Elastic Cable Suspension for EV Charging Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging stations for electric vehicles face challenges in convenience due to the rigidity of charging cables, which can twist or come into contact with the ground during charging, leading to discomfort and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A charging station with an elastically flexible cable suspension system that automatically extends and retracts the charging cable, using a swiveling charging cable crane or spring system to maintain the cable above ground level, eliminating the need for manual winding and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the charging cable is made rigid to ensure structural stability, then the cable maintains its shape and positioning, but the cable becomes prone to twisting and ground contact during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a flexible cable cover that encloses the charging cable. The cover is made of a flexible material that allows the cable to bend and move during handling while maintaining its structural integrity. The cover prevents twisting and ground contact by providing a protective sheath that guides the cable's movement, thus resolving the contradiction between shape stability and handling convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the charging cable is made long to ensure flexible handling coverage, then the cable can reach various positions, but the cable becomes more prone to twisting and ground contact
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cable cover provides continuous guidance along the entire length of the cable, preventing it from twisting or contacting the ground even when extended to reach various positions. The cover acts as a protective channel that maintains cable organization throughout its full length.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable cover serves as an intermediary element between the cable and the environment. It mediates the cable's interaction with surrounding objects by providing a protective barrier that prevents direct contact with the ground and other surfaces, thus eliminating harmful effects while preserving the cable's reach flexibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the charging cable is manually wound around a cable carrier for storage, then the cable can be compactly stored, but the user comfort is reduced due to manual winding requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable cover enables the cable to self-organize and self-store without manual winding. The flexible cover allows the cable to naturally coil or fold into a compact configuration through its own flexibility and weight, eliminating the need for user intervention in the winding process while maintaining compact storage.
4Ease of operation
If the charging cable touches the ground during charging, then the cable can be positioned conveniently, but the cable becomes dirty and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable cover acts as an intermediary protective layer that prevents direct contact between the cable and the ground. It allows the cable to be positioned conveniently while maintaining a barrier that prevents contamination and wear from ground contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cable cover provides continuous protection along the cable's path, allowing it to conform to positioning requirements while preventing contact with contaminated surfaces. The cover material protects the cable from dirt and damage even when the cable needs to reach low positions.
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 user convenience by preventing cable twisting and ground contact, simplifying handling, and reducing wear and damage to the charging cable while ensuring a clean and efficient charging process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically flexible cable suspension (7) which is connected to a connection point on the charging cable (1). When transferring the charging cable into the position of use, the cable suspension is extended by a pull-out distance while a restoring force is built up.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a charging station for charging a traction battery of an electrically powered vehicle (25), comprising a charging cable (1) that can be connected to the vehicle (25) via its charging plug (3), wherein the charging station has a cable guide by means of which the charging cable (1) can be moved from its storage position into a working position in which the charging plug (3) can be connected to the vehicle (25) by the vehicle user. According to the invention, the cable guide has an elastically compliant cable suspension (7) which is attached to the charging cable (1) at a connection point (A). When the user moves the charging cable (1) into its working position, the cable suspension (7) can be extended by a distance (Δa) by generating a restoring force (FR).