EV Plug Inlet Locking Structure for Secure Cable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical vehicle charging plugs experience wear and tear and safety hazards when not in use, as they are not securely stored, leading to potential accidents and reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A plug inlet device that can be mounted on surfaces, featuring a click-in latch lock mechanism or electro-mechanical switch to securely store and lock the plug, preventing accidental damage and usage when not charging, by wrapping the cord around the base and using magnets or electromagnets to lock the plug in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the plug is left exposed and not stored when not in use, then it is easily accessible for charging, but it experiences wear and tear and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plug storage system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the inlet body for insertion, the cord-wrapping base for storage, and the locking mechanism for security. This segmentation allows the plug to be easily accessible during charging while providing a dedicated secure storage area when not in use, reducing wear and tear.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug inlet automatically performs preliminary actions by detecting when the plug is removed and initiating the cord-wrapping process. The cord is automatically wound around the base and the locking mechanism is engaged, securing the plug before any damage can occur, thus extending its lifespan without requiring user intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the plug, then safety hazards are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a magnetic field-based locking mechanism. Magnets embedded in the base create a magnetic field that automatically attracts and secures the plug's metallic components, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical locks, springs, and latches while maintaining safety and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates autonomously through self-service principles. When the plug is inserted, the magnetic field automatically engages to secure it. When the plug is removed, the system automatically initiates cord wrapping and re-engages the lock, all without requiring user intervention or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the cord is wrapped around the base for storage, then wear and tear is prevented, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear cord storage to three-dimensional wrapping around the cylindrical base. By utilizing the vertical and radial dimensions of the base, the cord is compactly coiled in multiple layers, maximizing space utilization and preventing wear while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the entire plug inlet device.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord wrapping mechanism employs a nested structure where the cord is coiled within itself, forming concentric layers around the base. This nesting approach allows the cord to be stored compactly within the existing footprint of the base, preventing wear and tear without requiring additional space.
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
The plug inlet effectively extends the lifespan of the charging plug by preventing wear and tear, reducing safety hazards such as tripping or accidental power transfer, and ensuring the plug is safely stored when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid may be housed in the plug inlet and may be configured to insert a prong into a receptacle area in the plug when a first voltage is applied to the solenoid, and remove the prong from the receptacle area when a second voltage is applied to the solenoid.
Implementation Method 2
a first magnet may be mounted on the first side of the lever, and a second magnet, mounted on a divider between the lever and the socket, may be designed to reject the first magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes plugging a plug into a socket, wherein the plugging includes pushing the plug into the socket at least up to a point that a latch clicks into the plug and locks the plug in place. Pressing down on a lever that rotates around an axis causes the lever to be pushed down. This results in the latch moving away from the plug and unlocking the plug from the socket, to thereby allow the plug to be separated from the socket.