Displaceable EV Charging Socket Cover for Ergonomic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging socket designs in semi-electric or electric motor vehicles face challenges with ergonomics and design space optimization, as they are typically fixed and lack secure protection against environmental influences.
Innovation Solution
A displaceable charging socket module with a pivoting cover that transitions between closed and open positions, allowing for ergonomic placement and secure sealing, featuring a lever arrangement and actuators for automated operation, and electrical connections via plug, sliding, or jaw contacts for efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the charging socket is mounted in a positionally fixed manner in the vehicle body, then the design space is increased, but the ergonomics of charging cable plugging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charging socket is made displaceable between a stowed position (behind the charging socket flap) and a working position (extended outwardly). This dynamic positioning allows the socket to be repositioned based on operational needs, optimizing both design space utilization and charging ergonomics.
2Ease of operation
If the charging socket is exposed, then the charging operation can be performed, but the charging socket is vulnerable to external environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The charging socket is equipped with a protective cover that can be displaced between covering and uncovered positions. The cover provides protection against environmental influences when the socket is not in use, while allowing easy access when charging is required.
Solution Approach 2:
A charging socket cover acts as an intermediary protective element between the charging socket and the external environment. The cover can be selectively positioned to provide protection or allow access, mediating between the need for protection and the need for operational accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging socket module for a motor vehicle includes a body having a charging socket and a charging socket cover. The charging socket module is arranged on the body of the motor vehicle in the region of an opening of the body. The charging socket is displaceably mounted on the body, wherein the displaceable arrangement of the charging socket is provided adjacent the opening of the body. The charging socket cover is arranged to be displaceable relative to the body in the region of the opening of the body. An electrical supply element is arranged adjacent the charging socket, wherein the charging socket includes an electrical plug connector for electrically connecting the charging socket to the supply element and/or sliding contact elements and/or jaw contact elements for electrically connecting the charging socket to the supply element.