EV Charger Holster Adapter for Secure Multi-Connector Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EV charging stations face challenges in accommodating both J1772 and non-J1772 charging connectors, requiring drivers to carry adapters and risking adapter theft or loss.
Innovation Solution
A holster arrangement with a cradle and J1772 to non-J1772 adapter that securely locks into the cradle or onto the connector, ensuring compatibility with both connector types and preventing unauthorized removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charging station provides only J1772 connectors, then the charging station structure is simple, but it cannot charge vehicles with non-J1772 charging ports
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter enables a single J1772 charging connector to serve multiple functions by allowing it to charge both J1772-equipped vehicles directly and non-J1772 vehicles through the adapter interface, effectively making the charging station universal without requiring separate connector infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device that bridges the incompatibility between J1772 charging connectors and non-J1772 vehicle charging ports, allowing power transfer between incompatible interfaces without modifying the charging station's core structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If drivers carry adapters for incompatible charging stations, then charging compatibility is improved, but the risk of adapter theft or loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-installed and permanently mounted on the charging station before use, eliminating the need for drivers to carry portable adapters and thereby preventing theft or loss incidents that would occur with mobile adapter carriers
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is extracted from the driver's possession and relocated to the charging station infrastructure, transferring custody and control from the mobile user to the fixed installation, which inherently provides better security against theft and loss
3Adaptability or versatility
If a charging station provides both J1772 and non-J1772 connectors, then charging versatility is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station achieves universal compatibility by using a single J1772 connector infrastructure that can serve both J1772 vehicles directly and non-J1772 vehicles through the adapter, eliminating the need to deploy and maintain separate non-J1772 connector hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter combines the functionality of supporting multiple connector types into a single J1772-based charging interface, merging what would otherwise require separate physical connectors and infrastructure into one unified system
Data Source
AI summary
An improved holster for J1772 connectors at EV charging stations is disclosed. The holster includes a cradle and a J1772 to a non-J1772 adapter. The adapter is structured to be seated in and locked into the cradle, with the J1772 interface accessible by a user. The charging interface of a J1772 connector can be coupled to the adapter's J1772 interface in order to holster the connector when it is not being used. To charge an EV with a J1772 charging port, the connector can simply be removed from the adapter while the adapter remains seated in the cradle. To charge an EV with a non-J1772 charging port, an actuator on the cradle can be can be actuated to lock the adapter onto the connector so that the adapter is removed from the cradle with the connector, with the non-J1772 interface of the adapter accessible to the EV's charging port.