Charging system with luminescent section

Abstract

Arrangement of an electrified vehicle (10), comprising: a charging system comprising a section located in a charging plug (24) and comprising a cast luminescent resin, wherein the charging system is configured to electrically couple a charging station (32) and an electrified vehicle (10), wherein the luminescent section is covered when the charging plug (24) is electrically coupled to a charging port (18) of the electrified vehicle (10), and at least a section of the luminescent section is uncovered when the charging plug (24) is electrically disconnected from the charging port (18).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a charging system for an electrified vehicle. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a charging system that has a luminescent section. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Electrified vehicles generally differ from conventional motor vehicles in that they are selectively powered by one or more battery-driven electric motors. Conventional motor vehicles, in contrast, are powered exclusively by an internal combustion engine. The electric motors can power the electrified vehicle instead of, or in addition to, the internal combustion engine. Examples of electrified vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). A charging system can be used to connect an electrified vehicle to an external power source, such as a charging station. The current flows from the external power source through the charging system to one or more batteries of the electrified vehicle.

[0003] Some conventional and electrified vehicles have components, such as trunk release handles, cast from luminescent resins. Luminescent resins have also been used in non-automotive applications. For example, surrounds made of luminescent resins have been used in conjunction with household light switches and door handles.

[0004] JP 2012-244754A describes a cover element that protects an electrical cable for charging an electric vehicle and a connector connected to the electric vehicle, comprising: an insulating cover element with a base end part that is connected to an outer circumferential surface of the electrical cable and a tip part that is connected to the electric vehicle and surrounds an area around the connector; and an information part that indicates the charge level of the electric vehicle. The cover element includes an inner surface that defines a closed space between the base end part and the tip part, and the information part is attached to the inner surface. This connector thus has a resin cover. This cover also serves to display information regarding the state of charge.However, when the charging plug is electrically connected to the charging station, the luminescent section is not covered, but rather remains visible. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention discloses an arrangement of an electrified vehicle comprising: a charging system with a section located in a charging plug and comprising a cast luminescent resin, wherein the charging system is configured to electrically couple a charging station and an electrified vehicle, wherein the luminescent section is covered when the charging plug is electrically coupled to a charging port of the electrified vehicle, and at least a section of the luminescent section is uncovered when the charging plug is electrically disconnected from the charging port.

[0006] An arrangement of an electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure comprises, among other things, a charging system with a luminescent section. The charging system is configured to electrically couple a charging station and an electrified vehicle.

[0007] In another non-restrictive embodiment of the above arrangement, the luminescent section is located in a charging port of the electrified vehicle.

[0008] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the luminescent section is located in a charging plug of a charging station.

[0009] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the luminescent section is located in a connection area of ​​the charging plug.

[0010] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the connection area comprises an outer rim and at least one connection rim extending from a base. The outer rim and the at least one connection rim contain a higher percentage of a luminescent resin than the base.

[0011] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the luminescent section is covered when the charging plug is electrically coupled to a charging port of the electrified vehicle, and at least one section of the luminescent section is uncovered when the charging plug is electrically disconnected from the charging port.

[0012] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, a base of the connection area has a first percentage of a luminescent resin and a connection edging of the connection area has a second, different percentage of a luminescent resin.

[0013] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the first percentage of the luminescent resin contained in the soil is nominally zero.

[0014] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the luminescent section comprises a cast luminescent resin.

[0015] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, the arrangement comprises a border made of a luminescent resin. The border surrounds at least a section of a charging port of an electrified vehicle.

[0016] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above arrangements, a cable connects a charging plug of the charging system to another section of the charging station. The cable includes a luminescent section.

[0017] A method for connecting an electrified vehicle to an external charging station according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure comprises, among other things, aligning a charging plug with respect to a charging port using a luminescent section of the charging port, the charging plug, or both. The method further comprises moving the charging plug from an electrically decoupled position with the charging port to an electrically coupled position with the charging port.

[0018] In another non-restrictive embodiment of the above method, the luminescent section is located in the charging port of the electrified vehicle.

[0019] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above methods, the luminescent section is located in the charging plug of a charging station.

[0020] In another non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above methods, the luminescent section is located in a connection area of ​​the charging plug.

[0021] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above methods, the base of the connection area is less luminescent than the connection surround of the connection area.

