EV Charging End Effector Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical vehicle charging technologies face challenges in terms of construction costs, flexibility, and user convenience, particularly in the automation of the charging process, which can lead to increased susceptibility to errors and reduced acceptance of electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An advanced end effector with an automatic delivery device for the charging plug, integrated with a positioning device and communication system, allowing for wireless communication, automatic coupling and uncoupling, and adaptive movement compensation, enhancing flexibility and reducing manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multi-axis articulated arm robot is used for charging, then the charging plug can be positioned and coupled to the vehicle, but the construction costs and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent functional parts: a positioning device that moves the end effector to the general charging position, and an infeed device that performs the precise coupling action. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automatic coupling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling function is extracted from the positioning device and placed into a separate infeed device that is part of the end effector. This extraction allows the positioning device to remain simple while the coupling action is performed by a dedicated mechanism designed specifically for that purpose.
2Device complexity
If the charging plug is manually coupled by the driver, then the system is simple, but user convenience decreases and error susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the coupling operation automatically without requiring manual intervention from the driver. The infeed device self-activates to push the charging plug into the charging socket, and can also self-retract to disconnect it, making the system serve itself and eliminating the need for user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device first positions the charging plug in the correct location and orientation before the infeed device performs the final coupling action. This preliminary positioning ensures that the subsequent automatic coupling is accurate and reliable, reducing error susceptibility.
3Device complexity
If the charging device is fixed in position, then the construction is simple, but flexibility and adaptability to different vehicle types are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector incorporates movable components including the infeed device that can extend and retract, and the holder that can adjust its position. This dynamic design allows the fixed charging device to adapt to different vehicle types and parking positions without requiring the entire structure to be movable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position and orientation parameters of the charging plug through the infeed device's movement and the holder's adjustment capabilities. This allows a single fixed charging device to serve multiple vehicle types by dynamically adjusting the plug's position rather than requiring multiple fixed positions.
4Device complexity
If the charging plug connection is rigid, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot compensate for relative movements during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the positioning device and end effector uses a flexible coupling that allows relative movements. This flexible connection compensates for vibrations and position changes during charging while maintaining electrical contact, ensuring reliable charging connection without requiring a rigid structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an end effector (5), to an electrical charging device (1) equipped therewith, and to a method. The end effector (5) has a holder (8) for an electrical charging plug (2), its own automatic advancing device (9) for the holder (8), and a preferably flange-type connection point (21) for connecting to a positioning device (6) of the charging device (1). The advancing device (9) is designed to automatically couple and optionally decouple the electrical charging plug (2) to/from a charging socket (3) on the vehicle (4). Alternatively or additionally, the end effector (5) can have a compensating device (11) for compensating relative movements between the vehicle (4) and the positioning device (6) during charging and in the coupled state of the charging plug (2) and the charging socket (3).