Vehicle charging

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle charging port assembly 200 comprising 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 socket zone 206 arranged to comprise a charging socket 202 of a vehicle 100 or provide access through the support structure 204 to the charging socket 202 where the charging socket 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 into a first end 218 of the light pipe 212 for illumination of at least an elongated display portion 214 of the light pipe 212 which extends around at least a portion of the socket zone 206.

Description

[0001] VEHICLE CHARGING

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle charging. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle charging port assembly and a vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Hybrid and electric vehicles are often charged by plugging a charging plug of a charging station or other source of electrical energy into a charging socket of the vehicle. It such cases, it may be desirable to provide at least a degree of information regarding the charging process and / or control functionality over the charging process in the vicinity of the charging socket of the vehicle, given that this is where the user will often be located when performing charging related activities. It might for instance be desirable to provide information regarding the charging configuration of the vehicle and / or the state of charge of a battery and / or control over the timing of the charging or the operation of a charging port flap for selectively covering the charging socket. Such ‘local’ functionality may be contrasted for instance with information and / or control offered by a device such as a mobile phone (which may in some circumstances be relatively time consuming to use and / or less convenient than ‘local’ functionality).

[0006] Incorporating the facility to provide some or all desired information and / or control may be challenging, especially while maintaining desired functionality and convenience in using the charging socket. For instance, suitable locations for the charging socket may be limited and / or constrained in terms of physical volume available. This creates a packaging and design challenge in order that desired information and / or control functionality can be provided locally in combination with the charging socket and related ancillary structures.

[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle charging port assembly and a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

[0010] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle charging port assembly comprising a support structure, a light pipe and an electrical light source, wherein the support structure supports the light pipe and defines a socket zone arranged to comprise a charging socket of a vehicle or provide access through the support structure to the charging socket where the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and the electrical light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively direct light into a first end of the light pipe for illumination of at least an elongated display portion of the light pipe which extends around at least a portion of the socket zone.

[0011] The use of a light pipe may offer a mechanism for providing a light source where there is a relative lack of depth available at the installation location. Specifically, the lack of depth may render LEDs undesirable given that an LED might be visible as a point source given enforced proximity of the LED to a cover (e.g. a diffuser). A relative lack of depth available may arise due to a limited thickness of a vehicle skin and / or available / desired packaging depth. It may be for instance that available / desired packaging depth between front and rear extremities of the vehicle charging assembly (e.g. where the vehicle charging assembly is considered to cover / be directly in front of and / or abut charging infrastructure / a charging module of the vehicle and to be accessed by opening a cover / flap otherwise covering the vehicle charging assembly) is between substantially 5mm and 20mm, or between substantially 8mm and 16mm or is between substantially 10mm and 14mm or is substantially 12mm. A particular installation location with limited depth availability may be selected at least in part in view of other factors and despite the limited depth availability. It might for instance be that there are limited locations available which conform to at least one of the following: suitable for user access and / or functionality; not in a region occupied by other structure / components (e.g. the body in white); not in the region of a body opening (e.g. a door, bonnet or boot); and having sufficient area and / or clearances for the vehicle charging port and / or associated features e.g. a buffer zone around the charging socket and / or a display and / or a user interface (e.g. control button or buttons) and / or a sliding cover mechanism and / or to accommodate charging plug / gun dimensions.

[0012] The elongated display portion may be arranged to emit light visible to a user viewing the charging socket of the vehicle when the vehicle charging port assembly is present on the vehicle. It may provide information (e.g. charging configuration), serve as a guide for finding the charging socket (e.g. in poor light levels) and / or illumination for a user interacting with and / or viewing the vehicle charging port assembly (e.g. whilst undertaking charging related activities). The elongated display portion may be elongated in the sense of being longer than it is wide and / or substantially only 2-dimensional as viewed and / or line like and / or a strip.

[0013] The electrical light source may be an LED or plurality of LEDs. The vehicle charging port assembly may be considered a surround and / or housing and / or insert and / or a module arranged to be provided on a vehicle.

