Vehicle charging

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle charging port assembly (200) including a support structure (204), a light pipe (212), and an electrical light source (226). The support structure (204) supports the light pipe (212) and defines a receptacle region (206) arranged to include a charging receptacle (202) of a vehicle (100) or to provide access to the charging receptacle (202) through the support structure (204), wherein the charging receptacle (202) is arranged to receive a charging plug. The electrical light source (226) is arranged to be controlled by a control system (230) to selectively direct light to a first end (218) of the light pipe (212) for illumination of at least an elongated display portion (214) of the light pipe (212) extending around at least a portion of the receptacle region (206).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle charging. Aspects of the invention relate to vehicle charging port assemblies and vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Hybrid and electric vehicles are typically charged by plugging a charging plug at a charging station or other electrical energy source into the vehicle's charging socket. In this context, considering that the area near the vehicle's charging socket is where users frequently perform charging-related activities, it may be desirable to provide at least some level of information about the charging process and / or control functions related to the charging process near the charging socket. For example, it might be desirable to provide information about the vehicle's charging configuration and / or battery charging status, and / or control over charging time or the operation of charging port covers for selectively covering the charging socket. This "local" functionality can be compared, for example, to the information and / or control provided by a device such as a mobile phone (which may be relatively time-consuming to use in some situations and / or less convenient than "local" functionality).

[0003] Integrating this facility to provide some or all of the required information and / or control can be challenging, particularly in maintaining the desired functionality and convenience when using the charging outlet. For example, the suitable location of the charging outlet may be limited and / or constrained by the available physical volume. This presents encapsulation and design challenges in order to locally integrate the charging outlet and associated auxiliary structures to provide the desired information and / or control functions.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle charging port assembly and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle charging port assembly is provided, the vehicle charging port assembly including a support structure, a light tube and an electric light source, wherein:

[0007] The support structure supports the light tube and defines a socket area, which is arranged to include a vehicle charging socket or to provide a passage through the support structure to the charging socket, wherein the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and

[0008] The electric light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively direct light to the first end of the light tube for illumination of at least a portion of the elongated display section of the light tube extending around the socket area.

[0009] Using a light tube can provide a mechanism for providing a light source when the available depth at the mounting location is relatively insufficient. Specifically, given that the LED may be visible as a point source when it is forced to be close to a cover (e.g., a diffuser), insufficient depth can render the LED undesirable. A relative insufficiency of available depth can occur due to the thickness of the vehicle skin and / or the limited available / desired encapsulation depth. For example, the available / desired encapsulation depth between the front and rear ends of a vehicle charging assembly (e.g., when the vehicle charging assembly is considered to cover the vehicle's charging infrastructure / charging module / located directly in front of and / or abut against the vehicle's charging infrastructure / charging module, and accessible by opening a cover / baffle that otherwise covers the vehicle charging assembly) can be between approximately 5 mm and 20 mm, or between approximately 8 mm and 16 mm, or between approximately 10 mm and 14 mm, or approximately 12 mm. Specific mounting locations with limited depth availability can be selected, at least in part, based on other factors, and this is true even with limited depth availability. For example, limited available locations may exist that meet at least one of the following:

[0010] - Suitable for user touch and / or functionality;

[0011] - Not located in an area occupied by other structures / components (e.g., white body);

[0012] - Areas not located at vehicle body openings (such as doors, hoods, or trunks); and

[0013] - Has a vehicle charging port and / or related features, such as a buffer zone around the charging socket and / or a display and / or user interface (e.g., control buttons or buttons) and / or a sliding cover mechanism and / or a sufficient area and / or gap for accommodating the size of the charging plug / spray gun.

[0014] The elongated display portion can be arranged to emit light visible to a user observing the vehicle's charging socket when the vehicle charging port assembly is present on the vehicle. The elongated display portion can provide information (e.g., charging configuration), serve as a guide for locating the charging socket (e.g., in poor light levels) and / or for illuminating the user interacting with and / or observing the vehicle charging port assembly (e.g., during charging-related activities). The elongated display portion can be elongated in the sense of being longer than its width, and / or generally only two-dimensional when observed, and / or linear, and / or strip-shaped.

