Power Feeding Control Device Cable Replacement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power feeding control devices for electric vehicles are uneconomical due to the difficulty in replacing damaged cables, requiring the entire device to be replaced when either the power source side or vehicle side cable is damaged.

Innovation Solution

A power feeding control device design featuring a locking mechanism with a protrusion part and a recessed locking part, allowing for easy connection and disconnection of cables, enabling the second cable to be easily replaced by screwing and unscrewing the retaining part, which is rotatable and restricted in axial movement, ensuring secure electrical contact and facilitating cable replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the power feeding control device uses a fixed integrated cable structure, then the device structure is simple, but the cable cannot be replaced when damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable replaceabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power feeding control device is divided into separable components: the main body and the cable assembly (power source side cable + vehicle side cable). The cable assembly can be detached and replaced independently from the main body through the retaining part mechanism, allowing cable replacement without replacing the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining part is designed to be rotatable about the axial direction of the plug body while being restricted in axial movement. By rotating the retaining part, users can engage or disengage the locking part to lock or release the cable assembly, enabling dynamic adjustment between locked and unlocked states for secure connection and easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the cable assembly is securely locked to the main body, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but cable replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcable replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining part mechanism provides dynamic control over the locking state. When locked, the cable assembly is securely held for reliable electrical connection. When unlocked by rotating the retaining part, the cable assembly can be easily removed for replacement. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between secure locking and easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining part acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cable assembly and the main body. It provides a controlled locking interface that can be easily engaged or disengaged, mediating between the need for secure connection and the need for easy replacement without requiring forceful or complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of repair

If the retaining part is rotatable with axial movement restriction, then cable replacement is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable replaceabilityVSAvoidretaining mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining part is designed to be rotatable about the axial direction of the plug body while being restricted to move in the axial direction. This rotational movement enables the locking part to engage or disengage, providing a simple yet effective mechanism for cable replacement without requiring complex linear movement or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2520457B1Power feeding control device
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2520457B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2520457B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2520457B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A power feeding control device is provided with a main body accommodating an electric circuit for controlling power supply to a motor vehicle from a power source. First and second cables to be connected to the motor vehicle and the power source extend from the longitudinally opposite ends of the main body, respectively. The second cable includes a plug having a plug body accommodating a second contact electrically connected to a first contact provided in the main body, and a retaining ring attached to the plug body such that the retaining ring is rotatable about an axial direction of the plug body while being restricted to move in the axial direction. By screwing the retaining ring onto a thread portion of the main body, the retaining body is detachably attached to the main body in the state that the second contact is electrically connected to the first contact.