Selective Shape-Memory EV Charging Cable for Trip Hazard Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shape-memory vehicle charging cables pose a trip hazard due to their inherent coiled shape, which can suspend above the ground, creating a safety risk, especially in public areas where vehicles are left unsupervised.
Innovation Solution
A selective shape-memory cable system that incorporates a first biasing means, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, and a second biasing means, like shape-memory alloy wires, allowing the cable to adopt a different shape or forget its passive shape in response to an external stimulus, reducing the trip hazard by allowing it to drape along the ground during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shape-memory cable is used to automatically coil and store itself, then ease of storage is improved, but the cable suspends above the ground during use creating a trip hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The cable incorporates two opposing biasing mechanisms: a first biasing means (thermoplastic elastomer) that promotes coiling for storage, and a second biasing means (shape-memory alloy wires) responsive to external stimuli (heat from current flow or manual activation) that counteracts the coiling bias during use. This dynamic switching allows the cable to adapt its shape between coiled (storage) and extended (use) states, eliminating the trip hazard while maintaining ease of storage.
2Ease of operation
If a thermoplastic elastomer is used to bias the cable into a coiled shape, then ease of storage is improved, but the cable creates loops that stick up above the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and biasing parameters of the cable by introducing a second biasing means (shape-memory alloy) that can be activated by external stimuli such as heat from electrical current or manual heating. This allows the cable to transition from a coiled state (biased by thermoplastic elastomer) to an extended state (biased by shape-memory alloy), preventing ground-contact loops while maintaining storage ease.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cable is made to drape along the ground during use, then trip hazard is reduced, but manual re-coiling is required losing the automatic storage benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system provides self-service by automatically returning to its coiled storage configuration through the first biasing means (thermoplastic elastomer) after use. The shape-memory alloy wires can be activated by heat from current flow or manual heating to extend the cable during use, but once the stimulus is removed, the thermoplastic elastomer automatically recoils the cable, eliminating the need for manual re-coiling while maintaining ground-contact safety.
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 cable can be safely and easily deployed between a vehicle and charging station without suspending above the ground, minimizing trip hazards and facilitating easier storage by reverting to its coiled shape post-use.
Implementation Method 1
a first means for biasing a region of the body; wherein the first means is for biasing said region to adopt a first coiled shape
Implementation Method 2
a second means for biasing all or part of said region of the body, said second means being responsive to an external stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle charging cable having a selective and controllable shape-memory. Selective shape memory cables of the present disclosure can advantageously adopt a different shape and/or forget a passively inherent thermoset shape, for example a spiral. Such selective shape memory cables have particular application for charging EVs and plug-in HEVs and may comprise a body; one or more primary wires accommodated by the body; a first means for biasing a region of the body (such as a thermosetting bias); and a second means for biasing all or part of said region of the body. The second means being responsive to an external stimulus, such as an electric current so that the second biasing means can be actively operated.