Locking assembly and method with authenticated unlocking of electric vehicle supply equipment

• US 9,827,950 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lovett, Karin, Siciak, Ray C., Weinfurther, James Michael, Cinar, Ahmet
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BRIAN E
• Application Number:
  US15/069,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20170259785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/20 by driver identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/30 Preventing theft during charging
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2018 Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0082 Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/04 Electrical electrical circuits E05B81/54
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/10 Hydraulic or pneumatic hydraulic or pneumatic circuits E05B81/52
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/80 characterised by the power supply; Emergency power operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/34 for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An exemplary locking assembly includes, among other things, a lock that transitions between a first state that prevents disengaging electric vehicle supply equipment from a charge port and a second state that permits the disengaging. A control module is configured to command the lock to transition from the first to the second state in response to a user interaction with a selector device and an authentication of the user interaction. An exemplary securing method includes, among other things, receiving a request to disengage electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from a charge port of a vehicle, permitting a disengaging if the request can be authenticated, and preventing the disengaging if the request cannot be authenticated.

Claims

1. A locking assembly, comprising:

a lock that transitions between a first state that prevents disengaging electric vehicle supply equipment from a charge port of a vehicle and a second state that permits the disengaging; and

a control module configured to command the lock to transition from the first to the second state in response to a user interaction with a selector device disposed on the vehicle, and an authentication of the user interaction, the control module is further configured to stop a charging of the vehicle in connection with transitioning the lock from the first state to the second state.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the selector device is disposed on the vehicle outside a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

3. The locking assembly of claim 2, wherein the selector device is directly adjacent the charge port.

4. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises receiving an indication that a key fob is proximate the vehicle without requiring a user to interact with the key fob.

5. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises receiving an indication that a key fob is proximate the charge port without requiring a user to interact with the key fob.

6. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the control module and lock comprise portions of a passive entry electrified vehicle.

7. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises receiving a signal indicating that a vehicle door is unlocked.

8. The locking assembly of claim 7, comprising a key fob having a button configured to transition from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command.

9. The locking assembly of claim 1, wherein the authentication is separate from the user interaction with the selector device.

10. A securing method, comprising:

receiving a request to disengage electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from a charge port of a vehicle, the request sent in response to a user interaction with a selector device disposed on the vehicle;

stopping a charging of the vehicle and then permitting a disengaging if the request can be authenticated; and

preventing the disengaging if the request cannot be authenticated.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising detecting a key fob proximate the vehicle to authenticate the request.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting occurs without the user interacting with the key fob.

13. The method of claim 10, comprising detecting a key fob proximate the charge port to authenticate the request, the detecting occurring without the user interacting with the key fob.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the request is authenticated in response to unlocking a vehicle door.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising transitioning a button on a key from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command to transmit the vehicle door unlock command.

16. The method of claim 14, comprising transitioning a button on a door of the vehicle from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command to transmit the vehicle door unlock command.