Patent ID: 6817879
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: B60L,H01R,Y02T

Abstract:
A service port for automatically engaging a plug, having a service exchange interface, wherein the plug is capable of coupling to one and the service port is capable of coupling to the other of a vehicle and a service terminal; the service port comprising:(a) a receptacle comprising (i) a clamp positioned within an interior portion of the receptacle, the clamp having a first clamp portion and an opposing second clamp portion; (ii) a clamp actuator coupled to the clamp and operable to move the first clamp portion between a clamped position and an unclamped position; (iii) a service exchange interface positioned on at least one of the first and second clamp portions; and (iv) at least one sensor positioned within the interior portion of the receptacle and configured to monitor the engagement of the plug with the receptacle when the plug is positioned inside the receptacle; and (b) a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and to the actuator, the controller being configured to: (i) monitor a signal received from the sensor; and in response to the signal, to instruct the actuator to move the first clamp portion until the service exchange interface positioned on at least one of the first and second clamp portions is operably engaged with a corresponding service exchange interface on the plug.