Movable Charging Housing for Weather-Protected Robot Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging solutions lack effective protection for electrical elements and are costly in terms of manufacturing and maintenance, particularly when used in outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
A movable housing electric charging point with a translational mechanism and a protective flap that moves between a neutral and charging position, utilizing springs for return and featuring a design that eliminates the need for actuators, allowing for protection from weather and economical production and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed charging point with vertical contact plane is used, then electrical connection is achieved, but protection from weather and spatter is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is made movable relative to the support, transitioning between a neutral position (protected) and a charging position (unprotected for connection). This dynamic structure allows the housing to provide weather protection while enabling electrical contact when needed, resolving the contradiction between protection and connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing surrounds and protects the charging terminal support, creating a nested structure where the terminal is housed within the protective enclosure. This nesting provides weather protection while maintaining access to the electrical connection interface.
2Manufacturing precision
If actuators are used to move the housing, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing utilizes the pushing force from the electric vehicle itself to transition to the charging position, eliminating the need for external actuators. The vehicle's movement provides the necessary force to slide the housing along the guide rails, achieving positioning without additional mechanical complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The active actuator system is replaced with a passive mechanical guidance system using guide rails and sliding surfaces. The housing slides along the rails under the influence of the vehicle's pushing force, replacing complex actuated mechanical systems with simpler guided motion.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is made movable to enable charging, then ease of operation is improved, but protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing dynamically transitions between closed (protected) and open (charging) states. During normal conditions, the housing remains in the neutral position providing full protection. When charging is needed, the housing slides to the charging position, maintaining protection while enabling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable housing acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for protection and the need for electrical connection. It provides a controlled transition state where the terminal is exposed for charging while the rest of the structure remains protected.
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 provides enhanced protection for electrical terminals, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and is suitable for outdoor use by allowing the charging point to be more resilient and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
the return means comprises at least one spring. It is arranged between the charging terminal support and an inner face of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electric charging point for an electric vehicle comprises: a support, and, a charging terminal designed for connection to a battery terminal of an electric vehicle in such a way that the contact plane between the two terminals is vertical. The charging point comprises a housing surrounding saidthe support, wherein the housing has a front opening facing the charging terminal, and the housing is movable with respect to the support in a direction perpendicular to the contact plane, between a neutral position in which the opening is located at a neutral distance with respect to the contact plane, and a charging position in which the opening is located at a charging distance with respect to the contact plane. The charging distance is smaller than the neutral distance.