[0015] The electric light source can be an LED or multiple LEDs. The vehicle charging port assembly can be considered as a surround and / or housing and / or insert and / or module arranged on the vehicle.

[0016] The socket area may include an opening in the support structure arranged to provide a passage through the support structure to a socket facewall in which a charging socket is located. Additionally or alternatively, the socket area may include a socket facewall in which a charging socket is located. The socket facewall may be recessed relative to a portion of the support structure supporting the light tube and may be connected to said portion via sidewalls. The socket facewall and / or sidewalls may be integrally formed with and / or as part of the support structure and / or vehicle charging port assembly, or the socket facewall and / or sidewalls may be separately formed from and / or different from the support structure and / or vehicle charging port assembly. The vehicle charging port assembly may include a charging socket.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle charging port assembly is provided, the vehicle charging port assembly including a support structure, a light tube and an electric light source, wherein:

[0018] The support structure supports the light tube and defines a socket area, which is arranged to include a charging socket for the vehicle or to provide a passage through the support structure to the charging socket, wherein the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and

[0019] The electric light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively guide light into a light tube for illumination of at least a portion of an elongated display section extending around a socket area.

[0020] In some implementations, the socket area is roughly rectangular.

[0021] The socket area can be, for example, generally rectangular in shape, but with some degree of curvature at least at its corners. By contrasting it with, for example, a circular socket area, a generally rectangular socket area (which may include a buffer zone around the charging socket) can retain additional (or at least more useful) area around the socket area. The straight or generally straight edges of a basically rectangular socket area can also more easily integrate with surrounding features, such as one or more buttons.

[0022] In some implementations, the elongated display portion follows a path that generally surrounds the socket area.

[0023] The elongated display portion may, for example, generally surround at least three sides of the socket area. The elongated display portion may be generally continuous and / or may generally form a ring. When the elongated display portion generally surrounds the socket area, the illumination of the elongated display portion can provide improved information carrying potential (e.g., more illuminated area and / or directional potential), improved location guidance for the charging socket location, and / or (e.g., improved illumination potential for surrounding vehicle charging ports and / or charging sockets).

[0024] In some implementations, the elongated display portion generally follows the outline of the periphery of the socket area.

[0025] Therefore, the shape formed by the path of the elongated display portion can roughly correspond to the shape of the socket area. The shape of the elongated display portion can be, for example, generally rectangular, and / or can have curved corners that correspond to the corners of the socket area. The elongated display portion can be located approximately at (and can generally form) the edge or periphery of the socket area. Furthermore, this can be the case for approximately the entire length of the elongated display portion. In the case where the elongated display portion has curvature (e.g., curvature at its corners), the minimum radius of curvature can be approximately at least ten times the cross-sectional radius of the elongated display portion and / or the light tube, thereby improving the foreground of the elongated display portion for uniform illumination.

[0026] In some implementations, virtually all the light fed into the light tube is directed to a first end and / or a second end of the light tube.

[0027] In the case where light is directed to both the first and second ends of the light tube, an additional electric light source, controlled by a control system, may be present to selectively direct light to the second end of the light tube for illumination of the elongated display section of the light tube. The electric light source (and, if present, the additional electric light source) may be the only light source supplied to the light tube (therefore, there may be no additional light source). Therefore, the light supply for all illumination from the light tube can come from light supplied to the first and / or second ends of the light tube. Thus, there may be no segments of the light tube and / or no additional light source supplying light to the light tube along its length. These features may be advantageous, for example, when installation depth constraints mean that additional light sources in the elongated display section will be difficult to block as point sources. The additional electric light source may be an LED or multiple LEDs.

[0028] When the electric light source and / or additional electric light source is one or more LEDs, the one or more LEDs can be oriented to reduce the depth required by the one or more LEDs.

[0029] In some embodiments, the vehicle charging assembly includes a reflector located generally between the elongated display portion and the support structure, the reflector being arranged to reflect light emitted from the light tube toward the reflector and redirect it generally toward the intended user viewing position range of the elongated display portion.

[0030] The reflector can extend almost the entire length of the elongated display section. The reflector can reduce light loss at the rear of the light tube.

[0031] In some implementations, the vehicle charging assembly includes a semi-transparent cover located above the elongated display portion.

