Sliding Charging Socket Cover for Compact Electric Construction Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric construction machines face challenges in protecting the charging socket from environmental influences and damage due to swinging lids during operation, which can lead to injuries and operational restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A sliding cover mechanism for the charging socket that moves between closed and open positions along a sliding guide parallel to the body surface, secured by a detent spring, and equipped with brushes to prevent dirt accumulation and jamming, ensuring the cover does not protrude beyond the machine's bodywork.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hinged lid is used to cover the charging socket, then the charging socket can be protected when closed, but the lid may swing freely during operation causing damage or injuries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging socket protectionVSAvoidswinging lid damage or injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed to slide along a guide rail parallel to the body surface, allowing controlled movement between closed and open positions while preventing free swinging during machine operation. The sliding mechanism with detent spring provides dynamic positioning that maintains safety during rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A sliding guide mechanism acts as an intermediary between the cover and the machine body, constraining the cover's movement path and preventing it from swinging freely. The guide rail and detent spring system mediates the cover's motion to ensure it remains within safe boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cover is designed to protect the charging socket, then environmental protection is improved, but the cover may protrude beyond the bodywork causing operational restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging socket protectionVSAvoidcover protrusion beyond bodywork
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cover slides parallel to the body surface rather than protruding outward perpendicular to it. This dimensional change in the sliding direction allows the cover to protect the charging socket while remaining within the machine's working radius and not interfering with operational space.

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

3Ease of operation

If the charging socket is accessible for charging, then charging functionality is improved, but the socket is exposed to environmental influences and vandalism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging socket accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental influences and vandalism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding cover provides dynamic access control - it can be opened for charging operations and closed for protection. The detent spring mechanism ensures the cover remains securely in both open and closed positions, balancing accessibility with protection against environmental factors and vandalism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 sliding cover effectively protects the charging socket from environmental damage and unauthorized access while allowing operation with the charging cable plugged in, preventing injuries and maintaining machine compactness.

Implementation Method 1

a detent spring (9) can be assigned to the sliding cover (8) and the sliding guide (7), which engages with a corresponding counterpart (10) in both the closed and open positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The sliding cover (8) can be displaced between the closed position and the open position along a sliding guide (7) which is parallel to the body surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

brushes (12) arranged between the groove (11) and the sliding cover (8). These brushes serve as guide bearings for the sliding cover (8) and prevent excessive dirt from accumulating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBrush: Brush

Data Source

PatentEP4624679A1Electric construction machine
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 WACKER NEUSON LINZ
  • EP4624679A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624679A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4624679A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric construction machine (1) comprising at least one electric motor for driving a travel drive (2) and/or a working unit (3), comprising an electrical energy storage device (4) for supplying the electric motor with electrical energy, and comprising a charging connection socket (5) for charging the energy storage device (4). A cover arranged in a body (6) for covering the charging socket is assigned to said charging connection socket (5). In order to create advantageous handling conditions, it is proposed that the cover be a sliding cover (8) which can be displaced between a closed position and an open position along a sliding guide (7) parallel to the body surface.