US20110300733A1 - Method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle - Google Patents
Method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle Download PDFInfo
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- US20110300733A1 US20110300733A1 US12/796,256 US79625610A US2011300733A1 US 20110300733 A1 US20110300733 A1 US 20110300733A1 US 79625610 A US79625610 A US 79625610A US 2011300733 A1 US2011300733 A1 US 2011300733A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- projection
- plug
- projections
- vehicle
- actuator
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
- H01R13/6271—Latching means integral with the housing
- H01R13/6272—Latching means integral with the housing comprising a single latching arm
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
- H01R13/6397—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap with means for preventing unauthorised use
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
- B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
- B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
- B60L53/16—Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
- H01R13/6392—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap for extension cord
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2270/00—Problem solutions or means not otherwise provided for
- B60L2270/30—Preventing theft during charging
- B60L2270/32—Preventing theft during charging of electricity
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L2270/00—Problem solutions or means not otherwise provided for
- B60L2270/30—Preventing theft during charging
- B60L2270/34—Preventing theft during charging of parts
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
- Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to engagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on a vehicle.
- a battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) generally include a high-voltage storage battery.
- the storage battery provides electric power to operate various components in the vehicle, such as an electric motor for driving traction wheels on the vehicle.
- the storage battery has a state of charge (SOC) and generally includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells store electric charge for the battery, and the SOC of the battery is based on the amount of electric charge in the cells. However, the SOC of the storage battery can decrease when the storage battery provides electric power for the vehicle.
- the SOC of the battery decreases when the storage battery loses electric charge or discharges. When the storage battery discharges, it may be desirable or necessary to charge the storage battery. Consequently, a power source external to the vehicle is often used to charge the storage battery to increase the overall SOC of the storage battery.
- the connector assembly may include a vehicle-side connector housing and vehicle-side terminals.
- the vehicle-side connector housing is mounted on the body of the vehicle.
- the vehicle-side terminals are enclosed in the vehicle-side connector housing and are connected to the storage battery of the vehicle.
- the connector assembly may include a power-source-side connector having a power-source-side connector housing and power-source-side terminals enclosed in the power-source-side connector housing.
- the power-source-side connector housing mates with the vehicle-side connector housing so that the power-source-side terminals can connect to the vehicle-side terminals.
- a person may not want to supervise or attend to various issues or situations that may arise during charging of the battery. For example, the person may not want to attend to ensuring the power-source-side connector and the vehicle-side connector remain properly mated during charging of the battery. Similarly, the person may not wish to attend to preventing others from interrupting charging of the battery.
- theft prevention or deterrence may be desirable or necessary. For example, preventing or deterring theft of a cord set, which may include the power-source-side connector housing and power-source-side terminals. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to prevent or deter theft of electric power outputted from the power-source-side terminals. For example, this may occur at a charging station when a first person leaves the vehicle unattended at the charging station and a second person decides to charge his vehicle using electric power owned by, paid by, or otherwise associated with the first person.
- Various embodiments of a system or method are provided for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle.
- the system includes an actuator and at least one projection disposed on the vehicle.
- the projection has an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position.
- the actuator selectively extends and retracts the projection between the locked and unlocked positions. When the projection is in the locked position, the projection engages the plug and prevents disengagement of the plug from the port.
- the method includes obtaining authorization to move a projection disposed on the electric vehicle and, in response to the authorization, controlling actuation to extend the projection to a locked position to engage the electrical plug to prevent disengagement between the plug and the charge port.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle with a charge port and an electrical plug with a power supply in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the charge port on the vehicle and the electrical plug having a latching mechanism in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system including an actuator and a projection for preventing disengagement between the charge port and the electrical plug in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram like FIG. 3 , but illustrating the actuator and the projection in accordance with another embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including projections in the charge port to engage the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including wing-like projections to engage the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including projections to engage a cylindrical cover of the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle in accordance with one embodiment.
- Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle.
- an electric vehicle 10 (hereinafter “vehicle”) is provided with a charge port 12 .
- vehicle 10 may be any type of electric vehicle that includes the charge port 12 for receiving electric power, such as a plug-in electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a pure electric vehicle, etc.
- PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
- BEV battery electric vehicle
- pure electric vehicle etc.
- the charge port 12 of FIG. 1 is shown connected to a storage battery 14 , such as a high-voltage electric storage battery that outputs and stores high-voltage electric power for the vehicle 10 .
- a storage battery 14 such as a high-voltage electric storage battery that outputs and stores high-voltage electric power for the vehicle 10 .
- the charge port 12 may be connected to other electric devices or components in the vehicle 10 that operate on electric power.
- an electrical wire or cable 16 in the vehicle 10 electrically connects the charge port 12 and the storage battery 14 .
- the vehicle 10 may have other electrical wires or cables (not shown) from the charge port 12 to the other electric devices or components in the vehicle 10 .
- an electrical plug 18 is provided to facilitate transferring electric energy from a power supply 20 to the vehicle 10 .
- the power supply 20 may be a home power outlet or a charging station.
- the power supply 20 may be a direct current (DC) power source and/or an alternating current (AC) power source.
- DC direct current
- AC alternating current
- the power supply 20 may provide a 120-volt or 240-volt AC single-phase nominal supply voltage.
- a charge cord 22 electrically connects the power supply 20 and the plug 18 .
- conductive cables or devices may be used in place of the charge cord 22 to electrically connect the power supply 20 and the plug 18 .
- the electrical plug 18 is removably inserted in the charge port 12 .
- the plug 18 and the charge port 12 mate and an electrical connection is made between electrical contacts in the charge port 12 and electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 may disposed within one or more of the five circular ports defined in the charge port 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 .
- the vehicle 10 can receive electric power from the power supply 20 , for example, to charge the battery 14 to a higher state of charge (SOC).
- SOC state of charge
- one or more of the electrical contacts 24 of the plug 18 are used to transfer electric power from the power supply 20 to the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 .
- the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 may include an AC power pin, a neutral or secondary AC power pin, a control pilot pin, a proximity detection pin, a ground pin, or a combination thereof depending on the configuration of the charge port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 may vary in size and shape.
- the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 corresponding to the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 may vary in size and shape.
