Swing-Arm Cable Guidance for EV Charger Cable Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging machines lack effective cable management systems, leading to potential damage of charging cables and guns due to accidental falls and complex, bulky structures using counterweights and pulleys.
Innovation Solution
A swing-arm cable-management device with a clamp component connected to a sliding component on a sloped guiding module, utilizing a swing arm mechanism with torsion springs to automatically retract and extend the charging cable, preventing ground contact and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If counterweights and pulleys are used to manage the charging cable, then the cable can be managed during charging, but the system becomes heavier, larger in size, and has a complex internal structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable management function from the complex counterweight-pulley system and implements it through a simplified guide groove structure. The charging cable is guided through grooves in the charging gun holder, eliminating the need for separate counterweights and pulleys while maintaining effective cable management during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cable management function with the charging gun holder structure itself. The guide grooves are integrated into the holder, combining structural support and cable guidance into a single component, thereby reducing overall system complexity and eliminating separate cable management mechanisms.
2Reliability
If counterweights and pulleys are used to manage the charging cable, then the cable can be managed during charging, but the overall system is heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy counterweight components from the system and replaces them with a lightweight guide groove structure integrated into the charging gun holder. This extraction of the counterweight mechanism significantly reduces system weight while preserving the essential cable management function through gravitational guidance alone.
3Device complexity
If no cable management device is equipped, then the structure is simple, but it is laborious to hold the charging gun and the charging cable may accidentally fall to the ground causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable management function with the charging gun holder by integrating guide grooves into the holder structure. This merger provides automatic cable guidance and support during charging operations, making it effortless for users to hold and maneuver the charging gun without requiring separate cable management devices.
4Device complexity
If no cable management device is equipped, then the structure is simple, but the charging cable and charging gun head may accidentally fall to the ground causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates protective guide grooves into the charging gun holder structure, combining structural support with cable protection functionality. This integration ensures the charging cable and gun head are continuously supported and guided throughout charging operations, preventing accidental drops without adding complex protective devices.
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 device prevents damage to charging cables and guns by maintaining them off the ground, reduces system size and weight, and simplifies the structure while providing efficient cable management.
Implementation Method 1
a swing arm mechanism with torsion springs to automatically retract and extend the charging cable
Implementation Method 2
the sliding component connected to the clamp component of the charging cable and slidably disposed on the sloped guiding module is automatically returned by the gravity action of the charging cable
Data Source
AI summary
A swing-arm cable-management device is provided and includes a mounting base, a first arm, a second arm, a guiding module, a sliding component and a clamp component. The mounting base is mounted on a charging machine. The first arm is pivotally connected to the mounting base through a first pivot shaft perpendicular to the ground, and allowed to rotate relative to the mounting base. The second arm is pivotally connected to the first arm through a second pivot shaft perpendicular to the ground, and allowed to rotate relative to the first arm. The guiding module is disposed on the second arm and slopped to increase height along a horizontal direction from rear end to the front end. The sliding component is slidably disposed on the guiding module. The clamp component is connected to the sliding component and fastens a charging cable, so as to manage the charging cable effectively.