Patent Publication Number: US-2023158905-A1

Title: Snow protector for vehicle charge port

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a cover for a charge port of an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to a charge port cover sized and shaped for selective concealment of a charge port recess of an electric vehicle from snow, ice, or other debris during charging. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, adoption of electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles has increased in response to improved technology and increasing concerns over the environmental impact of internal combustion engines. Such electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles each include components for electric power storage, such as a battery. Power stored in the electric power storage components is used for driving the electric motor. The battery mounted in the electric vehicle is generally charged with power supplied from a charge facility external to the vehicle. This power is supplied using a charging cable that is inserted into a charge port of the electric vehicle coupled to a receptacle therein. In general, a charge port includes receptacles into which the charging cable can be coupled as well as a surrounding recessed area that extends inward from the exterior vehicle surface. 
     In winter weather conditions, snow and ice can quickly accumulate in the charge port while the electric vehicle is charging. This accumulation can reduce user access to the charge port and requires the user to endure the cold weather while freeing the charging cable and clearing the charge port area of the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a protective cover for a charge port of an electric vehicle during charging. Specifically, the cover is configured for protection when a charging cable is electrically connecting the electric vehicle to a charging source. Embodiments are disclosed of a cover that can prevent snow, ice, debris, and other material from entering the charge port recess of the vehicle during charging. Embodiments of the protective cover can further dually function as an ice scrapper or snow removal tool for clearing snow, ice, and debris from the vehicle. 
     Embodiments include a charge port cover, sized and shaped for selective concealment of a charge port recess of a vehicle during vehicle connection via a charging cable to an external charging source. The charge port cover includes a body plate member comprised of rigid or semi-rigid material. The body plate member includes a planar front face and a planar rear face juxtaposed in opposite orientations to one another. The body plate member also includes an outer edge surface joining and defining a perimeter of the front face and the rear face, the outer edge surface having a thin profile. The body plate member also includes a charging connector aperture, located at an interior spaced-apart location from the perimeter, defining a passageway between the planar front face and the planar rear face and configured to selectively receive a charging cable therethrough. The outer edge surface is shaped and sized for a clearance fit within an outer periphery defining a charge port recess of a vehicle. 
     In embodiments, a charge port cover can include a body plate member having a perimeter of substantially the same shape and size as the charge port outer profile such that the body can be placed within the charge port with a clearance fit when the charge port is exposed, such as during use. The body plate member further includes a charging connector aperture configured to receive a charging cable of the charging source to establish an electrical connection between the charging source and the power source of the vehicle. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are understood to overcome the difficulties of snow and ice accumulation that tends to occur in the charge port recess of an electric car during inclement winter weather with an advantageous, specially-shaped charge port cover member that blocks snow and ice and which can be dually used as an ice scraper when removed from the confines of a vehicle charge port. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a charge port cover extending over a charge port of a vehicle according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of a charge port cover according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a rear perspective view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a right side view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a left side view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a bottom view of the charge port cover of  FIG.  2    according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a charge port cover with an alternate profile according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a charge port cover with an alternate profile according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a charge port cover with an alternate profile according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , charge port cover  100  is depicted according to an embodiment. Charge port cover  100  includes a body plate member  102 . Body plate member  102  includes a planar front face  104 , a planar rear face  106 , an outer edge surface  108 , a charging connector aperture  112 , a lid contour  114 , and lid support apertures  116 . In this embodiment, charge port cover  100  is configured to substantially align with the size and shape of a vehicle charge port  10  for a vehicle  20 . The exact shape and dimensions of charge port cover  100  can vary significantly to accommodate the charge ports  10  of different vehicles  20 . 
     Body plate member  102  is generally thin and disc-like in overall shape, although the specific shape is multi-faceted and non-uniform. Body plate member  102  may be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material in various embodiments. In some embodiments, body plate member  102  is thin and comprises a thickness of around 3 mm. In some embodiments, the body plate member  102  is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), for example. Other plastics and/or recyclable and sustainable materials are options for materials as well. In some embodiments, the body plate member  102  is transparent or semi-transparent. In such transparent and semi-transparent embodiments, light can pass through the charge port cover  100 , which allows a user to see lights (if present) or other indicators in the interior recess of a charge port  10 . Accordingly useful information can be relayed about the vehicle  20  or its charging status during the charging process while in use, for example. 
     Planar front face  104  and planar rear face  106  are juxtaposed to one another in opposite orientations. In some embodiments, planar front face  104  and planar rear face  106  may generally be oriented in parallel planes in relation to one another. In some embodiments, planar front face  104  and planar rear face  106  may not truly be planar, but instead be somewhat curved across their respective faces and bow inwardly or outwardly. However, embodiments having non-planar faces may nevertheless have a general orientation of the faces that are largely opposite to one another. 
     An outer edge surface  108  joins and defines a perimeter of the planar front face  104  and planar rear face  106 . In general the outer edge surface  108  has a thin profile and provides a fairly hard flat plane of material. The perimeter of the planar front face  104  can take on various shapes, including those with curves or sharp corners and angles. In some embodiments, there is a straight rigid segment  120  of outer edge surface material disposed across the upper portion  122  of the body plate member  102  about the perimeter. In some embodiments, the straight rigid segment  120  functions as an ice scraper and snow removal tool. In some embodiments, the straight rigid segment  120  could further include an additional blade or sharpened wedge of material. In some embodiments, a first segment  120  of an upper portion  122  of the perimeter is parallel to a second straight segment  124  of a lower portion  126  of the perimeter. Charge connector aperture  112  is sized to accommodate charging cable  30 . In embodiments, charge connector aperture  112  can be a circle, rectangle, oval, polygon, or other shape depending on the charging cable  30  used. In embodiments, charge connector aperture  112  can be sized so as to not cover charge light indicator  130 . In some embodiments, the charging connector aperture  112  is wide enough to allow viewing of lighted portions in the area surrounding the charging cable  30 . In other embodiments, charge port cover  100  can comprise partially translucent or translucent material such that charge light indicator  130  can be seen even if covered. 