- the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 of FIG. 2 are shown as male contacts to mate with female electrical contacts in the charge port 12 , the electrical contacts 24 may be female contacts to mate with male electrical contacts in the charge port 12 .
- the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 may be of the male type, female type, or a combination of both types of electrical contacts depending on the configuration of the charge port 12 .
- the plug 18 may have a latching mechanism 26 .
- the latching mechanism 26 latches the plug 18 to the charge port 12 to engage and secure the plug 18 and the charge port 12 together. While the latching mechanism 26 is shown above a cylindrical cover 28 of the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 , the latching mechanism 26 may be positioned at any suitable portion of the plug 18 to latch the plug 18 to the charge port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the charge port 12 may receive the cylindrical cover 28 when the plug 18 is inserted in the charge port 12 . Furthermore, as the plug 18 is moved along longitudinal axis A (shown in FIG. 2 ) toward the charge port 12 , the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 may insertably guide the plug 18 into the charge port 12 as well as facilitate proper alignment of the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 with the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 . Thus, the cylindrical cover 28 may guide movement of the plug 18 along longitudinal axis A to insert the plug 18 into the charge port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the plug 18 may include a press button 30 .
- a user can depress the press button 30 to move or pivot the latching mechanism 26 relative to the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 .
- the latching mechanism 26 of FIG. 1 can be actuated with the press button 30
- a trigger or other hand-operated device may be used to move or pivot the latching mechanism 26 .
- the plug 18 may be allowed to release or disengage from the charge port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the plug 18 can be pulled out of the charge port 12 when the plug 18 is disengaged from the charge port 12 .
- the electrical connection between the charge port 12 and the plug 18 may be interrupted.
- the charge port 12 and the plug 18 electrically disconnect.
- charging of the battery 14 may be interrupted or stopped when the plug 18 is disengaged from the charge port 12 .
- disengagement between the plug 18 and the port 12 may give an unauthorized person access to the electric power provided by the plug 18 and/or an opportunity to remove the plug 18 from the vehicle 10 .
- a system 40 is provided for preventing unauthorized disengagement between the electrical plug 18 and the charge port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the system 40 and its method of operation are described in a general fashion to facilitate understanding of various aspects of the system 40 and method.
- the system 40 includes at least one projection 42 and an actuator 44 .
- the projection 42 is disposed on the vehicle 10 and has an extended locked position (as shown in FIGS. 3-4 ) and a retracted unlocked position.
- the projection 42 moves toward the actuator 44 when the projection 42 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.
- the actuator 44 extends the projection 42 to the locked position and retracts the projection 42 to the unlocked position.
- the actuator 44 may selectively extend and retract the projection 42 along longitudinal axis B as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 .
- the projection 42 disposed on the vehicle 10 is retracted from the plug 18 .
- the unlocked position allows disengagement of the plug 18 from the charge port 12 .
- the plug 18 may be allowed to disengage from the port 12 when the latching mechanism 26 unlatches from the port 12 and the plug 18 is pulled out of the port 12 .
- the projection 42 is extended away from the actuator 44 toward the plug 18 to engage the plug 18 .
- the projection 42 engages the plug 18 to obtain the locked position, unauthorized disengagement of the plug 18 and the charge port 12 is prevented.
- the projection 42 engages the plug 18 , the projection 42 secures or fastens the plug 18 and the charge port 12 together and an electrical connection is established between electrical contacts in the charge port 12 and electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the projection 42 may engage the latching mechanism 26 of the plug 18 in one embodiment (shown in FIGS. 3-4 ) to prevent movement of the latching mechanism 26 when the projection 42 is in the locked position.
- the projection 42 prevents movement of the latching mechanism 26 , disengagement of the plug 18 from the charge port 12 is prevented.
- the latching mechanism 26 is prevented from being pivoted away from the charge port 12 to unlatch the plug 18 from the port 12 on the vehicle 10 .
- the projection 42 includes a contact area or distal end 46 that contacts a contact surface of the plug 18 when the actuator 44 extends the projection 42 toward the plug 18 .
- the projection 42 may contact an upper surface of the latching mechanism 26 and prevent pivotal movement of the latching mechanism 26 when the projection 42 is in the locked position.
- the projection 42 may be an elongated element, such as a pin or rod as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 , or a non-elongated element depending on the configuration of the system 40 .
- the at least one projection 42 of the system 40 may include a plurality of projections 42 disposed on the vehicle 10 .
- the projections 42 have extended locked positions and retracted unlocked positions.
- the actuator 44 selectively extends and retracts the projections 42 between the locked and unlocked positions.
- the actuator 44 may the simultaneously extend or retract the projections 42 so that each projection has the same position after operation of the actuator 44 .
- each of the projections 42 may be part of a pair of opposing projections 42 .
- the opposing projections 42 may be in longitudinal alignment along longitudinal axis C as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 .
- the opposing projections 42 may be substantially rigid to facilitate breaking of the projection 42 when the plug 18 is pulled away from the charge port 12 at a substantial force.
- the opposing projections 42 engage opposing sides of the plug 18 to secure or fasten the plug 18 and the charge port 12 together and prevent unauthorized disengagement of the plug 18 from the port 12 .
- the opposing projections 42 may extend from the charge port 12 to engage inward facing sides 48 of the plug 18 .
- the opposing projections 42 may extend from a flange 50 on the charge port 12 into a recess or cavity in the sides 48 of the plug 18 .
- the projections 42 of FIG. 5 are shown as rods, the projections 42 may be tabs or other suitable projections to engage the plug 18 .
- the inward facing sides 48 of the plug 18 are spaced around an exterior surface of the cylindrical cover 28 .
- the cylindrical cover 28 and the inward facing sides 48 of the plug 18 define a gap 52 .
- the flange 50 of the charge port 12 may be received within the gap 52 when the plug 18 is inserted in the charge port 12 .
- the contact area or distal end 46 of the projections 42 may have a curvature matching or substantially conforming to the outer curvature of the flange 50 to facilitate removable insertion of the plug 18 in the charge port 12 .
- FIG. 5 depicts the locked position of the projections 42 as a result of the actuator 44 extending the projections 42 toward the inward facing sides 48 , through the gap 52 , and into the recess defined in the plug 18 .
