Patent ID: 8550833
Filing Date: 2013-10-08
Classification: B60L,H01R,Y02T

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for locking a charging connector to a charge port of an electric vehicle, comprising: a lock member disposed in the electric vehicle and movable between a locked position wherein the lock member inhibits disengagement of the connector from the charge port and an unlocked position wherein the lock member allows disengagement of the connector from the charge port; a locking actuator adjacent to the charge port and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the locked position; an unlock actuator disposed inside a vehicle cabin and manually actuatable to move the lock member to the unlocked position; and a cam mechanism activated by actuation of the locking actuator to maintain the lock member in the locking position; wherein the cam mechanism comprises: a cam surface; and a follower operatively connected with the lock member and movable relative to the cam surface between a first over-center position wherein the lock member is in the locked position and a second over-center position wherein the lock member is in the unlocked position.