[0014] The socket zone may comprise an aperture in the support structure arranged to provide access through the support structure to a socket face wall having the charging socket therein. Additionally or alternatively, the socket zone may comprise the socket face wall having the charging socket therein. The socket face wall may be rebated with respect to a portion of the support structure supporting the light pipe and may be connected to that portion by a side wall. The socket face wall and / or side wall may be integrally formed with and / or be part of the support structure and / or vehicle charging port assembly or may be separately formed and / or distinct from the support structure and / or vehicle charging port assembly. The vehicle charging port assembly may comprise the charging socket.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle charging port assembly comprising a support structure, a light pipe and an electrical light source, wherein the support structure supports the light pipe and defines a socket zone arranged to comprise a charging socket of a vehicle or provide access through the support structure to the charging socket where the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and the electrical light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively direct light into the light pipe for illumination of at least an elongated display portion of the light pipe which extends around at least a portion of the socket zone.

[0016] In some embodiments the socket zone is substantially rectangular.

[0017] The socket zone may for instance be substantially rectangular in shape and yet have a degree of curvature at least at its corners. A substantially rectangular socket zone (which may encompass a buffer zone around the charging socket) may preserve additional area (or at least more useful area) surrounding the socket zone by comparison for instance with a circular socket zone. Straight or substantially straight edges of the substantially rectangular socket zone may also be more easily integrated with surrounding features e.g. one or more buttons.

[0018] In some embodiments the elongated display portion follows a path that substantially surrounds the socket zone.

[0019] The elongated display portion may for instance substantially surround at least three sides of the socket zone. The elongated display portion may be substantially continuous and / or may substantially form a loop. Where the elongated display portion substantially surrounds the socket zone, its illumination may offer improved information carrying potential (e.g. more illuminated area and / or potential for directionality), improved location guidance as to the location of the charging socket and / or improved illumination potential (e.g. of the surrounding area vehicle charging port and / or charging socket).

[0020] In some embodiments the elongated display portion substantially follows the contours of a perimeter of the socket zone.

[0021] A shape formed by the path of the elongated display portion may therefore substantially correspond to the shape of the socket zone. The shape of the elongated display portion may for instance be substantially rectangular and / or may have curved corners which may correspond to those of the socket zone. The elongated display portion may be substantially positioned at (and may substantially form) a rim or edge of the socket zone. Further, this may be the case for substantially the full length of the elongated display portion. Where the elongated display portion has curvature (for instance at its corners) it may be that the minimum radius of curvature is substantially at least ten times a cross-sectional radius of the elongated display portion and / or the light pipe, thereby improving prospects for a homogenous illumination of the elongated display portion.

[0022] In some embodiments substantially all light delivered into the light pipe is directed into the first end and / or a second end of the light pipe.

[0023] In the case that light is directed into both the first and second ends of the light pipe, there may be an additional electrical light source controlled by the control system to selectively direct light into the second end of the light pipe for illumination of the elongated display portion of the light pipe. The electrical light source (and where present the additional electrical light source) may be the only source(s) of light delivered into the light pipe (there may therefore be no additional light sources). Consequently, it may be that light delivery for all illumination from the light pipe comes from light delivered to its first and or second ends. There may therefore be no segmentation of the light pipe and / or no additional light sources delivering light to the light pipe along its length. Such features may be advantageous where for instance installation depth constraints mean that additional light sources in the elongated display portion would be difficult to conceal as point sources. The additional electrical light source may be an LED or plurality of LEDs.

[0024] Where the electrical light source and / or the additional electrical light source is an LED or LEDs, the LED or LEDs may be oriented so as to reduce the depth required by the LED or LEDs.

[0025] In some embodiments the vehicle charging assembly comprises a reflector located substantially between the elongated display portion and the support structure arranged to reflect light emitted from the light pipe towards the reflector so as to be redirected substantially towards a range of expected user viewing positions of the elongated display portion.

[0026] The reflector may run for substantially the full length of the elongated display portion. The reflector may reduce light lost to the rear of the light pipe.

[0027] In some embodiments the vehicle charging assembly comprises a translucent cover over the elongated display portion.

