EV Charging Cable Lighting for Visible Charging Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electrified vehicles face challenges in monitoring the status of energy transfer events between their vehicles and the grid power source, particularly when they are away from the vehicle, and in being notified of charging faults or pre-conditioning events.
Innovation Solution
The development of customizable electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) systems that include a charging cord assembly with a lighting module housed within an outer sheath. This lighting module is controlled by a controller programmed to emit various lighting effects based on charging status information received from the vehicle, providing visual indications of state of charge, energy transfer direction, charging faults, and pre-conditioning events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a lighting module is integrated into the charging cable to provide visual status indication, then user awareness of charging status is improved, but the cable structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting module is nested within the charging cable assembly, with the light source positioned inside the cable jacket. This integration allows the status indication function to be incorporated into the existing cable structure without requiring separate external indicators, thereby providing visual feedback while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting module combines multiple components (light source, diffuser, housing) into a single integrated unit that is incorporated into the charging cable. This merging of functions allows the cable to simultaneously serve as both the electrical connection medium and the status indication device, reducing the need for separate components.
2Loss of information
If multiple lighting effects are implemented to indicate different charging states, then information communication capability is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs different lighting patterns including steady states, pulsing patterns, and blinking sequences to communicate various charging statuses. For example, a pulsing pattern may indicate active charging while a steady light indicates complete charging, allowing multiple information states to be conveyed through variations in a single lighting element's temporal behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting module utilizes different colors to indicate different charging conditions and energy transfer directions. For instance, green may indicate charging from grid to vehicle, while red may indicate discharging from vehicle to grid, providing intuitive visual feedback through color differentiation without requiring multiple physical light sources.
3Illumination intensity
If the outer sheath is made light permeable to allow lighting effect visibility, then visual indication effectiveness is improved, but cable protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly incorporates light permeable sections at specific locations (such as near the connector or at intervals along the cable) while maintaining protective outer sheath material in other areas. This localized approach allows light to escape for visibility where needed, while the majority of the cable retains its protective, non-permeable characteristics for durability and environmental resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable assembly uses composite construction with the outer sheath made of protective material and integrated light permeable sections or coatings in specific regions. This composite approach allows the cable to simultaneously provide mechanical protection and optical transmission functionality, balancing durability with visibility requirements.
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 EVSE system allows users to visually monitor the charging status of their electrified vehicles from a distance, receive notifications of charging faults or pre-conditioning events, and customize lighting effects to suit personal preferences, enhancing user convenience and awareness.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more light sources is a multi-colored light emitting diode (LED).
Data Source
AI summary
Customizable electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) systems may be utilized for charging electrified vehicles. Exemplary EVSE systems may include a charging cord assembly having a cable that includes an outer sheath and a lighting module housed within the outer sheath. The lighting module may be controlled to emit lighting effects for providing visual indications of various electrified vehicle charging statuses. Settings associated with the lighting effects may be customized within a human machine interface (HMI) of the EVSE system.