EV Power Supply Control Device Cable Bending Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply control devices for electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining waterproof performance when cables are bent due to external forces, leading to gaps between the sealing member and the cable, which deteriorates the sealing effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The power supply control device incorporates an outer restriction member and a tension preventing member to prevent cable bending, along with a sealing member, to stabilize the contact condition and enhance waterproof performance. The outer restriction member and inner restriction member are designed to maintain their shape and prevent deformation, while the tension preventing ring is positioned outside the sealing member to manage external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gasket is provided on the cable to seal the gap between the body and cable, then waterproof performance is improved, but when the cable is bent by external force, gaps form between the gasket and cable, deteriorating the sealing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidsealing contact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is divided into two independent components: a gasket that seals the gap between the body and cable, and a separate sealing ring that fits on the cable. This segmentation allows the sealing ring to move with cable bending while the gasket remains fixed to the body, resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and accommodating cable movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring acts as an intermediary element between the cable and gasket. It transfers the bending movement from the cable away from the gasket, preventing direct contact loss between the gasket and cable. The sealing ring absorbs the mechanical stress of cable bending while maintaining the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the housing is configured to be opened and closed for cable replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates due to potential infiltration paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable replacement accessibilityVSAvoidwaterproof performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be independently installed or removed with the cable. This allows cable replacement by simply removing the sealing ring and cable together, without needing to open the housing, thus maintaining waterproof performance while improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is pre-installed on the cable before insertion into the housing. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing interface is already prepared and positioned correctly, allowing for quick cable replacement by simply pulling out the cable with the pre-attached sealing ring, without requiring housing opening or complex reassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2423028B1Power supply control device
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2423028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2423028B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2423028B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A power supply control device includes a body part in which a circuit block is accommodated; a first cable drawn outside from the body part to be connected to a charge circuit of an electric vehicle; a second cable drawn outside from the body part to be connected to a power source; and a sealing member sealing a gap between each of the cables and a corresponding cable passing port of the body part. The power supply control device further includes an outer restriction member provided at each of the cables on an outer side than the sealing member to prevent the corresponding cable from being bent.