Modular Scooter Charging Station With Above-Ground Cable Duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for charging electric scooters are complex and costly, leading to environmental concerns due to the use of internal combustion engine vehicles for collection and charging, and result in unsatisfactory environmental balance.

Innovation Solution

An electric scooter charging station with an integrated charging device, rod-shaped cable duct, and modular charging system that allows for easy installation and use, reducing the need for scooter collection and minimizing environmental impact by using a cable duct that can be installed above ground without extensive excavation, and incorporating features like locking mechanisms and automatic cable management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If electric scooters are collected and charged using combustion engine vehicles, then charging can be performed, but environmental impact increases and operational costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station enables electric scooters to be charged in place without requiring collection by service vehicles. Users can charge their scooters autonomously at distributed charging stations, eliminating the need for manual collection and transport to centralized charging locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The charging function is extracted from mobile collection vehicles and embedded into fixed infrastructure stations. This separates the charging operation from the collection/transport operation, allowing scooters to be charged where they are parked rather than requiring transport to charging locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If electric scooters are collected and charged manually, then charging can be performed, but operational effort and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging convenienceVSAvoidcollection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to charge their own scooters autonomously at any charging station without requiring staff intervention. The automated charging process eliminates manual collection, transport, and connection operations that currently consume significant time and labor resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Fixed charging stations serve as intermediary infrastructure between users and the power grid. These stations provide the charging interface and power management functionality, eliminating the need for manual charging operations while distributing charging capacity across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If centralized charging stations are installed, then charging capacity is provided, but installation complexity and ground disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charging station is divided into separate functional modules: power input module, cable management module with rod-shaped cable duct, charging device, and user interface module. This modular segmentation allows flexible installation configurations and simplifies maintenance while reducing ground disruption requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable management system uses a rod-shaped cable duct that extends vertically or at an angle from the ground surface rather than requiring extensive horizontal excavation. This dimensional change in cable routing reduces installation complexity and ground disruption while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3831643B1Electric roller charging station
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 WESTNETZ GMBH
  • EP3831643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to an electric scooter charging station (100, 200, 300, 400) for electrically charging electric scooters (252, 452), comprising at least one charging device (104) arranged in a housing (102, 202) of the electric scooter charging station (100, 200, 300, 400), configured to provide electrical energy, wherein the housing (102, 202) has at least one input connection (106) configured to connect the charging device (104) to an energy source, and at least one rod-shaped cable duct (110, 210, 310, 410) coupled to at least one output connection (108) of the housing (102, 202), wherein the rod-shaped cable duct (110, 210, 310, 410) has at least one connection within the at least one cable duct wall (112, 212.1, 212.2, 212.3, 212.4, 312) running and electrically coupled to the output terminal (108) of the housing (102, 202) with at least one tap (118.1, 118.2, 118.3, 118.4, 118.5) comprises at least one charging module (122, 222, 322, 422), wherein the rod-shaped cable duct (110, 210, 310, 410) has at least one first module connection (120.1, 120.2, 120.3, 120.4, 120.5, 420) configured for coupling with a second module connection (124, 424) of the charging module (122, 222, 322, 422), wherein the charging module (122, 222, 322, 422) has at least one electrical charging interface (126, 326, 426) configured for coupling with a second electrical charging interface (494) of an electric scooter (252, 452), wherein in a coupling state between the first module connection (120.1, 120.2, 120.3, 120.4, 120.5, 420) and the second module connection (124, 424) an electrical connection (128) between the tap (118.1, 118.2, 118.3, 118.4, 118.5) and the electrical charging interface (126, 326, 426) can at least be established.