- the opposing projections 42 may be wing-like projections 54 to engage the plug 18 .
- FIG. 6 shows the wing-like projections 54 in a retracted unlocked position.
- FIG. 6 shows an extended locked position of the wing-like projections 54 in phantom lines.
- the actuator 44 retracts the wing-like projections 54 away from the plug 18 , such as away from the exterior surface of the cylindrical cover 28 as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
- the actuator 44 extends the wing-like projections 54 toward the plug 18 to engage opposing sides of the plug 18 , such as the exterior surface of the cylindrical cover 28 .
- the system 40 may include a cam 56 .
- the cam 56 may taper inward from a larger perimeter 58 to a smaller perimeter 60 .
- the larger and smaller perimeters 58 , 60 may define diameters. In such an example, the diameter of the larger perimeter 58 is greater than the diameter of the smaller perimeter 60 .
- the actuator 44 moves the cam 56 to engage the projections 42 and selectively extend and retract the projections 42 between the locked and unlocked positions.
- the actuator 44 may extend the projections 42 from the unlocked position to the locked position by moving the cam 56 in a direction generally away the plug 18 , for example, to rotate the wing-like projections 54 toward each other to engage the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 .
- the projections 42 may slide along the cam 56 in a direction from the larger perimeter 58 to the smaller perimeter 60 as the cam 56 moves in the direction generally away from the plug 18 .
- the actuator 44 may retract the projections 42 from the locked position to the unlocked position by moving the cam 56 in a direction generally toward the plug 18 .
- the projections 42 may slide along the cam 56 in a direction from the smaller perimeter 60 to the larger perimeter 58 of the cam 56 for the projections 42 to obtain the unlocked position.
- the cylindrical cover 28 may include a groove to receive a portion of the wing-like projections 54 to secure the plug 18 and the charge port 12 together as well as to enhance preventing unauthorized disengagement of the plug 18 from the port 12 .
- FIG. 7 depicts the locked position of the projections 42 , such as after the actuator 44 has extended the projections 42 into the recess defined in the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 .
- the projections 42 of FIG. 7 are shown as elongated elements, such as rods or other elongated cylindrical elements.
- the opposing projections 42 extend from the charge port 12 to engage opposing portions of the plug 18 .
- the opposing projections 42 may extend to engage sides of the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 .
- the opposing projections 42 may extend or face toward each other as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the projections 42 extend from the actuator 44 , through the flange 50 on the charge port 12 , and into respective recesses or cavities in the cylindrical cover 28 of the plug 18 .
- the contact area or distal end 46 of the projections 42 of FIG. 7 may have a curvature matching or substantially conforming to the inner curvature of the cylindrical cover 28 .
- the distal end 46 of the projections 42 may substantially conform to the inner curvature of the cylindrical cover 28 to increase the surface area between the projections 42 and the cylindrical cover 28 .
- the distal end 46 may substantially conform to the inner curvature of the cylindrical cover 28 to enhance preventing unauthorized disengagement of the plug 18 from the port 12 without the projections 42 completely passing through the side of the cylindrical cover 28 .
- the system 40 may include a release mechanism 62 .
- the release mechanism 62 operates independently of the actuator 44 to retract the projection 42 from the plug 18 .
- the release mechanism 62 may be a cable extending inside the vehicle 10 that is pulled to retract the projection 42 from the plug 18 , thereby allowing disengagement of the plug 18 and the charge port 12 .
- a person having access to inside the vehicle 10 can pull the release mechanism 62 to disengage the plug 18 and the charge port 12 without operation from the actuator 44 , which may be desirable or useful in a situation where the vehicle 10 experiences a loss of electric power.
- the actuator 44 may include a mechanical device that selectively extends and retracts the projection 42 between the locked and unlocked positions based on mechanical movement of an input device 64 .
- the input device 64 may include a locking mechanism for a door in the vehicle 10 .
- the mechanical device of the actuator 44 may extend the projection 42 to the locked position when the locking mechanism mechanically locks the door.
- the locking mechanism mechanically moves the mechanical device when the locking mechanism is moved to lock the door in the vehicle 10 .
- the mechanical device of the actuator 44 may retract the projection 42 to the unlocked position when the door locking mechanism mechanically unlocks the door.
- the system 40 may include a logic device (LD) or controller 70 .
- the controller or LD 70 can be implemented by various types or combinations of electronic devices and/or microprocessor-based computers or controllers.
- the controller 70 may execute a computer program or algorithm embedded or encoded with the method and stored in a storage medium 72 .
- the controller 70 may execute logic encoded in a logic or gate array stored on one or more integrated circuit chips to execute the computer program or algorithm with the method.
- the controller 70 is shown as a single hardware device, the controller 70 may include multiple logic devices in the form of multiple hardware devices, or multiple software logic devices within one or more hardware devices.
- the storage medium 72 may be volatile and/or persistent memory, such as computer-readable memory to store the computer program or algorithm embedded or encoded with the method.
- the memory 72 can be part of the controller 70 as shown in FIG. 1 . However, the memory 72 may be positioned in any suitable location accessible by the controller 70 .
- the actuator 44 may be an electro-mechanical actuator 44 that the controller 70 can control along communication path 74 .
- Communication path 74 may be a wireless path or a wired connection depending on the configuration of the system 40 .
- the controller 70 controls the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to selectively extend and retract the one or more projections 42 .
- the controller 70 can control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend or retract the projection 42 when the controller 70 obtains authorization to respectively extend or retract the projection 42 .
- the authorization may include a signal indicating that a specified event or action has occurred concerning the vehicle 10 , a signal indicating a certain condition of the vehicle 10 , a signal having a proper combination code or authorized access to control one or more operations in the vehicle 10 , or a combination thereof.
- the controller 70 may generate the signal internally or receive the signal from an external source, such as another controller, to obtain the authorization.
- the authorization for the controller 70 may include a signal indicating that a vehicle drive start request has occurred for the vehicle 10 .
- the vehicle drive start request represents a request to start the vehicle 10 , such as the electric operation of the vehicle 10 , an internal combustion engine (ICE) in the vehicle 10 , or a combination of both depending on the type of the vehicle 10 .
- the controller 70 controls the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract the projection 42 when the vehicle drive start request has occurred.
- the projection 42 may be retracted to the unlocked position to allow disengagement of the plug 18 from the charge port 12 , such as to stop charging of the battery 14 or to allow the plug 18 to be completely pulled out from the charge port 12 as the vehicle 10 drives away. This may be beneficial or desirable in a situation where a user forgets to remove the plug 18 from the charge port 12 before starting the vehicle 10 .
- the authorization may include a signal indicating a certain driving mode of the vehicle 10 .
- a vehicle system controller (VSC) or powertrain control module (PCM) in the vehicle 10 may provide the driving mode (e.g., park, neutral, forward, and reverse) of the vehicle 10 to the controller 70 .
- the driving mode may be based on a signal having PRNDL position information (i.e., gear shift selection information for park, reverse, neutral, drive, low-drive).
- PRNDL position information i.e., gear shift selection information for park, reverse, neutral, drive, low-drive.
- the controller 70 can control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 .
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract the projection 42 to the unlocked position when the controller 70 obtains a signal indicating that the vehicle 10 has been shifted into drive, low-drive, or reverse. This may be beneficial or desirable in a situation where a user forgets to remove the plug 18 from the charge port 12 before driving the vehicle 10 from one location to another.
- the authorization may include a signal indicating locking or unlocking of at least one door in the vehicle 10 .
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract the projection 42 to the unlocked position when the controller 70 obtains the signal indicating unlocking of a door.
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend the projection 42 to the locked position when the controller 70 obtains the signal indicating locking of one or more doors in the vehicle 10 .
- the authorization for the controller 70 may include obtaining a condition where a predetermined code associated with the vehicle 10 matches an identification code received from a signal.
- the signal may be generated in response to an input from a key fob, such as a command to lock or unlock a door in the vehicle 10 .
- the controller 70 may receive the identification code directly or receive and process the signal to obtain the identification code.
- the controller 70 may access the memory 72 to obtain the predetermined code associated with the vehicle 10 and compare the predetermined code and the identification code. When the predetermined code and the identification code match, the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to move the projection 42 .
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend the projection 42 to the locked position when a user inputs a command on a key fob associated with the vehicle 10 to lock the plug 18 to the vehicle 10 , which may coincide with commanding the key fob to lock a door of the vehicle 10 .
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract the projection 42 to the unlocked position when a user inputs a command on the key fob to unlock the plug 18 from the vehicle 10 , which may coincide with commanding the key fob to unlock the door of the vehicle 10 .
- the authorization for the controller 70 may include a signal indicating an electrical connection has been established between the plug 18 and the charge port 12 .
- the electrical connection may be established between the electrical contacts in the charge port 12 and the electrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown in FIG. 2 ). Whether the electrical connection has been established between the plug 18 and the charge port 12 may be determined based on the vehicle 10 receiving electric power from the power supply 20 via the charge port 12 .
- the controller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend the projection 42 to the locked position when the controller 70 obtains the signal indicating that the electrical connection has been established between the plug 18 and the charge port 12 .
- a flowchart diagram 80 is provided to illustrate operation of a system, such as system 40 , or a method of preventing unauthorized disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle.
- the diagram of FIG. 8 provides a representative control strategy for preventing unauthorized disengagement between the plug and the charge port.
- the control strategy or logic illustrated in FIG. 8 may be implemented by one or more logic arrays and/or a microprocessor based computer or controller.
- the control strategy may include instructions or code processed using any of a number of known strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like.
- various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted.
- one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular implementation. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the described features and advantages, but is provided for ease of illustration and description.
- the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers and/or electronic devices depending upon the particular application.
- the control logic is preferably provided in one or more computer-readable storage media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the engine.
- the computer-readable storage media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, optical, and/or hybrid storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.
- FIG. 8 the vehicle 10 and components illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 may be referenced throughout the discussion of the method to facilitate understanding of various aspects of the method.
- authorization is obtained to move the projection 42 disposed on the vehicle 10 .
- the controller 70 may obtain the authorization either internally or from a signal that the controller 70 receives external to the controller 70 .
- actuation is controlled to extend the projection 42 to a locked position to engage the electrical plug 18 in response to the authorization.
- unauthorized disengagement between the plug 18 and the charge port 12 is prevented when the projection 42 is in the locked position.
- preventing unauthorized disengagement may include engaging the latching mechanism 26 of the plug 18 to prevent movement of the latching mechanism 26 when the projection 42 is in the locked position.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Technical Field
- The present invention generally relates to engagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on a vehicle.
- 2. Background Art
- A battery electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) generally include a high-voltage storage battery. In operation, the storage battery provides electric power to operate various components in the vehicle, such as an electric motor for driving traction wheels on the vehicle. The storage battery has a state of charge (SOC) and generally includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. The cells store electric charge for the battery, and the SOC of the battery is based on the amount of electric charge in the cells. However, the SOC of the storage battery can decrease when the storage battery provides electric power for the vehicle.
- The SOC of the battery decreases when the storage battery loses electric charge or discharges. When the storage battery discharges, it may be desirable or necessary to charge the storage battery. Consequently, a power source external to the vehicle is often used to charge the storage battery to increase the overall SOC of the storage battery.
- Various connector assemblies have been proposed to electrically connect the storage battery to the power source for charging the storage battery in the vehicle. For example, the connector assembly may include a vehicle-side connector housing and vehicle-side terminals. The vehicle-side connector housing is mounted on the body of the vehicle. The vehicle-side terminals are enclosed in the vehicle-side connector housing and are connected to the storage battery of the vehicle. In addition, the connector assembly may include a power-source-side connector having a power-source-side connector housing and power-source-side terminals enclosed in the power-source-side connector housing. The power-source-side connector housing mates with the vehicle-side connector housing so that the power-source-side terminals can connect to the vehicle-side terminals.
- After mating of the power-source-side connector housing and the vehicle-side connector housing, a person may not want to supervise or attend to various issues or situations that may arise during charging of the battery. For example, the person may not want to attend to ensuring the power-source-side connector and the vehicle-side connector remain properly mated during charging of the battery. Similarly, the person may not wish to attend to preventing others from interrupting charging of the battery.
