EV Charging Device with Rotating Base and Vertical Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging devices for electric vehicles are complex, require high maintenance, and are not easily deployable on individual parking spaces, limiting their availability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a simple design featuring a lifting mechanism that moves perpendicularly and is rotatable, allowing for easy positioning of a contacting element on a scissor lift table, minimizing exposure to contamination and using a conveyor belt for linear movement, which reduces maintenance and enables automated charging without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-part arm with complex movement mechanisms is used to position the contacting element, then the contacting element can be positioned in three dimensions, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented into two independent stages: first, the base rotates to position the contacting element in the horizontal plane; second, the lifting device moves vertically to achieve final contact. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex three-degree-of-freedom arms while maintaining full positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the contacting element horizontally through complex arm mechanisms as in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the horizontal positioning simple through base rotation and achieving the contacting function through vertical lifting motion.
2Ease of operation
If the lifting device is exposed during operation, then the contacting element can be positioned and contacted, but contamination and mechanical damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base rotates to position the contacting element directly below the connection contact before the cover is opened. This preliminary positioning action allows the cover to remain closed during the entire positioning process, protecting the lifting device from contamination until the lifting operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates horizontal positioning (in the plane of the base) from vertical contacting (perpendicular to the base). This dimensional separation allows the cover to remain closed during horizontal positioning while still enabling vertical lifting through the cover opening, minimizing exposure time.
3Power
If charging stations are deployed at marked parking lots only, then high charging power can be provided, but the availability and accessibility of charging devices decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The simplified device structure with reduced maintenance requirements enables the charging station to be deployed universally at individual parking spaces rather than only at marked parking lots. The same device can serve multiple locations without requiring complex infrastructure at each site.
4Extent of automation
If automated charging is implemented, then user intervention is eliminated, but the device requires higher reliability and lower maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The automated charging process operates without user intervention, with the control unit automatically controlling the base rotation and lifting device operation. The simplified mechanical structure with fewer moving parts inherently reduces maintenance needs and improves reliability for this self-service automated operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for the electrical energy exchange of an object with a battery, in particular for charging the battery of an electric vehicle, comprising a contacting element (2), a lifting device (3), and a base (4), wherein the contacting element (2) is arranged on the lifting device (3) and the lifting device (3) is connected to the base (4). According to the invention, the lifting device (3) is movable substantially vertically in a first direction of movement (5) and is displaceable on the base (4), the base (4) being rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of such a device (1), the use of a vertically extendable element, and a method for electrically charging a device.