EV Charging Coupler with Conical Contacts for Auto Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric vehicle charging stations require manual insertion and removal of charging cords, which can be inconvenient and pose risks of incorrect plugging, especially for physically challenged users and those who need to remain in the vehicle during charging.
Innovation Solution
An automatic electric vehicle charging station with an alignment mechanism, a terminal equipped with sensors and a wireless communication device, and a coupler assembly featuring a pivotally mounted arm with a charging coupler having electrical contacts in a right conical frustum shape, allowing for self-alignment and wireless communication for efficient charging without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion and removal of charging cords is used, then the charging station structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates and risks of incorrect plugging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system performs self-alignment and self-connection through the alignment mechanism with sensors and the coupler assembly with electrical contacts that automatically engage with the vehicle receptacle, eliminating the need for manual plug insertion and removal by the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical plugging operation with an automated system using sensors to detect vehicle presence, alignment mechanisms to position the coupler, and electrical contacts to establish connection, substituting human manual labor with automated mechanical and electrical systems
2Reliability
If manual plugging is required, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to risks of incorrect plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment mechanism incorporates sensors that detect the presence and position of the electric vehicle, providing feedback to the control system to ensure proper alignment and connection before charging begins, preventing incorrect plugging through automated verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs alignment verification and connection establishment through its own sensors and alignment mechanism, ensuring reliable connection without relying on manual operation by the user, thereby improving reliability through self-verification
3Ease of operation
If automatic alignment and charging is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station automatically detects the vehicle, aligns the coupler assembly with the receptacle, and establishes electrical connection without user intervention, making the operation as simple as driving into the parking lane while the system handles all complex alignment and connection tasks automatically
Data Source
AI summary
A structure is provided. The structure may include an alignment mechanism used to align an electric vehicle in a parking lane of an electric vehicle charging station, and a coupler assembly including an arm and a charging coupler located in the parking lane and positioned beneath the electric vehicle, the charging coupler is positioned at one end of the arm, and is moveable in a vertical direction relative to the parking lane, and another end of the arm is pivotally mounted in the parking lane, where the charging coupler includes one or more electrical contacts in a shape of a right conical frustum extending from the charging coupler in the vertical direction.