EVSE Connector Conductive Barrier for Arc and Isolation Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) connectors lack effective measures to prevent electrical arcing and short-circuiting, which can be caused by leakage currents due to dust, moisture, or contaminants, posing safety risks during charging.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with first and second electrical coupling members and a conductive barrier that provides a monitored conduction path to evaluate electrical isolation and prevent arcing or short-circuiting, including a metallic component that minimizes current leakage and a protective earth ground path for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional EVSE connectors are used without additional protective measures, then the device complexity remains low, but electrical arcing and short-circuiting can occur due to leakage currents from dust, moisture, or contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second electrical coupling members. This barrier provides a controlled conduction path that allows monitoring of electrical isolation while preventing harmful leakage currents, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive barrier enables monitoring of the conduction path between electrical coupling members, providing feedback on the electrical isolation status. This allows the system to detect contamination or isolation failures and take appropriate protective actions, enhancing reliability through continuous monitoring
2Reliability
If no conduction path monitoring is implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but electrical faults such as arcing and short-circuiting cannot be detected or prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive barrier serves as a mediator that creates a monitorable conduction path. By interacting with the electrical coupling members, it enables detection of electrical faults while maintaining a relatively simple connector structure
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive barrier can be implemented as a thin conductive element or coating that provides the necessary electrical monitoring capability without adding significant structural complexity or volume to the connector assembly
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 solution effectively monitors and prevents electrical faults, ensuring safe charging by detecting leakage currents and interrupting power supply when necessary, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of EVSE connectors.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive barrier supported by the housing that extends between the first and second pin parts, the conductive barrier being configured to interact with at least one of the first and second pin parts to provide a conduction path for electrical power monitorable to evaluate electrical isolation
Implementation Method 2
avoid electrical arcing or short-circuiting
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for electric vehicle supply equipment includes: a housing; a first electrical coupling member supported by the housing and that mates with an inlet of an electric vehicle, the first electrical coupling member including a first pin part; a second electrical coupling member supported by the housing and that mates with the inlet, the second electrical coupling member including a second pin part; and a conductive barrier supported by the housing that extends between the first and second pin parts. The conductive barrier interacts with at least one of the first and second pin parts to provide a conduction path for electrical power monitorable to evaluate electrical isolation of the first and second electrical coupling members and avoid electrical arcing or short-circuiting.