Side Door Rabbet Charging Cable Storage for Easier EV Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs with integrated electrical charging cables require the cable to be stored in the vehicle, necessitating cumbersome storage solutions and increasing weight and cost, while requiring drivers to manually deploy the cable through multiple steps.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle structure with a side door-controlled rebate housing an internal compartment for the charging cable, allowing easy access and extraction of the cable without needing additional hatches or significant cable lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical charging cable is permanently installed in the vehicle trunk with a hatch, then the cable is always present and accessible, but the device complexity increases due to housing and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging cable storage function from the trunk compartment and relocates it to the side door assembly. The cable is integrated into the side door structure with a dedicated compartment, eliminating the need for separate trunk housing and sealing mechanisms. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining cable availability while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The side door assembly is given multiple functions: it serves as both an access door and a charging cable storage compartment. The rebate structure that normally just provides door clearance is repurposed to house the cable compartment. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by utilizing existing structural elements for dual purposes, avoiding additional housing requirements.
2Reliability
If the electrical charging cable is stored in the trunk with a hatch, then the cable is protected, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the driver must move to the rear and open multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is pre-positioned in the side door compartment, ready for immediate use. The compartment is designed to be accessible from the exterior through the side door, eliminating the need for the driver to move to the trunk. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction by making the cable both protected in its compartment and easily accessible at the driver's location.
Solution Approach 2:
The side door acts as an intermediary element between the driver and the charging cable. Instead of direct access to trunk storage or complex hatch mechanisms, the side door provides a simple intermediate access point. The door can be opened slightly to allow cable extraction while maintaining security when closed, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a significant length of electric charging cable is used, then the cable can reach external power outlets, but the weight increases which penalizes vehicle consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable is positioned locally at the side door, which is typically located near the driver's position. This local positioning reduces the required cable length compared to trunk storage, as the cable only needs to extend from the side door to external outlets. The rebate structure provides local support and routing, minimizing unnecessary cable length and associated weight while maintaining adequate reach.
4Reliability
If the electrical charging cable is stored in the trunk, then the cable is protected from damage, but the costs increase due to additional housing and sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The charging cable storage compartment is merged with the side door assembly and rebate structure. Instead of creating separate housing and sealing components in the trunk, the cable compartment is integrated into the existing side door structure. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing cable protection through the door assembly itself, eliminating the need for additional expensive housing and sealing components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A vehicle (V) comprises a structure (SV) comprising a rabbet (FS) defining a lateral passage, access to which is controlled by a side door (PL) and a rechargeable battery coupled to an electric cable (CE) comprising an electric plug (PE) intended to be connected to an external power socket. This structure (SV) also comprises an internal housing (LI) communicating with the outside via an opening (OL) defined in the rabbet (FS) and accommodating at least part of the electric cable (CE) with its electric plug (PE) in a stowed position while allowing it to be extracted in order to connect the electric plug (PE) to the power socket.