Self-Aligning J1772 Holster With Button-Free Plug Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) mechanisms for docking and undocking J1772 plugs are complex and require users to manually press a button for engagement and disengagement, lacking a simpler and cost-effective solution for improved user experience.
Innovation Solution
An EVSE holster assembly with a spring-loaded plug latch and a curved path within the holster housing allows for self-alignment and radial movement of the plug, enabling easy docking and undocking without the need to press a button, utilizing a housing with a latch partition and plug partition for secure engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed-type female profile holster is used, then the structure is simple, but the user must manually press a button to engage and disengage the plug
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plug latch automatically engages with the holster latch when the plug is inserted and automatically disengages when the plug is pulled out. The spring mechanism provides self-actuating operation without requiring user intervention to press buttons, making the system serve itself through the natural insertion and removal motions of the plug.
Solution Approach 2:
The holster mechanism transitions from a static fixed-type profile to a dynamic system where the plug latch can move along a curved path. The spring-loaded latch provides dynamic response to plug insertion and removal, automatically adjusting its position to engage or disengage based on the plug's motion rather than requiring manual actuation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a swivel-type female holster profile is used, then the plug can be inserted at an angle, but the mechanism becomes more complex and requires a button to disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The plug latch is designed to move along a curved path within the holster housing, allowing the plug to be inserted at various angles. The curvature of the latch path provides geometric adaptability that accommodates different insertion orientations while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece holster structure without complex swivel mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plug latch automatically responds to plug insertion at any angle within the curved path's range, providing self-actuating engagement and disengagement. This eliminates the need for manual button operation while preserving the angular flexibility that would otherwise require complex swivel mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a button operation mechanism is used, then the engagement and disengagement can be controlled, but the user experience becomes less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plug latch mechanism automatically engages when the plug is inserted and automatically disengages when the plug is removed. The system uses the user's own insertion and removal actions to trigger the latching and unlatching sequences, eliminating the need for separate button operations while maintaining reliable engagement control through the spring's mechanical feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to store energy that automatically drives the plug latch into the engaged position upon plug insertion. This preliminary energy storage ensures reliable engagement occurs automatically as part of the insertion motion itself, before any user decision or additional action is required.
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 self-aligning mechanism simplifies the user experience by allowing the plug to be inserted at an angle and radially moved for engagement and disengagement, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for EVSE plug management.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded plug latch that engages to and disengages from a complementary jack
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle charger for charging a vehicle has a housing. A holster is fixedly attached to the housing having a latch partition and a plug partition. The plug partition houses a plug latch. A plug having a male charging connector is inserted into the hosung, where a spring-loaded latch positioned on a male charging connector engages and disengages the plug latch. The plug partition has a curvature that allows the plug to be inserted into the holster at an angle for engaging the spring-loaded latch with the plug latch. The spring-loaded latch disengages from the plug latch by a radial movement along the path of the curvature.