[0022] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above methods, the luminescent section comprises a cast luminescent resin.

[0023] In a further non-restrictive embodiment of one of the above methods, the luminescent section is concealed when the charging plug is in the electrically coupled position with the charging port, and the luminescent section is visible when the charging plug is in the electrically decoupled position with the charging port. DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0024] The various features and advantages of the revealed examples will become obvious to experts from the detailed description. The figures accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an example electrified vehicle. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a close-up view of a charging port on the electrified vehicle of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the charging port electrically coupled to a charging plug. Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the charging plug of Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the charging plug of Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the charging plug of Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the charging port from the electric vehicle. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. Figure 8 illustrates an expanded view of the charging port of Fig. 7. Fig. Figure 9 illustrates a front view of the charging port of Fig. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention discloses an arrangement of an electrified vehicle comprising: a charging system with a section located in a charging plug and comprising a cast luminescent resin, wherein the charging system is configured to electrically couple a charging station and an electrified vehicle, wherein the luminescent section is covered when the charging plug is electrically coupled to a charging port of the electrified vehicle, and at least a section of the luminescent section is uncovered when the charging plug is electrically disconnected from the charging port.

[0026] This disclosure relates generally to a charging system incorporating a luminescent section. The luminescent section can assist a user in aligning electric vehicle charging equipment, particularly in low-light or no-light environments. Examples of electric vehicle charging equipment include a charging plug and a charging port. Examples of low-light environments include dimly lit parking garages, city streets at night, and dark private garages.

[0027] With reference to Fig. In examples 1 to 3, vehicle 10 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) containing a traction battery. In another example, vehicle 10 is a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0028] A power-split powertrain of the vehicle 10 employs a first drive system and a second drive system. The first and second drive systems generate torque to drive one or more sets of drive wheels 12 of the vehicle. The first drive system comprises a combination of an internal combustion engine and a generator. The second drive system comprises at least one engine, the generator, and the traction battery.

[0029] From time to time, it is necessary to recharge the traction battery. When the vehicle is moving, energy from regenerative braking can recharge the traction battery. When the vehicle is stationary, an external power source can recharge the traction battery.

[0030] The vehicle 10 includes a charging port door 14, which, when closed, covers a charging port 18. The charging port 18 provides an interface on the vehicle 10 for electrically connecting the vehicle 10 to the external power supply 22, such as an AC outlet at the vehicle operator's residence or at a public charging station. Opening the door 14 exposes the charging port 18.

[0031] When the vehicle 10 is being charged using the external power supply 22, a user opens the door 14 and electrically connects a charging plug 24 to the charging port 18 so that power can be transferred from the external power supply 22 to the traction battery in the vehicle 10.

[0032] The electricity recharges the drive battery. A charging cable 28 can connect the charging plug 24 to the external power supply 22.

[0033] The charging plug 24, the charging cable 28, and the external power supply 22 are types of electric vehicle supply devices that together provide a charging station 32. The charging station 32 and the charging port 18 together provide a charging system for the vehicle 10.

[0034] The charging system shown is for use in European markets. Different charging system configurations may be used for other markets, such as North America and China. Other charging systems include Mode 3 configurations.

[0035] Charging plug 24 is an electric vehicle power supply connector, and in this example is an AC charging plug. In another example, charging plug 24 is a DC charging plug.

[0036] With reference to the following Fig. 4 to 6 and further reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The charging plug 24 comprises a connection area 50 and an outer housing 54. When the charging plug 24 is electrically coupled to the charging port 18, the connection area 50 is incorporated into the charging port 18 in such a way that the connection area 50 is concealed by the charging port 18.

[0037] In this example, at least part of the terminal area 50 is formed from a cast luminescent resin material. Luminescent resins contain electrons that can emit light when activated. In some examples, luminescent resins will emit light or glow for up to 32 hours after the luminescent particles in the resin have been charged.

[0038] When not coupled to charging port 18, the connection area 50 of the charging plug 24 is clearly visible in low-light or no-light environments. The visibility of connection area 50 can help the user locate the charging plug 24 in low-light or no-light environments. The visibility of connection area 50 can also help the user align the charging plug 24 when moving it into an electrically coupled relationship with charging port 18 in low-light or no-light environments.

