Movable Electric Vehicle Charge Port with Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicle charge ports are typically mounted on the side of vehicles, making it impractical for charging in tight spaces and posing safety risks due to the handling of high-voltage cables, especially in adverse conditions. Additionally, conventional charge ports are not designed to be automatically exposed or concealed, and they lack flexibility to absorb impacts during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A movable charge port system that can be automatically exposed or concealed, mounted on the front of the vehicle, equipped with a motorized mechanism for positioning and a flexible housing to absorb impacts, with cables secured through oscillation-dampening bushings to ensure safe and efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the charge port is mounted on the side of the vehicle for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to tight parking spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge port is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between concealed and exposed states. The motorized actuator enables the charge port to move forward to engage with charging stations in tight spaces or retract to the side for easier access, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to different parking configurations.
2Ease of operation
If the charge port is exposed for charging access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and safety deteriorate due to exposure to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The charge port dynamically transitions between concealed and exposed positions based on charging needs. When not in use, it remains concealed within the vehicle body to protect electrical contacts from environmental damage, contaminants, and physical harm. During charging, it moves to an exposed position for easy access, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and protection reliability.
3Device complexity
If the charge port is fixed in position for structural simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different charging scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge port incorporates a motorized actuation system that enables it to move between multiple positions (concealed, partially exposed, fully exposed). This dynamic capability provides charging position flexibility for various scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a single actuator mechanism, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
4Reliability
If the charge port remains concealed for protection, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge port automatically transitions from a concealed protected state to an exposed accessible state when charging is required, and returns to concealed state when charging is complete. This dynamic behavior ensures electrical contacts are protected from damage when not in use while providing easy access during charging operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
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 system allows for safe and convenient high-voltage charging without manual handling, facilitates charging in various parking configurations, and protects the charge port from damage by automatically concealing it when not in use, while also providing impact absorption during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
A motor may be coupled to the charge port body. The motor may be configured to move the charge port body between a first position and a second position relative to the housing.
Implementation Method 2
The bushing may be configured to absorb oscillations imparted to the cable during movement of the charge port between the first position and the second position.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for flexibly and movably mounting a charge port in front-facing portions of an electric vehicle. When not in use the charge port can be concealed by the body of the vehicle. In a pre-charging or charging mode the charge port can be automatically moved to a charging position where it is exposed through the vehicle body and thus available for coupling with a charging connector at a charging station. Further, the charge port can be flexibly mounted to the vehicle so as to absorb impact forces in one or more directions. The charge port can include oscillation dampening mechanisms for electrical cables coupled to the charge port.