Combined EV Charging Port Cover for AC/DC Access Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles require separate charging connections for different charging standards, leading to increased complexity, cost, and exposure of unused charging connections to environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A charging connection device with a combined DC-AC charging connection and a cover arrangement that moves between covering and releasing positions, ensuring only required contact elements are accessible during charging, protecting unused elements from contact and environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate charging connections are provided for different charging standards, then compatibility with multiple charging standards is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with multiple charging standardsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple charging connections (DC and AC) into a single integrated charging device housing. The cover arrangement integrates multiple cover elements that can independently cover different charging connections, allowing one unified structure to support multiple charging standards rather than requiring separate devices for each standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The charging connection device is designed as a universal unit that can accommodate multiple charging standards (DC and AC) within a single device. The cover arrangement provides multi-functional capability by being able to cover different combinations of charging connections based on which standard is being used, making the device adaptable to various charging scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate charging connections are provided for different charging standards, then compatibility with multiple charging standards is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with multiple charging standardsVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple charging connections are provided, then compatibility with multiple charging standards is improved, but exposure to environmental factors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with multiple charging standardsVSAvoidexposure to environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover arrangement is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The cover elements can move between covering and uncovered positions based on which charging connection is in use. This dynamic behavior ensures that only the necessary charging connection is exposed while others remain protected, adapting to the specific charging scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover arrangement is segmented into multiple independent cover elements, each capable of covering specific charging connections. This segmentation allows selective covering of individual connections (DC or AC) while leaving others accessible, providing granular protection against environmental factors rather than covering everything uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250354428A1Charging connection device for an electrically powered vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A charging connection device includes a combined DC-AC charging connection with AC contact elements and DC contact elements. A cover arrangement has a covering position and at least two releasing positions. The releasing positions are each assigned to a charging mode. The cover arrangement includes at least one movably mounted cover element, which is movable between a covering position and at least one releasing position. In a first releasing position of the cover arrangement, the AC contact elements of the DC-AC charging connection are released and the DC contact elements of the DC-AC charging connection are covered by at least one of the cover elements. In the second releasing position of the cover arrangement, the AC contact elements and the DC contact elements of the DC-AC charging connection are released. In the covering position of the cover arrangement, the charging connections are covered by at least one cover element.