×

Charge port illumination system for electric vehicle

  • US 9,156,396 B2
  • Filed: 01/13/2014
  • Issued: 10/13/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:

  • a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle;

    a pocket assembly disposed at or proximate to said charge port, wherein said pocket assembly comprises a base and wherein a bezel is disposed at an outer region of said base;

    wherein at least a portion of said bezel is exposed and viewable when said charge port is accessed to charge the power source;

    at least one illumination source disposed at or behind said bezel;

    wherein at least said bezel is formed via a molding process;

    wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting of said bezel;

    wherein said activating event comprises at least one of (i) detection of touch at a cover panel associated with said charge port, (ii) movement of a cover panel associated with said charge port, (iii) actuation of a remote transmitting device, (iv) a signal from a passive entry device and (v) detection of movement by a motion detection device; and

    wherein the activated said at least one illumination source is automatically deactivated responsive to at least one of (a) a period of time elapsing after activation of said at least one illumination source, (b) plugging in a charging source at said charge port and (c) closing a cover panel at said pocket assembly.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×