Charge port door with electromagnetic latching assembly
First Claim
1. A port door assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
- a housing integrated into a vehicle reflector and lamp assembly of said vehicle, said housing providing access to a vehicle port;
a door coupled to said housing by a hinge, wherein in a closed position said door covers said vehicle port and in an open position said door provides access to said vehicle port;
a door latching system, comprising;
a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of said door;
a latching assembly integrated into said housing, wherein an exterior surface of said latching assembly contacts said ferromagnetic member when said door is in said closed position, wherein said latching assembly further comprises;
a latching assembly case;
an electromagnet mounted within said latching assembly case, the electromagnet forming the exterior surface of the latching assembly; and
a permanent magnet mounted within said latching assembly case on an opposite side of the electromagnet relative to the ferromagnetic member, wherein said permanent magnet attracts said ferromagnetic member and said latching assembly maintains said door in said closed position when said electromagnet is not energized, and wherein said latching assembly releases said door when said electromagnet is energized.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A door latching system for the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or for the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle, is provided. The door latching system is comprised of a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of the door, and a latching assembly integrated into the port housing, where the latching assembly includes an assembly case, an electromagnet, and a permanent magnet that maintains the door in a closed position when the electromagnet is not energized and releases the door when the electromagnet is energized. The latching assembly may include a magnetic flux sensor that monitors when the port door is open or closed. The magnetic flux sensor may be coupled to a system controller that performs a preset response when the magnetic flux sensor determines that the door is open.
68 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A port door assembly of a vehicle, comprising:
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a housing integrated into a vehicle reflector and lamp assembly of said vehicle, said housing providing access to a vehicle port; a door coupled to said housing by a hinge, wherein in a closed position said door covers said vehicle port and in an open position said door provides access to said vehicle port; a door latching system, comprising; a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of said door; a latching assembly integrated into said housing, wherein an exterior surface of said latching assembly contacts said ferromagnetic member when said door is in said closed position, wherein said latching assembly further comprises; a latching assembly case; an electromagnet mounted within said latching assembly case, the electromagnet forming the exterior surface of the latching assembly; and a permanent magnet mounted within said latching assembly case on an opposite side of the electromagnet relative to the ferromagnetic member, wherein said permanent magnet attracts said ferromagnetic member and said latching assembly maintains said door in said closed position when said electromagnet is not energized, and wherein said latching assembly releases said door when said electromagnet is energized. - 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