EV Charging Conduit Locking Mechanism for Unattended Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charging stations face issues with users leaving the charging location before the vehicle is fully charged, leading to potential disconnection of the power cable by bystanders, which prevents the battery from reaching the desired charge level, posing safety and efficiency concerns.
Innovation Solution
A power conduit with a locking mechanism and controller that locks to the vehicle until a predetermined charge state is reached, allowing the user to securely leave the charging station while ensuring the battery is fully charged, utilizing an identifier for authentication and unlocking the mechanism when the charge state is achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power cable is left unattended during charging, then the user can leave the charging location, but the power cable may be disconnected by bystanders preventing full charging
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is engaged before the user leaves the charging location, preventing unauthorized disconnection of the power cable. The system performs the locking action in advance to ensure charging completion reliability while allowing user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the power cable connection. It provides automatic protection against unauthorized disconnection while the user is away, resolving the conflict between user convenience and charging reliability.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism remains engaged throughout charging, then unauthorized disconnection is prevented, but the user cannot easily remove the cable when charging is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the charging state and provides feedback to automatically control the locking mechanism. When charging reaches completion, the system detects this state and automatically unlocks the cable, making removal convenient while maintaining security during the charging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to an unlocked state based on charging progress. The system dynamically adjusts the locking state - locked during charging to prevent disconnection, and unlocked when charging completes to facilitate easy removal.
3Extent of automation
If automatic locking is implemented, then user supervision is not required, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism serves itself by automatically locking and unlocking based on charging state without requiring external control or complex intervention. The system monitors its own operational state and autonomously adjusts the locking mechanism, providing automatic protection while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A power conduit for charging a power storage device of a vehicle includes an output terminal and locking mechanism operatively disposable in one of an engaged and a disengaged position. The locking mechanism locks the output terminal to the vehicle when the locking mechanism is in the engaged position and unlocks the output terminal when in the disengaged position. The power conduit includes a controller including a memory device configured to store a plurality of computer-executable instructions and a processor coupled to the memory device. The instructions configure the processor to receive an identifier associated with one of the vehicle and a user of the vehicle, and generate and transmit an unlocking signal to cause the locking mechanism to be in the disengaged position upon one of a determination that the identifier was received and a determination that a predetermined charge state of the power storage device has been reached.