ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGE CORD LOCK
First Claim
1. A charge cord lock system for a vehicle having a rechargeable battery, the charge cord lock system comprising:
- a vehicle structure defining a charging receptacle;
a charge cord assembly having a charge plug configured to be slidably received in the charging receptacle, the charge plug including a retention recess recessed into a side of the charge plug, the retention recess defining a retention flange;
a cord lock including a catch mounted to a plunger, the plunger mounted to an actuator that is configured to selectively move the plunger toward and away from the charging receptacle, the catch configured to be engageable with the retention flange when the plunger is in an extended position to prevent removal of the charge plug from the charging receptacle and not engageable with the retention flange when the plunger is in a retracted position; and
a controller in communication with a vehicle door lock/unlock request mechanism and the actuator, the controller configured to cause the actuator to move the plunger to the retracted position when a door unlock signal is received from the lock/unlock request mechanism and to cause the actuator to move the plunger to the extended position when a door lock signal is received from the lock/unlock request mechanism.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A charge cord lock system for a vehicle having rechargeable batteries. The system includes a charging receptacle; and a charge cord assembly having a charge plug slidably received in the charging receptacle and including a recess defining a retention flange. The system also includes a cord lock including a catch mounted to a plunger, with the plunger mounted to an actuator that moves the plunger toward and away from the charging receptacle, the catch engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in an extended position and not engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in a retracted position; and a controller in communication with a door lock mechanism and the actuator to cause the plunger to move to the retracted position when a door unlock signal is received and to cause the plunger to move to the extended position when a door lock signal is received.
36 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A charge cord lock system for a vehicle having a rechargeable battery, the charge cord lock system comprising:
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a vehicle structure defining a charging receptacle; a charge cord assembly having a charge plug configured to be slidably received in the charging receptacle, the charge plug including a retention recess recessed into a side of the charge plug, the retention recess defining a retention flange; a cord lock including a catch mounted to a plunger, the plunger mounted to an actuator that is configured to selectively move the plunger toward and away from the charging receptacle, the catch configured to be engageable with the retention flange when the plunger is in an extended position to prevent removal of the charge plug from the charging receptacle and not engageable with the retention flange when the plunger is in a retracted position; and a controller in communication with a vehicle door lock/unlock request mechanism and the actuator, the controller configured to cause the actuator to move the plunger to the retracted position when a door unlock signal is received from the lock/unlock request mechanism and to cause the actuator to move the plunger to the extended position when a door lock signal is received from the lock/unlock request mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selectively retaining a charge plug of a charge cord assembly in a charging receptacle of vehicle structure for a vehicle having a rechargeable battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a vehicle door lock signal; (b) after receiving the vehicle door lock signal in step (a), moving a plunger of a cord lock to an extended position, causing a catch mounted on the plunger to move into engagement with a retention flange on the charge plug when the charge plug is installed in the charging receptacle, thereby preventing the charge plug from being removed from the receptacle; (c) receiving a vehicle door unlock signal; and (d) after receiving the vehicle door unlock signal in step (c), moving the plunger of the cord lock to a retracted position, causing the catch to remain out of engagement with the retention flange on the charge plug when the charge plug is installed in the charging receptacle, thereby allowing the charge plug to be removed from the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification