J3400 Charging Plug Locking Latch for Unauthorized Use Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of after-market accessories to prevent unauthorized use of J3400 standard electric vehicle charging plugs, allowing anyone to use charging stations by simply attaching the plug to their vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A locking device comprising an outer and inner shell with a retractable locking latch, secured by a padlock, that locks the charging plug to the vehicle's port, preventing unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software control is used to restrict access to charging stations, then access control can be implemented, but the system has limitations such as restricting only up to 10 vehicles and requiring external power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the access control function from complex software systems and implements it through a simple mechanical locking device that can be attached to any J3400 charging plug, eliminating dependency on charging station software limitations and external power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is self-contained and does not require external power sources or software updates to function, making it independently operational and reliable without relying on the charging station's control system
2Reliability
If a mechanical locking device is added to the charging plug, then unauthorized use is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is nested within the charging plug housing, with the locking latch integrated into the plug body and the padlock mounting feature incorporated into the existing plug structure, minimizing additional complexity while maintaining security functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to be universally compatible with all J3400 standard charging plugs and can be attached to any charging station, providing multi-functional security without requiring plug-specific modifications
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-locking device for an electric vehicle charging plug using J3400 standard. The main component of the plug-locking device consists of an outer shell, an inner shell, and a locking latch. The plug-locking device has two positions: Open and Close. In the Open position, the locking latch will be retracted into a chamber, allowing the charging plug to move freely into and out of the plug lock. In the Close position, when the charging plug is inserted, the latch will advance into the lower slot of the electrical plug, preventing the plug from being removed from the device. The inner shell has a lock anchor that passes through the outer shell. A user can install a lock at the end through this anchor to prevent the outer shell from sliding back into the open position and therefore, preventing the plug from being removed from the plug lock.