Curb Charging Socket Cover Lifted by the EV Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curb, paving stone, or kerb charging systems for electric vehicles are often exposed to the elements, leading to dirt and moisture accumulation, which contaminates users and requires additional tools for socket cover opening, posing risks of injury and difficulty in icy conditions.
Innovation Solution
A curb, paving stone, or kerb charging system with a socket cover that can be lifted without manual contact, using a plug with a recess and a socket cover with a bulge that aligns for easy lifting, eliminating the need for additional tools and reducing the risk of contamination and injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the charging socket is integrated into the curb unit, then the charging infrastructure space requirement is reduced and sidewalk disruption is minimized, but the socket cover becomes exposed to dirt and moisture accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging socket assembly is segmented from the main curb unit, allowing the socket cover to be a separate, removable component that can be independently cleaned or replaced without affecting the integrated curb structure
Solution Approach 2:
A bulge on the socket cover serves as an intermediary element that interfaces with the recess in the plug, enabling the user to lift the cover using the plug itself rather than direct manual contact with potentially contaminated surfaces
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional socket cover design is used, then the charging socket is protected from elements, but the user must manually open the cover which risks contamination and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The plug serves a dual function: it is both the charging connector and the tool for opening the socket cover. The recess in the plug engages with the bulge on the cover, allowing the plug to lift the cover automatically during the insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The socket cover is pre-positioned in an open state by engaging the bulge with the recess before the user needs to access the socket, eliminating the need for separate manual opening actions
3Reliability
If the socket cover is made secure to prevent accidental opening, then protection is improved, but additional tools are required to open it which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as the electrical charging connector, the tool for opening the socket cover, and the locking mechanism. The recess in the plug universally engages with the bulge on the cover for both opening and securing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The opening and locking functions are merged into the single plug component. The same recess that engages the bulge to open the cover also serves to secure the cover in the closed position, eliminating the need for separate tools or mechanisms
4Ease of operation
If the charging socket is accessible from the sidewalk surface, then user accessibility is improved, but charging cables protrude creating tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The charging socket is nested within the curb unit structure, with the socket cover providing the accessible interface at sidewalk level while the actual socket and cable connections are housed within the protected curb interior space
Solution Approach 2:
The charging infrastructure is transitioned from a horizontal sidewalk surface arrangement to a vertical curb-side arrangement, moving cables and socket components into the third dimension (depth) along the curb structure rather than protruding across the sidewalk surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3b
AI summary
A curb, paving stone, or kerb charging system for charging an energy storage device (30) of an electrically powered vehicle (32) is provided, comprising a curb, paving stone, or kerb unit (34) with a surface (42) forming a walking or driving surface when installed, a charging socket (24) with an insertion opening (88) through which electrical contacts (50) of the charging socket (26) are accessible and which is at least indirectly attached to the curb, paving stone, or kerb unit (34), a plug (26) which can be inserted into the insertion opening (88) of the charging socket (24) for contacting the contacts (50) of the charging socket (24), and a socket cover (52) for covering the insertion opening (88) of the charging socket (24) outside the charging process, which is rotatably mounted to the curb, paving stone, or kerb unit (34) via a pivot axis (54).In the invention, the plug (26) has a recess (100) on an outer circumference of its housing (98), and the socket cover (52) has a protrusion (76) on its outer circumference opposite the pivot axis (54), the outwardly facing end (106) of which can be received in the recess (100). This design allows the socket cover to be lifted by means of the plug without the user having to manually grasp the socket cover.