Patent ID: 8610554
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: B60L,B60Q,G01B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a recharging inlet inside an electric powered vehicle (EPV); a light source coupled to the inside wall of the EPV recharging inlet; a light detector located within the EPV recharging inlet and positioned between recharging inlet pins and the light source; and a plurality of threads around the inside wall of the recharging inlet and positioned between the light source and the light detector, wherein the light detector is configured to detect light from the light source and/or external light, wherein the threads are configured to receive a housing cap that substantially blocks light from the light source and external light from reaching the light detector when the housing cap is properly mounted onto the EPV recharging inlet, and wherein the threads are configured to allow light from at least one of the light sources and external light to reach the light detector when the housing cap is not properly mounted onto the EPV recharging inlet.