[0028] The translucent cover may protect the light pipe. Additionally or alternatively, the translucent cover may act as lens / diffuser and may therefore prevent clear and direct view of the light pipe.

[0029] In some embodiments the translucent cover is arranged so that it has a light transmitting face facing substantially towards the centre of the socket zone.

[0030] The translucent cover and / or the light transmitting face may for instance be provided at least partially within the socket zone (e.g. within the aperture where the socket zone comprises an aperture, or on the side wall connecting the socket face wall where it is rebated). As will be appreciated, the light transmitting face described may be provided in addition to another light transmitting face facing substantially towards a range of expected user viewing positions. The translucent cover may for instance be provided both elevated above a front face of the support structure surrounding the socket zone and curve inwards towards and ultimately beyond a surface of the support structure substantially facing and surrounding the socket zone. Such arrangements may provide increased illumination inwards towards the charging socket in addition to direct light substantially towards a user.

[0031] In some embodiments the translucent cover is made of Arkema 502. Arkema 502 may offer an acceptable compromise / desirable features in terms of light transmission, diffusion, impact resistance, scratch resistance and / or being capable of moulding (e.g. injection moulding) to form a desired shape of translucent cover. Other materials have been considered including for instance DF23 8N, but these materials were found to have a less desirable combination of features. Arkema 502 may include an Altuglas PMMA diffusive material (e.g. Altuglas DIFFUSE 502). This may have a modelization validated for thickness between 1.15 and 4mm).

[0032] In some embodiments the vehicle charging assembly comprises the control system.

[0033] In some embodiments the control system is arranged to cause the electrical light source to emit light that is substantially white when the vehicle is in a first charging configuration and to emit light of another colour when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, where the first and second charging configurations are different.

[0034] The different charging configurations may for instance correspond to whether or not charging is currently being performed / attempted or whether or not a charging plug is present. It may be desirable to have capability for both white light and coloured light emission, because white may be desirable for illumination / target (i.e. charging socket) direction finding, whilst at least one other colour may allow increased options in terms of information conveyance and therefore the number of possible charging configurations that can be indicated. White light may for example be used upon opening a flap for the charging socket and / or when there is no charging plug present. Coloured lights may for instance be used for information conveyance regarding charging configuration e.g. initialising, timed charging set, charging, error, not charging optimally. A different colour may be used for some or all such different charging configurations.

[0035] In some embodiments the control system is arranged to cause the electrical light source to emit flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to an interim and / or attention advised configuration and non-flashing solid light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to a stable and / or complete configurations.

[0036] This may increase information that can be conveyed in view of the consistency of use of flashing or otherwise in accordance with charging configurations having a degree of commonality (E.g. general nature of the configuration of the vehicle as regards charging irrespective of its precise configuration). Examples of interim and / or attention advised configurations might be attempting to initialise charging, insecure connection, slow charging and normal charging. Examples of stable and / or complete configurations might be no charging plug present, fault, ready to charge at future set time and fully charged (e.g. at the end of a charge cycle with a charging plug inserted).

[0037] According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle charging assembly as previously described. The vehicle may for instance be a land-vehicle and may be a road vehicle. The vehicle may be a battery electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a control system of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to: receive data indicative of a charge state of the vehicle; determine in dependence on the received data the charge state of the vehicle; and output a signal arranged to cause the electrical light source of the vehicle charging port assembly as previously described to emit light that is substantially white when the vehicle is in a first charging configuration and to emit light of another colour when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, where the first and second charging configurations are different.

[0039] According to a still further aspect there is provided a control system of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more processors collectively configured to: receive data indicative of charging configuration of the vehicle; determine in dependence on the received data the charging configuration of the vehicle; and output a signal arranged to cause the electrical light source of the vehicle charging port assembly as previously described to emit flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to an interim and / or attention advised configuration and nonflashing solid light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to a stable and / or complete configuration.

[0040] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0044] Figure 2 shows a front view of a vehicle charging port assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a front sectional view of a vehicle charging port assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Figure 4 shows a front view of a vehicle charging port assembly installed on a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a vehicle 100 in which is installed a vehicle charging port assembly 200. The vehicle 100 is an electric road vehicle (using stored electrical energy to propel the vehicle), rechargeable using a charging plug (not shown) via a charging socket 202 of a charging station or other source of electrical energy.

[0048] Referring to 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 (see Figure 3) arranged to be attached to the vehicle 100 and a face plate 204b (see Figure 2) arranged to be attached to and substantially cover the base plate 204a. The support structure 204 defines a socket zone 206. In this embodiment, the socket zone 206 is an aperture 208, passing through the support structure 204. The aperture 208 is entirely surrounded by the support structure 204. The support structure 204 is arranged to be secured to an underlying structure of the vehicle 100 in a manner such that the aperture 208 provides a window allowing access through the support structure 204 to a socket face wall 210 of the vehicle 100 and the charging socket 202 provided in the socket face wall 210. The socket zone 206 is substantially rectangular in shape but with curved corners.

[0049] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the socket zone 206 may be arranged differently e.g. the socket zone 206 may comprise the socket face wall 210 of the vehicle 100 and optionally the charging socket 202. In this case, the socket face wall 210 may be rebated and connected to the remainder of the support structure 204 by a side wall. Consequently, in such embodiments, the socket face wall 210 and side wall of the socket zone 206, may be integrally formed with and / or part of the support structure 204.

[0050] The vehicle charging port assembly 200 also has a light pipe 212. The light pipe 212 is supported by the support structure 204. The light pipe 212 has an elongated display portion 214 which has a strip like form and extends around substantially three sides of the of the socket zone 206. Distributed throughout the extent of the light pipe 212 are prisms arranged to improve the homogeneity of light travelling around the light pipe 212 (i.e. to reduce ‘hot spots’). The light pipe 212 also has a service portion 216 comprising first 218 and second 220 ends of the light pipe 212 which extend beneath a service housing 222 of the support structure 204 (specifically the face plate 204b). The service housing 222 is on a fourth side 224 of and adjacent to the socket zone 206.

[0051] The service housing 222 of the support structure 204 conceals the service portion 216 of the light pipe 212 from view and contains a pair of electrical light sources (in this case LEDs 226) supported on the base plate 204a, one arranged to direct light into each of the first 218 and second 220 ends of the light pipe 212 for selective illumination of the elongated display portion 214. The service portion 216 of the light pipe 212 incorporating the first 218 and second 220 ends of the light pipe 212 and portions of the light pipe 212 adjacent thereto, serve as mixing areas concealed by the service housing 222 for light directed into the light pipe 212 by the LEDs 226. Each mixing area is, in length, substantially ten times (or at least ten times) a radius of the light pipe 212 and / or the elongated display portion 214, thereby improving prospects for a homogenous illumination of the elongated display portion 214. The LEDs 226 are oriented so that their longest dimension is substantially coplanar with a plane of the support structure 204. The LEDs 226 can be driven to emit various different colours of light. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, electrical light sources may direct light into the light pipe 212 at locations other than its first 218 and second 220 ends.

[0052] Illumination of the LEDs 226 and therefore the elongated display portion 214 is controlled by a control system 230 (see Figure 5). The control system 230 is configured to receive charging configuration data from a sensor suite and thereby determine a charging configuration of the vehicle 100. The control system 200 may then output a control signal to control the illumination of the LEDs 226 and the colour of illumination (e.g. the degree of driving of separate red, green and blue chips within each LED 226).

[0053] The control system 230 comprises a controller 232 having a processing means 234 and a memory means 236. The processing means 234 may be one or more electronic processing devices which operably executes computer-readable instructions. The memory means 236 may be one or more memory devices. The memory means 236 is electrically coupled to the processing means 234. The memory means 236 is configured to store instructions, and the processing means 234 is configured to access the memory means 236 and execute the instructions stored thereon.

