Electric Work Vehicle Power Port Locking Against Accidental Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric work vehicles lack a mechanism to prevent accidental disconnection of the electric wire connection from the power port, leading to potential failure of the motor and inability to travel.
Innovation Solution
The electric work vehicle incorporates a lock mechanism with a manually operable section and a restrictor fixed to the vehicle body, requiring a tool for operation, to secure the connection section to the power port, along with a connection section cover to prevent accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple connection structure is used without a lock mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the connection section can be accidentally removed
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is activated in advance to secure the connection section to the power port before any accidental removal can occur. The manually operable section is positioned to engage the locking action prior to operation, preventing unintended disconnection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed to automatically maintain the locked state of the connection section without requiring continuous external intervention. The spring member and locking protrusion work together to self-maintain the connection, reducing the need for additional complex control systems.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism with manually operable section is added, then the reliability is improved by preventing accidental removal, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a locking protrusion on the connection section, a corresponding locking groove on the power port, a spring member providing locking force, and a manually operable section for activation. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing robust locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking functionality is localized to specific interaction points between the connection section and power port, rather than requiring a complex overall structure. The locking protrusion and groove engage at a precise location, concentrating the locking action in a small, simple mechanical interface.
3Reliability
If the restrictor is fixed permanently to the vehicle body, then the reliability is improved by preventing unauthorized operation, but the ease of repair deteriorates because maintenance access becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor transitions from a permanently fixed state to a dynamically removable state. It is initially fixed to the vehicle body using a fixing section to prevent unauthorized operation, but can be removed when maintenance is required, allowing the system to adapt between security and accessibility needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing section is designed to be removable in advance of any maintenance needs. This allows the restrictor to be quickly removed to access the manually operable section for lock mechanism operation, then reinstalled afterward to restore security, without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric work vehicle includes: at least one electric wire (60) electrically connected to at least one power port; at least one connection section (70) disposed at an end of the at least one electric wire (60) and connected to the at least one power port; at least one lock mechanism (80) configured to lock the at least one connection section (70) with the at least one connection section (70) connected to the at least one power port, the at least one lock mechanism (80) including at least one manually operable section (84) and being switchable in response to an operation of the at least one manually operable section (84) between a locking state, in which the at least one lock mechanism (80) locks the at least one connection section (70) with the at least one connection section (70) connected to the at least one power port, and an unlocking state, in which the at least one lock mechanism (80) allows the at least one connection section (70) to be removed from the at least one power port; and a restrictor (26) disposed within the operation range (K) of the at least one manually operable section (84) and fixed to the body of the electric work vehicle with use of a fixing section (b1) attachable and detachable with use of a tool.