Locking assembly and method with authenticated unlocking of electric vehicle supply equipment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9827950-B2
Application number	US-201615069339-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 14, 2016
Priority date	Mar 14, 2016
Publication date	Nov 28, 2017
Grant date	Nov 28, 2017

Abstract

An exemplary locking assembly includes, among other things, a lock that transitions between a first state that prevents disengaging electric vehicle supply equipment from a charge port and a second state that permits the disengaging. A control module is configured to command the lock to transition from the first to the second state in response to a user interaction with a selector device and an authentication of the user interaction. An exemplary securing method includes, among other things, receiving a request to disengage electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from a charge port of a vehicle, permitting a disengaging if the request can be authenticated, and preventing the disengaging if the request cannot be authenticated.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A locking assembly, comprising:
a lock that transitions between a first state that prevents disengaging electric vehicle supply equipment from a charge port of a vehicle and a second state that permits the disengaging; and
a control module configured to command the lock to transition from the first to the second state in response to a user interaction with a selector device disposed on the vehicle, and an authentication of the user interaction, the control module is further configured to stop a charging of the vehicle in connection with transitioning the lock from the first state to the second state.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the selector device is disposed on the vehicle outside a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

3. The locking assembly of claim 2 , wherein the selector device is directly adjacent the charge port.

4. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the authentication comprises receiving an indication that a key fob is proximate the vehicle without requiring a user to interact with the key fob.

5. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the authentication comprises receiving an indication that a key fob is proximate the charge port without requiring a user to interact with the key fob.

6. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the control module and lock comprise portions of a passive entry electrified vehicle.

7. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the authentication comprises receiving a signal indicating that a vehicle door is unlocked.

8. The locking assembly of claim 7 , comprising a key fob having a button configured to transition from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command.

9. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the authentication is separate from the user interaction with the selector device.

10. A securing method, comprising:
receiving a request to disengage electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) from a charge port of a vehicle, the request sent in response to a user interaction with a selector device disposed on the vehicle;
stopping a charging of the vehicle and then permitting a disengaging if the request can be authenticated; and
preventing the disengaging if the request cannot be authenticated.

11. The method of claim 10 , comprising detecting a key fob proximate the vehicle to authenticate the request.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the detecting occurs without the user interacting with the key fob.

13. The method of claim 10 , comprising detecting a key fob proximate the charge port to authenticate the request, the detecting occurring without the user interacting with the key fob.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the request is authenticated in response to unlocking a vehicle door.

15. The method of claim 14 , comprising transitioning a button on a key from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command to transmit the vehicle door unlock command.

16. The method of claim 14 , comprising transitioning a button on a door of the vehicle from a first state that does not provide a vehicle door unlock command to a second state that does provide a vehicle door unlock command to transmit the vehicle door unlock command.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Lovett Karin
• Siciak Ray C
• Weinfurther James Michael
• Cinar Ahmet

Classifications

• E05B81/04 Primary

  Electrical (electrical circuits E05B81/54) · CPC title

• E05B83/34

  for fuel inlet covers essentially flush with the vehicle surface · CPC title

• B60R25/01

  operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens · CPC title

• E05B19/0082

  Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob (general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944) · CPC title

• E05B81/80

  characterised by the power supply; Emergency power operation · CPC title