Charging port assembly for electrified vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a charging port assembly for an electric vehicle. A charge port assembly may include a charge port configured to be coupled to a plug to charge an electrically powered vehicle. The charging port assembly may include a first shutter that moves between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about an axis adjacent a top of the charging port. The charge port assembly may include a second shutter that moves between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about the axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charging port assembly for an electrified vehicle and a corresponding method. Background Art

[0002] Electrified vehicles differ from conventional motor vehicles in that they are selectively driven using one or more electric machines powered by a traction battery. The electric machines may drive the electrified vehicle in place of or in addition to an internal combustion engine. Example electrified vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

[0003] A traction battery is a relatively high voltage battery that selectively powers the motor and other electrical loads of an electrified vehicle. For example, a traction battery of a plug-in electrified vehicle may be charged at a public or private electrified vehicle charging station. The plug-in electrified vehicle includes a charging port that is configured to be coupled to a plug of the electrified vehicle charging station. When the plug is coupled to the charging port, the electrified vehicle charging station may charge the traction battery. Summary of the invention

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly for an electrified vehicle, the charging port assembly comprising: a charging port configured to connect to a plug to charge the electrified vehicle; a first baffle that is movable between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about an axis adjacent to a top of the charging port; and a second baffle that is movable between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about the axis.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein: a first shutter is configured to cover a first portion of a charging port when in a closed position, and a second shutter is configured to cover a second portion of the charging port when in a closed position.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein: a first flap is movable to at least one open position independently of a second flap such that when the first flap is in the at least one open position and the second flap is in a closed position, a first portion of the charging port is exposed and the second flap covers a second portion of the charging port.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein the second shutter includes a cutout and the first shutter includes a solid body configured to cover the cutout when the first shutter and the second shutter are in respective closed positions.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein: a first shutter and a second shutter are both in respective closed positions, and movement of the second shutter toward at least one open position causes corresponding movement of the first shutter such that both a first portion and a second portion of the charging port are exposed.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly in which a first portion of the charging port is configured to connect to a first type of standard charging plug, and a combined first portion and second portion of the charging port are configured to connect to a second type of standard charging plug that is different from the first type of standard charging plug.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly in which a first type of standard charging plug is a SAE J1772 plug and a second type of standard charging plug is a combination charging system plug.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly in which a second portion of the charging port includes prongs configured to allow DC fast charging.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly, wherein: a first baffle and a second baffle are both movable to a first open position and a second open position, when in the first open position, the first baffle and the second baffle have been rotated about an axis by a first angle, and when in the second open position, the first baffle and the second baffle have been rotated about the axis by a second angle greater than the first angle.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein the first angle is approximately 90° and the second angle is approximately 135°.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly, wherein: a first baffle and a second baffle are each connected to a corresponding arm, each corresponding arm extends from an axis to a corresponding baffle in the first baffle and the second baffle, each corresponding arm includes a first recess corresponding to a first open position and a second recess corresponding to a second open position, a rod is biased toward the first recess and the second recess, and when the first baffle and the second baffle are in the first open position or the second open position, the rod is configured to enter the corresponding recess to maintain the first baffle and the second baffle in the corresponding first open position or the second open position.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein: each respective arm includes a third recess corresponding to a closed position, and when the first flap and the second flap are in the closed position, the rod is configured to enter the third recess to hold the first flap and the second flap in the closed position.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly in which an arm includes an arcuate segment.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly wherein a first recess and a second recess are on an upper surface of an arm, and a rod is disposed adjacent the upper surface.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a charging port assembly, which also includes: a controller; and a current source, wherein the controller is configured to selectively direct current to a heater to heat the charging port, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively direct current to the heater based on a first heater control technique or a second heater control technique.

[0019] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a charge port assembly wherein a first heater control technique includes continuously activating the heater, and wherein a second heater control technique includes activating the heater based on an expected return time of a user to the electrified vehicle.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: moving a first shutter of a charging port assembly between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about an axis adjacent to a top of a charging port; and moving a second shutter of the charging port assembly between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about the axis.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein: when a first flap is in at least one open position and a second flap is in a closed position, a first portion of a charging port is exposed, and when both the first flap and the second flap are in at least one respective open position, a first portion of the charging port and a second portion of the charging port are exposed.