[0032] A translucent cover can protect the light tube. Additionally or alternatively, the translucent cover can be used as a lens / diffuser, and thus prevent clear and direct observation of the light tube.

[0033] In some implementations, the translucent cover is arranged such that it has a light-transmitting surface that generally faces the center of the socket area.

[0034] A translucent cover and / or a light-transmitting surface may, for example, be at least partially disposed within the socket area (e.g., within the opening of the socket area including the orifice, or on the sidewall connecting to the recessed socket face). As will be understood, the described light-transmitting surface may also be provided in addition to another light-transmitting surface generally facing the intended user viewing position. The translucent cover may, for example, be configured to rise above the front face of the support structure surrounding the socket area and curve inward toward the surface generally facing and surrounding the socket area of ​​the support structure, ultimately extending beyond the surface generally facing and surrounding the socket area of ​​the support structure. This arrangement, in addition to guiding light generally toward the user, also provides increased illumination toward the charging socket.

[0035] In some implementations, the translucent cover is made of Arkema 502.

[0036] Arkema 502 offers an acceptable compromise / desired characteristic in terms of light transmittance, diffuse properties, impact resistance, scratch resistance, and / or the ability to be molded (e.g., injection molded) into a translucent cover to form a desired shape. Other materials, including, for example, DF23 8N, have been considered, but the combined characteristics of these materials have been found to be less than ideal. Arkema 502 can include Altuglas PMMA diffuser materials (e.g., Altuglas DIFFUSE 502). This can be modeled with validated thicknesses between 1.15 mm and 4 mm.

[0037] In some implementations, the vehicle charging component includes a control system.

[0038] In some embodiments, the control system is arranged such that the light source emits generally white light when the vehicle is in a first charging configuration and emits light of a different color when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, wherein the first charging configuration and the second charging configuration are different.

[0039] Different charging configurations can correspond, for example, to whether charging is currently being performed / attempted or whether a charging plug is present. The ability to emit both white and colored light may be desirable, as white is likely desirable for directional illumination / target (i.e., charging outlet) finding, while at least one other color allows for increased options in terms of information transmission and thus the number of possible charging configurations that can be indicated. For example, white light can be used when the cover for the charging outlet is open and / or when a charging plug is not present. Colored light, for example, can be used to transmit information about the charging configuration, such as initialization, timed charging setting, charging, error, or not charging optimally. Different colors can be used for some or all of these different charging configurations.

[0040] In some implementations, the control system is arranged such that the light source emits flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to the transition and / or recommended attention configuration, and emits non-flickering constant light when the vehicle is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to the stable and / or completed configuration.

[0041] Given the consistency of flashing or other methods in the use of charging configurations with a certain degree of commonality (e.g., the general nature of the vehicle's charging configuration, without considering its precise configuration), this can increase the information that can be transmitted. Examples of transitional and / or suggested configurations of concern could be attempting to initialize charging, an unsafe connection, slow charging, and normal charging. Examples of stable and / or completed configurations could be no charging plug, a malfunction, preparation for charging at a future set time, and a full charge (e.g., at the end of a charging cycle with the charging plug inserted).

[0042] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided that includes the vehicle charging assembly as described above.

[0043] For example, the vehicle can be a land vehicle and can be a road vehicle. The vehicle can be a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0044] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle control system is provided, the control system comprising one or more processors configured to:

[0045] Receive data indicating the vehicle's charging status;

[0046] The vehicle's charging status is determined based on the received data; and

[0047] An output signal is provided, which is arranged to cause the electric light source of the vehicle charging port assembly as described above to emit approximately white light when the vehicle is in a first charging configuration and to emit light of a different color when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, wherein the first charging configuration and the second charging configuration are different.

[0048] According to another aspect, a vehicle control system is provided, the control system including one or more processors configured together to:

[0049] Receive data indicating the vehicle's charging configuration;

[0050] The vehicle's charging configuration is determined based on the received data; and

[0051] An output signal is provided, which is arranged to cause the electric light source of the vehicle charging port assembly as described above to emit a flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a variety of charging configurations corresponding to the transition and / or recommended attention configurations, and to emit a non-flickering constant light when the vehicle is in any of a variety of charging configurations corresponding to the stable and / or completion configurations.

[0052] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly stated that various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims, and / or the following description and drawings may be adopted independently or in any combination, and in particular, the various features of various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or accordingly file any new claim, including the right to modify any originally filed claim to any feature subordinate to and / or incorporated into any other claim, although not initially claimed in this manner. Attached Figure Description

[0053] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1 A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0055] Figure 2 A front view of a vehicle charging port assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0056] Figure 3 A front cross-sectional view of a vehicle charging port assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0057] Figure 4 A front view of a vehicle charging port assembly installed on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0058] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The image shows a vehicle 100 in which a vehicle charging port assembly 200 is installed. The vehicle 100 is an electric road vehicle (using stored electrical energy to propel the vehicle) and can be recharged via a charging plug (not shown) through a charging socket 202 at a charging station or other electrical energy source.

[0060] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The vehicle charging port assembly 200 has a support structure 204 forming a plate-like main body of the vehicle charging port assembly 200. The support structure has a base plate 204a arranged to be attached to the vehicle 100 (see...). Figure 3 ) and a panel 204b arranged to be attached to and substantially cover the substrate 204a (see Figure 2 The support structure 204 defines a socket area 206. In this embodiment, the socket area 206 is an opening 208 passing through the support structure 204. The opening 208 is completely surrounded by the support structure 204. The support structure 204 is arranged to be fixed to the lower structure of the vehicle 100 such that the opening 208 provides a window allowing access through the support structure 204 to the socket faceplate 210 of the vehicle 100 and the charging socket 202 disposed in the socket faceplate 210. The socket area 206 is generally rectangular in shape but has curved corners.

[0061] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the socket area 206 may be arranged differently. For example, the socket area 206 may include a socket faceplate 210 of the vehicle 100 and optionally a charging socket 202. In this case, the socket faceplate 210 may be recessed and connected to the rest of the support structure 204 via sidewalls. Therefore, in such embodiments, the socket faceplate 210 and the sidewalls of the socket area 206 may be integrally formed with and / or formed as part of the support structure 204.

[0062] The vehicle charging port assembly 200 also includes a light tube 212. The light tube 212 is supported by a support structure 204. The light tube 212 has an elongated display portion 214 that is strip-shaped and extends around approximately three sides of the receptacle area 206. Prisms are distributed throughout the light tube 212, arranged to improve the uniformity of light propagating around the light tube 212 (i.e., reduce "hot spots"). The light tube 212 also has a service portion 216, which includes a first end 218 and a second end 220 of the light tube 212, extending below a service housing 222 of the support structure 204 (specifically, panel 204b). The service housing 222 is located on and adjacent to a fourth side 224 of the receptacle area 206.

[0063] The service housing 222 of the support structure 204 blocks the service portion 216 of the light tube 212 from the field of view and houses a pair of electric light sources (in this case, LEDs 226) supported on the substrate 204a. The pair of electric light sources are arranged to guide light into each of the first end 218 and the second end 220 of the light tube 212 for selective illumination of the elongated display portion 214. The service portion 216 of the light tube 212—including the first end 218 and the second end 220 of the light tube 212 and the portion of the light tube 212 adjacent to the first end 218 and the second end 220—serves as a mixing region blocked by the service housing 222 for guiding light into the light tube 212 by the LEDs 226. The length of each mixing region is substantially ten times (or at least ten times) the radius of the light tube 212 and / or the elongated display portion 214, thereby improving the foreground for uniform illumination of the elongated display portion 214. The LEDs 226 are oriented such that their longest dimension is substantially coplanar with the plane of the support structure 204. The LEDs 226 can be driven to emit light of various colors. As will be understood, in other embodiments, the light source can direct light into the light tube 212 at locations other than the first end 218 and the second end 220 of the light tube 212.

[0064] The illumination of LED 226 and therefore the illumination of the elongated display section 214 are controlled by control system 230 (see...). Figure 5 The control system 230 is configured to receive charging configuration data from the sensor suite and thus determine the charging configuration of the vehicle 100. The control system 200 can then output control signals to control the illumination and color of the LEDs 226 (e.g., the driving level of the individual red, green, and blue chips within each LED 226).

