Charge port assembly and molding method

• US 10,418,746 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2016
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sanchez Patino, Francisco Damian, Perez Barrera, Victor Ariel, Contreras sosa, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Truc T
• Application Number:
  US15/358,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20180145442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1673 injecting the first layer, then feeding the insert, then injecting the second layer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/04 using movable moulds or mould halvesB29C45/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14065 Positioning or centering articles in the mould
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1671 with an insert
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/40 Removing or ejecting moulded articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/30 Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof vanes or blades B29L2031/08, air bags B29L2022/027
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/04 Tank inlets B60K15/077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/03493 made of plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/047 Manufacturing of the fuel inlet or connecting elements to fuel inlet, e.g. pipes or venting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/053 with hinged connection to the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A charge port assembly for an electrified vehicle includes a housing having an opening and a first interchangeable seal removably received within the opening. A molding method for molding a charge port assembly includes injecting a first shot of material into a mold cavity to form a housing of the charge port assembly, positioning an insert within the mold cavity, and injecting a second shot of material into the mold cavity to form an interchangeable seal within the housing.

Claims

1. A charge port assembly for an electrified vehicle, comprising:

a housing mounted on said electrified vehicle and including an opening that extends completely through said housing;

a port disposed within said opening, wherein said port is configured to electrically connect an inlet charge coupler for charging said electrified vehicle; and

a first interchangeable seal removably received within said opening and configured to block ingress of contaminants into said port;

a second interchangeable seal removably receivable within said opening after removing said first interchangeable seal;

wherein said second interchangeable seal has a different configuration from said first interchangeable seal.

2. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is made of a first material and said first interchangeable seal is made of a second, different material.

3. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said first material includes a hard shot thermoplastic material and said second material includes a soft shot thermoplastic material.

4. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a hinge arm.

5. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first interchangeable seal is received within said opening by an interference fit.

6. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first interchangeable seal include an opening.

7. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the port of the charge port assembly is accessible through said opening of said first interchangeable seal.

8. The charge port assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first interchangeable seal includes a flange that abuts a surface of said housing surrounding said opening of said housing.