EV Protective Cover Opening for Weather-Sealed Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric powersport vehicles require inconvenient removal and re-installation of protective covers to facilitate battery charging, which is undesirable during storage or transport.
Innovation Solution
A removable protective cover for electric vehicles with an adjustable opening aligned with the charging port, allowing charging without cover removal, featuring a flap and shroud that secures the charging gun and forms a weather-resistant seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the protective cover is removed to enable charging, then charging access is improved, but protection of the vehicle body and charging port is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is segmented into a main body and a removable flap portion. The flap can be opened independently to provide charging access while the main body remains closed to protect the vehicle body and charging port from environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is extracted as a separate, movable component from the main protective cover body. This allows the flap to be opened for charging while the main cover remains in place, separating the charging access function from the protection function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective cover is kept on during charging, then environmental protection is improved, but charging access is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into a main body and a flap that can be independently opened. This segmentation allows the main body to remain closed for weather protection while the flap opens to provide charging access.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the protective cover have different functions: the main body provides weather protection while the flap provides localized charging access. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and access.
3Ease of operation
If the opening is made large to accommodate charging gun, then charging access is improved, but weather sealing capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is made dynamic rather than static. The flap can be opened wide during charging to accommodate the charging gun, then closed to restore weather sealing. The opening size changes based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to be opened before charging begins, allowing the charging gun to be inserted. After charging is complete, the flap is closed to restore the weather seal, preparing the system for storage or transport conditions.
4Ease of operation
If the protective cover is removed and re-installed for charging, then charging access is improved, but time consumption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is segmented into a main body and a flap that can be opened independently. This allows charging access without removing the entire cover, saving the time required for removal and re-installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is extracted as a separate component that can be opened independently from the main cover body. This extraction allows rapid access for charging without the time-consuming process of removing and re-installing the entire protective cover.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient battery charging of electric vehicles by maintaining environmental protection and eliminating the need to remove the cover, while ensuring a weather-resistant seal around the charging components.
Implementation Method 1
a perimeter of the opening is biased toward the constricted position so as to be in the constricted position in the absence of the charging gun and constricts about a perimeter of the charging gun to form a weather-resistant seal about the charging gun when the charging gun is disposed therein
Data Source
AI summary
One example provides a protective cover for an electric vehicle. The protective cover includes a main body to selectively fit over a body portion of the electric vehicle, including over a charging port of the electric vehicle, and includes an opening extending through the main body, the opening located so as to be proximate to the charging port when the protective cover is installed on the electric vehicle, the opening to receive and enable a charging gun to be disposed at least partially within the protective cover and be inserted into the charging port to thereby enable charging of the electric vehicle without removal of the protective cover.