[0054] The control system 230 comprises an input means 238 and an output means 240. The input means 238 may comprise an electrical input 238 of the controller 232. The output means 240 may comprise an electrical output 240 of the controller 232. The input 238 is arranged to receive a signal or signals from the sensor suite. The signal or signals may be electrical signals which are indicative of the charging configuration of the vehicle 100. By way of example, the sensor suite might comprise any one or more of sensors which determine and send signals indicative of: whether or not the vehicle 100 is locked; whether or not a device (e.g. a key fob or mobile phone) is detected and / or is detected within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 100; whether or not a charging port flap 242 is covering the charging socket 202; whether or not communication has been established with a charging station, the communication being intended / used to indicate that a connection has been made and whether or not charging can occur; whether or not a charging plug is inserted into the charging socket 202; whether charging of an energy store (e.g. a battery) of the vehicle 100 is occurring via the charging socket 202; the rate of charging of the energy store of the vehicle 100 via the charging socket 202; a state of charge of the energy store of the vehicle 100; whether or not charging has been scheduled for a future time; whether or not a charging process fault is detected.

[0055] As will be appreciated, data generated by the same sensor may sometimes provide a signal or signals indicative of more than one of these indications. The output 240 is arranged to output an LED control signal indicative of a requirement for illumination of the LEDs 226 and the colour of the illumination.

[0056] The elongated display portion 214 follows a path that substantially surrounds the socket zone 206 and follows the contours of a perimeter of the socket zone 206, thereby defining the edge of the socket zone 206 on the relevant three sides of the socket zone 206. The elongated display portion 214 has curvature at its corners, the minimum radius of curvature of which is substantially at least ten times a cross-sectional radius of the elongated display portion. The elongated display portion 214 is continuous throughout its extent and is transparent to light throughout its extent. The elongated display portion 214 is covered throughout its extent by a translucent cover 246. The translucent cover 246 is visible to a user of the vehicle charging port assembly 200 with the charging port flap 242 withdrawn. The translucent cover 246 serves as a diffuser for light emitted from the elongated display portion 214. The translucent cover 246 is continuous and substantially uniform in terms of its light transmission properties throughout its extent.

[0057] The translucent cover 246 is arranged to extend so as to have light transmitting faces which respectively direct light substantially towards a range of expected user viewing positions of the elongated display portion 214 (i.e. substantially perpendicularly outwards from a front face 248 of the support structure 204) and substantially towards the centre of the socket zone 206 (i.e. towards the charging socket). In this embodiment these light transmitting faces are continuous with each other, joined by a curved portion 250 of the translucent cover 246.

[0058] The translucent cover 246 consists of Arkema 502. Arkema 502 may provide an acceptable compromise / desirable features in terms of light transmission, diffusion, impact resistance, scratch resistance and / or being capable of moulding (e.g. injection moulding) to form a desired shape of translucent cover 246. Other materials have been considered including for instance DF23 8N, which was found to be somewhat too transparent, leading to the light pipe 212.

[0059] In this embodiment the maximum depth of the vehicle charging port assembly 200 (i.e. between the outmost extremity of the vehicle charging port assembly 200, in this case an outermost extremity of the service housing 222, and the innermost extremity of the vehicle charging port assembly 200, in this case an innermost extremity of the support structure (innermost extremity of the base plate 204a in this instance) may be between substantially 5mm and 20mm, or between substantially 8mm and 16mm or is between substantially 10mm and 14mm or is substantially 12mm. Further, this may also apply in other embodiments having different arrangements of charging port assembly e.g. the alternative arrangement described above where the socket face wall 210 may be rebated and connected to the remainder of the support structure 204 by a side wall.

