Electromechanical Locking Device for Electric Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long charging times for electric mobility vehicles pose a risk of unauthorized interruption of the charging process due to the need for prolonged supervision, as existing locking devices are not reliable or compact enough to prevent unplanned unplugging of charging plugs from sockets.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical locking device featuring a bistable magnet, a locking control, a mechanical power transmission unit with a gear wheel and locking piece, and a slotted guide, allowing axial displacement of a locking pin perpendicular to its control, enabling compact design and secure locking/unlocking mechanisms, controlled by a microswitch and with an emergency release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is designed to prevent unauthorized unplugging of charging plugs, then security and reliability are improved, but the device dimensions and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a locking control with rack section, a gear wheel for motion transformation, and a locking pin with separate rack section. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall compactness and reliability of the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking control is displaceable in a first direction (axial direction), while the locking pin is displaceable in a second direction (radial direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction. This dimensional transformation enables compact arrangement of components and achieves secure locking without increasing overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the locking control is displaceable in axial direction only, then the structure is simplified, but the locking pin cannot be actuated perpendicular to control direction
Solution Approach 1:
The gear wheel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the locking control and the locking pin. It converts the axial displacement of the locking control into rotational motion, which then drives the locking pin to move radially. This intermediary transformation enables perpendicular actuation while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces a direct mechanical linkage system with a gear-based motion transformation system. Instead of using complex linkages to achieve perpendicular motion, the gear wheel provides a compact and efficient mechanism to transform axial motion into radial motion, simplifying the overall mechanical system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gear wheel has uniform tooth areas, then manufacturing is simplified, but the locking control and locking striker cannot be properly interconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The gear wheel features non-uniform tooth areas with different characteristics at different locations. The first tooth area engages with the locking control rack section, while the second tooth area engages with the locking striker rack section. This local differentiation ensures proper mechanical interlocking and force transmission while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized gear fabrication processes.
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
The solution effectively prevents unauthorized unplugging of charging plugs by ensuring secure locking and unlocking operations, even in compact designs, and allows for efficient space utilization while ensuring continuous operation without constant power supply, with an emergency release for defect scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical locking device (1) featuring a bistable magnet (2)
Implementation Method 2
the gear wheel (41) transferring the axial displacement of the locking control (3) by a rotary movement
Implementation Method 3
the locking piece (42) transmits the translational displacement transferred to the locking pin (5) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial displacement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromechanical locking device (1) comprising a bistable magnet (2), a slidably mounted locking control (3) coupled to the bistable magnet (2), a force transmission unit (4) mechanically coupled to the locking control (3), and a locking pin (5) which can be slid by the force transmission unit (4), characterized in that by axial sliding of the locking control (3) the locking pin (5) can be slid axially in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the locking control (3). In this way an electromechanical locking device is provided, which is able to block unscheduled unplugging of the charge plug from the charge socket.