[0039] When the charging plug 24 is connected to the charging port 18, the outer casing 54 is exposed and visible. In this example, the outer casing 54 does not contain any cast luminescent resin material. Since the connection area 50 emits light, but the outer casing 54 does not, the connection area 50 stands out strongly from the outer casing 54, especially in low-light or no-light environments.

[0040] In another example, selected parts of the outer casing 54 could contain a luminescent material. For instance, a design feature or marking of the outer casing 54 could contain a luminescent material. In yet another example, the outer casing 54 is cast from a luminescent resin such that essentially the entire charging plug 24 emits light.

[0041] The outer casing 54 can have a two-part "clamshell" design, with sections that meet to surround and enclose areas of the charging connector 24. In this example, a first and a second section of the outer casing 54 meet at a lower interface 58 and an upper interface 60.

[0042] The outer casing 54 provides a gripping area 64 that the user can grasp when aligning the charging plug 24 with the charging port 18. The gripping area 64 may have a textured surface compared to other areas of the outer casing 54. The textured surface can assist the user in gripping the gripping area 64.

[0043] In some examples, the cable 28 could additionally contain a luminescent resin. For example, an outermost insulating layer of the cable 28 could accommodate wires. This outermost insulating layer could contain the luminescent resin. In such an example, the light emitted by the cable 28 could prevent the user from tripping over the cable 28.

[0044] In this example, both the connection area 50 and the outer housing 54 consist of a glass-filled polymer material. The glass filling reinforces the charging plug 24 and helps it to meet thermal, mechanical, and other design requirements.

[0045] With particular reference to Fig. The base 66 of the connection area 50 contains no luminescent resin. In contrast to the base 66, an outer rim 74 and individual connection rims 76 contain a luminescent resin. The outer rim 74 and the individual connection rims 76 therefore stand out from the base 66 of the connection area 50, which can facilitate the alignment of the charging plug 24's terminals with the charging port 18's terminals.

[0046] In another example, the base 66 contains some luminescent resin. The percentage of luminescent resin in the base can be different from the percentage of luminescent resin in the outer border 74 and in the individual terminal borders 76. Changing the percentage of luminescent resin can cause the base 66 to emit less light than the outer border 74 and the terminal borders 76, or more light than the outer border 74 and the terminal borders 76.

[0047] With reference to the following Fig. 7 to 9 and further reference to Fig. Figures 2 to 6 show that the charging port 18 is an arrangement comprising an AC interface 68 and a DC interface 72. The charging plug 24 can be electrically connected to the AC interface 68 during AC charging of the traction battery. Another charging plug (not shown) can be connected to the DC interface 72 when the traction battery is charged using DC charging, such as DC fast charging.

[0048] The charging port 18 can include selected areas containing a luminescent resin. In this example, the charging port 18 includes an interface section 80 with the AC interface 68 and the DC interface 72. The charging port 18 further includes a cover 84 providing openings 88 and 92.

[0049] When assembled, the cover 84 sits over the interface section 80 in such a way that the AC interface 68 extends into the opening 88 and the DC interface 72 extends into the opening 92.

[0050] A secondary cover 96 can connect to the cover 84, the DC interface 72, or both, to conceal the DC interface 72 when not in use. The secondary cover 96 is in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 is not shown for clarity of the drawing.

[0051] In this example, the interface section 80 of the charging port 18 is cast and contains a luminescent resin. Interface section 80 is cast from a glass-filled polymer material. The glass filling reinforces interface section 80 so that it can meet design requirements.

[0052] Unlike interface section 80, cover 84 is cast without a luminescent resin. Therefore, AC interface 68 and DC interface 72 emit light and stand out against an outward-facing surface 100 of cover 84 when the charging port 18 is positioned in the vehicle 10. This high contrast between interfaces 68 and 72 and surface 100 helps the user to locate AC interface 68 and DC interface 72 in low-light or no-light environments.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the charging plug 24 in an electrical coupling with the charging port 18. In the electrical coupling, the connection area 50 of the charging plug 24 is not visible, and therefore the luminescent sections of the connection area 50 are not visible. Concealing the luminescent sections when the charging plug 24 is engaged with the charging port 18 may be desirable if the luminescent sections are aesthetically disturbing.

[0054] The charging system for vehicle 10 could include other areas containing a luminescent resin. For example, a border 104 ( Fig. 1 and Fig.2) of the vehicle 10 contains a luminescent resin. The surround 104 could surround some or all of the charging port 18, the door 14, or both. The surround 104 could emit light that is visible when the door 14 is closed. In another example, the luminescent surround 104 could be visible when the door 14 is open, but not when the door 14 is closed.