[0060] 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 pipe 212 towards the reflector so as to be redirected substantially towards the range of expected user viewing positions of the elongated display portion 214. In use, the vehicle charging port assembly 200 may be used to indicate to a user a charging configuration of the vehicle 100 and / or to illuminate the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and / or the charging socket 202 to assist the user with charging related activities (e.g. locating the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and connecting or disconnecting the charging plug with the charging socket 202). In addition the configuration of the charging port assembly 200 may facilitate its incorporation into the vehicle, particularly where the installation depth available at a chosen installation location is limited. Specifically, the use of the light pipe (rather for instance than an array of LEDs), may allow for illumination without the source of the illumination being visible (e.g. as a point source) through a translucent cover / diffuser, even where there is limited installation depth available. It may be for instance that accounting for all relevant constraints, the installation depth available for the

[0061] In use, the LEDs 226 are selectively driven under the control of the control system 230, to illuminate the elongated display portion 214 with an illumination effect corresponding to the prevailing charging configuration. The illumination effects may be varied by for instance illumination on / off, illumination colour, illumination solid or flashing and / or illumination flashing frequency. Where the LEDs 226 are driven, light is directed by them into the first 218 and second 220 ends of the light pipe 212. The light is then mixed in parts of the light pipe 212 inside the service portion 216 before it travels around the elongated display portion 214 (assisted by prisms located within and distributed along the light pipe 212). From and throughout the extent of the elongated display portion 214, the light is emitted, passing through the translucent cover 246 towards the user and the charging socket 202.

[0062] Below, the functioning of the vehicle charging port assembly 200 is illustrated by means of example charging configuration scenarios. As will be appreciated, the particular illumination colours and patterns (e.g. solid or flashing and flashing frequency) are examples only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0063] Upon activation of the charging port flap 242 to be withdrawn to reveal the vehicle charging port assembly 200, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a solid white light. This solid white light as consequently emitted from the elongated display portion 214 may assist a user in locating the vehicle charging port assembly 200 and / or the charging socket 202 in order that the insertion of the charging plug may be made easier (especially in low ambient light conditions).

[0064] When it is detected that the user has plugged the charging plug into the charging socket 202 and where communication (in the sense of one or more electronic / electrical signals sent and received) between the vehicle 100 and a vehicle charging station to which the charging plug belongs is determined, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a flashing white light indicative of initialisation of a charging process being attempted. Where however no communication with the charging station is detected, the LEDs 226 are no longer driven, thereby eliminating illumination emitted by the elongated display portion 214. In that case, once it is detected that the charging plug is removed from the charging socket 202, the LEDs 226 are once again driven to emit a solid white light. When during or after initialisation of the charging process a fault is detected, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a solid red light.

[0065] When an incorrect mating of the charging plug with the charging socket 202 is detected (e.g. that a locking pin has failed to engage) despite the presence of the charging plug, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a yellow light flashing with a first frequency.

[0066] When it is detected that a proper connection of the charging plug and charging socket 202 is made and that therefore charging is possible, but that a scheduled time (e.g. a future time) has been set for charging to occur, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a solid blue light to indicate that charging will occur at the scheduled time.

[0067] When charging is occurring but at a rate below a pre-determined threshold (i.e. “slow charging”) the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a yellow light flashing with a second frequency that is slower than the first frequency. Indeed, in some embodiments different frequencies of yellow flashing may be used to indicate “slow charging” in different circumstances (e.g. where the state of charge of the battery is above or below a predetermined threshold).

[0068] When normal charging is detected, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a flashing green light to indicate that normal charging is ongoing. This may indicate a desired or optimum charging rate. In some embodiments different frequencies of green flashing may be used to indicate normal charging in different circumstances (e.g. where the state of charge of the battery is above or below a predetermined threshold). Separately provided are five state of charge lights 252. The number of these state of charge lights 252 illuminated (in this case in green) by the control system 230 indicates the state of charge of the vehicle battery. Additionally, whilst normal charging is detected, the relevant number of state of charge lights 252 indicating the current charge on the battery are driven to flash in time with the elongated display portion 214.

[0069] When it is detected that the vehicle battery is fully charged, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a solid green light. Similarly, the state of charge lights 252 may also be driven to emit solid green light.

[0070] When removal of the charging plug from the charging socket 202 is detected, the LEDs 226 are driven to emit a solid white light.

[0071] When it is detected that the charging port flap 242 is closed, the LEDs 226 are no longer driven, thereby eliminating illumination emitted by the elongated display portion 214. Additionally, the state of charge lights 252 are also no longer driven.

[0072] In the present embodiment, all illumination effects as described above are deactivated where a device (e.g. a key fob or mobile phone) has not been detected (or detected within a threshold distance of the vehicle 100) within a predetermined time period (in this case 4 minutes). In this way, unnecessary energy usage and / or illumination may be avoided. Where however the device is again detected (or detected within a threshold distance), the lighting effect corresponding to the relevant prevailing charging configuration is activated. An option is however also provided via user selection such that the deactivation in accordance with device detection can be overridden, such that the illumination effects are provided regardless of detection of the device.

[0073] As may be noted, the control system 230 is arranged to cause the elongated display portion 214 to emit white light in a first charging configuration (i.e. upon activation of the charging port flap 242 to be withdrawn to reveal the vehicle charging port assembly 200) and to emit light of another colour when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration (or indeed in multiple alternative charging configurations as discussed above). The white illumination may be suited to the particular charging configuration in which it is used, because here it is likely that the user will attempt to connect the charging plug and charging socket 202, in which case improved illumination may well be desirable. The use of other colours allows increased options in terms of information conveyance as regards other charging configurations (for which increased illumination may not be advantageous / important) as utilised to indicate various other charging configurations described above.

[0074] As may be noted, the control system 230 is arranged to cause the elongated display portion 214 to emit flashing light when the vehicle 100 is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to an interim and / or attention advised configuration (i.e. initialisation of charging being attempted, incorrect mating of the charging plug with the charging socket 202, charging is occurring but at a rate below a pre-determined threshold and normal charging) and non-flashing solid light when the vehicle 100 is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to a stable and / or complete configuration (i.e. vehicle charging port assembly 200 revealed, fault is detected, scheduled charging time and fully charged). This increases the information that can be conveyed in view of the consistency of use of flashing or otherwise in accordance with charging configurations having a degree of commonality (E.g. general nature of the configuration of the vehicle as regards charging irrespective of its precise configuration).

[0075] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A vehicle charging port assembly comprising a support structure, a light pipe and an electrical light source, wherein: the support structure supports the light pipe and defines a socket zone arranged to comprise a charging socket of a vehicle or provide access through the support structure to the charging socket where the charging socket is arranged to receive a charging plug, and the electrical light source is arranged to be controlled by a control system to selectively direct light into a first end of the light pipe for illumination of at least an elongated display portion of the light pipe which extends around at least a portion of the socket zone.

2. A vehicle charging port assembly according to claim 1 where the socket zone is substantially rectangular.

3. A vehicle charging port assembly according to any preceding claim where the elongated display portion follows a path that substantially surrounds the socket zone.

4. A vehicle charging assembly according to any preceding claim where the elongated display portion substantially follows the contours of a perimeter of the socket zone.

5. A vehicle charging assembly according to any preceding claim where substantially all light delivered into the light pipe is directed into the first end and / or a second end of the light pipe.

6. A vehicle charging assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a reflector located substantially between the elongated display portion and the support structure arranged to reflect light emitted from the light pipe towards the reflector so as to be redirected substantially towards a range of expected user viewing positions of the elongated display portion.

7. A vehicle charging assembly according to any proceeding claim comprising a translucent cover over the elongated display portion.

8. A vehicle charging assembly according to claim 7 where the translucent cover is arranged so that it has a light transmitting face facing substantially towards the centre of the socket zone.

9. A vehicle charging assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8 where the translucent cover is made of Arkema 502.

10. A vehicle charging assembly according to any preceding claim comprising the control system.11 . A vehicle charging assembly according to claim 10 where the control system is arranged to cause the electrical light source to emit light that is substantially white when the vehicle is in a first chargingconfiguration and to emit light of another colour when the vehicle is in a second charging configuration, where the first and second charging configurations are different.

12. A vehicle charging assembly according to claim 10 or 11 where the control system is arranged to cause the electrical light source to emit flashing light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to an interim and / or attention advised configuration and non-flashing solid light when the vehicle is in any of a number of charging configurations corresponding to a stable and / or complete configuration.

13. A vehicle comprising the vehicle charging assembly according to any proceeding claim.

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