Porsche is aiming to tackle the issue of dirt and ice buildup on electric vehicle charging ports with a new patent filed with the European Patent Office that includes a non-stick coating and a mechanism to vibrate debris off. Vehicle charging technology is constantly evolving and Porsche’s latest idea follows BMW’s proposal of a magnetically adhering plug to reduce wear, and Ferrari’s port that can be remotely released from inside the car for a quick getaway.
Porsche’s Buzzing Solution
A common problem for EV owners in cold climates is the build-up of ice on the charging port, while dirt ingress is a universal concern. Porsche’s new design aims to keep charging ports clean by giving notice to dirt and ice and telling them to buzz off, so to speak. A vibrating mechanism in the port is tuned to dislodge and shed debris to help keep the port clean. This is made easier by applying a non-stick coating so that grime and ice easily come loose when being buzzed.
Porsche has not said how the buzz will be generated, but there are various ways – both mechanical and electromagnetic – in which a vibration can be generated. The presence of electromagnetic components should enable the automaker to incorporate a magnetically adhering plug with little effort. The bigger tolerances this allows over a friction-fit plug should further ease plugging in, even in the presence of a little bit of dirt.
The Ideal Charging Port: A Fusion of Innovation and Practicality
Automakers should take note of each other’s innovations—or perhaps read CarMoses—because what we truly need is a charging port that combines the best ideas currently being proposed. This would include a magnetic connection to securely hold the port in place without the wear and tear of friction-fit plugs, a vibrating function to keep it clean, and an auto-release feature that allows the port to be disengaged from inside the car when charging in less secure areas. Now that would be the ultimate charging port.