[0065] The control system 230 includes a controller 232 having a processing device 234 and a storage device 236. The processing device 234 may be one or more electronic processing devices operably executing computer-readable instructions. The storage device 236 may be one or more storage devices. The storage device 236 is electrically connected to the processing device 234. The storage device 236 is configured to store instructions, and the processing device 234 is configured to access the storage device 236 and execute the instructions stored on the storage device 236.

[0066] The control system 230 includes an input device 238 and an output device 240. The input device 238 may include an electrical input 238 of the controller 232. The output device 240 may include an electrical output 240 of the controller 232. The input 238 is arranged to receive one or more signals from a sensor suite. The one or more signals may be electrical signals indicating the charging configuration of the vehicle 100. By way of example, the sensor suite may include any one or more sensors that determine and transmit signals indicating the following:

[0067] - Is vehicle 100 locked?

[0068] - Whether a device (e.g., a smart key or a mobile phone) is detected and / or whether a device (e.g., a smart key or a mobile phone) is detected within a predetermined distance of vehicle 100.

[0069] - Does the charging port cover 242 cover the charging socket 202?

[0070] - Whether communication has been established with the charging station and whether charging can occur, the communication being intended / used to indicate that a connection has been established;

[0071] - Is the charging plug inserted into the charging socket 202?

[0072] - Whether the charging of the energy storage device (e.g., battery) of vehicle 100 occurs via charging socket 202;

[0073] - The rate at which the energy storage device of the vehicle 100 is charged via the charging socket 202;

[0074] - The charging status of the energy storage device in vehicle 100;

[0075] - Have you already scheduled to charge your phone at a future time?

[0076] - Has a charging process malfunction been detected?

[0077] As will be understood, data generated by the same sensor can sometimes provide one or more signals indicating more than one of these indications.

[0078] Output 240 is configured to output an LED control signal indicating the lighting requirements and color of the LED 226.

[0079] The elongated display portion 214 follows a path substantially surrounding the socket area 206 and conforms to the contour of the periphery of the socket area 206, thereby defining the edge of the socket area 206 on its three relevant sides. The elongated display portion 214 has curvature at its corners, with a minimum radius of curvature substantially at least ten times the cross-sectional radius of the elongated display portion. The elongated display portion 214 is continuous and translucent throughout its entire extent. The elongated display portion 214 is covered throughout its entire extent by a translucent cover 246. The translucent cover 246 is visible to the user of the vehicle charging port assembly 200 when the charging port baffle 242 is retracted. The translucent cover 246 acts as a diffuser for light emitted from the elongated display portion 214. The translucent cover 246 is continuous and substantially uniform in terms of light transmission characteristics throughout its entire extent.

[0080] The translucent cover 246 is arranged to extend to have light-transmitting surfaces that guide light generally toward the intended user viewing position range of the elongated display portion 214 (i.e., generally perpendicularly outward from the front surface 248 of the support structure 204) and generally toward the center of the socket area 206 (i.e., toward the charging socket). In this embodiment, these light-transmitting surfaces are continuous with each other and joined by a curved portion 250 of the translucent cover 246.

[0081] The translucent cover 246 comprises Arkema 502. Arkema 502 can provide an acceptable trade-off / desired characteristic in terms of light transmittance, diffusion, impact resistance, scratch resistance, and / or the ability to be molded (e.g., injection molded) into the desired shape of the translucent cover 246. Other materials including, for example, DF23 8N leading to the light pipe 212 have been considered, but DF23 8N has been found to be somewhat too transparent.

[0082] In this embodiment, the maximum depth of the vehicle charging port assembly 200 (i.e., the maximum depth between the outermost end of the vehicle charging port assembly 200—in this case, the outermost end of the service housing 222—and the innermost end of the vehicle charging port assembly 200—in this case, the innermost end of the support structure (in this case, the innermost end of the substrate 204a)) can be approximately between 5 mm and 20 mm, or approximately between 8 mm and 16 mm, or approximately between 10 mm and 14 mm, or approximately 12 mm. Furthermore, this can also be applied to other embodiments with different arrangements of the charging port assembly, such as the alternative arrangements described above, wherein the socket facewall 210 may be recessed and connected to the remainder of the support structure 204 via sidewalls.