[0022] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method, which further includes: connecting a first type of standard charging plug to a first portion of a charging port when a first flap is in at least one open position and a second flap is in a closed position; and connecting a second type of standard charging plug to the first portion and the second portion of the charging port when both the first flap and the second flap are in at least one respective open position, wherein the second type of standard charging plug is different from the first type of standard charging plug.

[0023] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method that also includes heating the charging port continuously or based on an expected return time of a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Various components of an electrified vehicle, including the powertrain, are schematically shown relative to a DC fast charger.

[0025] Figure 2 Various components of an electrified vehicle, including the powertrain, are schematically shown relative to an AC fast charger.

[0026] Figure 3 The charging port assembly of the present disclosure is shown with the first shutter and the second shutter in a first open position.

[0027] Figure 4 The charging port assembly is shown with the first shutter and the second shutter in a closed position.

[0028] Figure 5 The charging port assembly is shown with the first flap in a first open position and the second flap in a closed position.

[0029] Figure 6 The charging port assembly is shown with the first flap and the second flap in a second open position.

[0030] Figure 7 is a side view of the charging port assembly with the first flap and the second flap in a first open position.

[0031] Figure 8 is a side view of the charging port assembly with the first flap and the second flap in a second open position.

[0032] Fig. 9 The heater of the charging port assembly is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present disclosure relates to a charging port assembly for an electrified vehicle and a corresponding method. The present disclosure provides convenient access to one or more portions of a charging port by selectively moving one of two baffles. When in the open position, the baffle covers the charging port from above and prevents rain or snow falling relative to the charging port from entering. The charging port can also be heated according to a specific heater control technique to prevent the accumulation of rain, snow or ice relative to the charging port. These and other benefits will be understood from the written description below.

[0034] With reference to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1An example electrified vehicle 10 is shown. The electrified vehicle 10 includes a battery 14 (e.g., a battery pack), an electric machine 18, a controller 22, a charging port 26, and wheels 30. The electric machine 18 is configured to receive power from the battery 14 and convert the power into torque to drive the wheels 30. In one example, the battery 14 is a relatively high voltage traction battery.

[0035] exist Figure 1 , a set of example electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 38 is shown. In this example, the EVSE 38 includes a charging harness 42. For purposes of this disclosure, the term EVSE includes any device separate from the electrified vehicle 10 that can be used to charge the battery 14.

[0036] To charge battery 14 , charging harness 42 electrically couples battery 14 to a power source external to vehicle 10 , such as grid power (“grid”) 46 . Charging harness 42 includes a plug 50 that includes a handle to connect charging harness 42 to charging port 26 .

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the example, the plug 50 exhibits a standard configuration corresponding to DC fast charging. In this regard, the EVSE 38 may be referred to as a DC fast charger or a DC fast charging station. The EVSE 38 may be provided at a public charging station. In one example, the plug 50 is a combined charging system plug. In this example, the plug 50 includes pins corresponding to a standard J1772 plug plus an additional two pins configured to facilitate DC fast charging.

[0038] The charging port 26 is also configured to couple to a plug exhibiting another type of standard configuration, such as Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , another EVSE 52 includes a charging harness 54 configured to electrically couple the battery 14 to a power source external to the vehicle 10 , such as the grid 46 . The charging harness 54 includes a plug 56 . Figure 2 In the example, the plug 56 exhibits a standard configuration corresponding to AC fast charging. In this regard, the EVSE 52 may be referred to as an AC charger. The EVSE 52 may be located in a user's home and may be referred to as an AC home charger. In this example, the plug 56 includes pins corresponding to a standard J1772 plug and lacks pins that facilitate DC fast charging. Additional details of the charging port 26 will be provided below.

[0039] It should be understood that the controller 22 can be part of an overall vehicle control module, such as a vehicle system controller (VSC) or a body control module (BCM). Alternatively, the controller 22 can be an independent controller separate from the VSC and BCM. In addition, the controller 22 can be programmed with executable instructions for interfacing with and operating various components of the electrified vehicle 10. The controller 22 further includes a processing unit and non-transitory memory for executing various control strategies and modes of the electrified vehicle 10.

