EV Charge Port Locking Mechanism Motor Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging port control devices with motor-actuated locking mechanisms face durability issues due to excessive burden on the motor or linkage mechanism, leading to problems with inadvertent disconnections during charging.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging port control device that employs a restricting member moved by a motor to achieve a locked or unlocked state, restricting or permitting disengagement between the charging connector and port, with a toggle spring assisting the swing arm to reduce motor operation range and enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking mechanism is actuated by a motor with constant linkage between motor and lock bar, then the charging connector can be securely locked, but excessive burden is placed on the motor or linkage mechanism reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The motor only acts partially on the swing arm, moving it to a position before the fully locked state. The remaining action to achieve complete locking is performed by the elastic restoring force of the torsion bar, which continues the motion without requiring continuous motor operation. This partial motor action reduces the burden on the motor and linkage mechanism while still achieving secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion bar serves as a self-service mechanism that automatically completes the locking action after the motor positions the swing arm nearby. The elastic restoring force of the torsion bar naturally propels the swing arm into the final locked position without requiring additional motor power or complex linkage mechanisms, thereby improving durability.
2Ease of operation
If the motor operates the restricting member over its entire actuation range, then complete locking and unlocking is achieved, but excessive loads act upon the restricting means reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The motor performs only part of the work required for complete locking or unlocking operations. It positions the swing arm close to the target position, and the elastic restoring force of the torsion bar completes the remaining motion. This division of labor reduces the operational burden on the motor and linkage mechanism, thereby improving durability while maintaining complete functionality.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is provided to prevent disconnection, then inadvertent disconnections are prevented, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion bar automatically provides the final locking action through its elastic restoring force after the motor positions the swing arm nearby. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex constant-linkage mechanisms or continuously powered systems, achieving reliable locking with minimal components and reduced device complexity.
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 solution reduces excessive loads on the motor and linkage, improves durability by limiting motor operation, and ensures reliable engagement and disengagement of the charging connector, while maintaining the unlocked state even under vibrational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion bar (elastic member) for elastically deforming to have a restoring force to move the swing arm in the first direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electric vehicle charging port control device according to the present invention yields a locked state in which disengagement between an active-engagement part of a charging connector and a passive-engagement part of a charging port is restricted by a restricting member and an unlocked state in which disengagement is permitted. The restricting member is moved to in front of a predetermined position for yielding the locked state or the unlocked state by being energizingly driven by the motor. Before the active-engagement part and the passive-engagement part are engaged, the restricting member is moved in a locking direction, and subsequently in an unlocking direction.