On-Board EV Charging Unit With Spiral Cable Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recharging solutions for electric vehicles are complex, costly, and not easily adaptable to different types of connectors, while also occupying excessive space on board the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A modular recharging unit with a hollow support and containment body housing a recharging cable and connectors, featuring a spiral design and drainage openings, allowing intuitive and space-efficient installation compatible with vehicle dimensions, and equipped with additional connectors for battery management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the battery is disposed of at the rear of the vehicle, then the battery can be easily replaced, but the vehicle requires two vehicle batteries to achieve sufficient driving range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of battery replacementVSAvoidnumber of vehicle batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into a first battery disposed at the front of the vehicle and a second battery disposed at the rear of the vehicle. The second battery can be easily removed and replaced at the rear, while the first battery remains fixed. This segmentation allows one battery to be easily replaceable without requiring two complete battery sets, as the first battery can be reused after the second battery is replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If a large battery is installed to achieve sufficient driving range, then the driving range is sufficient, but the vehicle cannot be equipped with a trailer due to weight constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into two separate batteries of smaller individual capacity rather than one large battery. This segmentation reduces the weight of each individual battery while maintaining the total energy capacity needed for sufficient driving range, allowing the vehicle to meet weight constraints for trailer equipment while still achieving the required driving range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of moving object

If two vehicle batteries are used, then sufficient driving range is achieved, but the vehicle design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving rangeVSAvoidvehicle design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into a first battery at the front and a second battery at the rear, where the second battery is designed for easy removal and replacement. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by allowing independent management of each battery, reducing the complexity of battery replacement procedures and system integration compared to a single large battery or two equally complex battery systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the battery is disposed of at the rear of the vehicle, then the battery can be easily replaced, but the center of gravity shifts toward the rear of the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of battery replacementVSAvoidcenter of gravity position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is divided into a first battery at the front and a second battery at the rear. The first battery remains fixed at the front to provide stable forward weight distribution, while the second battery at the rear can be easily replaced. This segmentation allows the rear battery to be accessible for easy replacement while the front battery maintains the center of gravity in a balanced position, preventing excessive rearward shift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables simple, low-cost, and adaptable recharging operations with reduced noise and moisture exposure, while optimizing space utilization and ensuring effective battery management.

Implementation Method 1

the second battery can be supplied with power from the first battery via a cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4526159B1Recharging unit of an electrically-powered motor-vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 STELLANTIS EUROPE SPA
  • EP4526159B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4526159B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4526159B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A recharging unit (1) for one or more batteries of an electrically- powered motor-vehicle (V), permanently arranged on board said motor-vehicle (V), comprises: - an electrical connector (2) carried by a recharging cable (3), provided for connection to an external electrical socket, - a hollow support and containment body (4) configured to house said recharging cable (3) and said electrical connector (2), - wherein said hollow support and containment body (4) defines a cavity (5), a proximal portion (6), and a distal portion (7), wherein said proximal portion (6) has an opening (8) for enabling manually picking-up said electrical connector (2), - a further electrical connector (9) supported by said hollow support and containment body (4) and arranged to receive a corresponding connector element for connection to the respective electronic components for managing the motor-vehicle batteries (V).