EV Charging Cable Lock Control for Safety and Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charging systems for electric and hybrid vehicles restrict user access and flexibility while charging, and do not adequately ensure safety during the charging process, particularly with high currents and potential theft or mechanical damage risks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that control the lock state of a charging cable connected to a power inlet, allowing for safe and flexible charging by aborting charging upon an unlock request, unlocking the cable within a predetermined time, and relocking it if not removed within a second predetermined time to resume charging, while preventing connection during vehicle activation or inappropriate cable usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the charging cable is locked to the power inlet during charging, then safety is improved by preventing hazardous disconnection and theft, but user flexibility and vehicle availability are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock unit transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic system that can unlock and relock based on cable removal detection. The control unit monitors whether the cable is removed within a predetermined time window, automatically unlocking the cable if removed and relocking it if not removed, thus adapting the locking state to actual usage conditions rather than maintaining a fixed locked state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the charging cable is locked to prevent theft and unauthorized disconnection, then security is improved, but the system complexity increases due to locking mechanisms and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects whether the charging cable has been removed from the power inlet and autonomously decides whether to unlock or relock the cable without requiring user intervention. The system monitors the cable removal event and automatically executes the appropriate locking state change, making the complex security system self-managing rather than requiring continuous user control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If charging is continuously monitored and automatically managed, then charging reliability is improved, but the control system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs periodic monitoring of the charging cable connection status at specific intervals or triggering events (such as when the vehicle is locked or unlocked). Rather than continuous monitoring, the system checks the cable removal status at predetermined moments, reducing energy consumption while maintaining charging reliability through event-driven monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2842793B1Method for controlling charging of a hybrid or electric vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.03.03 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

According to the invention there is provided a method and a system for controlling a lock state of a charging cable (103) connected to a power inlet (102) of an electrical vehicle (101), the vehicle (101) comprising an energy storage device (202) electrically connected to the power inlet (102), a lock unit (206) for locking the charging cable (103) to the power inlet (102), and a control unit for controlling a lock state of the lock unit (206).