[0040] The electrified vehicle 10 in this example is a pure electric vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV). In other examples, the electrified vehicle 10 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that can selectively drive the wheels using torque provided by an internal combustion engine (instead of or in addition to the motor 18). Figure 1 The teachings of the present disclosure may be particularly applicable to any electrified vehicle including a charging port. Figure 1 A pickup truck is shown in FIG, but the disclosure extends to other types of vehicles, such as sedans, vans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sports cars, etc.

[0041] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A charging port assembly 60 is shown. The charging port assembly 60 includes the charging port 26 and a cover assembly 62 configured to selectively cover and expose the charging port 26. The cover assembly 62 includes a first baffle 64 and a second baffle 66.

[0042] The first baffle 64 includes a solid body panel 68 connected to a first arm 70 and a second arm 72 that are pivotally mounted to a housing 74 about an axis A. The axis A may be substantially parallel to the ground adjacent the electrified vehicle 10, and the axis A may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0043] The housing 74 may be a body panel of the vehicle 10 or a structure separate from but attached to a body panel of the vehicle 10. The axis A is adjacent to the top of the charging port 26. In this example, the axis A is spaced vertically above the charging port 26. Figure 3 As shown, the arms 70, 72 protrude through slots 76 in the housing 74. The slots 76 are vertically above a recess 77 in the housing 74 that receives the charging port 26. The first flap 64 can be moved in a closed position ( Figure 4 ) and at least one open position, wherein one open position is Figure 3 Shown in.

[0044] The second flap 66 includes a body panel 78 connected to a first arm 80 and a second arm 82 that are pivotally mounted to the housing 74 about an axis A. The body panel 78 exhibits a greater height and width than the body panel 68. The second flap 66 can be moved about the axis A between a closed position ( Figure 4 ) and at least one open position, wherein one open position is Figure 3 In this example, the arms 70, 72, 80, 82 include straight sections and arcuate sections. Optionally, a rotation damper may be applied to the arms 70, 72, 80, 82.

[0045] In this example, the charging port 26 includes a first portion 84 and a second portion 86. The first portion 84 is configured to couple to a first type of standard charging plug, and the combined first portion 84 and second portion 86 are configured to couple to a second type of standard charging plug that is different from the first type of standard charging plug. In one example, the first portion 84 includes a plurality of pins configured to facilitate coupling to a plug for AC charging, and the second portion 86 includes pins configured to facilitate coupling to a plug for DC fast charging. In another example, the first type of standard charging plug is a SAE J1772 plug, such as Figure 2 The plug 56 in FIG. 1 and the second type of standard charging plug is a combined charging system (CCS) plug, such as Figure 1 Plug 50 in.

[0046] The first flap 64 is configured to cover a first portion 84 of the charging port when in the closed position, and the second flap 66 is configured to cover a second portion 86 when in the closed position. In addition, in the present disclosure, only the first portion 84 of the charging port 26 can be exposed by moving the first flap 64 relative to the second flap 66 while the second flap 66 remains stationary.

[0047] The first flap 64 can be moved to an open position independently of the second flap 66, such that when the first flap 64 is in the open position and the second flap 66 is in the closed position, the first portion 84 is exposed and the second flap 66 covers the second portion 86, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown. Figure 5 , charging port 26 is configured to be coupled to a plug, such as plug 56 .

[0048] In the present disclosure, reference to the baffle 64, 66 covering one of the portions 84, 86 includes at least partially or completely covering the corresponding portion 84, 86 so that a plug cannot be coupled to the portion. Likewise, reference to the baffle 64, 66 exposing one of the portions 84, 86 means that the baffle 64, 66 is in a position where a plug can be coupled to the portion.