- After mating of the power-source-side connector housing and the vehicle-side connector housing, theft prevention or deterrence may be desirable or necessary. For example, preventing or deterring theft of a cord set, which may include the power-source-side connector housing and power-source-side terminals. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to prevent or deter theft of electric power outputted from the power-source-side terminals. For example, this may occur at a charging station when a first person leaves the vehicle unattended at the charging station and a second person decides to charge his vehicle using electric power owned by, paid by, or otherwise associated with the first person.
- Various embodiments of a system or method are provided for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle.
- The system includes an actuator and at least one projection disposed on the vehicle. The projection has an extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position. The actuator selectively extends and retracts the projection between the locked and unlocked positions. When the projection is in the locked position, the projection engages the plug and prevents disengagement of the plug from the port.
- The method includes obtaining authorization to move a projection disposed on the electric vehicle and, in response to the authorization, controlling actuation to extend the projection to a locked position to engage the electrical plug to prevent disengagement between the plug and the charge port.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric vehicle with a charge port and an electrical plug with a power supply in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the charge port on the vehicle and the electrical plug having a latching mechanism in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system including an actuator and a projection for preventing disengagement between the charge port and the electrical plug in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram likeFIG. 3 , but illustrating the actuator and the projection in accordance with another embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including projections in the charge port to engage the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including wing-like projections to engage the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment; -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system including projections to engage a cylindrical cover of the electric plug in accordance with one embodiment; and -
FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method of preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle in accordance with one embodiment. - Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle.
- With reference to
FIG. 1 , an electric vehicle 10 (hereinafter “vehicle”) is provided with acharge port 12. Thevehicle 10 may be any type of electric vehicle that includes thecharge port 12 for receiving electric power, such as a plug-in electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), a pure electric vehicle, etc. - The
charge port 12 ofFIG. 1 is shown connected to astorage battery 14, such as a high-voltage electric storage battery that outputs and stores high-voltage electric power for thevehicle 10. However, thecharge port 12 may be connected to other electric devices or components in thevehicle 10 that operate on electric power. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , an electrical wire orcable 16 in thevehicle 10 electrically connects thecharge port 12 and thestorage battery 14. Thevehicle 10 may have other electrical wires or cables (not shown) from thecharge port 12 to the other electric devices or components in thevehicle 10. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , anelectrical plug 18 is provided to facilitate transferring electric energy from apower supply 20 to thevehicle 10. Thepower supply 20 may be a home power outlet or a charging station. Thepower supply 20 may be a direct current (DC) power source and/or an alternating current (AC) power source. For example, thepower supply 20 may provide a 120-volt or 240-volt AC single-phase nominal supply voltage. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , acharge cord 22 electrically connects thepower supply 20 and theplug 18. - However, other conductive cables or devices may be used in place of the
charge cord 22 to electrically connect thepower supply 20 and theplug 18. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , theelectrical plug 18 is removably inserted in thecharge port 12. When theplug 18 is properly inserted in thecharge port 12, theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 mate and an electrical connection is made between electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 andelectrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown inFIG. 2 ). The electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 may disposed within one or more of the five circular ports defined in thecharge port 12 as illustrated inFIGS. 5-7 . When thecharge port 12 and theplug 18 are electrically connected, thevehicle 10 can receive electric power from thepower supply 20, for example, to charge thebattery 14 to a higher state of charge (SOC). - With reference to
FIG. 2 , one or more of theelectrical contacts 24 of theplug 18 are used to transfer electric power from thepower supply 20 to the electrical contacts in thecharge port 12. For example, theelectrical contacts 24 in theplug 18 may include an AC power pin, a neutral or secondary AC power pin, a control pilot pin, a proximity detection pin, a ground pin, or a combination thereof depending on the configuration of thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10. Theelectrical contacts 24 in theplug 18 may vary in size and shape. Likewise, the electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 corresponding to theelectrical contacts 24 in theplug 18 may vary in size and shape. - While the
electrical contacts 24 in theplug 18 ofFIG. 2 are shown as male contacts to mate with female electrical contacts in thecharge port 12, theelectrical contacts 24 may be female contacts to mate with male electrical contacts in thecharge port 12. Thus, the electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 may be of the male type, female type, or a combination of both types of electrical contacts depending on the configuration of thecharge port 12. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2 , theplug 18 may have alatching mechanism 26. Thelatching mechanism 26 latches theplug 18 to thecharge port 12 to engage and secure theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 together. While thelatching mechanism 26 is shown above acylindrical cover 28 of theelectrical contacts 24 in theplug 18, thelatching mechanism 26 may be positioned at any suitable portion of theplug 18 to latch theplug 18 to thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10. - With continuing reference to
FIG. 2 , thecharge port 12 may receive thecylindrical cover 28 when theplug 18 is inserted in thecharge port 12. Furthermore, as theplug 18 is moved along longitudinal axis A (shown inFIG. 2 ) toward thecharge port 12, thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18 may insertably guide theplug 18 into thecharge port 12 as well as facilitate proper alignment of theelectrical contacts 24 in theplug 18 with the electrical contacts in thecharge port 12. Thus, thecylindrical cover 28 may guide movement of theplug 18 along longitudinal axis A to insert theplug 18 into thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theplug 18 may include apress button 30. A user can depress thepress button 30 to move or pivot thelatching mechanism 26 relative to thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18. While thelatching mechanism 26 ofFIG. 1 can be actuated with thepress button 30, a trigger or other hand-operated device may be used to move or pivot thelatching mechanism 26. When thelatching mechanism 26 moves or pivots, theplug 18 may be allowed to release or disengage from thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10. Furthermore, theplug 18 can be pulled out of thecharge port 12 when theplug 18 is disengaged from thecharge port 12. - When latching
mechanism 26 is unlatched from thecharge port 12, the electrical connection between thecharge port 12 and theplug 18 may be interrupted. For example, when theplug 18 is unlatched and further separated or moved away from thecharge port 12, thecharge port 12 and theplug 18 electrically disconnect. Thus, charging of thebattery 14 may be interrupted or stopped when theplug 18 is disengaged from thecharge port 12. In addition, disengagement between theplug 18 and theport 12 may give an unauthorized person access to the electric power provided by theplug 18 and/or an opportunity to remove theplug 18 from thevehicle 10. - With reference to
FIG. 3 , asystem 40 is provided for preventing unauthorized disengagement between theelectrical plug 18 and thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10. Thesystem 40 and its method of operation are described in a general fashion to facilitate understanding of various aspects of thesystem 40 and method. - As shown in
FIGS. 3-4 , thesystem 40 includes at least oneprojection 42 and anactuator 44. Theprojection 42 is disposed on thevehicle 10 and has an extended locked position (as shown inFIGS. 3-4 ) and a retracted unlocked position. Theprojection 42 moves toward theactuator 44 when theprojection 42 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. In operation, theactuator 44 extends theprojection 42 to the locked position and retracts theprojection 42 to the unlocked position. For example, theactuator 44 may selectively extend and retract theprojection 42 along longitudinal axis B as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4 . - To obtain the unlocked position, the
projection 42 disposed on thevehicle 10 is retracted from theplug 18. The unlocked position allows disengagement of theplug 18 from thecharge port 12. For example, theplug 18 may be allowed to disengage from theport 12 when thelatching mechanism 26 unlatches from theport 12 and theplug 18 is pulled out of theport 12. - To obtain the locked position, the
projection 42 is extended away from theactuator 44 toward theplug 18 to engage theplug 18. When theprojection 42 engages theplug 18 to obtain the locked position, unauthorized disengagement of theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 is prevented. When theprojection 42 engages theplug 18, theprojection 42 secures or fastens theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 together and an electrical connection is established between electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 andelectrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown inFIG. 2 ). For example, theprojection 42 may engage thelatching mechanism 26 of theplug 18 in one embodiment (shown inFIGS. 3-4 ) to prevent movement of thelatching mechanism 26 when theprojection 42 is in the locked position. When theprojection 42 prevents movement of thelatching mechanism 26, disengagement of theplug 18 from thecharge port 12 is prevented. In such an example where theprojection 42 is in the locked position, thelatching mechanism 26 is prevented from being pivoted away from thecharge port 12 to unlatch theplug 18 from theport 12 on thevehicle 10. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3-4 , theprojection 42 includes a contact area ordistal end 46 that contacts a contact surface of theplug 18 when theactuator 44 extends theprojection 42 toward theplug 18. For example, theprojection 42 may contact an upper surface of thelatching mechanism 26 and prevent pivotal movement of thelatching mechanism 26 when theprojection 42 is in the locked position. Theprojection 42 may be an elongated element, such as a pin or rod as illustrated inFIGS. 3-4 , or a non-elongated element depending on the configuration of thesystem 40. - As shown in
FIGS. 5-7 , the at least oneprojection 42 of thesystem 40 may include a plurality ofprojections 42 disposed on thevehicle 10. Theprojections 42 have extended locked positions and retracted unlocked positions. In operation, theactuator 44 selectively extends and retracts theprojections 42 between the locked and unlocked positions. For example, theactuator 44 may the simultaneously extend or retract theprojections 42 so that each projection has the same position after operation of theactuator 44. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 5-7 , each of theprojections 42 may be part of a pair of opposingprojections 42. The opposingprojections 42 may be in longitudinal alignment along longitudinal axis C as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7 . Furthermore, the opposingprojections 42 may be substantially rigid to facilitate breaking of theprojection 42 when theplug 18 is pulled away from thecharge port 12 at a substantial force. When the opposingprojections 42 are in the locked position, the opposingprojections 42 engage opposing sides of theplug 18 to secure or fasten theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 together and prevent unauthorized disengagement of theplug 18 from theport 12. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , the opposingprojections 42 may extend from thecharge port 12 to engage inward facingsides 48 of theplug 18. For example, the opposingprojections 42 may extend from aflange 50 on thecharge port 12 into a recess or cavity in thesides 48 of theplug 18. While theprojections 42 ofFIG. 5 are shown as rods, theprojections 42 may be tabs or other suitable projections to engage theplug 18. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the inward facing sides 48 of theplug 18 are spaced around an exterior surface of thecylindrical cover 28. Thecylindrical cover 28 and the inward facing sides 48 of theplug 18 define agap 52. As shown inFIG. 5 , theflange 50 of thecharge port 12 may be received within thegap 52 when theplug 18 is inserted in thecharge port 12. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , the contact area ordistal end 46 of theprojections 42 may have a curvature matching or substantially conforming to the outer curvature of theflange 50 to facilitate removable insertion of theplug 18 in thecharge port 12.FIG. 5 depicts the locked position of theprojections 42 as a result of theactuator 44 extending theprojections 42 toward the inward facing sides 48, through thegap 52, and into the recess defined in theplug 18. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , the opposingprojections 42 may be wing-like projections 54 to engage theplug 18.FIG. 6 shows the wing-like projections 54 in a retracted unlocked position. In addition,FIG. 6 shows an extended locked position of the wing-like projections 54 in phantom lines. To obtain the unlocked position, theactuator 44 retracts the wing-like projections 54 away from theplug 18, such as away from the exterior surface of thecylindrical cover 28 as illustrated inFIG. 6 . To obtain the locked position, theactuator 44 extends the wing-like projections 54 toward theplug 18 to engage opposing sides of theplug 18, such as the exterior surface of thecylindrical cover 28. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , thesystem 40 may include acam 56. Thecam 56 may taper inward from alarger perimeter 58 to asmaller perimeter 60. For example, the larger andsmaller perimeters larger perimeter 58 is greater than the diameter of thesmaller perimeter 60. In operation, theactuator 44 moves thecam 56 to engage theprojections 42 and selectively extend and retract theprojections 42 between the locked and unlocked positions. - In an embodiment where the
system 40 includes thecam 56 to obtain the locked position, theactuator 44 may extend theprojections 42 from the unlocked position to the locked position by moving thecam 56 in a direction generally away theplug 18, for example, to rotate the wing-like projections 54 toward each other to engage thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18. Theprojections 42 may slide along thecam 56 in a direction from thelarger perimeter 58 to thesmaller perimeter 60 as thecam 56 moves in the direction generally away from theplug 18. - In an embodiment where the
