Electric Excavator Charging Port Layout for Compact Battery Rooms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric excavators face challenges in securing sufficient space for two charging ports due to the increasing size of battery units, particularly in compact configurations where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of two charging connectors side by side and obliquely to a lid in the machine room, allowing for efficient use of limited space even with large-capacity battery units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two charging ports are disposed facing straight to the side for normal charging and quick charging, then charging functionality is provided, but a wide space in the left-right direction must be secured which is not feasible in compact electric excavators with large-capacity battery units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension from a straight lateral arrangement (requiring wide left-right space) to an oblique arrangement relative to the lid, utilizing diagonal space in the machine room. This dimensional change allows two charging connectors to be arranged without requiring excessive width, solving the space constraint in compact excavators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of the two charging connectors at different positions and orientations relative to the lid, rather than symmetric placement. This asymmetric configuration optimizes space utilization in the machine room, allowing both connectors to be accessible while accommodating large battery units in compact excavators.
2Quantity of substance
If large-capacity battery units are mounted to increase working capacity, then energy storage is improved, but the empty space in the machine room becomes narrower making it difficult to secure arrangement space for charging ports
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging charging connectors obliquely to the lid rather than in straight lateral positions, the patent utilizes previously underutilized diagonal spaces in the machine room. This allows adequate arrangement space for charging ports even when large-capacity battery units occupy most of the available volume.
3Volume of moving object
If the machine configuration is kept compact to reduce size, then space efficiency is improved, but securing arrangement space for two charging connectors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between compact machine size and charging port arrangement by utilizing oblique spatial arrangement relative to the lid. This approach extracts maximum utilization from the three-dimensional machine room space, allowing two charging connectors to be accommodated in compact configurations without requiring increased machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric positioning of charging connectors at different locations and angles relative to the lid enables efficient space utilization in compact machines, allowing both connectors to be accessible while maintaining a compact overall machine configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an electric work machine that can easily secure an arrangement space for two charging connectors in spite of its compact configuration, even when a large-capacity battery unit is mounted. The work machine includes an electric motor driven by electric power output from a battery unit and two charging connectors that supply electric power to the battery unit. The two charging connectors are arranged side by side facing in the same direction on the side of a lid that can be opened and closed on the side of a machine room housing the battery unit, while being arranged obliquely to the lid.