Curved Charging Port Cover for Compact Vehicle Front Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging and discharging apparatuses for vehicles face issues with space utilization and aesthetics due to large rotation angles of flat cover plates, which can damage the cover plates and affect the vehicle's regularity and appearance, especially in compact vehicles with limited front space.
Innovation Solution
A charging or discharging apparatus with a base, fixing base, and cover plate featuring an arch-shaped or bending surface structure, utilizing an accommodation space formed by the connection member and base to reduce the rotation angle and space requirements, enhancing space utilization and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat plate structure charging cover plate is used, then the charging structure can be shielded and sealed, but the area crossed during rotation increases requiring more space around the charging structure
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cover plate is changed from a flat plate structure to an arch-shaped structure. This curvature allows the cover plate to rotate with a smaller swept area, reducing the space required around the charging structure while maintaining shielding and sealing functions during charging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The arch-shaped cover plate utilizes the vertical dimension more effectively by curving upward, allowing rotation to occur within a compact envelope that doesn't require large horizontal clearance, thus solving the space constraint problem while preserving the cover's protective function
2Device complexity
If the charging cover plate is designed as a flat plate, then the structure is simple, but the cover plate is easily damaged by collision and affects vehicle appearance when left on the front side
Solution Approach 1:
The arch-shaped design provides structural strength and rigidity that makes the cover plate more resistant to collision damage compared to a flat plate, while the curved geometry naturally directs impact forces along the arch, enhancing durability without significantly increasing structural complexity
3Ease of operation
If a large rotation angle is used for the cover plate, then the charging port can be fully opened, but the space required at the front of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arch-shaped cover plate achieves full opening of the charging port with a smaller rotation angle due to its curved geometry, which allows the cover to clear the charging port opening more efficiently, thereby reducing the required front space while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A charging/discharging apparatus includes a base, a fixing base, and a cover plate, wherein the fixing base includes an end plate, a connection member, an opening, and an accommodation space. The cover plate is formed in an arch-shaped structure or a bending surface structure and includes an accommodation state in which the end plate is exposed and a covering state in which the end plate is covered. When the cover plate is in the accommodation state, an end of the cover state which is close to the base is provided to be directed to the accommodation space.