[0049] like Figure 5 As shown, the body panel 78 includes a cutout 88 such that the body panel 78 is substantially U-shaped in this example, so that the first flap 64 is rotated to the open position to expose the first portion 84. The body panel 78 may include a groove or recess around the edge of the cutout 88, which is configured to at least partially receive the body panel 68. In this regard, when both the first flap 64 and the second flap 66 are in the closed position, the first flap 64 can be nested within the second flap 66. The size and shape of the body panel 68 are designed to completely cover the cutout 88 and at least partially overlap the body panel 78 at the sides and bottom adjacent to the body panel 68. In addition, the first flap 64 and the second flap 66 can each include a raised lip 90, 92 ( Figure 4 ) to facilitate the user to grasp the corresponding baffle of the first baffle 64 and the second baffle 66.

[0050] When both the first baffle 64 and the second baffle 66 are in the respective closed positions, movement of the second baffle 66 toward the open position causes corresponding movement of the first baffle 64 toward the open position, so that both the first portion 84 and the second portion 86 are exposed, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 In this regard, because the first flap 64 partially overlaps the second flap 66 and the second flap 66 is generally disposed closer to the charging port 26 than the first flap 64, movement of the flap 66 away from the closed position will also result in movement of the first flap 64 away from the closed position. Figure 6 In the configuration of FIG. 5 , the charging port 26 is configured to be coupled to a plug, such as the plug 50 . Movement of the second flap 66 toward the open position provides access to the first portion 84 and the second portion 86 of the charging port 26 in a single movement.

[0051] In one aspect of the present disclosure, both the first baffle 64 and the second baffle 66 are movable to a first open position and a second open position. Figure 7 The first flap 64 and the second flap 66 are shown in a first open position. In the first open position, the first flap 64 and the second flap 66 have been rotated a first angle X about the axis A in a generally upward and outward direction. Figure 8 The first flap 64 and the second flap 66 are shown in a second open position, having been rotated about the axis A generally in an upward and outward direction by a second angle Y, the second angle Y being greater than the first angle X. In one embodiment, the first angle is approximately 90° and the second angle is approximately 135°. When the first flap 64 or the second flap 66 is in the open position, the first flap 64 and the second flap 66 prevent, for example, falling snow or rain from contacting the charging port 26.

[0052] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the charging port assembly 60 is configured to maintain the first flap 64 and the second flap 66 in a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position. Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the upper surface of the arm 80 includes three notches spaced apart from one another. The first notch 94 corresponds to the closed position, the second notch 96 corresponds to the first open position, and the third notch 98 corresponds to the second open position. Although only the arm 80 is shown, the arms 70, 72, and 82 of the first and second flaps 64, 66 may be similarly configured.

[0053] The charging port assembly 60 also includes a rod 100 that is biased toward the top surface of the arm 80 and is configured to enter the recesses 94, 96, 98 when the corresponding recesses of the recesses 94, 96, 98 are aligned with the rod 100. In this example, the engagement between the rod 100 and the corresponding recesses of the recesses 94, 96, 98 provides a force to hold the flap 66 in the corresponding closed position, the first open position, or the second open position. For example, in this example, the force can be sufficient to hold the flap 66 in a particular position and can resist the weight of the flaps 64, 66 to return to the closed position. The force can also resist the weight of the flaps 64, 66 plus some accumulated snow or ice. However, the force applied by the rod 100 can be overcome by a user applying a force to the corresponding flap of the flaps 64, 66.

[0054] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to actively heating the charging port 26. In this regard, the charging port assembly 60 includes a heater. The heater may include a heater element 102, such as a heating wire, and / or the heater may be provided by the material or coating of the charging port 26 itself. Fig. 9 As shown, the charging port assembly 60 may include a heater element 102 that is incorporated into or disposed adjacent to the charging port 26, such as by being incorporated into the housing 74. The heater element 102 is electrically coupled to a current source 104 that is electrically coupled to the controller 22. The current source 104 responds to instructions from the controller 22 to selectively activate the heater element 102. An example control scheme is discussed below.

[0055] In one example, the heater element 102 includes at least one resistive heating wire. In another example, the heater element 102 includes multiple resistive heating wires. The resistive heating wires can be made of a conductive material that also generates sufficient resistance to generate heat, such as nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr).

[0056] The current source 104 may be a high voltage battery, a low voltage battery, or an external power source. When commanded by the controller 22, the current source 104 passes current through the heater element 102, which causes the heater element 102 to generate heat. The heat generated by the heater element 102 is used to prevent ice or snow from accumulating near the charging port 26, or to melt the ice or snow if ice or snow already exists.

[0057] The heater element 102 is at least partially insert molded with the charging port 26. Insert molding is the process of molding or forming one component around another component. In another example, the heater element 102 can be insert molded into the housing 74.

[0058] In one example, the charging port 26 is made of a thermally conductive polymer material to better conduct the heat generated by the heater element 102. Alternatively, the charging port 26 may include or be coated with a thermally conductive material configured to generate heat when current from the current source 104 flows relative to the material.

[0059] Thermally conductive polymers have a thermal conductivity greater than about 10 Watts / meter-Kelvin (W / mK). In a particular example, the thermal conductivity of the thermally conductive polymer is about 14 W / mK. These values ​​are in stark contrast to the thermal conductivity of common polymer materials, which are typically about 0.5 W / mK or less. One known thermally conductive polymer is It is commercially available from Celanese Corporation.

[0060] A method of heating the charging port 26 will now be described. The method will be performed by the controller 22 and other components of the electrified vehicle 10, such as those described above with respect to Figures 1 to 9 Furthermore, while one example method is described, it should be understood that user overrides are contemplated in the present disclosure. That is, a user may intervene and manually turn the heater element on or off as desired, thereby overriding the method. In one example, control of the heater element is accomplished via one or more buttons in the infotainment system of the electrified vehicle 10.

[0061] In certain aspects of the present disclosure, the controller 22 is configured to selectively direct current to the heater, which may also be the heater element 102 or the charging port 26 itself, based on environmental conditions and user input of a preference for a first heater control technique or a second heater control technique. The first heater control technique includes continuously activating the heater, and the second heater control technique includes activating the heater based on an expected return time of the user to the electrified vehicle.

[0062] In an example method, the controller 22 uses information from one or more sensors to determine that ice and / or snow may accumulate on the charging port 26. The information may include information from a rain sensor and information from a temperature sensor associated with the electrified vehicle 10. If the controller 22 determines that ice and / or snow may accumulate on the charging port 26, the controller 22 issues a command to the heater of the charging port 26 according to one of two heater control techniques. In a first example, the controller 22 issues a command associated with a first heater control technique or a second heater control technique based on a user's preference input. In a second example, the controller 22 issues a command to a first heater control technique or a second heater control technique based on a confidence level associated with an estimated return time of the user to the electrified vehicle 10.

[0063] The controller 22 may estimate the user's return time to the electric vehicle 10 based on usage data of the electric vehicle 10 over time, location data (i.e., GPS data), day of the week, time of day, etc. For example, if the user has parked the electric vehicle 10 near their place of work, and the user is about to finish their workday, the controller 22 may indicate a high confidence level that the user will soon return to the electric vehicle 10. On the other hand, if the user has parked the electric vehicle 10 at a new location, the electric vehicle 10 may indicate a low confidence level associated with the user's expected return time to the electric vehicle 10.

[0064] In one example, the first heater control technique heats the charge port 26 continuously and at a level based on one or more environmental factors. In one example, the first heater control technique includes the controller 22 commanding the heater to heat the charge port at a particular level based on snowfall rate and / or ambient temperature.

[0065] In one example, the second heater control technique heats the charge port 26 when the user is expected to return to the electrified vehicle 10. In a specific example, the second heater control technique includes the controller 22 issuing a command to the heater to begin heating the charge port a preset time (such as 10 minutes) before the user is expected to return to the electrified vehicle 10. For example, if the user is parked near their workplace on a weekday, and the user typically returns to the electrified vehicle at 5 PM, the controller 22 will command the heater to begin heating the charge port 26 at 4:50 PM. In this example, the specific level of heating applied is based on the snowfall rate and / or ambient temperature.

[0066] It should be understood that terms such as "about" and "substantially" are not intended to be open-ended terms, and should be interpreted consistently with the manner in which those skilled in the art would interpret such terms.

[0067] Although different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some of the components or features from one of the examples may be used in combination with features or components from another of the examples. In addition, the various drawings of the present disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. That is, modifications of the present disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the appended claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first heater control technique includes continuously activating the heater, and wherein the second heater control technique includes activating the heater based on an expected return time of a user to the electrified vehicle.

