Charge port illumination system for electric vehicle
First Claim
1. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
- a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle;
wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source;
wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source;
wherein said at least one illumination source comprises a light emitting diode;
wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to illuminate said outer portion;
wherein said at least one illumination source is controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source of the electric vehicle; and
wherein illumination of said outer portion varies to indicate the state of charge of the power source of the electric vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; wherein said at least one illumination source comprises a light emitting diode; wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to illuminate said outer portion; wherein said at least one illumination source is controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source of the electric vehicle; and wherein illumination of said outer portion varies to indicate the state of charge of the power source of the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to illuminate said outer portion; and wherein a cover panel is closable to conceal said charge port and openable to expose and access said charge port. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to illuminate said outer portion; wherein a circuit board is disposed at said charge port, and wherein said circuit board has said at least one illumination source and associated circuitry disposed thereat, and wherein said associated circuitry comprises circuit elements used in activating and controlling said at least one illumination source; and wherein said activating event comprises plugging in of the charging source to said charge port. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification