Patent ID: 9156396
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: B60L,B60Q,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle, said charge port illumination system comprising: a charge port disposed at an electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle; a pocket assembly disposed at or proximate to said charge port, wherein said pocket assembly comprises a base and wherein a bezel is disposed at an outer region of said base; wherein at least a portion of said bezel is exposed and viewable when said charge port is accessed to charge the power source; at least one illumination source disposed at or behind said bezel; wherein at least said bezel is formed via a molding process; wherein said at least one illumination source, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting of said bezel; wherein said activating event comprises at least one of (i) detection of touch at a cover panel associated with said charge port, (ii) movement of a cover panel associated with said charge port, (iii) actuation of a remote transmitting device, (iv) a signal from a passive entry device and (v) detection of movement by a motion detection device; and wherein the activated said at least one illumination source is automatically deactivated responsive to at least one of (a) a period of time elapsing after activation of said at least one illumination source, (b) plugging in a charging source at said charge port and (c) closing a cover panel at said pocket assembly.