EV Charging Cable Swing Arm With Damped Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging station cable management systems require excessive force to extend and retract charging cables due to reliance on spring or counterweight systems, leading to user fatigue and potential cable damage from resting on the ground.
Innovation Solution
A cable management apparatus with swing arms and dampers that suspend the charging cable above the ground, allowing for easier extension and retraction by distributing the cable weight and using rotation stop elements to prevent over-rotation, reducing the force required for extension and protecting the cable from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spring or counterweight systems are used to manage charging cables, then the cable can be suspended above the ground, but excessive force is required to extend and retract the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterweight mechanism where a balance weight is positioned on the swing arm at a specific distance from the hub, creating a counterbalancing moment that offsets the cable weight. This allows the swing arm to move freely with minimal force while keeping the cable suspended above ground, resolving the contradiction between preventing ground contact and reducing operational force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If swing arms are used to extend cable reach, then cable accessibility is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is segmented into independent functional components: a swing arm for positional adjustment, a damper for controlled movement, a rotation stop element for limiting rotation, and a counterweight for balancing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability for cable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm mechanism provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the cable to be extended and retracted smoothly through rotational movement. The addition of a damper creates controlled dynamics, enabling easy maneuvering while preventing uncontrolled swinging, thus achieving adaptability without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If rotation stop elements are added to prevent over-rotation, then cable management reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation stop element is pre-configured on the swing arm or housing to automatically engage when the swing arm reaches its rotational limit. This preliminary positioning of the stop element prevents over-rotation before it can cause damage, improving reliability without requiring active control systems or complex mechanisms.
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
The apparatus reduces the force needed to extend the charging cable connector, facilitates easier maneuvering, and prevents cable damage by suspending it above the ground, enhancing user convenience and system durability.
Implementation Method 1
A cable management apparatus includes a damper. A first end of the damper is attached to the housing of the cable management apparatus and a second end of the damper is attached to the swing arm housing to manage retraction of the swing arm housing from a location up to the ending position back to the starting position.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable management apparatus of an electric vehicle charging station for managing an electric vehicle charging cable is described. The cable management apparatus comprises a housing and a swing arm. The housing houses a hub connected to a swing arm housing to allow the swing arm housing to rotate about the hub from a starting position to an ending position. The housing further houses a damper, where a first end is attached to the housing of the cable management apparatus and a second end is attached to the swing arm housing to manage retraction of the swing arm housing. The housing further houses a first rotation stop element to prevent the swing arm housing from rotating beyond the ending position. The cable management apparatus further comprises the swing arm housing connected to the housing of the cable management apparatus by the hub and the second end of the damper.