EV Power Connector Rotating Retaining Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle charging connectors lack a reliable locking mechanism to prevent accidental or malicious extraction, particularly from forces exerted by children or accidental cable attachment during charging.
Innovation Solution
A power plug system with a rotatably mounted retaining element and actuator that moves between retracted and active positions to secure the external plug, using a blade interposed on the path of a movable lug to prevent separation, ensuring robust and reliable locking with low electrical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental extraction, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to be movable between retracted and active positions, transitioning from a static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the connector to adapt its locking state based on operational needs, providing reliable locking when engaged and easy release when disengaged, thus improving reliability without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is separated into distinct components: the retaining element that provides the locking action and the actuator that controls it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the retaining element for reliability and the actuator for ease of operation - while working together to solve the overall problem.
2Reliability
If a retaining element with actuator is implemented, then protection against malicious extraction is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator provides dynamic control over the retaining element's position, allowing the system to switch between locked and unlocked states as needed. This dynamic capability ensures strong protection during charging while enabling easy operation when release is required, resolving the contradiction between security and usability.
3Strength
If the retaining element is rotatably mounted, then locking robustness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable mounting of the retaining element introduces a dynamic degree of freedom that allows the locking mechanism to self-adjust during engagement. This rotational capability enables the system to accommodate minor manufacturing variations while still achieving robust locking, as the rotation allows for self-alignment rather than requiring perfect precision from the start.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power supply plug (100) on-board an automobile, for powering batteries for the propulsion of said automobile, including: contacts exposed to external contacts; a means for engaging with a complementary plug (200) for said external contacts; a holding element (130) for holding the complementary plug (200) in a vehicle-powering position, said holding element (130) being movable between a retracted position in which the holding element (130) enables said complementary plug (200) to be released from the vehicle and an operative position in which said element prevents said complementary plug (200) from being released from the vehicle; an actuator for switching the holding element between said retracted position and said operative position, characterised in that said holding element (130) is rotatably mounted on the vehicle and the actuator moves the holding element (130) according to the rotational movement during said locking of said complementary plug (200) in the vehicle-powering position.