Charge port illumination system for electric vehicle
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charge port illumination system for a vehicle includes a charge port configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the vehicle. A pocket assembly is disposed at or proximate to the charge port and includes a base and a bezel at an outer region of the base. At least a portion of the bezel is exposed and viewable when the charge port is accessed to charge the power source. At least one illumination source is disposed at or behind the bezel. The illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event, is activated to provide backlighting of the bezel. The activated illumination source is automatically deactivated responsive to a deactivating event.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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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 Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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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 light emitting diode disposed at or behind said bezel; wherein said at least one light emitting diode, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting of said bezel; wherein the activated said at least one light emitting diode is automatically deactivated responsive to a deactivating event; wherein said charge port illumination system comprises circuitry, and wherein said circuitry, responsive to said activating event, is operable to activate said at least one light emitting diode to provide backlighting of said bezel; and wherein said circuitry, responsive to said deactivating event, is operable to deactivate the activated said at least one light emitting diode. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising:
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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 light emitting diode disposed at or behind said bezel; wherein said at least one light emitting diode, 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 light emitting diode is automatically deactivated responsive to a deactivating event; wherein said pocket assembly comprises at least one circuit element used in activating said at least one light emitting diode to provide backlighting of said bezel; wherein said charge port illumination system comprises circuitry, and wherein said circuitry, responsive to said activating event, is operable to activate said at least one light emitting diode to provide backlighting of said bezel; and wherein said circuitry, responsive to said deactivating event, is operable to deactivate the activated said at least one light emitting diode. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification