Modular EV Charging Adapter for Country-Specific Plugs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging connection apparatuses for motor vehicles require unique designs for different countries, leading to increased assembly effort and costs due to the need for various connector configurations, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A modular adapter system that allows for a uniform vehicle body design by using a combination of an adapter, a charging housing, and a plug, which can be preassembled and easily connected to the vehicle body, accommodating different country-specific requirements through interchangeable components and sealing housings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If unique charging connector designs are used for different countries, then country-specific charging requirements are met, but assembly effort and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecountry-specific charging requirementsVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging connection apparatus is divided into separate modular components: a universal housing structure and interchangeable country-specific adapter modules. Each adapter module contains the specific connector type for a particular country, allowing the main housing to remain standardized while adapting to different regional requirements through simple module replacement rather than redesigning the entire charging system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure is designed as a universal base that can accommodate multiple different connector types through interchangeable adapter modules. This universal housing design allows the same basic structure to serve multiple countries with different charging standards, reducing the need for country-specific housing designs and simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If unique charging connector designs are used for different countries, then country-specific charging requirements are met, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecountry-specific charging requirementsVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for standardized components to be produced in high volumes for the universal housing, while only the specific adapter modules need to be manufactured in smaller quantities for different markets. This reduces overall manufacturing costs by maximizing the production volume of standardized parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If a uniform vehicle body design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but country-specific charging requirements cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle body design simplicityVSAvoidcharging connection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Country-specific adapter modules serve as intermediary components between the uniform vehicle body housing and the various external charging plugs required by different countries. The adapter module translates the standardized internal connector to the specific external connector type needed for each region, allowing the vehicle body to remain uniform while meeting all country-specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10696168B2Charging connection apparatus for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A motor vehicle (2) has a vehicle body (4) and at least one electrical energy storage means. A charging connection apparatus is mounted to the vehicle body (4) and can be connected to a charging plug (8) supplied from the outside for charging the electrical energy storage means. The charging connection apparatus has an adapter (10) mounted to the vehicle body (4), a charging housing (12) mounted to the adapter (10) and a plug (14) mounted in the charging housing (12). The plug (14) is connected to the electrical energy storage means and can be connected to the charging plug (8). The adapter (10), the charging housing (12) and the plug (14) are configured to conform to the charging plug (8) in the country where the motor vehicle (2) is used.