     In some embodiments, body plate member  102  is equipped to function as an ice scraper and snow removal tool when not concealing the recess of the charge port  10 . In some such embodiments, the charging connector aperture  112  can function to provide a handle grip for use of the charge port cover  100  for ice scrapping and snow removal based on its dimensions and configuration. 
     Charge ports  10  typically include a lid  40  (partially shown) that is connected to the vehicle  20  by a charge port lid connection apparatus, such as a lid connecter  50  allowing it to be selectably displaceable. The charge port cover  100  accordingly includes a lid contour  114  feature to accommodate such a component. Specifically, lid contour  114  is configured to partially surround lid connector  50  when the lid  40  is in an open position. In some embodiments, the body plate member  102  further comprises at least one lid contour  114  in the perimeter of the outer edge surface  108  that is configured to provide a clearance fit with a charge port lid connection apparatus of the vehicle. 
     Lid support apertures  116  are configured to accommodate protruding lid supports (not shown), such as rubber stoppers, protrusions, or flanges that are often present within the recessed area of a vehicle charge port  10 . Lid supports can be configured to support charge port lids  40  when in a closed position by providing a surface for the lid  40  to rest against. In some embodiments, the body plate member  102  further comprises at least one lid support aperture  116  configured to provide a clearance fit with at least one lid support structure of a charge port lid connection apparatus of the vehicle  20 . In embodiments, lid support apertures  116  can instead be lid support contours as shown in  FIGS.  2 - 9   . 
     Charge port cover  100  is operable between two use modes. In a deployed mode, charge port cover  100  can be placed within the well of a vehicle charge port  10  such that the perimeter of charge port cover  100  abuts exterior vehicle body as shown in  FIG.  1   . In a free use mode, charge port cover  100  can be gripped and handled independently of a vehicle  20 . Thus, the size and shape constraints of charge port cover  100  are typically defined by a vehicle&#39;s charge port  10  dimensions to meet the requirements of the deployed mode. 
     In embodiments, when charging cable  30  is not in use and charge port cover  100  is in the deployed mode, charging connector aperture  112  can further serve as an opening from which to grip charge port cover  100  to remove it once the vehicle  20  is sufficiently charged. The close fit of charge port cover  100  to a vehicle&#39;s charge port  10  prevents snow or debris from entering the recessed charge port well during the charging process. 
     When a user desires to charge an electric vehicle  20  the user can place a charge port lid  40  in an open position, position charge port cover  100  over the charge port  10  of the electric vehicle  20 , and then proceed to insert a charging cable  30  through the charge port cover  100 . Once the charging process is complete, the user can remove the charging cable  30  and charge port cover  100  before closing the charge port lid  40 . 
     When in the free use mode, charge port cover  100  can serve as an ice scraper or snow brush to clear a vehicle&#39;s windshield. During such operation, lid contour  114  can serve as a handle with which to grip charge port cover  100  with a user&#39;s palm resting against lid contour  114  and the user&#39;s fingers gripping charge connector aperture  112 . 
     In embodiments, charge port cover  100  can comprise rounded or treated edges. In embodiments, charge port cover  100  can include rounded or treated edges around only a portion of the exterior edges such that the non-rounded or non-treated edge can be used more effectively as an ice scraper. 
     In embodiments, charge port cover  100  can be approximately between 2 and 4 mm thick. In embodiments, charge port cover  100  can be approximately between 2.8 and 3.2 mm thick. In embodiments, charge port cover  100  can be 3 mm thick. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  2 - 9   , charge port cover  200  is shown according to an embodiment. Charge port cover  200  includes a body plate member  202 , planar front face  204 , planar rear face  206 , outer edge surface  208 , charging connector aperture  212 , lid contour  214 , lid support contours and apertures  216 , a first straight rigid segment  220 , and a second straight rigid segment  224 . In embodiments, the body plate member  202 , planar front face  204 , planar rear face  206 , outer edge surface  208 , charging connector aperture  212 , lid contour  214 , lid support contours and apertures  216 , first straight rigid segment  220 , and a second straight rigid segment  224  should be understood to function substantially similar to the corresponding components in  FIG.  1   . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  10 - 12   , charge port covers  300 ,  400 , and  500  with alternate perimeter shapes are shown according to embodiments. These perimeter shapes can incorporate differently sized charging connector apertures  312 ,  412 , and  512 , lid contours, and lid support apertures or contours depending on the type of charging port used and locations of the lid mechanism of a vehicle. 
     Many of the embodiments discussed thus far are disclosed in the context of charge port covers intended to be used primarily when the vehicle&#39;s charge port lid  40  is open. In such embodiments, the charge port covers are removed when the lid  40  is closed. However, in some embodiments, a charge port cover could be designed to stay in place, even when the lid  40  is closed. This way the charge port could also serve as a location for storing a scraper for the vehicle  100 . Embodiments permitting such storage can include a body plate made of a material of greater flexibility to accommodate the reduced space parameters of a closed lid. In some embodiments, the charge port cover can include recesses or flexible portions to allow for lid components and lid connector  50  displacement due to lid  40  closing. Numerous designs of varied sizes and shapes are be possible. 
     Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. 
     Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. 
     Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.