Automatic EV Charging via Wheel Axis Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles often experience range anxiety due to batteries not being regularly charged, leading to power depletion, as users forget to charge them, necessitating an automatic charging solution when parked.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a clamping arm, conductive portion, and driving mechanism, integrated with a tire sensor and charging terminal controller, which automatically clamps the wheel axis kit of an electric vehicle for charging when it enters a specific recess, ensuring reliable electrical connection and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual charging operation is required, then user control over charging is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to forgetting to charge regularly
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system automatically detects when the electric vehicle enters the charging area through sensor 105, activates the clamping arm 111 to secure the wheel axis kit 210, and initiates charging without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the entire charging process from detection to execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the charging infrastructure in advance by having the clamping arm 111 and conductive portion 112 ready to engage. When the vehicle enters, the pre-positioned components immediately activate to secure and charge the vehicle, eliminating the need for user initiation.
2Reliability
If automatic clamping mechanism is added, then charging reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging connection function from the wheel axis kit 210 itself, which already contains conductive elements. By utilizing the existing conductive cover 211 and electric transmitting wire 214 in the wheel axis kit, the system avoids adding complex external connection mechanisms while achieving reliable electrical contact through the conductive portion 112.
3Reliability
If conductive portion is integrated into clamping arm, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the charging function into separate modular components: the clamping arm 111 with its recess 111r for mechanical securing, the conductive portion 112 for electrical connection, and the wheel axis kit 210 with its own conductive elements. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently before assembly, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable electrical connection when engaged.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fixing device, a charging system using the same, a fixing method thereof and a wheel axis kit thereof are provided. The fixing device includes a clamping arm, a conductive portion and a driving mechanism. The clamping arm has a recess, and the conductive portion is disposed within the recess. The driving mechanism is coupled with the clamping arm for driving the clamping arm, such that a wheel axis kit of an electric vehicle is fixed within the recess, and the conductive portion is electrically connected to the wheel axis kit.