PASSIVE CHARGE CORD RELEASE SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE

• US 20120232761A1
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: CHARNESKY, Scott P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,712,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/60 Monitoring or controlling charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, passive release of a charge cord is provided for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a charging port having one or more sensors for detecting movement of the charging cable relative to the charging port. A transceiver responds to the detected movement by transmitting an authentication request and receiving an authentication signal, which is processed by a controller and unlocks the charging cable from the charging port responsive to verifying the authentication signal. In an exemplary method, an authentication request is transmitted responsive to detecting an uncoupling action of the charging cable from a vehicle. Upon receipt and verification of an authentication signal, the charging cable is automatically unlocked and unlatched facilitating release of the charging cable. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the charging cable can be passively released from the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

transmitting an authentication request responsive to detecting an uncoupling action for a charging cable coupled to a vehicle; and

receiving an authentication signal and unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle upon verification of the authentication signal;

wherein the charging cable can be released from the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the uncoupling action for the charging cable further comprises detecting movement of the charging cable relative to a charging port.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of detecting movement of the charging cable relative to a charging port comprises detecting at least one motion of the following group of motions:

push, pull, bend or rotate.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from the charging port.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlocking a door on the vehicle.

7. A method, comprising:

initiating authentication process responsive to detecting an user interaction with a charging cable coupled to a vehicle; and

unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle upon completion of the authentication process facilitating releasing the charging cable from the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the authentication process comprises transmitting an authentication request and verifying reception of a correct authentication signal.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from a charging port of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlocking a door on the vehicle.

11. A vehicle having a passive charging cable release system, comprising:

a charging port having one or more sensors for detecting movement of a charging cable relative to the charging port;

a transceiver responsive to the one or more sensors for transmitting an authentication request and receiving an authentication signal; and

a controller coupled to the transceiver and to the one or more sensors for unlocking the charging cable from the charging port responsive to verifying the authentication signal.

12. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, further comprising a locking bolt configured to be retracted into the charging port permitting operation of a charging cable latch to release the charging cable from the charging port.

13. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, further comprising an unlatching bolt configured to automatically release a charging cable latch to release the charging cable from the charging port.

14. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, further comprising a charging port receptacle latch biased to engage a charging cable latch, the charging port receptacle latch configured to selectively release the charging cable latch thereby releasing the charging cable from the charging port.

15. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, wherein the controller unlocks a door of the vehicle responsive to verifying the authentication signal.

16. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, wherein the one or more sensors detect at least one motion of the following group of motions:

push, pull, bend or rotate.

17. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, wherein the charging port is compliant with the J1772 standard.

18. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11, wherein the controller verifies one of multiple authentication signals received responsive to the authentication request.