Magnetic Electrical Plug Interface for TRU Charging Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage electrical charging of transport refrigeration units (TRUs) poses safety concerns due to the risk of electrical shock and arcing, necessitating a solution for safe and efficient recharging.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic electrical plug interface with a resilient biasing element and magnetic attraction mechanism that maintains electrical isolation in the unplugged state and ensures safe contact in the plugged state, reducing exposure to live electrical surfaces and facilitating easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-voltage electrical charging is implemented for TRUs, then charging efficiency and power delivery are improved, but safety risks including electrical shock and arcing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic bodies are positioned in advance within the connector housings, and the resilient biasing element is pre-configured to maintain separation. When connectors engage, magnetic attraction automatically draws the contacts together to establish electrical connection before mechanical engagement is complete, ensuring safe operation throughout the charging process
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient biasing element acts as an intermediary between the magnetic attraction force and the electrical contacts, controlling the timing and manner in which electrical connection is established. It ensures that contacts remain separated during handling and only connect when properly engaged, mediating between safety requirements and charging functionality
2Ease of operation
If electrical contacts are kept exposed for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design is self-acting through magnetic attraction and resilient biasing, automatically establishing electrical connection when housings engage without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates contact separation and engagement based on connector position, eliminating the need for exposed contacts while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical contact establishment is replaced with magnetic attraction between magnet bodies. This substitution allows contacts to remain enclosed within housings while still achieving reliable electrical connection through magnetic force, eliminating safety hazards of exposed contacts
3Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic attraction is used to establish electrical contact, then safety is improved by reducing exposed live surfaces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components: magnet bodies are incorporated within the connector housings, resilient biasing elements are built into the contact assembly, and electrical contacts are integrated with the magnetic components. This consolidation achieves safety goals without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bodies serve dual functions: they provide magnetic attraction to establish electrical contact while also serving as structural components within the connector housing. The resilient biasing element simultaneously maintains contact separation during handling and enables automatic connection during engagement, reducing the need for separate components
4Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient biasing element maintains contact separation, then safety is improved, but electrical connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static contact arrangement to a dynamic one where the resilient biasing element continuously adjusts contact separation based on connector position. During handling, springs maintain separation for safety; during engagement, magnetic attraction overcomes spring force to establish reliable connection, ensuring both safety and reliability through dynamic adaptation
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 solution enhances safety by preventing electrical contact until the plug is fully engaged, reducing the risk of shock and arcing, while allowing efficient charging, and ensures easy disengagement to prevent damage during vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient biasing element configured to bias the first magnetic body towards the closed end of the socket
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body is configured to be magnetically attracted to the other of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic electrical plug interface for charging a transport refrigeration unit, TRU. The magnetic electrical plug interface includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes: a socket having a closed end and an open end; a first magnetic body including a first electrical contact, the first magnetic body is slidable in the socket; a resilient biasing element configured to bias the first magnetic body towards the closed end of the socket; and a second electrical contact fixed towards the open end of the socket. The second electrical connector includes: a second magnetic body including a third electrical contact. In an unplugged configuration in which the first electrical connector is disengaged from the second electrical connector, the resilient biasing element is configured to maintain a separation between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.