Rotatable Charging Head for Dynamic Electric Vehicle Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapid charging systems for electric vehicles require precise alignment and often necessitate the vehicle to stop, making the charging process longer and more complex, especially on uneven surfaces or during passenger loading/unloading.
Innovation Solution
A rapid charging system with a rotatable charging head and multi-jointed arm that allows for orientation tolerance, enabling charging while the vehicle is in motion and reducing driver intervention, using a current collector with a guiding funnel and conductive conduit for continuous contact even when tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed charging station with rigid contacting elements is used, then electrical contact is established, but the system requires precise alignment and cannot operate on uneven surfaces or during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The charging head is transformed from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic system with multiple degrees of freedom. It can rotate horizontally and vertically, extend radially, and tilt to accommodate various orientations. This dynamic capability allows the charging head to maintain electrical contact with the conductive conduit regardless of vehicle position, surface unevenness, or movement during charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes geometric parameters of the contacting elements. The charging head can adjust its position coordinates (radial extension, horizontal/vertical rotation angles, tilt angle) to compensate for misalignment. These parameter adjustments enable the system to operate without precise initial alignment while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
2Productivity
If the vehicle must stop for charging, then electrical contact can be established, but the charging process is prolonged and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process is made continuous rather than intermittent. The vehicle can move at normal speed while the charging head dynamically adjusts its position and orientation to maintain uninterrupted electrical contact with the conductive conduit. This eliminates the need to stop the vehicle for charging, allowing charging to occur continuously during travel.
3Ease of operation
If driver intervention is required for connection, then precise contact can be achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system performs self-alignment and self-contact without driver intervention. Sensors detect the position of the conductive conduit, and the control system automatically adjusts the charging head's position and orientation to establish and maintain electrical contact. The system serves itself by autonomously managing the complex coordination required for successful charging connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor the position of both the charging head and the conductive conduit. This real-time information is fed back to the control system, which adjusts the charging head's degrees of freedom to maintain optimal contact. The feedback loop ensures reliable connection while simplifying operation for the driver.
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
Enables efficient and user-friendly charging without prolonging stops, allowing for reduced battery weight and energy consumption, enabling more passengers or goods to be transported while charging can continue during travel.
Implementation Method 1
at least two pressing elements (141) rotatably mounted around a rotation axis and pressed down to at least two electrically conductive surfaces (23) of the conductive conduit (21)
Data Source
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AI summary
A rapid charging assembly, according to the invention, comprises a current collector (1) adapted to be installed on a vehicle, said assembly being equipped with a drive for its raising or lowering (15) and a pivoting arm (13) with a slider element, said assembly further comprises a charging station (2) in the form of a lengthwise charging conduit (21) with a guiding funnel (21) for electric connection of the slider element of the collector (1). The essence constitutes the slider element of the collector (1), being a head (14) having at least two electric contacts (142) mounted on at least two electric contacting elements (141) situated elastically around a rotation axis and pressed down to at least two conductive contact strips (23) of the charging station (2).