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;
wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source;
wherein at least said outer portion is formed via a molding process;
wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source;
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 at said outer portion;
wherein the activated said at least one illumination source is automatically deactivated; and
wherein said outer portion comprises an at least partially translucent polymeric material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion, which may include a translucent polymeric material. The activated illumination source may be automatically deactivated. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source.
13 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; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein at least said outer portion is formed via a molding process; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; 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 at said outer portion; wherein the activated said at least one illumination source is automatically deactivated; and wherein said outer portion comprises an at least partially translucent polymeric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein at least said outer portion is formed via a molding process; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; wherein said at least one illumination source comprises a light emitting diode; 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 at said outer portion; wherein the activated said at least one illumination source is automatically deactivated; and wherein a cover panel is opened to expose and access said charge port. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. 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; wherein said charge port comprises an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting said charge port to the charging source; wherein at least said outer portion is formed via a molding process; wherein said charge port comprises at least one illumination source; wherein said at least one illumination source comprises a light emitting diode; 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 at said outer portion; and wherein said at least one illumination source is controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source of the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification