Retractable EV Charging Cable Housing for Theft Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing EV charging solutions leave EV charging cables exposed, making them vulnerable to vandalism and theft, as the cables contain valuable copper. Current solutions that raise the cables out of reach do not completely restrict access, and alternative solutions like spooling within an enclosure can lead to overheating.
Innovation Solution
A cable storage system that secures the EV charging cable within an auxiliary enclosure when not in use, preventing general public access. The system includes a housing with a drive pulley and motor that extends or retracts the cable in response to user validation, ensuring the cable is protected and only accessible after valid user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the EV charging cable is left exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the cable becomes vulnerable to theft and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is automatically retracted into the housing when not in use, proactively securing it before theft can occur. The system performs the protective action in advance by maintaining the cable in a secured state within the housing, only extending it when a charging session is initiated.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that physically separates and protects the cable from potential thieves. The cable is stored within the enclosed housing space, creating a physical barrier that prevents direct access and theft attempts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is raised out of reach to deter theft, then theft difficulty increases, but complete access restriction is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is completely extracted from the accessible environment and placed inside the enclosed housing structure. This removes the cable entirely from the public space where it could be accessed or stolen, rather than merely elevating it. The cable is stored within the housing boundaries, creating complete physical separation from potential thieves.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is spooled within an enclosure to restrict access, then theft prevention is improved, but cable overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with pre-established ventilation openings and heat dissipation pathways before the cable is placed inside. The thermal management structure is built-in from the beginning, allowing heat to escape through the designated openings rather than accumulating around the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure incorporates open areas and ventilation pathways that allow thermal energy to pass through. The housing walls are designed with sufficient spacing and openings to permit heat dissipation while still providing physical protection and theft prevention.
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 system effectively prevents theft and vandalism of EV charging cables by keeping them secured within the enclosure until authorized access is granted, thereby protecting the high-value cables and reducing the risk of damage or theft.
Implementation Method 1
a motor driving the drive pulley to extend or retract the cable via the opening in response to a signal
Implementation Method 2
The cable extends over the drive pulley
Implementation Method 3
Each of the plurality of pinch rollers may have an axle positioned in a first slot in the first frame member and a second slot in the second frame member, the axle being biased in a direction towards the drive pulley by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A cable storage system including a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, and an opening, a drive pulley within the top portion of the housing, a cable at least partially contained in the housing having a proximal end in the housing and a distal end outside of the housing, the cable extending over the drive pulley and through the opening, and a motor driving the drive pulley to extend or retract the cable via the opening in response to a signal. The bottom portion of the housing is sized to permit the cable, in a retracted configuration, to hang in the bottom portion of the housing.