ALARM SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VEHICLE CHARGE CORDS

• US 20100271192A1
• Filed: 04/27/2009
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: MITUTA, ANDRES V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,519,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/455
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/185 Electrical failure alarms

Abstract

An alarm system associated with a charge cord of a plug-in vehicle is provided. The system includes a sensor configured to evaluate a status of the charge cord, including a coupled status when the charge cord is coupled to the vehicle and a decoupled status when the charge cord is not coupled to the vehicle. The system further includes an alarm interface coupled to the sensor and configured to activate an alarm when the charge cord is in the decoupled status.

Claims

1. An alarm system associated with a charge cord of a plug-in vehicle, the system comprising:

a sensor configured to evaluate a status of the charge cord, including a coupled status when the charge cord is coupled to the vehicle and a decoupled status when the charge cord is not coupled to the vehicle; and

an alarm interface coupled to the sensor and configured to generate an alarm when the charge cord is in the decoupled status.

2. The alarm system of claim 1, further comprising a remote transmitter configured to place the alarm interface in an armed or disarmed state, the alarm interface further configured to activate the alarm when the charge cord is in the decoupled status and the alarm interface is in the armed state.

3. The alarm system of claim 2, wherein the remote transmitter is a key fob.

4. The alarm system of claim 1, further comprising a charging port configured to couple the charge cord to the vehicle, the sensor being arranged proximate to the charging port.

5. The alarm system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm module coupled the alarm interface and configured to sound a horn when the alarm is activated.

6. The alarm system of claim 5, wherein the alarm module is further configured to flash lights when the alarm is activated.

7. The alarm system of claim 5, wherein the alarm module is further configured to notify a user when the alarm is activated.

8. The alarm system of claim 7, further comprising a key fob in wireless communication with the alarm module and configured to notify the user when the alarm is activated.

9. The alarm system of claim 8, wherein the key fob is configured to disarm the alarm module.

10. The alarm system of claim 1, wherein the alarm interface is configured to activate the alarm when the charge cord transitions from the coupled status to the decoupled status.

11. A method for alerting a user of removal of a charge cord initially coupled to a plug-in vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

arming an alarm system associated with the plug-in vehicle;

evaluating a status of the charge cord; and

alerting the user based on the status of the charge cord.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the evaluating step includes determining a coupled status or a decoupled status of the charge cord relative to the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the alarming step includes alarming the user when the charge cord is in the decoupled status.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the alarming step includes alarming the user when the charge cord transitions from the coupled status to the decoupled status.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the alarming step includes arming the alarm system with a remote.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the alarming step includes sounding a horn of the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the alarming step includes flashing a light of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the alarming step includes notifying the user via a key fob.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising disarming the alarm system with a remote.

20. A method for alerting a user of removal of a charge cord initially coupled to a plug-in vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

arming an alarm system associated with the plug-in vehicle with a remote;

determining a coupled status or a decoupled status of the charge cord relative to the vehicle; and

alerting the user when the charge cord transitions from the coupled status to the decoupled status, the alarming step including sounding a horn of the vehicle, flashing a light of the vehicle, and notifying the user via a key fob.