system 40 includes thecam 56 to obtain the unlocked position, theactuator 44 may retract theprojections 42 from the locked position to the unlocked position by moving thecam 56 in a direction generally toward theplug 18. When thecam 56 is moved in the direction generally toward theplug 18, theprojections 42 may slide along thecam 56 in a direction from thesmaller perimeter 60 to thelarger perimeter 58 of thecam 56 for theprojections 42 to obtain the unlocked position. - Referring again to
FIG. 6 , thecylindrical cover 28 may include a groove to receive a portion of the wing-like projections 54 to secure theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 together as well as to enhance preventing unauthorized disengagement of theplug 18 from theport 12. -
FIG. 7 depicts the locked position of theprojections 42, such as after theactuator 44 has extended theprojections 42 into the recess defined in thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18. When theprojections 42 engages the opposing portions of theplug 18 to obtain the locked position, unauthorized disengagement of theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 is prevented. Theprojections 42 ofFIG. 7 are shown as elongated elements, such as rods or other elongated cylindrical elements. - In the locked position as shown in
FIG. 7 , the opposingprojections 42 extend from thecharge port 12 to engage opposing portions of theplug 18. For example, the opposingprojections 42 may extend to engage sides of thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18. Furthermore, the opposingprojections 42 may extend or face toward each other as shown inFIG. 7 . To obtain the locked position, as shown inFIG. 7 , theprojections 42 extend from theactuator 44, through theflange 50 on thecharge port 12, and into respective recesses or cavities in thecylindrical cover 28 of theplug 18. - The contact area or
distal end 46 of theprojections 42 ofFIG. 7 may have a curvature matching or substantially conforming to the inner curvature of thecylindrical cover 28. Thedistal end 46 of theprojections 42 may substantially conform to the inner curvature of thecylindrical cover 28 to increase the surface area between theprojections 42 and thecylindrical cover 28. Furthermore, thedistal end 46 may substantially conform to the inner curvature of thecylindrical cover 28 to enhance preventing unauthorized disengagement of theplug 18 from theport 12 without theprojections 42 completely passing through the side of thecylindrical cover 28. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3-4 , thesystem 40 may include arelease mechanism 62. Therelease mechanism 62 operates independently of theactuator 44 to retract theprojection 42 from theplug 18. For example, therelease mechanism 62 may be a cable extending inside thevehicle 10 that is pulled to retract theprojection 42 from theplug 18, thereby allowing disengagement of theplug 18 and thecharge port 12. A person having access to inside thevehicle 10 can pull therelease mechanism 62 to disengage theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 without operation from theactuator 44, which may be desirable or useful in a situation where thevehicle 10 experiences a loss of electric power. - With continuing reference to
FIGS. 3-4 , theactuator 44 may include a mechanical device that selectively extends and retracts theprojection 42 between the locked and unlocked positions based on mechanical movement of aninput device 64. For example, theinput device 64 may include a locking mechanism for a door in thevehicle 10. In operation, the mechanical device of theactuator 44 may extend theprojection 42 to the locked position when the locking mechanism mechanically locks the door. In such an example, the locking mechanism mechanically moves the mechanical device when the locking mechanism is moved to lock the door in thevehicle 10. Similarly, the mechanical device of theactuator 44 may retract theprojection 42 to the unlocked position when the door locking mechanism mechanically unlocks the door. - Referring again to
FIGS. 3-4 , thesystem 40 may include a logic device (LD) orcontroller 70. The controller orLD 70 can be implemented by various types or combinations of electronic devices and/or microprocessor-based computers or controllers. To implement a method of preventing unauthorized disengagement between theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 on thevehicle 10, thecontroller 70 may execute a computer program or algorithm embedded or encoded with the method and stored in astorage medium 72. Alternatively, thecontroller 70 may execute logic encoded in a logic or gate array stored on one or more integrated circuit chips to execute the computer program or algorithm with the method. Although thecontroller 70 is shown as a single hardware device, thecontroller 70 may include multiple logic devices in the form of multiple hardware devices, or multiple software logic devices within one or more hardware devices. - As shown in
FIGS. 3-4 , the storage medium 72 (hereinafter “memory”) may be volatile and/or persistent memory, such as computer-readable memory to store the computer program or algorithm embedded or encoded with the method. Thememory 72 can be part of thecontroller 70 as shown inFIG. 1 . However, thememory 72 may be positioned in any suitable location accessible by thecontroller 70. - As depicted in
FIGS. 3-4 , theactuator 44 may be an electro-mechanical actuator 44 that thecontroller 70 can control alongcommunication path 74.Communication path 74 may be a wireless path or a wired connection depending on the configuration of thesystem 40. In operation, thecontroller 70 controls the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to selectively extend and retract the one ormore projections 42. - The
controller 70 can control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend or retract theprojection 42 when thecontroller 70 obtains authorization to respectively extend or retract theprojection 42. The authorization may include a signal indicating that a specified event or action has occurred concerning thevehicle 10, a signal indicating a certain condition of thevehicle 10, a signal having a proper combination code or authorized access to control one or more operations in thevehicle 10, or a combination thereof. Thecontroller 70 may generate the signal internally or receive the signal from an external source, such as another controller, to obtain the authorization. - The authorization for the
controller 70 may include a signal indicating that a vehicle drive start request has occurred for thevehicle 10. The vehicle drive start request represents a request to start thevehicle 10, such as the electric operation of thevehicle 10, an internal combustion engine (ICE) in thevehicle 10, or a combination of both depending on the type of thevehicle 10. In such an example, thecontroller 70 controls the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract theprojection 42 when the vehicle drive start request has occurred. Theprojection 42 may be retracted to the unlocked position to allow disengagement of theplug 18 from thecharge port 12, such as to stop charging of thebattery 14 or to allow theplug 18 to be completely pulled out from thecharge port 12 as thevehicle 10 drives away. This may be beneficial or desirable in a situation where a user forgets to remove theplug 18 from thecharge port 12 before starting thevehicle 10. - The authorization may include a signal indicating a certain driving mode of the
