4459800A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses an electric connection member and an electric connection assembly. The electric connection member comprises: an electric transmission body (30) which is in the shape of a hollow tube; a first connection end (31) which is connected to one end of the electric transmission body (30); and a second connection end (32) which is connected to the other end of the electric transmission body (30). The electric connection member (3) is an integral piece, and the first connection end (31) is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to a charging terminal (11) of a charging seat (1) or the second connection end (32) is adapted to be detachably electrically connected to a connection terminal of a connector (2). The inner cavity of the electric transmission body (30) is served as a cooling fluid flow channel, and a first fluid through-hole (3a) and a second fluid through-hole (3b) are respectively formed in the circumferential walls at both ends of the electric transmission body (30), to allow the cooling fluid to flow into the electric transmission body (30) through one of the first fluid through-hole (3a) and the second fluid through-hole (3b), and flow out of the electric transmission body (30) through the other of the first fluid through-hole (3a) and the second fluid through-hole (3b). In the present invention, the electric transmission body of the electric connection member is used for transmitting both current and cooling fluid, thus reducing the temperature rise of the electric connection member. In addition, the first or second connection end of the electric connection member can be detachably connected to the charging terminal of the charging seat or the connection terminal of the connector, making it very convenient to use.