Modular EV Charging Terminal with Removable Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging stations are inflexible in terms of external appearance modification and can be difficult to locate, especially in public settings, lacking effective visual indicators for charging status.
Innovation Solution
A modular charging station design comprising a removable cap that can be interchanged with a standard, versatile box containing electrical functions, allowing for adaptable appearance and incorporating visible light indicators for charging status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the charging station is designed as an integral part of an architectural structure, then it provides shelter for the vehicle, but it becomes expensive, bulky and difficult to adapt to other parking configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is segmented into a separate autonomous terminal that can be independently positioned and configured, rather than being integrated into a fixed architectural structure. This allows the terminal to be placed in various parking configurations without requiring complex structural integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous terminal is designed with universal applicability to different parking configurations and vehicle types. The standardized terminal design can serve multiple purposes and be adapted to various locations without requiring custom architectural integration for each installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the charging station external appearance is fixed, then the electrical equipment configuration remains stable, but it becomes impossible to modify the external appearance without in-depth redesign
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is divided into separate functional modules: the autonomous terminal housing and the electrical equipment components. This segmentation allows the external appearance of the terminal to be modified independently without affecting the internal electrical equipment configuration, enabling aesthetic updates while maintaining functional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal is designed with a universal standardized interface that separates the external housing from the electrical components. This allows different external designs to be applied to the same functional core, enabling appearance modifications without requiring redesign of the electrical equipment configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the terminal is placed in a public car park, then it serves multiple vehicles, but it becomes difficult to locate from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal incorporates light sources that emit visible light through non-opaque zones in the cap, creating luminous indications that can be seen from a distance. These color-coded or intensity-coded lights make the terminal easily locatable in public parking areas and provide visual feedback on charging status.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap with its non-opaque zones acts as an intermediary that transmits light from internal sources to external observers. This intermediary structure enables the light indication function without requiring complex external signage or display systems.
4Ease of operation
If the cap is made entirely opaque, then it provides complete protection and aesthetic coverage, but it prevents visibility of light indicators for charging status
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with differentiated local properties: most of the cap surface is opaque for protection and aesthetics, while specific localized zones are non-opaque to allow light transmission. This local quality variation enables the cap to simultaneously provide protection and display charging status information through visible light indicators.
Data Source
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AI summary
The terminal (1) has an electrical equipment for managing recharging of a traction battery of a vehicle and provided as a control module for controlling charging current, power measurement, safety, communication, payment, a connection cable or a connection base of a cable. A main part of the electric component is mounted in a box. A removable cover is placed on the box. A flap (5) is mounted on the cover for protection of the base, where the base is mounted on the box.