Modular EV Charging Station Holster for Evolving Coupler Standards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging stations lack modularity and flexibility in accommodating different charge couplers and standards, leading to high redesign and retooling costs as charging standards evolve.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) features a modular design with a separate charge coupler holster that can be easily coupled to the housing, allowing for selection from a variety of holsters to accommodate different charge couplers and standards without retooling the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the housing is designed as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different charge couplers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate components: a main housing body and a charge coupler holster. The holster is designed as a detachable module that can be selectively coupled to the housing body, allowing different holster configurations to be attached as needed without redesigning the entire housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing body is designed with a universal coupling interface that can accommodate multiple types of charge coupler holsters. This allows a single housing design to support various charging standards and coupler types through interchangeable holster modules.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the charge coupler holster is integrated into the housing, then structural stability is improved, but redesign costs increase when standards change
Solution Approach 1:
The charge coupler holster is separated from the main housing as an independent module with its own structural integrity. This segmentation allows the holster to be designed, manufactured, and replaced independently, maintaining structural stability where needed while reducing overall redesign costs when standards evolve.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the housing body and holster is designed to be dynamically changeable, allowing the holster to be attached, detached, or swapped based on charging standard requirements. This dynamic interface enables adaptability without compromising the structural stability of either component when properly assembled.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular design is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two main modules (housing body and holster) rather than multiple separate components. This limited segmentation achieves adaptability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by consolidating functional elements within each module.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional elements related to charge coupler support are merged into the single holster module, which then attaches to the housing body. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining adaptability to different charging standards.
Data Source
AI summary
Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and related methods are provided. The EVSE can include a housing and charging cable. The EVSE can also include a charge coupler coupled to the charge cable and configured to supply power to an electric vehicle.