EV Charging Station Ventilation Structure for Passive Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging stations face issues with temperature regulation, moisture protection, vandalism, cable theft, and inefficient customer interaction, leading to suboptimal performance and security concerns.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a ventilation system using the 'chimney effect' for cooling without fans, a sloping roof with solar panels, sliding doors with motorized locking mechanisms, and advanced identification systems for secure and efficient operation, along with a mechanical locking device for charging plugs and integration with a smart grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ventilation grilles are used for cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but dust and dirt can penetrate into the charging station

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoiddust and dirt penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station is divided into an inner body and an outer body, creating a separated cooling circuit that runs between them. This segmentation allows the cooling function to be isolated from the external environment, preventing dust and dirt penetration while maintaining effective heat dissipation through dedicated ventilation openings in the base and curved lid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If fans are used for cooling, then temperature management is improved, but electricity consumption increases and temperature management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature managementVSAvoidelectricity consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed to operate autonomously without requiring external power input. The curved lid acts as a solar collector that passively heats air, creating natural convection currents that draw cool air through the base ventilation openings and expel hot air through the lid, providing self-powered cooling through thermal buoyancy forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical fan-based cooling system is replaced with a passive thermal convection system. Instead of using motorized fans to force air circulation, the design utilizes natural buoyancy-driven airflow patterns created by solar-heated air in the curved lid, substituting mechanical energy consumption with thermodynamic principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If charging plugs are left in slots when not in use, then customer convenience is improved, but protection against moisture and dripping water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidmoisture and water protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging plugs are pre-positioned in protective recesses within the inner body, shielded from external environmental factors before any charging operation begins. This preliminary protective positioning ensures that plugs remain dry and protected even when not actively in use, while still being readily accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If charging cables are attached to charging stations, then customer convenience is improved, but risk of cable theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidcable security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging cables are extracted from the charging station structure and replaced with fixed charging plugs integrated into the station body. This separation removes the vulnerable, valuable cable components from the station while maintaining customer convenience through permanently mounted plugs that eliminate the need for cable attachment and detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution enhances cooling efficiency, protects against moisture and vandalism, ensures secure and efficient charging processes, and integrates with smart grid technology for bidirectional energy management, improving overall performance and security.

Implementation Method 1

air contained in the air gap rises when heated, escapes through the upper ventilation openings and thus creates a cooling suction or circulation of fresh air inside the combination charging station, sucked in through the lower ventilation openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChimney effect: Free Convection

Implementation Method 2

A curved or inclined roof surface... on which rainwater can stand or snow can accumulate is disadvantageous

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational drainage: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4067159B1Combined charging station or base station for electric vehicles

Publication Date: 2024.12.25 POWEERSNET GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a combination charging station (100a) for charging electric vehicles, with at least one outer body (1a) and at least one socket (10a-10i) for the positive locking of each charging plug, wherein the combination charging station (100a) comprises an inner body (21) which is enclosed by the outer body (1a) in such a way that an air space (22) is arranged between an outer body wall (3d) and the inner body (21), in which an air circulation (LZ) from lower ventilation openings (13a) to upper ventilation openings (13b) takes place and that the at least one socket (10d-10h) is arranged on the inner body (21).