EV Charging Cable Retraction With Object-Safe Auto Rewind
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charging stations face issues with charging cables being left on the ground, leading to damage and tripping hazards, as users often forget to return them or incorrectly place them, resulting in potential harm and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electric vehicle charging stations equipped with sensors and motors that retract the charging cables into the station when not in use and when no external objects are detected in the vicinity, preventing damage and tripping hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charging cable is left on the ground after use, then users do not need to manually return it to the station, but the cable becomes damaged by foot traffic or vehicles and creates tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station performs the cable retraction operation automatically without requiring user intervention. The system uses sensors to detect when the cable is no longer in use and automatically activates the motor to retract the cable back into the housing, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for manual cable return by users
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively retracts the cable before it can be damaged or create hazards. By using sensors to detect when the cable is disconnected and no longer needed, the system initiates the retraction process automatically, preventing potential damage from foot traffic or vehicles before it occurs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sensors and motors are added to enable automatic cable retraction, then cable damage and tripping hazards are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated system. The housing structure incorporates both the sensor array for detection and the motor mechanism for retraction, merging safety monitoring and cable management functions into one unified automated system that reduces overall system complexity despite adding capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensors continuously monitor the environment for objects near the cable path. When no objects are detected, the system feedbacks this information to the control logic, which then activates the motor to retract the cable. This automated feedback mechanism enables safe operation without requiring complex manual control systems
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
This solution effectively reduces the risk of cable damage and tripping hazards by automatically retracting the charging cables into the station, ensuring they are properly stored and maintained, enhancing user safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a motor configured to retract at least a portion of the charging cable (e.g., into the housing)
Implementation Method 2
one or more sensors for detecting whether external objects are within a predefined region proximal to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for retracting a charging cable at an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). The EVCS includes a housing, a charging cable configured to provide an electric current to charge a battery of an electric vehicle, a sensor for detecting whether external objects are within a predefined region proximal to the housing, a motor configured to retract at least a portion of the charging cable, and a controller electrically coupled to both the sensor and the motor. The method includes energizing the motor, via the controller, to retract at least a portion of the charging cable when retraction criteria are met. The retraction criteria include criteria that are met when the charging cable is not coupled to a vehicle and the one or more sensors do not detect an external object in the predefined region proximal to the housing.