Movable EV Charging Socket Layout for Multi-Standard Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-performance electric or hybrid-propulsion cars lack sufficient space for multiple recharge electric sockets due to aerodynamic constraints, necessitating incompatible sockets for AC and DC charging stations, posing safety and accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A movable sockets-holding body beneath a panel on the vehicle body aligns a single recharge electric socket with a pass-through opening, allowing access to either an AC or DC socket, minimizing external space and eliminating the need for internal disconnecting switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple recharge electric sockets are installed for AC and DC charging stations, then compatibility with different charging stations is improved, but the space required in the vehicle body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sockets-holding body movable rather than fixed. The sockets-holding body can be moved to bring different recharge electric sockets into alignment with the pass-through opening sequentially, allowing multiple sockets to be accommodated in a compact space. This dynamic positioning mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling versatility (multiple socket types) without permanently increasing the space occupied in the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the another dimension principle by moving the sockets-holding body along the vertical dimension (beneath the panel) rather than horizontally expanding the service compartment. The pass-through opening in the panel allows access to sockets that are positioned in a different spatial dimension, effectively increasing socket capacity without increasing the horizontal footprint in the constrained vehicle body space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple recharge electric sockets are installed, then charging options are improved, but the complexity of electrical circuits and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the disconnecting switch functionality from the electrical circuit design. Instead of requiring internal disconnecting switches for each socket to manage multiple circuits, the invention removes this complexity by using a single accessible socket at a time through the pass-through opening. This eliminates the need for complex circuit management while maintaining safety, as only one charging circuit is active at any given moment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple recharge electric sockets are installed, then compatibility with different charging stations is improved, but accessibility and safety are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the safety risk by removing exposed live conductors from the exterior of the vehicle. The pass-through opening in the panel provides access to the socket while the sockets-holding body can be positioned to shield or protect the connection area. This eliminates the safety hazard of having multiple exposed electrical connectors on the vehicle exterior, as only one socket is accessible at a time through the controlled opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A road vehicle comprising an electric or hybrid powertrain is disclosed. The road vehicle further comprises an electric-energy accumulator capable of storing electric energy to be supplied to the powertrain, a charging unit adapted to charge the electric-energy accumulator when the road vehicle is connected to an outer electric-energy source, and an electric connection interface which allows the charging unit to be connected to the outer electric-energy source. The electric connection interface comprises an upper frame or panel located on or in the vehicle body and delimits an opening, and a socket-holding body which supports recharge electric sockets and is capable of moving under the upper frame or panel so as to be able to place any one of the recharge electric sockets in front of the opening of the upper frame or panel so that the recharge electric socket is accessible from the outside through the opening.