[0083] The vehicle charging port assembly 200 also has a reflector (not shown) located substantially between the elongated display portion 214 and the support structure 204. The reflector is arranged to reflect light emitted from the light tube 212 toward the reflector and redirect it generally toward the intended user viewing position range of the elongated display portion 214.

[0084] In use, the vehicle charging port assembly 200 can be used to indicate the charging configuration of the vehicle 100 to the user and / or to illuminate the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and / or the charging socket 202 to assist the user in charging-related activities (e.g., locating the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and connecting or disconnecting the charging plug from the charging socket 202). Additionally, the configuration of the charging port assembly 200 facilitates its integration into the vehicle, particularly when the available installation depth at the selected mounting location is limited. Specifically, even with limited available installation depth, the use of a light tube (rather than, for example, an LED array) allows illumination without the light source being visible through a translucent cover / diffuser (e.g., as a point source). Considering all relevant constraints, this could be, for example, the available installation depth.

[0085] In use, LED 226 is selectively driven under the control of control system 230 to illuminate the elongated display portion 214 with an illumination effect corresponding to the main charging configuration. The illumination effect can be varied, for example, by turning the illumination on / off, the illumination color, whether the illumination is constant or flashing, and / or the illumination flashing frequency. When LED 226 is driven, light is guided by LED 226 to the first end 218 and the second end 220 of light tube 212. Then, before the light propagates around the elongated display portion 214, the light is mixed in a portion of light tube 212 inside service portion 216 (assisted by prisms located inside and distributed along light tube 212). Light is emitted from the elongated display portion 214 and across the entire extent of the elongated display portion 214 through translucent cover 246 toward the user and charging socket 202.

[0086] The functionality of the vehicle charging port component 200 will now be illustrated using an example charging configuration scenario. As will be understood, specific lighting colors and patterns (e.g., constant or flashing and flashing frequency) are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0087] When the charging port cover 242 is retracted to expose the vehicle charging port assembly 200, the LED 226 is driven to emit a constant white light. Therefore, the constant white light emitted from the elongated display portion 214 can help the user locate the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and / or the charging socket 202, making it easier to insert the charging plug (especially in low ambient light conditions).

[0088] When it is detected that a user has inserted the charging plug into the charging socket 202 and communication is established between the vehicle 100 and the vehicle charging station to which the charging plug belongs (in the sense of one or more electronic / electrical signals being sent and received), the LED 226 is driven to emit a flashing white light indicating the initialization of the charging process being attempted. However, if no communication with the charging station is detected, the LED 226 is no longer driven, thereby eliminating the illumination emitted through the elongated display portion 214. In this case, once it is detected that the charging plug has been removed from the charging socket 202, the LED 226 is driven again to emit a constant white light.

[0089] When a fault is detected during or after the charging process initialization, LED 226 is driven to emit a constantly lit red light.

[0090] When an improper fit between the charging plug and the charging socket 202 is detected despite the presence of the charging plug (e.g., the locking pin fails to engage), the LED 226 is driven to emit yellow light that flashes at a first frequency.

[0091] When it is detected that the charging plug and charging socket 202 are correctly connected and therefore charging can be performed, but a predetermined time (e.g., a future time) has been set for charging to occur, the LED 226 is driven to emit a constant blue light to indicate that charging will occur at the predetermined time.

[0092] When charging is in progress but at a rate below a predetermined threshold (i.e., "slow charging"), LED 226 is driven to emit yellow light that flashes at a second frequency slower than the first frequency. In practice, in some embodiments, different frequencies of yellow light flashing can be used to indicate "slow charging" under different conditions (e.g., when the battery's state of charge is above or below a predetermined threshold).

[0093] When normal charging is detected, LED 226 is driven to emit a flashing green light to indicate that normal charging is in progress. This can indicate the desired or optimal charging rate. In some embodiments, flashing green light at different frequencies can be used to indicate normal charging under different conditions (e.g., when the battery's state of charge is above or below a predetermined threshold). Five charging status lights 252 are provided separately. The number of these charging status lights 252 illuminated (in this case, green) by the control system 230 indicates the state of charge of the vehicle battery. Additionally, when normal charging is detected, the charging status lights 252 indicating the relevant number of current charges on the battery are driven to flash synchronously with the elongated display portion 214.

