EV Charger Plug Guiding Means and Protection Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, ice, external corrosion, and dust, leading to deterioration of charger plugs and receivers when located on the bottom of vehicles and on the ground.
Innovation Solution
A charger plug and charging receiver system with guiding means that align and protect the connectors from outdoor conditions, featuring a rotatable protection lid and sliding mechanism to ensure proper connection while shielding from environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charger plug and charging receiver are located on the bottom of the electric vehicle and on the ground, then the charging connection can be established, but they are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, ice, external corrosion and dust, leading to deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing means for opening the protection lid that are activated before the actual charging connection is established. The means for opening (protrusion and guiding slot with inclined wall) prepare the protection lid to move from closed to open position in advance, ensuring the connector is ready for connection while the vehicle is being positioned, rather than requiring manual intervention after exposure to harsh conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the automatic opening mechanism of the protection lid. When the charger plug approaches the charging receiver, the protrusion on the plug engages with the guiding slot on the receiver, and the inclined wall automatically pushes the protection lid open without requiring external assistance. This self-activating mechanism ensures the connector is ready for connection while minimizing human intervention and reducing exposure time to harsh outdoor conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a guiding system is used to align the charger plug and charging receiver, then the connection can be established, but the guiding system itself is vulnerable to deterioration from outdoor conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding means (reception area with lateral members) is designed to engage with the charging receiver before the protection lid is opened and before the electric connector makes contact. This preliminary engagement guides the plug into proper alignment in advance, ensuring accurate positioning while the system is still protected, rather than requiring alignment after exposure to harsh conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding means automatically aligns the connectors through the engagement of the reception area with the charging receiver during the approach phase. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for separate alignment operations and reduces the time the guiding system is exposed to harsh outdoor conditions, as the alignment occurs inherently during the connection process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protection lid is kept closed to protect the second electric connector, then the connector is protected from outdoor conditions, but the connector cannot be connected to the charger plug
Solution Approach 1:
The means for opening (protrusion engaging with guiding slot) are activated before the connector needs to be exposed for connection. The protection lid is moved from closed to open position in advance, ensuring the connector is ready for immediate connection while the vehicle is being positioned at the charging station, rather than requiring manual opening after exposure to harsh conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection lid automatically opens when the charger plug approaches, through the engagement of the protrusion with the guiding slot. This self-activating mechanism ensures the connector is exposed only when needed for connection, minimizing exposure time to harsh outdoor conditions while maintaining ease of operation, without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Charger plug for supplying electric energy to an electric vehicle, charging station comprising said charger plug, charging receiver for an electric vehicle and method for connecting said charging receiver and said charger plug This invention relates to a charger plug (2) for supplying electric energy to an electric vehicle, the charger plug (2) comprising at least a first electric connector comprising at least one first electric contact, a support (17) comprising a bottom face on which the first electric connector is mounted and an upper face (17b) arranged to slide on the bottom (3') of the electric vehicle, the first electric connector being arranged to be coupled with a corresponding second electric connector of a charging receiver (8) located on the bottom (3') of the electric vehicle so that the at least one first electric contact being electrically connected with at least one second electric contact of the second electric connector, charger plug (2) characterized in that the support (17) comprises guiding means (10) comprising a reception area arranged to surround at least partially the charging receiver (8) and arranged to align the first electric connector and the second electric connector, when moving the charger plug (2) in the direction of the charging receiver (8) or conversely.