EV Charging Handle Light Pipe with Dual-Surface Roughness

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing EV charging handles with light pipes have limited visibility ranges, restricting users' ability to see the charging status from a distance.

Innovation Solution

The EV charging handle incorporates a light pipe with a body that includes a first side portion with a smooth interior surface and a second side portion with a rougher surface, increasing the visibility range by employing specular and diffuse reflections to transmit light through a housing thru hole.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a smooth interior surface is used in the light pipe, then light transmission is efficient, but visibility range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmission efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility range

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light pipe interior surface is divided into two distinct zones: a smooth first interior surface for efficient light transmission and a rough second interior surface for diffuse reflection and enhanced visibility. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between transmission efficiency and visibility range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light pipe body is segmented into a first side portion and a second side portion, each with different surface roughness characteristics. The first side portion transmits light efficiently while the second side portion diffuses light to expand visibility, thereby resolving the contradiction through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a rough interior surface is used in the light pipe, then visibility range is increased through diffuse reflection, but light transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility rangeVSAvoidlight transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light pipe interior surface is divided into two distinct zones: a smooth first interior surface for efficient light transmission and a rough second interior surface for diffuse reflection and enhanced visibility. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between transmission efficiency and visibility range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light pipe body is segmented into a first side portion and a second side portion, each with different surface roughness characteristics. The first side portion transmits light efficiently while the second side portion diffuses light to expand visibility, thereby resolving the contradiction through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances light visibility, allowing users to see the charging status over a larger range, improving usability and convenience at EV charging stations.

Implementation Method 1

reflecting the light off of the first interior surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpecular reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

reflecting the light off of the second interior surface in order to increase a visibility range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10355427B2Electric vehicle charging handle, light pipe therefor, and associated light visibility enhancing method

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A light pipe is for an EV charging handle. The EV charging handle includes a housing having a thru hole, and a light source coupled to the housing. The light pipe includes a body structured to be coupled to the light source in order to transmit light from the light source through the thru hole of the housing, the body having a first side portion having a first interior surface having a first surface roughness, and a second side portion extending from the first side portion, the second side portion having a second interior surface having a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness in order to increase a visibility range with which the light is transmitted through the thru hole of the housing.