[0094] When the vehicle battery is detected to be fully charged, LED 226 is driven to emit a solid green light. Similarly, the charging status light 252 can also be driven to emit a solid green light.

[0095] When the charging plug is detected to be removed from the charging socket 202, the LED 226 is driven to emit a constant white light.

[0096] When the charging port baffle 242 is detected to be closed, LED 226 is no longer driven, thereby eliminating the illumination emitted through the elongated display portion 214. Additionally, the charging status light 252 is also no longer driven.

[0097] In this embodiment, if a device (e.g., a smart key or mobile phone) is not detected (or not detected within a threshold distance of vehicle 100) for a predetermined time period (in this case, 4 minutes), all lighting effects described above are disabled. In this way, unnecessary energy consumption and / or lighting can be avoided. However, if the device is detected again (or detected within the threshold distance), the lighting effects corresponding to the associated primary charging configuration are enabled. However, an option is also provided via user selection, allowing the deactivation based on device detection to be overridden, thus providing lighting effects regardless of device detection.

[0098] As can be noted, the control system 230 is arranged such that the elongated display portion 214 emits white light in the first charging configuration (i.e., when the charging port baffle 242 is activated to be retracted to expose the vehicle charging port assembly 200), and emits light of a different color when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration (or in fact, in one of the multiple alternative charging configurations as described above). White illumination can be suitable for the specific charging configuration in which it is used, since in this case the user is likely to attempt to connect the charging plug and charging socket 202, in which case improved illumination can be highly desirable. Using other colors allows for increased options in conveying information about other charging configurations, such as those used to indicate the various other charging configurations described above (for which increased illumination may not be advantageous / important).

[0099] As can be noted, the control system 230 is arranged such that the elongated display portion 214 emits a flashing light when the vehicle 100 is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to transitional and / or suggested concern configurations (i.e., attempted charging initialization, incorrect mating of the charging plug and charging socket 202, charging in progress but at a rate below a predetermined threshold, and normal charging), and emits a constant, non-flashing light when the vehicle 100 is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to stable and / or completed configurations (i.e., the vehicle charging port assembly 200 is exposed, a fault is detected, a predetermined charging time has elapsed, and the vehicle is fully charged). Given the consistency of the use of flashing or other methods in charging configurations with a certain degree of commonality (e.g., the general nature of the vehicle's charging configuration, without considering its precise configuration), this increases the amount of information that can be conveyed.

[0100] It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A vehicle charging port assembly, comprising a support structure, a light tube, and an electric light source, wherein: The support structure supports the optical tube and defines a socket area, the socket area being arranged to include a vehicle charging socket or to provide a channel through the support structure to the charging socket, wherein the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and The electric light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively direct light to a first end of the light tube for illumination of an elongated display portion extending around at least a portion of the socket area.

2. The vehicle charging port assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The socket area is roughly rectangular.

3. The vehicle charging port assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The elongated display portion follows a path that roughly surrounds the socket area.

4. The vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, The elongated display portion generally follows the outline of the periphery of the socket area.

5. The vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, Approximately all the light supplied to the light tube is directed to the first end and / or the second end of the light tube.

6. The vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a reflector generally located between the elongated display portion and the support structure, the reflector being arranged to reflect light emitted from the light tube toward the reflector and redirect it generally toward a range of intended user viewing positions of the elongated display portion.

7. The vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a translucent cover located above the elongated display portion.

8. The vehicle charging assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The translucent cover is arranged such that it has a light-transmitting surface that is generally facing the center of the socket area.

9. The vehicle charging assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein, The translucent cover is made of Arkema 502.

10. The vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, including the control system.

11. The vehicle charging assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The control system is arranged such that the electric light source emits approximately white light when the vehicle is in a first charging configuration and emits light of a different color when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, wherein the first charging configuration and the second charging configuration are different.

12. The vehicle charging assembly according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The control system is configured such that the electric light source emits flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to the transition and / or recommended attention configuration, and emits non-flickering constant light when the vehicle is in any of a plurality of charging configurations corresponding to the stable and / or completed configuration.

13. A vehicle comprising a vehicle charging assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

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