Modular Energy Column for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure is inflexible, as the power line for energy supply is predetermined during installation, limiting adaptability to different customer requirements and environments.
Innovation Solution
The energy column consists of a base support with a U-shaped duct profile and an integrated control box for connecting energy lines, an adapter column for attaching the housing, and a modular design allowing the housing to be adapted post-installation, enabling flexible installation and billing systems through a master/slave configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power line is predetermined during installation, then the charging station can be connected to existing infrastructure, but the adaptability to different customer requirements and environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit with power connection capabilities and a housing unit with customer interface. This segmentation allows the base unit to be installed at predetermined locations with existing power infrastructure, while the housing unit can be configured and positioned to meet different customer requirements and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station design incorporates dynamic adaptability through modular components that can be configured in different arrangements. The housing unit can be adapted to various environments (indoor/outdoor, different climates) while maintaining connection to the predetermined power infrastructure through the base unit, allowing the system to respond to different customer needs.
2Productivity
If the charging station is pre-assembled at the installation site, then the infrastructure is ready for use, but flexibility in adapting to completion status and requirements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit with power connection capabilities and a housing unit with customer interface. This segmentation allows the base unit to be installed at predetermined locations with existing power infrastructure, while the housing unit can be configured and positioned to meet different customer requirements and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit with power connection is installed in advance at the predetermined location, preparing the infrastructure ahead of time. The housing unit can then be added later when the installation site is ready and customer requirements are finalized, maintaining both productivity through early infrastructure preparation and adaptability through delayed final configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standardized charging column design is used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but adaptability to master/slave billing system configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station incorporates universal communication interfaces and modular billing system components that can operate in both master and slave configurations. The base unit contains standardized power connection and communication capabilities that can adapt to different billing system roles, while the housing unit provides configurable customer interface options, allowing a single standardized design to serve multiple billing system architectures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The power supply column has a support (10), a U-shaped channel section (11) with an integrated control panel (15), terminals for connection of power lines and/or data lines, and a base element. The housing (30) has side elements (37), cover plate (31), and an adapter column (20) for receiving and securing the housing to the support. The base piece (24) has a recess (22) for receiving the foot element of the support. A hood (35) is arranged to cover the adapter column and support such that the support, adapter column and housing are mounted reciprocally.