vehicle 10. For example, a vehicle system controller (VSC) or powertrain control module (PCM) in thevehicle 10 may provide the driving mode (e.g., park, neutral, forward, and reverse) of thevehicle 10 to thecontroller 70. In such an example, the driving mode may be based on a signal having PRNDL position information (i.e., gear shift selection information for park, reverse, neutral, drive, low-drive). Based on the driving mode of thevehicle 10, thecontroller 70 can control the electro-mechanical actuator 44. For example, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract theprojection 42 to the unlocked position when thecontroller 70 obtains a signal indicating that thevehicle 10 has been shifted into drive, low-drive, or reverse. This may be beneficial or desirable in a situation where a user forgets to remove theplug 18 from thecharge port 12 before driving thevehicle 10 from one location to another. - The authorization may include a signal indicating locking or unlocking of at least one door in the
vehicle 10. For example, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract theprojection 42 to the unlocked position when thecontroller 70 obtains the signal indicating unlocking of a door. Similarly, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend theprojection 42 to the locked position when thecontroller 70 obtains the signal indicating locking of one or more doors in thevehicle 10. - In another example, the authorization for the
controller 70 may include obtaining a condition where a predetermined code associated with thevehicle 10 matches an identification code received from a signal. For example, the signal may be generated in response to an input from a key fob, such as a command to lock or unlock a door in thevehicle 10. For example, thecontroller 70 may receive the identification code directly or receive and process the signal to obtain the identification code. Once thecontroller 70 obtains the identification code, thecontroller 70 may access thememory 72 to obtain the predetermined code associated with thevehicle 10 and compare the predetermined code and the identification code. When the predetermined code and the identification code match, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to move theprojection 42. For example, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend theprojection 42 to the locked position when a user inputs a command on a key fob associated with thevehicle 10 to lock theplug 18 to thevehicle 10, which may coincide with commanding the key fob to lock a door of thevehicle 10. Similarly, thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to retract theprojection 42 to the unlocked position when a user inputs a command on the key fob to unlock theplug 18 from thevehicle 10, which may coincide with commanding the key fob to unlock the door of thevehicle 10. - In yet another example, the authorization for the
controller 70 may include a signal indicating an electrical connection has been established between theplug 18 and thecharge port 12. The electrical connection may be established between the electrical contacts in thecharge port 12 and theelectrical contacts 24 in the plug 18 (shown inFIG. 2 ). Whether the electrical connection has been established between theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 may be determined based on thevehicle 10 receiving electric power from thepower supply 20 via thecharge port 12. Thecontroller 70 may control the electro-mechanical actuator 44 to extend theprojection 42 to the locked position when thecontroller 70 obtains the signal indicating that the electrical connection has been established between theplug 18 and thecharge port 12. - With reference to
FIG. 8 , a flowchart diagram 80 is provided to illustrate operation of a system, such assystem 40, or a method of preventing unauthorized disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle. The diagram ofFIG. 8 provides a representative control strategy for preventing unauthorized disengagement between the plug and the charge port. - The control strategy or logic illustrated in
FIG. 8 may be implemented by one or more logic arrays and/or a microprocessor based computer or controller. When implemented by a microprocessor based controller, the control strategy may include instructions or code processed using any of a number of known strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. Whether implemented primarily in code or hardware devices, various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular implementation. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the described features and advantages, but is provided for ease of illustration and description. - The control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers and/or electronic devices depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic is preferably provided in one or more computer-readable storage media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control the engine. The computer-readable storage media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, optical, and/or hybrid storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.
- Referring to
FIG. 8 , thevehicle 10 and components illustrated inFIGS. 1-7 may be referenced throughout the discussion of the method to facilitate understanding of various aspects of the method. - At
block 82 of flowchart diagram 80, authorization is obtained to move theprojection 42 disposed on thevehicle 10. Thecontroller 70 may obtain the authorization either internally or from a signal that thecontroller 70 receives external to thecontroller 70. - At
block 84, actuation is controlled to extend theprojection 42 to a locked position to engage theelectrical plug 18 in response to the authorization. - At
block 86, unauthorized disengagement between theplug 18 and thecharge port 12 is prevented when theprojection 42 is in the locked position. For example, preventing unauthorized disengagement may include engaging thelatching mechanism 26 of theplug 18 to prevent movement of thelatching mechanism 26 when theprojection 42 is in the locked position. - While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/796,256 US8075329B1 (en) | 2010-06-08 | 2010-06-08 | Method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle |
GB201108761A GB2481097B (en) | 2010-06-08 | 2011-05-25 | Method and apparatus for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle |
CN201110153469.5A CN102315559B (en) | 2010-06-08 | 2011-05-31 | System for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/796,256 US8075329B1 (en) | 2010-06-08 | 2010-06-08 | Method and system for preventing disengagement between an electrical plug and a charge port on an electric vehicle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110300733A1 true US20110300733A1 (en) | 2011-12-08 |
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JP2020532071A (en) * | 2017-08-28 | 2020-11-05 | ティーイー コネクティビティ ジャーマニー ゲゼルシャフト ミット ベシュレンクテル ハフツンクTE Connectivity Germany GmbH | Plug socket with locking element movable in the plug-in direction |
JP7012829B2 (en) | 2017-08-28 | 2022-01-28 | ティーイー コネクティビティ ジャーマニー ゲゼルシャフト ミット ベシュレンクテル ハフツンク | Plug socket with locking element movable in the plug-in direction |
US11001160B2 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2021-05-11 | Audi Ag | Electrically operated vehicle having charging cable |
US11447028B2 (en) | 2018-06-05 | 2022-09-20 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Charger authorized removal method and authorized removal system |
US11554682B2 (en) * | 2018-07-11 | 2023-01-17 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Charging device for charging a battery of an electrically operated motor vehicle |
DE102019212431B3 (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2020-11-19 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Charging socket of an electric or hybrid vehicle |
TWI784701B (en) * | 2021-09-03 | 2022-11-21 | 太康精密股份有限公司 | Electrical connectors for power and signal transmission |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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GB2481097B (en) | 2015-05-13 |
US8075329B1 (en) | 2011-12-13 |
CN102315559B (en) | 2015-03-18 |
GB2481097A (en) | 2011-12-14 |
CN102315559A (en) | 2012-01-11 |
GB201108761D0 (en) | 2011-07-06 |
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