CHARGE PORT LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A charge port lock assembly for use with a charge receptacle on a vehicle having a rechargeable battery, the charge port lock assembly comprising:
- an actuator assembly including an actuator having a post extending therefrom, the actuator energizable to retract the post to a fully retracted position and to move to an extended rest position and a partially retracted rest position after being energized;
a charge port door configured to selectively cover access to the charge receptacle and a door ejection spring configured to bias the charge port door toward an open position;
a charge door lock assembly configured to release the charge port door when the post is in the fully retracted position and to retain the charge port door in the closed position when the post is in the extended rest position and the partially retracted rest position;
a cord lock assembly configured to retain a charge cord assembly in the charge receptacle when the post is in the extended rest position and release the charge cord assembly when the post is in the partially retracted rest position and the fully retracted position; and
a controller for selectively energizing and de-energizing the actuator.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A charge port lock assembly for use with a charge receptacle on a vehicle having a rechargeable battery. The charge port lock assembly may include an actuator assembly including an actuator energizable to retract the post to a retracted position and to move to an extended rest position and a partially retracted rest position; a charge port door that covers the charge receptacle and a has a door ejection spring; a charge door lock assembly that releases the charge port door when the post is in the fully retracted position and retains the charge port door in the closed position when the post is in the other positions; a cord lock assembly that retains a charge cord assembly in the charge receptacle when the post is in the extended rest position and releases the charge cord assembly in the other positions. The controller energizes the actuator.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A charge port lock assembly for use with a charge receptacle on a vehicle having a rechargeable battery, the charge port lock assembly comprising:
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an actuator assembly including an actuator having a post extending therefrom, the actuator energizable to retract the post to a fully retracted position and to move to an extended rest position and a partially retracted rest position after being energized; a charge port door configured to selectively cover access to the charge receptacle and a door ejection spring configured to bias the charge port door toward an open position; a charge door lock assembly configured to release the charge port door when the post is in the fully retracted position and to retain the charge port door in the closed position when the post is in the extended rest position and the partially retracted rest position; a cord lock assembly configured to retain a charge cord assembly in the charge receptacle when the post is in the extended rest position and release the charge cord assembly when the post is in the partially retracted rest position and the fully retracted position; and a controller for selectively energizing and de-energizing the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling a charge port lock assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) energizing an actuator to move a post to a temporary fully retracted position thereby releasing a charge port door, if a vehicle door is locked, the charge port door is closed and a charge port door release button is pressed; (b) after step (a), de-energizing the actuator to move the post to a partially retracted rest position; (c) after step (b), immediately energizing and de-energizing the actuator to thereby move the post to the fully extended rest position; (d) after step (c), inserting a charge cord housing into a charge receptacle to thereby lock a retainer arm of the charge cord housing in the charge receptacle; and (e) after step (d), actuating a vehicle door unlock button to thereby cause the actuator to be energized and de-energized to move the post to the partially retracted rest position, the post moving to the partially retracted rest position releasing the retainer arm from the charge cord receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification