It's Friday: Swedish automatic PHEV charging prod gets a big WTF? from us [w/VIDEO]
Posted Nov 6th 2009 11:38AM by Sebastian Blanco
Trinnovator - Click above to watch the videos after the break
Is it too harsh to say that the Trinnovator is a solution without a problem? At the very least, we don't think that a flexible, extendable prod coming out of the front bumper of a plug-in car and creepily finding its way into a grid of receptacles is the best way to recharge a vehicle. This is the method that the Swedish team behind the Trinnovator has come up with to make getting electrons into a PHEV or BEV somewhat automatic. It's kind of hard to explain, so we recommend just watching the video pasted after the jump.
A few immediate thoughts: real-life implementation of this system seems needlessly complicated. The receptacle grids would also have to be much wider (and maybe taller for trucks and SUVs) and installed all over the place – regular plugs make more sense, no? Plus, shouldn't there be prods on the back of the car, too? And what about parallel parking spots? We've used plug-in cars and it's really not that difficult to remember to plug in every night. If we're going to have automatic and easy recharging, we want to see wireless/witricity get real. Thanks to Anders J. for the tip! Watch the video after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
NeilBlanchard 11:57AM (11/06/2009)
Hi,
The idea is fine, but I wonder how much it costs? I can't think that it is all that hard to plug a cord into a socket on the car...
It is pretty overtly sexual? Hmmm...
Neil
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Doug 12:13PM (11/06/2009)
Their implementation looks kinda dumb and I suppose it's just a proof of concept, but honestly this makes much more sense than the wireless car charging.
What problem does wireless charging solve? People too lazy to just plug in the car at the cost of a lot of wasted energy. I've said before you're better off just designing a robot to plug in the car for you. (I mean "robot" in the simplest broadest sense.) Phallus jokes and annoying music aside, the "Trinnovator" presents an automatic mechanism to do that.
Wireless charging might make sense for comparatively low power devices like cell phones and tooth brushes, where the loss of efficiency could be worth benefits of convenience or safety. But for a parked car, you're much better off with a conductive contact.
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letstakeawalk 12:22PM (11/06/2009)
I agree that plug-in functions will eventually become an automated process. People want power windows, power locks, power sliding doors, power tailgates/trunks, etc., etc. When it's cold and rainy, people are going to wish they had a system to plug in their PHEV for them, even if it only saves them a minute of their time.
Bip-D-Bo 12:48PM (11/06/2009)
I think that this is good engineering. Obviously not final, but this is good. When people are worried about loading up kids and getting the groceries, they will forget the plug. Later, they may be stranded because they started the day with a partial charge. They will have fears about touching the plug if it's raining or snowing. They will drop the plug on the driveway, or not bother to coil up the chord and run it over later. I think that this concept addresses a real problem in a logical way.
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Joeviocoe 12:52PM (11/06/2009)
I had a similar idea when the Tesla roadster first came out.
But the receptacle was built onto a parking space floor (only 4 inches thick so clearance is easy). Drive over it, stop on the prepositioned wheel wells (like an automatic car wash) and the prod comes down from the undercarriage.
But you're right. The ease of plugging in makes the added expense and engineering not worth it.
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Newdl 2:10PM (11/06/2009)
This is worthless. Any more commenting would be a waste of 1s and 0s.
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ospital.david 3:12PM (11/06/2009)
The future is over air electrical transmission positive electron flow and wireless battery data updates to know how far the battery filled up.
Neat concept and will work for the meantime until science catches up to safe wireless electrical transmission.
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fnc 4:42PM (11/06/2009)
I've often wondered why we don't see more work on automated charging plug systems, but this seems a bit demanding in that plugs have to be positioned somewhat accurately (within a couple of square feet) to work, and also must stand upright perpendicular to the bumper(s). I'd propose an undercar system like the poster above mentioned. It would be a standardized receptacle opened and activated by the weight of a wheel falling into a small depression, and could thus be built into driveways or garages or parking spots without needing a wall or even a post with a plug on it nearby. Automakers would have to agree to standardize the undercar hardware which might be a hard sell, and precipitation would call for some safeguards of course. But the convenience of just pulling your car into your driveway/garage/parking spot until you feel the wheel fall into the depression to know it's going to get juiced up would be unbeatable, and would avoid the transmission losses of over the air charging.
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dv 4:50PM (11/06/2009)
That will teach the kids not to run around the cars in the parking lots!
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Fred Miller 9:38PM (11/06/2009)
If I got one it would be probably be to short to get stuck in the socket.
Fred
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ronpierre 3:36AM (11/07/2009)
I think the idea of having one under the car would be beneficial to deter vandals. I can see plugs to roadside charging stations being tampered with. If the mechanism was tucked in behind a wheel under the car this would limit access.
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Roy 1:16PM (11/07/2009)
This is a great soloution to a future problem. Fossil fuels are going to end there is no doubt about it. Citites with poulution problems are going to make it easier for people with electric cars. Carparks and apartment garages have small spaces with often not more than 0,5m to spare in front of the car, are you guys saying that you are going to get out of the car, pop the trunk and takeout your cable, go infront of your DIRTY car (remember autum and winter) and plug it in.)
Remember also that people are lazy, especialy americans ;)
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