[0055] Features of the disclosed examples include a charging system that incorporates a luminescent section which can aid in locating and aligning without the need for LEDs, for example. The luminescent section emits light, thus avoiding the complexity and cost associated with LEDs.

[0056] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples may be apparent to those skilled in the art, which do not necessarily deviate from the essence of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of legal protection afforded to this disclosure can only be determined by examining the following claims.

[0057] It is further described as follows: A. Arrangement of an electrified vehicle, comprising: a charging system with a luminescent section, wherein the charging system is designed to electrically couple a charging station and an electrified vehicle. B. Arrangement according to A, wherein the luminescent section is located in a charging port of the electrified vehicle. C. Arrangement according to A, wherein the luminescent section is located in a charging plug of a charging station. D. Arrangement according to C, wherein the luminescent section is located in a connection area of ​​the charging plug. E. Arrangement according to D, wherein the connection area comprises an outer border and at least one connection border extending from a base, wherein the outer border and the at least one connection border contain a higher percentage of a luminescent resin than the base. F. Arrangement according to C, wherein the luminescent section is covered when the charging plug is electrically coupled to a charging port of the electrified vehicle, and at least one section of the luminescent section is uncovered when the charging plug is electrically disconnected from the charging port. G. Arrangement according to F, wherein a base of the connection area has a first percentage of a luminescent resin and a connection edging of the connection area has a second, different percentage of a luminescent resin. H. Arrangement according to G, wherein the first percentage of the luminescent resin contained in the soil is nominally zero. I. Arrangement according to A, wherein the luminescent section comprises a cast luminescent resin. J. Arrangement according to A, further comprising a border with a luminescent resin, which surrounds at least a section of a charging port of an electrified vehicle. K. Arrangement according to A, further comprising a cable connecting a charging plug of the charging system to another section of the charging station, the cable comprising a luminescent section. L. Method for coupling an electrified vehicle with an external charging station, comprising: Aligning a charging plug with respect to a charging port using a luminescent section of the charging port, the charging plug, or both; and Moving the charging plug from an electrically decoupled position with the charging port to an electrically coupled position with the charging port. M. Method according to L, wherein the luminescent section is located in the charging port of the electrified vehicle. N. Method according to L, wherein the luminescent section is located in the charging plug of a charging station. O. Method according to N, wherein the luminescent section is located in a connection area of ​​the charging plug. P. Method according to N, wherein a base of the connection area is less luminescent than a connection edging of the connection area. Q. Method according to L, wherein the luminescent section comprises a cast luminescent resin. R. Method according to L, wherein the luminescent section is concealed when the charging plug is in the electrically coupled position with the charging port, and the luminescent section is visible when the charging plug is in the electrically decoupled position with the charging port.

Claims

[1] Arrangement of an electrified vehicle (10), comprising: a charging system having a portion located in a charging plug (24) and comprising a molded luminescent resin, wherein the charging system is configured to electrically couple a charging station (32) and an electrified vehicle (10), wherein the luminescent portion is covered when the charging plug (24) is electrically coupled to a charging port (18) of the electrified vehicle (10), and at least a portion of the luminescent portion is uncovered when the charging plug (24) is electrically decoupled from the charging port (18). [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the luminescent section is located in a connection area (50) of the charging plug (24). [3] The assembly of claim 2, wherein the terminal region (50) comprises an outer bezel (74) and at least one terminal bezel (76) extending from a bottom (66), the outer bezel (74) and the at least one terminal bezel (50) containing a higher percentage of a luminescent resin than the bottom (66). [4] The assembly of claim 1, wherein a bottom (66) of the terminal portion (50) comprises a first percentage of a luminescent resin and a terminal bezel (76) of the terminal portion (50) comprises a second, different percentage of a luminescent resin. [5] The assembly of claim 4, wherein the first percentage of luminescent resin contained in the base (66) is nominally zero. [6] The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a border (104) comprising a luminescent resin surrounding at least a portion of a charging port (18) of an electrified vehicle (10). [7] The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cable (28) connecting a charging plug (24) of the charging system to another portion of the charging station (32), the cable comprising a luminescent portion.

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