Rotatable Elastic Charging Cable Arm for Flexible EV Parking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging stations have a limited action radius due to the fixed length of the charging cable, requiring precise vehicle alignment, which restricts the number of possible parking positions and increases the risk of cable damage from vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A housing with a rotatable and elastic charging cable arm that supports the charging cable, allowing it to be guided to an elevated position and bent for increased flexibility, enabling easier connection to vehicles and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging cable length is limited to prevent it from touching the ground, then the charging cable is protected from being soiled and damaged, but the action radius of the charging station is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable arm is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and extend the effective reach of the charging cable to vehicles at different locations without increasing the cable length
Solution Approach 2:
The charging cable arm elevates the charging cable to an elevated position above the ground, adding a vertical dimension to the cable routing. This prevents the cable from touching the ground while the rotational mechanism extends the horizontal reach, effectively increasing the action radius without compromising cable protection
2Reliability
If the charging cable length is limited, then the charging cable is protected from vehicle damage, but the number of possible parking positions for charging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable charging cable arm can rotate about an axis of rotation to dynamically reposition the charging cable, enabling the charging station to serve vehicles parked at multiple different positions and orientations without requiring a longer cable that would be more vulnerable to damage
3Stability of the object's composition
If the charging cable arm is made rigid to maintain cable position, then the cable is guided stably, but the charging cable arm may be damaged in case of collision with a motor vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable arm is designed with elastic properties, changing the mechanical parameter of rigidity to flexibility. This allows the arm to bend in a partially reversible manner upon collision with a vehicle, absorbing impact energy while maintaining its primary function of guiding the charging cable, and can return to its original position after the collision
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
The solution increases the action radius of the charging cable, allowing for more flexible vehicle positioning and reducing the risk of damage during collisions, while maintaining cable protection and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one charging cable arm is clastic. Advantageously, in the event of a collision between a motor vehicle and the at least one charging cable arm, neither the motor vehicle nor the at least one charging cable arm is damaged
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing for a charging station with an opening cladding element delimiting at least one charging cable opening, whereinthe housing has at least one charging cable arm, which is configured to support a charging cable of the charging station, which charging cable is guided through the at least one charging cable opening, at least in some areas, whereinthe at least one charging cable arm is rotatable relative to the opening cladding element about an axis of rotation, whereinthe axis of rotation is at least locally perpendicular to the opening cladding element, and whereinthe at least one charging cable arm is elastic.