Passive charge cord release system for an electric vehicle
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, passive release of a charge cord is provided for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a charging port having one or more sensors for detecting movement of the charging cable relative to the charging port. A transceiver responds to the detected movement by transmitting an authentication request and receiving an authentication signal, which is processed by a controller and unlocks the charging cable from the charging port responsive to verifying the authentication signal. In an exemplary method, an authentication request is transmitted responsive to detecting an uncoupling action of the charging cable from a vehicle. Upon receipt and verification of an authentication signal, the charging cable is automatically unlocked and unlatched facilitating release of the charging cable. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the charging cable can be passively released from the vehicle.
1. A method, comprising:
transmitting an authentication request responsive to detecting an uncoupling action for a charging cable coupled to a vehicle; and
receiving an authentication signal and unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle upon verification of the authentication signal;
wherein the charging cable can be released from the vehicle.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from the vehicle.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting the uncoupling action for the charging cable further comprises detecting movement of the charging cable relative to a charging port.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of detecting movement of the charging cable relative to a charging port comprises detecting at least one motion of the following group of motions: push, pull, bend or rotate.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from the charging port.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlocking a door on the vehicle.
7. A method, comprising:
initiating authentication process responsive to detecting an user interaction with a charging cable coupled to a vehicle; and
unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle upon completion of the authentication process facilitating releasing the charging cable from the vehicle.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the authentication process comprises transmitting an authentication request and verifying reception of a correct authentication signal.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlatching the charging cable from a charging port of the vehicle.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of unlocking the charging cable from the vehicle further comprises automatically unlocking a door on the vehicle.
11. A vehicle having a passive charging cable release system, comprising:
a charging port having one or more sensors for detecting movement of a charging cable relative to the charging port;
a transceiver responsive to the one or more sensors for transmitting an authentication request and receiving an authentication signal; and
a controller coupled to the transceiver and to the one or more sensors for unlocking the charging cable from the charging port responsive to verifying the authentication signal.
12. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , further comprising a locking bolt configured to be retracted into the charging port permitting operation of a charging cable latch to release the charging cable from the charging port.
13. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , further comprising an unlatching bolt configured to automatically release a charging cable latch to release the charging cable from the charging port.
14. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , further comprising a charging port receptacle latch biased to engage a charging cable latch, the charging port receptacle latch configured to selectively release the charging cable latch thereby releasing the charging cable from the charging port.
15. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , wherein the controller unlocks a door of the vehicle responsive to verifying the authentication signal.
16. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more sensors detect at least one motion of the following group of motions: push, pull, bend or rotate.
17. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , wherein the charging port is compliant with the J1772 standard.
18. The vehicle having the passive charging cable release system of claim 11 , wherein the controller verifies one of multiple authentication signals received responsive to the authentication request.