Retractable EV Charging Station for Safer On-Street Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an improved mechanism for on-street vehicle charging that addresses the hazards posed by charging cables and ensures efficient and safe operation of electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in areas where vehicles are parked on the street.
Innovation Solution
A retractable charging station with a base portion and a charging portion that can move between extended and retracted positions, controlled by a controller that adjusts the retraction time based on user input, wireless signals, and environmental factors, including obstruction detection and power surge management, to ensure safe and efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a charging cable is run from the house to the vehicle on the street, then the vehicle can be charged, but it creates a hazard to passers-by
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is extracted from the fixed house location and made mobile through a retractable mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The cable can be deployed when needed and retracted when not in use, eliminating the permanent hazard of a cable running across the pavement while maintaining charging convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system transitions from a static cable installation to a dynamic retractable mechanism. The cable length and position can be adjusted based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt between extended (charging mode) and retracted (safe mode) states, thereby resolving the safety-convenience contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the charging portion remains extended for long periods, then it is readily accessible for charging, but it creates safety hazards and aesthetic issues when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The charging portion is designed to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states based on operational requirements. When charging is needed, it extends for accessibility; when not in use, it retracts to eliminate hazards and improve aesthetics, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic detection mechanisms that sense when charging is required and autonomously extend the charging portion, then automatically retract it after charging completes or after a predetermined time interval, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining safety and convenience.
3Device complexity
If the controller uses a fixed retraction time, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to varying user behavior and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The controller incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user interactions, charging patterns, and environmental conditions. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the retraction time parameter, extending it for users who frequently charge multiple vehicles or during conditions requiring longer accessibility, and reducing it for users who charge quickly or during high-traffic periods, thus achieving adaptability without sacrificing ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging station for charging the battery of a vehicle includes: a base portion configured for mounting in a substructure; a charging portion having a charging outlet for connection to a vehicle; and a retraction mechanism for moving the charging portion between an extended position in which it extends out of the base portion and a retracted position; and a controller for controlling the retraction mechanism; the controller being configured to: determine whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the most recent charging from the charging outlet ceased; and cause the retraction mechanism to move the charging portion to the retracted position if the predetermined period of time is determined to have elapsed since the most recent electrical supply from the outlet.