Movable Locking Element for EV Charging Plug Socket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug sockets for charging electric vehicles lack a secure locking mechanism that prevents accidental disconnection of the charging plug, which can lead to safety issues and inefficiencies in charging processes.
Innovation Solution
A plug socket design featuring a recess with an undercut and a movable locking element that transitions from a plug-in position to a blocking position, ensuring the charging plug is securely latched and can only be removed by reversing the locking element's movement, thus preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking element is added to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is integrated into the recess structure itself, merging the locking function with the existing recess geometry. The undercut and locking element form a unified structure that provides both reception and locking functions, avoiding the need for separate locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be movable between a plug-in position and a blocking position. This dynamic capability allows the locking mechanism to adapt during the plug insertion and removal process, enabling secure locking during charging while allowing easy removal when needed.
2Ease of operation
If a movable locking element is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is pre-positioned in the blocking position to automatically engage with the latching element upon insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures that the charging plug is securely locked as soon as it is inserted, without requiring additional user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively engage a locking mechanism, the design inverts the approach by having the locking element automatically engage the latching element in the blocking position. The user simply needs to reverse the locking element's movement to remove the plug, simplifying the operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug socket includes a recess receiving a charging plug in a plug-in direction and a locking element movable from a plug-in position into a blocking position. The recess terminates in an insertion opening in the plug-in direction and has an undercut acting in the plug-in direction to latch a latching element of the charging plug. The locking element in the plug-in position is located in the recess and overlaps the undercut transverse to the plug-in direction. The blocking position is spaced apart from the plug-in position in the plug-in direction and the locking element is located closer to the insertion opening in the blocking position than in the plug-in position.