Vehicle Charging System With Elastic Electrode Holding Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle charging systems face challenges in maintaining stable electrode contact due to changes in vehicle weight, which can lead to misalignment and reduced ground clearance, potentially causing noise or damage during charging.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charging system with a first and second fitting body, where the second fitting body is supported movably and includes a projection-side electrode holding unit with an elastic body that compresses and decompresses to maintain contact, and a damping body to absorb vibrations, allowing for adjustment in the facing direction and plane direction to accommodate changes in vehicle height and tilt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coupler is automatically raised by an elevator to fit the inlet, then the charging connection is achieved, but the electrode contact stability deteriorates when vehicle weight changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the coupler height adjustable through an elevating unit that can change the coupler's vertical position. The support unit also provides dynamic adjustment in the horizontal direction, allowing the system to adapt to changing vehicle ground clearance caused by weight variations, thereby maintaining reliable electrode contact while preserving automatic charging operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the coupler's positional parameters (height and horizontal position) in response to detected vehicle weight changes. The control unit adjusts the elevating unit and support unit to change the coupler's vertical and horizontal positions, respectively, ensuring stable electrode contact despite variations in vehicle ground clearance.
2Reliability
If the coupler position is adjusted to maintain electrode contact, then the charging reliability is improved, but noise and damage occur during misalignment correction
Solution Approach 1:
The support unit dynamically adjusts the coupler's horizontal position to correct misalignment between the coupler and inlet. By providing controlled, gradual positional adjustment rather than forced correction, the system achieves proper alignment without generating noise or causing damage to the fitting bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed charging apparatus and the vehicle inlet. It mediates the alignment process by smoothly adjusting the coupler's horizontal position, preventing direct collision or forced insertion that would cause noise and damage.
3Measurement precision
If additional components like distance sensors are added to measure ground clearance, then the charging system accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a weight detection mechanism that leverages the vehicle's own weight information to automatically determine the appropriate coupler position. The control unit uses the detected weight to directly control the elevating unit and support unit, eliminating the need for separate distance sensors or complex measurement systems, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems (such as distance sensors and manual ground clearance measurement) with a weight-based detection and control system. By using the vehicle's weight as the primary parameter to determine coupler position, the system substitutes mechanical measurement with a simpler weight detection approach, reducing component count while maintaining charging accuracy.
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
This configuration ensures stable and noise-free charging by maintaining electrode contact despite changes in vehicle weight and ground clearance, preventing damage and reducing costs associated with additional components or sensors.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body supporting the projection-side electrode holding unit in the facing direction and elastically deformable in a compression direction
Implementation Method 2
a damping body supporting the projection-side electrode holding unit in the facing direction and being configured to damp compression of the elastic body in the compression direction and extension of the elastic body in the direction opposite to the compression direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle charging system includes a second fitting body. The second fitting body includes a projection-side electrode holding unit which includes a projection, the projection holding a second electrode member and projecting in a facing direction, and an elastic body which supports the projection-side electrode holding unit in the facing direction and is elastically deformable in a compression direction which is one direction of the facing direction. The elastic body moves the projection-side electrode holding unit in the compression direction from an initial position by being compressed by a load in the compression direction applied to the projection-side electrode holding unit and moves the projection-side electrode holding unit to the initial position by being restored when the load is removed.