Dual-Side Charging Port Layout for Water-Resistant Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric work vehicles face challenges in easily charging batteries, are prone to malfunctions due to water intrusion, and have high costs associated with multiple power reception connectors and energizing cables.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design includes charging ports located higher than the travel devices, allowing easy switching between left and right side connectors for optimal cable connection, and features an on-board charger protected by a front lid, with equivalent cable lengths and detachable caps to prevent water intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If charging ports are provided only on one side of the body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the vehicle cannot be charged from either side when parked
Solution Approach 1:
The power reception connector is designed to be interchangeable between left and right charging ports, allowing a single connector to serve multiple functions and positions. This enables the vehicle to be charged from either side depending on the parking position relative to the power source, improving ease of operation without requiring separate dedicated connectors for each side
2Reliability
If charging ports are located at lower positions on the body, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to water intrusion during wet terrain operation
Solution Approach 1:
The charging ports are positioned at higher locations on the body, specifically above the upper ends of the travel devices, creating a localized high-position charging system. This spatial differentiation ensures that charging ports are placed in areas less susceptible to water intrusion during wet terrain operation, improving reliability without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power reception connectors are provided for left and right charging ports, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single power reception connector is designed to be universally compatible with both left and right charging ports. The connector can be interchangeably attached to either charging port depending on the parking position, providing adaptability to different charging scenarios while reducing the total number of connectors and cables required in the system
Data Source
AI summary
An electric work vehicle includes an on-board charger, a power reception connector enabling attachment and detachment of a charging cable that is to be connected to the on-board charger, and an energizing cable that connects the power reception connector and the on-board charger to each other. Charging ports that enable attachment and detachment of the power reception connector are provided in both a left side portion of a body and a right side portion of the body. The charging ports are provided at positions higher than upper ends of travel devices.