[0070] According to the present invention, a method includes: moving a first baffle of a charging port assembly between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about an axis adjacent to a top of a charging port; and moving a second baffle of the charging port assembly between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about the axis.

[0071] In one aspect of the present invention, when the first flap is in at least one open position and the second flap is in a closed position, a first portion of the charging port is exposed, and when both the first flap and the second flap are in the corresponding at least one open position, the first portion of the charging port and the second portion of the charging port are exposed.

[0072] In one aspect of the present invention, the method includes: connecting a first type of standard charging plug to a first portion of a charging port when a first flap is in at least one open position and a second flap is in a closed position; and connecting a second type of standard charging plug to the first portion and the second portion of the charging port when both the first flap and the second flap are in at least one corresponding open position, wherein the second type of standard charging plug is different from the first type of standard charging plug.

[0073] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes heating the charging port continuously or based on a user's expected return time.

Claims

1. A charging port assembly for an electric vehicle, the charging port assembly comprising: a charging port configured to couple to a plug to charge the electrified vehicle; a first flap movable between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about an axis adjacent a top portion of the charging port; as well as A second flap is movable between a closed position and at least one open position by moving about the axis.

2. The charging port assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first flap is configured to cover a first portion of the charging port when in the closed position, and The second flap is configured to cover a second portion of the charging port when in the closed position.

3. The charging port assembly of claim 2, wherein: The first baffle is capable of moving to the at least one open position independently of the second baffle, so that when the first baffle is in the at least one open position and the second baffle is in the closed position, the first portion of the charging port is exposed and the second baffle covers the second portion of the charging port.

4. The charging port assembly of claim 3, wherein the second shutter includes a cutout and the first shutter includes a solid body configured to cover the cutout when the first shutter and the second shutter are in respective closed positions.

5. The charging port assembly of claim 2, wherein: When both the first shutter and the second shutter are in the respective closed positions, movement of the second shutter toward the at least one open position causes corresponding movement of the first shutter such that both the first portion and the second portion of the charging port are exposed.

6. The charging port assembly of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the charging port is configured to couple to a first type of standard charging plug, and the combined first and second portions of the charging port are configured to couple to a second type of standard charging plug that is different from the first type of standard charging plug.

7. The charging port assembly of claim 6, wherein the first type of standard charging plug is a SAE J1772 plug and the second type of standard charging plug is a combination charging system plug.

8. The charging port assembly of claim 2, wherein the second portion of the charging port includes pins configured to allow DC fast charging.

9. The charging port assembly of claim 1, wherein: The first baffle and the second baffle are both movable to a first open position and a second open position, When in the first open position, the first baffle and the second baffle have rotated about the axis by a first angle, and When in the second open position, the first and second flaps have rotated about the axis through a second angle greater than the first angle.

10. The charging port assembly of claim 9, wherein the first angle is approximately 90° and the second angle is approximately 135°.

11. The charging port assembly of claim 9, wherein: The first baffle and the second baffle are each coupled to a respective arm, each respective arm extends from the axis to a respective baffle of the first baffle and the second baffle, each respective arm comprises a first notch corresponding to the first open position and a second notch corresponding to the second open position, The rod is biased toward the first notch and the second notch, and When the first shutter and the second shutter are in the first open position or the second open position, the rod is configured to enter the corresponding recess to hold the first shutter and the second shutter in the corresponding first open position or the second open position.

12. The charging port assembly of claim 11, wherein: Each respective arm includes a third notch corresponding to a closed position, and When the first shutter and the second shutter are in the closed position, the rod is configured to enter the third recess to hold the first shutter and the second shutter in the closed position.

13. The charging port assembly of claim 11, wherein the arm includes an arcuate segment.

14. The charging port assembly of claim 11, wherein the first recess and the second recess are on an upper surface of the arm and the rod is disposed adjacent to the upper surface.

15. The charging port assembly of claim 1, further comprising: Controller; as well as A current source, wherein the controller is configured to selectively direct current to a heater to heat the charging port, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively direct current to the heater based on a first heater control technique or a second heater control technique.

Images