External Charging Cable Compartment to Keep Vehicle Interiors Clean
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles do not have an effective solution to store electric charging cables outside the passenger and luggage compartments, which can lead to the cables becoming wet and dirty during charging, potentially contaminating the interior compartments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a separate, externally accessible storage compartment for the electric charging cable, located outside the passenger and luggage compartments, and equipped with a closable flap to protect the cable from weathering influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric charging cable is stored in the luggage compartment or passenger compartment, then the cable is easily accessible, but the interior compartments become wet and dirty when the cable is stowed
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle storage space is segmented into distinct compartments: the charging cable storage compartment is separated from both the passenger compartment and luggage compartment. This segmentation allows the cable to be stored in a dedicated external compartment, preventing contamination of interior spaces while maintaining accessibility through an external opening with a flap cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable storage function is extracted from the interior compartments (passenger and luggage compartments) and placed in a separate external storage compartment. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of cable contamination on interior compartments while preserving the storage and retrieval functionality through the external opening and flap mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the charging cable is exposed during charging, then charging is convenient, but the cable becomes wet and dirty from weathering influences
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment features a localized protective structure with a flap cover that provides weather protection specifically for the cable storage area. The flap can be opened during charging to allow cable access while remaining closed during storage to protect the cable from weathering influences, thus providing local quality protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap cover provides preliminary protection against weathering influences by covering the storage compartment opening when not in use. This preliminary anti-action prevents water and dirt from contacting the cable during storage, eliminating the need for subsequent cleaning or drying actions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate storage compartment is created outside passenger and luggage compartments, then interior compartments remain clean, but vehicle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable storage compartment is merged with the existing vehicle body structure, utilizing the side wall area or front/rear end space. The flap mechanism is integrated into the vehicle's existing flap systems, combining the charging cable storage function with the vehicle's overall structure rather than adding a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage compartment with its flap cover serves multiple functions: it stores the charging cable, protects it from weathering, prevents contamination of interior compartments, and maintains an aesthetically pleasing external appearance when the flap is closed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle has a separate storage compartment for an electrical charging cable outside the passenger compartment and outside the luggage compartment. The separate storage compartment is accessible from the outside of the vehicle through an opening, the opening being closable with a flap.