Sliding Charging Inlet Cover for Dual-Port EV Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle charging inlet structures have manually operated internal charging inlet covers that flip outward, occupying external space and making it difficult to plug and unplug charging guns, especially in adverse weather conditions. This leads to poor user experience and increased complexity in the charging process.

Innovation Solution

A charging inlet assembly with an internal sliding cover assembly, featuring a first and second plate, where the second plate moves between two positions to cover and expose respective charging inlets, allowing for seamless switching between fast and slow charging without occupying external space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the internal charging inlet cover flips outward manually, then the charging inlet can be opened, but it occupies external space and impedes plugging and unplugging of the charging gun

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening of charging inletVSAvoidexternal space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the cover flipping outward as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the motion direction by making the cover slide inward into the charging inlet base. The second plate slides along the first plate from the external side toward the internal side, reversing the traditional opening direction to eliminate external space occupation and improve charging gun accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static or simple hinged cover into a dynamic sliding mechanism. The second plate moves dynamically along the first plate through a defined movement space, allowing smooth transition between open and closed states without occupying external space, thereby improving both operation ease and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the internal charging inlet cover flips outward, then the charging inlet can be opened, but the cover becomes dirty and wet by rainwater

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening of charging inletVSAvoidcontamination by rainwater and dust

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the opening direction from outward flipping to inward sliding, the cover surface that was previously exposed to rain and dust during opening is now protected. The second plate slides inward along the first plate, keeping its external surface shielded from environmental contaminants throughout the opening and closing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If separate fast charging inlet cover and slow charging inlet cover are used, then both charging inlets can be covered, but the structure becomes more complicated and operation more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of charging inletsVSAvoidnumber of covers and components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of separate fast charging inlet cover and slow charging inlet cover into a single integrated second plate. This unified sliding cover can selectively cover either the first charging inlet or the second charging inlet based on its position, eliminating the need for multiple separate covers and simplifying both structure and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a cover for the first charging inlet when positioned at the first location, and as a cover for the second charging inlet when positioned at the second location. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized components with a single universal element, reducing complexity while maintaining protective reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250121711A1Charging inlet assembly and vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 BYD CO LTD

AI summary

A charging inlet assembly comprises a charging inlet base and a charging inlet internal sliding cover assembly; the charging inlet internal sliding cover assembly comprises a first plate and a second plate; the first plate is arranged on the charging inlet base; a movement space for the second plate to move is formed between the first plate and the charging inlet base; a through hole is provided on the first plate; a first charging inlet and a second charging inlet are provided within the through hole; the second plate can move between a first position and a second position; at the first position, the second plate covers the first charging inlet and exposes the second charging inlet; and at the second position, the second plate covers the second charging inlet and exposes the first charging inlet.