EV Charging Cable Warning Lighting for Low-Light Road Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging cables for electric vehicles pose a safety risk due to their positioning on the road or bicycle paths, especially in low-light conditions, potentially endangering road users who may not notice them.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a charging plug with an integrated warning light and a brightness sensor that activates upon falling below a certain brightness level, along with a movable warning cover sleeve on the cable to highlight dangerous areas, ensuring visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging cable is positioned on the road or bicycle path to reach the charging receptacle, then the charging function is enabled, but the safety of road users deteriorates due to potential unnoticed presence in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a luminous material on the charging cable surface that emits light in darkness, changing the visual state of the cable from invisible to highly visible. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the cable's functional positioning on the road while eliminating the safety hazard through enhanced visibility to road users.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminous material acts as an intermediary element between the charging cable and the environment. It mediates the visibility issue by converting the cable's presence into a visually detectable signal without altering the cable's functional positioning or charging capability, thus resolving the safety contradiction.
2Productivity
If the charging cable extends onto the road or bicycle path to reach the charging receptacle, then the charging operation is enabled, but the detectability of the cable by road users deteriorates in low-light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The luminous material causes the charging cable to emit light and become highly visible in darkness, directly addressing the detectability problem. The cable maintains its extended positioning necessary for charging operations while simultaneously becoming easily detectable by road users through its luminous property.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminous material provides continuous periodic emission of light, ensuring the cable remains detectable throughout the charging operation. This periodic luminous action maintains both the charging productivity and the cable's detectability without interruption.
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
Enhances road user awareness of potential dangers by illuminating the charging cable and marking hazardous areas, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a brightness sensor which is adapted to measure the ambient brightness
Implementation Method 2
the warning light comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 3
the warning light comprises a halogen spotlight
Data Source
AI summary
A charging cable is provided having a charging plug for electrically driven motor vehicles. A method for its operation is also provided.