Movable EV Charging Cable Terminal for Flexible Charger Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle chargers are costly and inefficient in space utilization, requiring specific installation and maintenance by electricians, limiting flexibility and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A detachable charging unit with a movable charging cable terminal that allows users to change its position and orientation without professional assistance, reducing the need for multiple installations and enabling flexible space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If electric vehicle chargers are installed in fixed positions with charging cable terminals at specific locations, then the installation is stable and reliable, but the space utilization is inefficient and requires multiple chargers to cover different parking spots
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable terminal is made movable relative to the charging unit body, allowing it to be repositioned between different locations (e.g., left side, right side, front, back) depending on the parking spot requirements. This dynamic reconfigurability enables a single charger to serve multiple parking positions, improving space utilization without requiring multiple fixed installations
Solution Approach 2:
The charger is divided into separable components: a stationary support unit and a movable charging unit with the charging cable terminal. The charging unit can be detached and repositioned independently, allowing flexible configuration to adapt to different parking spot arrangements while maintaining a stable base installation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple variants of chargers with charging cable terminals at different positions are manufactured to cover all parking spots, then all parking positions can be served, but the manufacturing cost and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal charger design incorporates a charging cable terminal that can be positioned at multiple locations, enabling one charger model to fulfill the function of what would traditionally require multiple specialized models. This eliminates the need to manufacture and stock different variants for different parking spot configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable terminal's position is made adjustable rather than fixed during manufacturing. Users can reposition the terminal according to the specific parking spot requirements, making one charger adaptable to multiple configurations without requiring different manufactured variants
3Reliability
If electricians are required to install and reposition chargers to different locations, then the installation is professionally done, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charger is segmented into a permanently installed support unit and a removable charging unit. The support unit requires professional installation once, while the charging unit can be easily detached and repositioned by users without requiring electrician intervention for subsequent relocations
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables users to independently reposition the charging unit and adjust the charging cable terminal location without requiring professional electrician services. The modular design with simple connection interfaces allows end-users to perform installation and reconfiguration tasks themselves
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electric vehicle charger (1) which comprises a support unit (3) configured to receive power supplied to the electric vehicle charger and a charging unit (2) configured to receive power via the support unit. The charging unit comprises a charging cable terminal (4). The position of the charging cable terminal on the charging unit can be changed by a user.