Vehicle port door with wirelessly actuated unlatching assembly
First Claim
1. A port door unlatching system, comprising:
- an on-board fueling subsystem, comprising;
a vehicle fuel port integrated into a vehicle;
a port door hingeably coupled to said vehicle, wherein in a closed position said port door covers said vehicle fuel port and in an open position said port door provides access to said vehicle fuel port;
a port door latching assembly configured to maintain said port door in said closed position;
a port door unlatching actuator coupled to said port door latching assembly, wherein activation of said port door unlatching actuator unlatches said port door latching assembly allowing said port door to move from said closed position to said open position;
an on-board controller connected to said port door unlatching actuator, said on-board controller configured to activate said port door unlatching actuator upon receipt of an activation signal; and
an on-board receiver connected to said on-board controller and configured to transmit said activation signal to said on-board controller upon receipt of a wirelessly transmitted control signal; and
a fuel delivery subsystem, comprising;
a fuel coupler connected to a fuel source, wherein said fuel coupler and said fuel source are separate and independent of said vehicle, and wherein said fuel coupler is configured to be coupled to said vehicle fuel port and to transfer fuel from said fuel source to said vehicle via said vehicle fuel port;
a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit said control signal to said on-board receiver; and
a transmitter switch integrated into said fuel coupler, wherein toggling said transmitter switch causes said transmitter to wirelessly transmit said control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle'"'"'s fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A port door unlatching system, comprising:
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an on-board fueling subsystem, comprising; a vehicle fuel port integrated into a vehicle; a port door hingeably coupled to said vehicle, wherein in a closed position said port door covers said vehicle fuel port and in an open position said port door provides access to said vehicle fuel port; a port door latching assembly configured to maintain said port door in said closed position; a port door unlatching actuator coupled to said port door latching assembly, wherein activation of said port door unlatching actuator unlatches said port door latching assembly allowing said port door to move from said closed position to said open position; an on-board controller connected to said port door unlatching actuator, said on-board controller configured to activate said port door unlatching actuator upon receipt of an activation signal; and an on-board receiver connected to said on-board controller and configured to transmit said activation signal to said on-board controller upon receipt of a wirelessly transmitted control signal; and a fuel delivery subsystem, comprising; a fuel coupler connected to a fuel source, wherein said fuel coupler and said fuel source are separate and independent of said vehicle, and wherein said fuel coupler is configured to be coupled to said vehicle fuel port and to transfer fuel from said fuel source to said vehicle via said vehicle fuel port; a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit said control signal to said on-board receiver; and a transmitter switch integrated into said fuel coupler, wherein toggling said transmitter switch causes said transmitter to wirelessly transmit said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification