Locking apparatus for electric vehicle charging connector
First Claim
1. Apparatus for locking a charging connector to a charge port of an electric vehicle, comprising:
- a lock member disposed in the electric vehicle and movable between a locked position wherein the lock member inhibits disengagement of the connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein the lock member allows disengagement of the connector from the charge port;
a locking actuator adjacent to the charge port and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position;
an unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position; and
a cam mechanism activated by actuation of the locking actuator to maintain the lock member in the locking position;
wherein the cam mechanism comprises;
a cam surface; and
a follower operatively connected with the lock member and movable relative to the cam surface between a first over-center position wherein the lock member is in the locked position and a second over-center position wherein the lock member is in the unlocked position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A security apparatus for preventing unauthorized disengagement of a charging connector from a charge port of an electric vehicle, for example during the battery charging process. A lock member is disposed on the electric vehicle and is movable between a locked position wherein it inhibits disengagement of the charging connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein it allows disengagement of the connector from the port. A locking actuator located adjacent to the charge port is manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position. An unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin is manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position. This ensures that only a person with access to the interior of the vehicle can unlock and disengage the charging connector from the vehicle.
57 Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus for locking a charging connector to a charge port of an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a lock member disposed in the electric vehicle and movable between a locked position wherein the lock member inhibits disengagement of the connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein the lock member allows disengagement of the connector from the charge port; a locking actuator adjacent to the charge port and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position; an unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position; and a cam mechanism activated by actuation of the locking actuator to maintain the lock member in the locking position; wherein the cam mechanism comprises;
a cam surface; and
a follower operatively connected with the lock member and movable relative to the cam surface between a first over-center position wherein the lock member is in the locked position and a second over-center position wherein the lock member is in the unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a charge port mounted in the electric vehicle; a charging connector engageable with the charge port; a lock member moving relatively into the charge port and movable between a locked position wherein the lock member contacts the connector to inhibit disengagement of the connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein the lock member allows disengagement of the connector from the charge port; a locking actuator accessible outside of the vehicle and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position; an unlock actuator accessible inside a vehicle cabin and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position; and a cam mechanism activated by actuation of the locking actuator to maintain the lock member in the locking position, the cam mechanism comprising; a cam surface; and
a follower operatively connected with the lock member and movable relative to the cam surface between a first over-center position wherein the lock member is in the locked position and a second over-center position wherein the lock member is in the unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for locking a charging connector to a charge port of an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a lock member disposed in the electric vehicle adjacent the charging connector and having an unlocked position wherein the lock member allows disengagement of the connector from the port, the lock member manually movable from outside the vehicle to a locked position wherein the lock member inhibits disengagement of the connector from the port; an unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position; a locking actuator adjacent to the charge port and manually actuatable to move the lock member; and a cam mechanism activated by actuation of the locking actuator to maintain the lock member in the locking position, the cam mechanism comprising a cam surface; and
a follower operatively connected with the lock member and movable relative to the cam surface between a first over-center position wherein the lock member is in the locked position and a second over-center position wherein the lock member is in the unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification