Magnetic charging sockets are nothing new; just ask anybody with a ten-year-old Apple MacBook how their MagSafe connector still securely adheres to the charging port by magnetic force. It’s something that’s been used for many device chargers over the years, so the idea was ripe to be upscaled to electric car chargers. In a recent filing with the European Patent Office, this is exactly what BMW proposes for EV charger sockets.
Basic Functionality
While keeping the general design of the plug and socket the same, BMW adds a magnetic element to the socket, composed of a stator in an electromagnetic motor. It generates a magnetic field that couples to a magnetic structure in the plug that, on its part, acts as a rotor. The magnetic force assists the coupling of the socket to the plug, pulling it into position and guiding it into its slot.
A Better Way To Connect
For those familiar with home devices with such chargers, the benefits are obvious:
- The magnetic assistance makes it easier to connect the plug
- Without a traditional friction fit, very little physical force is necessary
- Wear on the plug and socket is reduced
- The mechanism is less likely to wear out with age
- Ease of use has the potential to encourage EV adoption
With a magnetic force pulling the socket fully home, obtaining a secure connection is easier and quicker, requiring less fiddling with the plug. The tighter tolerances of traditional friction-fit plugs means they essentially have to be jammed into place, which places additional wear on the components, with the risk of losing a secure fit after many years of use.
Our Take
This assisted, semi-automated connector should make it easier and more convenient to charge EVs, given that far less physical force should be necessary to obtain a secure fit. The electric components and circuitry should be reliable in use, as it’s a proven technology.
According to BMW, it’s cost-effective, but it will almost certainly come at a premium due to the additional electrical componentry. So any potential cost saving likely has to do with the durability and extended service life of the mechanism, not its manufacturing cost.
