Foldable EV Charging Station Foundation for Flat-Pack Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional embedded foundations for electric vehicle charging stations are heavy, complex to transport, and require more space, making them costly and logistically challenging.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight embedded foundation for electric vehicle charging stations, consisting of only three parts: an elongated main wall plate, a square top plate, and a square bottom plate, designed to be easily assembled and transported, with a three-dimensional form that provides stability and secure attachment for the charging station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional foundations are made of concrete or reinforced concrete, then they provide sufficient structural strength and stability, but they become quite heavy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is divided into three separate components: a main wall plate, a top plate, and a bottom plate. These segments can be individually transported and then assembled on-site through folding and fastening operations, significantly reducing transportation difficulty while maintaining the structural integrity of the complete foundation assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation material is changed from heavy concrete to thin-walled metal plates. This parameter change in material density and structural form factor dramatically reduces weight while the folded three-dimensional configuration and fastening mechanisms preserve the necessary structural strength and stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional foundations are made of solid materials, then they ensure stability, but they occupy more space during transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation structure is segmented into flat plates that can be compactly stored and transported. When assembled by folding the main wall plate and connecting plates with fastening means, these flat segments form a stable three-dimensional structure that provides adequate support for the charging station
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation transitions from a two-dimensional flat packed state to a three-dimensional assembled structure. The main wall plate is folded along weak links to create vertical walls, and the top and bottom plates are attached to form a enclosed structure, efficiently utilizing space during both transportation and operation
3Ease of operation
If conventional foundations are transported separately, then each unit can be handled easily, but multiple trips or larger vehicles are needed, increasing logistics costs
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation is segmented into three manageable plate components that can be easily handled and transported. However, the design enables these segments to be quickly assembled on-site into a complete foundation structure, reducing the need for multiple trips or oversized transportation vehicles while maintaining ease of handling for each individual component
Data Source
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AI summary
A foundation (10) configured for an electric vehicle charging station, the foundation (10) consisting of only three parts: i) an elongated main wall plate (11), ii) a substantially square top plate (12), and iii) a substantially square bottom plate (13), where the elongated main wall plate (11) comprises three weak links (40) contributing for folding up the main wall plate (11) from a flat-packed condition to a three-dimensional ready-for-embedment condition and together with the top plate (12) and the bottom plate (13) constitute the ready-for-embedment foundation (10) by means of pairs of cooperating fastening means (20, 30; 21; 31; 22, 32).