Portable Grounding Device for Electric Vehicle Rescue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rescue personnel face risks of electric shock when performing salvage work on hybrid or electric road vehicles involved in accidents due to high voltages present in the vehicle body, which can be exacerbated by damage causing contact between voltage-carrying components and the vehicle body during rescue operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus involving a grounding tool system where a drive-in tool, connected to a grounding line, is driven into the vehicle body and a grounding stake, connected to the line, is planted into the ground, providing a safe path to ground the vehicle and protect personnel from electrical hazards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional rescue appliances are used on electric vehicles, then rescue operations can be performed, but rescue personnel are exposed to electric shock risks due to high voltage transmission through conductive tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverescue operation capabilityVSAvoidelectric shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insulating element as an intermediary between the conductive rescue tool and the rescue personnel. This insulating element is integrated into the rescue appliance housing, creating a protective barrier that prevents direct electrical contact while allowing the mechanical rescue function to proceed normally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding device is activated before rescue operations begin. The grounding clamp establishes an electrical connection to ground potential, and the insulating element is positioned in advance to prevent voltage transmission. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even if voltage-carrying components contact the vehicle body, the rescue personnel remain protected during subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If grounding equipment is integrated into rescue appliances, then personnel protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel protectionVSAvoidappliance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grounding function with the existing rescue appliance structure. The grounding clamp is integrated into the housing of the rescue tool, and the insulating element is incorporated as part of the same assembly. This merging approach allows personnel protection to be added without requiring separate standalone equipment, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If insulation measures are added to rescue tools, then electric shock risk is reduced, but cost of equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric shock riskVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating element is designed as a relatively simple component that can be manufactured at low cost using common insulating materials. The grounding clamp uses basic conductive materials and mechanical fastening elements. These components are inexpensive additions compared to the overall cost of rescue equipment, making the protection measure economically feasible without significantly increasing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This solution allows for safe and timely salvage operations on hybrid or electric road vehicles by effectively grounding the vehicle, reducing the risk of electric shock to rescue personnel and ensuring reliable grounding in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Implementation Method 1

a first grounding tool makes contact with a body of a road vehicle which has been involved in an accident, and a second grounding tool which is connected to the first grounding tool via an electrical line is then grounded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10424853B2Portable grounding device

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A method for grounding a hybrid or electric road vehicle which has been involved in an accident, includes making contact with a body of a road vehicle which has been involved in an accident using a first grounding tool, and subsequently grounding a second grounding tool which is connected to the first grounding tool via an electrical line and an apparatus for grounding a hybrid or electric road vehicle which has been involved in an accident. The apparatus has a grounding line, a drive-in tool for being driven into a body of the road vehicle, and a grounding stake for being planted into the ground. The drive-in tool is connected to one end of the grounding line and the grounding stake is connected to the other end of the grounding line.