EV Charger Guide with Reflective Layer for Sealed Near-Field Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle chargers lack diagnostic and firmware update capabilities, and providing a separate port for communication compromises waterproof performance and security.

Innovation Solution

A charger with a light emitting unit for displaying charging information and a communication unit for near-field wireless communication, using guides with reflective layers to optimize space and prevent lateral light emission, allowing communication without additional waterproofing measures and exposing a separate port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate port is provided in the charger for diagnostic and firmware update capabilities, then communication functionality is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure serves multiple functions: it guides visible light from the light emitting unit to the outside, and simultaneously guides electromagnetic waves for near-field wireless communication between the transmitting/receiving devices and the external device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate communication port that would compromise waterproofing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the light guiding function and electromagnetic wave guiding function into a single integrated guide structure. By merging these two functions, the charger achieves communication capability without adding separate ports that would require additional waterproofing measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate port is provided in the charger for communication, then diagnostic capability is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential malicious access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure enables both visible light transmission for display and electromagnetic wave transmission for secure near-field communication through the same sealed interface. This eliminates exposed ports that could be accessed by malicious users while maintaining diagnostic and communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional units are added to the charger for communication and diagnostic purposes, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: guiding visible light from the light emitting unit, guiding electromagnetic waves between transmitting/receiving devices and external devices, and maintaining the sealed waterproof structure. This eliminates the need for additional separate units and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the light guiding function and electromagnetic wave guiding function into a single integrated guide structure, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining all required functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient communication and diagnosis of the charger without compromising waterproofing or security, allowing for firmware updates while maintaining the charger's sealed design.

Implementation Method 1

the guide includes a reflective layer surrounding a portion of the outside of the guide to reflect the visible light toward the inside of the guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The communication unit may include a transmitting device for transmitting electromagnetic waves for the near-field wireless communication and a receiving device for receiving the electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9533593B2Charger for electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 LSIS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a charger for an electric vehicle. The charger for an electric vehicle includes a light emitting unit displaying charging operation information of the charger, a communication unit performing near-field wireless communication with an external device, a guide guiding visible light of the light emitting unit, and a control unit controlling operations of the light emitting unit and the communication unit. The guide includes a reflective layer surrounding a portion of the outside of the guide to reflect the visible light toward the inside of the guide.