Spring-Supported EV Charging Cable Layout for Compact Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging stations for electric vehicles often have bulky designs that expose cables to the ground, leading to potential damage, require extensive space, and lack user-friendly handling, while also being vulnerable to vandalism and debris accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A charging station design featuring a spring element that supports the charging cable vertically or upright, eliminating the need for a charging column and incorporating a concealed technical unit, with components like a DC converter and status indicator, to minimize space usage and protect against damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional charging column with rigid mounting is used, then the charging cable is kept off the ground, but the charging station requires extensive space and has a bulky design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spring element to dynamically support the charging cable, replacing the static rigid mounting of conventional charging columns. The spring element allows the cable to be elevated off the ground while accommodating movement and space constraints, enabling a compact charging station design that requires minimal space while maintaining cable protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a long charging cable is used to reach the vehicle, then the vehicle can be positioned further away, but the cable weight increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element functions as a counterweight mechanism, supporting the weight of the charging cable and enabling the vehicle to be positioned at various distances without the user having to manually handle the heavy cable. The spring absorbs and compensates for the cable weight, making the system adaptable to different positioning scenarios while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the charging cable is exposed on the ground, then installation is simple, but the cable is vulnerable to damage and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element serves as an intermediary mechanism between the charging station and the cable, providing elevated support that protects the cable from ground-level hazards such as water, debris, and vandalism. This intermediate support structure maintains installation simplicity while significantly reducing cable damage risk.
4Area of stationary object
If a compact charging station design is used, then space requirements are reduced, but the charging cable must be shorter increasing electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element enables the charging station to utilize vertical space rather than horizontal space, allowing a compact footprint while maintaining sufficient cable length. By elevating the cable support into the vertical dimension, the system achieves both compactness and adequate cable length, minimizing electrical resistance and energy loss.
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 solution provides a compact, safe, and user-friendly charging solution that reduces cable exposure, minimizes space requirements, enhances operational safety, and protects against vandalism, while allowing easy handling and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (104) to support the electric charging cable (102) at least in sections
Implementation Method 2
The spring element can be fixed at one end, and the other end can be elastically movable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A charging station (100; 200) for charging electric vehicles is described, comprising an electric charging cable (102) and a spring element (104). The spring element (104) is fixed at one end and elastically movable at the other. The charging station (100; 200) is characterized in particular by the fact that the spring element (104) supports the electric charging cable (102) at least in sections.