IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,384,468
Granted Patent B2
US 12,384,468 · App. 18/353,316 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Weather shield for a vehicle charge port

Inventor: John Kenneth Michie (Shelby Township, MI)
Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
B62D25/24B60L53/16H01R13/631H01R2201/26
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,384,468
App. No.
18/353,316
Granted
Aug 12, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle charge system includes a charge port having a charge port receptacle and a connector receiver. The charge port receptacle is configured to transfer electrical energy to a rechargeable electric storage system. A charge port shield is supported at the charge port. The charge port shield includes a base member having a peripheral edge defining a first surface and an opposing second surface. The base member includes an opening alignable with the charge port receptacle and a connector extending outwardly of the second surface. The connector being received by the connector receiver in the charge port to align the opening with the charge port receptacle. A frame extends about the peripheral edge of the base member. The frame includes a plurality of walls that project outwardly of the first surface of the base member. The plurality of walls and the first surface of the base member form a recess.

Claims (39)

1. A vehicle charge system comprising:

a charge port including a charge port receptacle and a connector receiver, the charge port receptacle being configured to transfer electrical energy from an electrical source to a rechargeable electric storage system (RESS); and

a charge port shield supported at the charge port, the charge port shield comprising:

a base member having a peripheral edge defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the base member including an opening alignable with the charge port receptacle and a connector extending outwardly of the second surface, the connector being received by the connector receiver in the charge port to align the opening with the charge port receptacle; and

a frame extending about the peripheral edge of the base member, the frame including a plurality of walls that project outwardly of the first surface of the base member, the plurality of walls and the first surface of the base member forming a recess,

wherein the connector receiver comprises a quick charge port, and

wherein the connector comprises a dummy quick charge connector.

2. A vehicle charge system comprising:

a charge port including a charge port receptacle and a connector receiver, the charge port receptacle being configured to transfer electrical energy from an electrical source to a rechargeable electric storage system (RESS); and

a charge port shield supported at the charge port, the charge port shield comprising:

a base member having a peripheral edge defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the base member including an opening alignable with the charge port receptacle and a connector extending outwardly of the second surface, the connector being received by the connector receiver in the charge port to align the opening with the charge port receptacle; and

a frame extending about the peripheral edge of the base member, the frame including a plurality of walls that project outwardly of the first surface of the base member, the plurality of walls and the first surface of the base member forming a recess,

wherein the plurality of walls include a first wall, a second wall, a first side wall connecting the first wall and the second wall and a second side wall connecting the first wall and the second wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall extending from the first surface a first distance and the first wall extending from the first surface a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

3. The vehicle charge system according to claim 2 , wherein the first wall defines an upper wall and the second wall defines a lower wall.

4. The vehicle charge system according to claim 2 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall extend from the first surface at an angle.

5. The vehicle charge system according to claim 4 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall extend from the base member at an obtuse angle relative to the first surface.

6. The vehicle charge system according to claim 4 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the first surface of the base member form an external charging device receiving cavity.

7. The vehicle charge system according to claim 2 , wherein the connector receiver comprises a quick charge port.

8. The vehicle charge system according to claim 7 , wherein the connector comprises a dummy quick charge connector.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a body defining a passenger compartment;

an electric motor supported in the body;

a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) supported at the body;

a charge port supported at the body, the charge port including a charge port receptacle connected to the RESS and a connector receiver; and

a charge port shield supported at the charge port, the charge port shield comprising:

a base member having a peripheral edge defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the base member including an opening alignable with the charge port receptacle and a connector extending outwardly of the second surface, the connector being received by the connector receiver in the charge port to align the opening with the charge port receptacle; and

a frame extending about the peripheral edge of the base member, the frame including a plurality of walls that project outwardly of the first surface of the base member, the plurality of walls and the first surface of the base member forming a recess,

wherein the plurality of walls include a first wall, a second wall, a first side wall connecting the first wall and the second wall and a second side wall connecting the first wall and the second wall, the second wall, first side wall, and the second side wall extending from the first surface a first distance and the first wall extending from the first surface a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the first wall defines an upper wall and the second wall defines a lower wall.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10 , further comprising an external charging device electrically connected to the charge port receptacle at an interface, the upper wall extending from the base member over the interface.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the external charging device includes a handle, the upper wall extending over a portion of the handle.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the first surface of the base member form a cavity receptive of the external charging device.

14. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the connector receiver comprises a quick charge port.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the connector comprises a dummy quick charge connector supported on the external charging device.

16. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the external charging device includes a charge plug connected to the charge port receptacle.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the charge plug extends through the opening into the charge port receptacle.

18. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall extend from the first surface at an angle.

19. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein each of the first wall, the second wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall extend from the base member at an obtuse angle relative to the first surface.

20. The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the connector receiver comprises a quick charge port, and wherein the connector comprises a dummy quick charge connector.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2023
From: MICHIE, JOHN KENNETH
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 064292/0593 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250026414A1 · Jan 23, 2025
References Cited (34)
US 7794280B1 · Markyvech · 2010 [cited by examiner]
US 8720968B2 · Zalan · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 9327594B2 · Georgi · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 9597968B2 · Schoener · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 10717383B2 · Ueno · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10899243B2 · Kang · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 11230203B2 · Ghannam · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11466496B2 · Shin · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11486172B2 · Bai · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11548379B2 · Salter · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 11634025B2 · Rudolf · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 11904767B2 · Kim · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20130326955A1 · Kotama · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20150042275A1 · Schoener et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20170197515A1 · Southey · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20170368928A1 · Mori · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20200055389A1 · Herzig · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20220332199A1 · Cho · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230177896A1 · Lv · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230243203A1 · Sun · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20240149716A1 · Ive · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240227587A1 · Tache · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240253509A1 · Diamond · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240337144A1 · Och · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240409164A1 · Nemer · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20250026414A1 · Michie · 2025 [cited by examiner]
US 20250058659A1 · Sun · 2025 [cited by examiner]
CN 112590946A · 2021 [cited by applicant]
CN 216545765U · 2022 [cited by applicant]
DE 102014111273A1 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
BestEVmod. “A charging port protector in the case of charging outside in a rain or snow day.” Rivian Forums. https://www.https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/a-charging-port-protector-in-the-case-of-charging-outsi… [cited by applicant]
Favomoto. “Favomoto EV Charger Plug Port Cover Rainproof Waterproof Outdoor Electric Car Charging Port Cover Rain Sun UV Snow Protection for Electric Vehicles Yellow.” Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WMS4N5z?ref=em… [cited by applicant]
Ford Motor Company. “F-150 Charge Port Weather Kit for BEV Lightning Only.” Ford Accessories. https://accessories.ford.ca/shop/en/ca/f-150-charge-port-weather-kit-for-bev-lightning-only-pl3z-10d802-a (2022). 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
German Application No. 10 2023 127 505.4 filed Oct. 9, 2023; German Office Action dated Dec. 9, 2024; 8 pages. [cited by applicant]