Patent ID: 8651875

Claim:
A vehicle charge inlet integrated within a vehicle, the vehicle charge inlet comprising: a plurality of electrical contacts configured to be electrically coupled to a second plurality of electrical contacts integrated into a charge connector; an inlet housing having an inlet surface, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is closed by a bottom surface and said second end is open and sized to accept said charge connector, wherein said plurality of electrical contacts are integrated into said bottom surface of said inlet housing; and a connector latching mechanism integrated within said inlet housing, said connector latching mechanism further comprising: a retractable pawl, wherein said retractable pawl is configured to be positioned in at least a first position and a second position, wherein said first position corresponds to an extended position wherein said retractable pawl extends through said inlet surface, wherein said second position corresponds to a retracted position wherein said retractable pawl does not extend through said inlet surface, wherein said retractable pawl in said first position prevents insertion of said charge connector if said charge connector is uncoupled from said vehicle charge inlet, wherein said retractable pawl in said first position fits within a slot in said charge connector and prevents removal of said charge connector if said charge connector is coupled to said vehicle charge inlet, wherein said retractable pawl in said second position allows insertion and withdrawal of said charge connector into and from said vehicle charge inlet, wherein said first position is a default position for said retractable pawl, and wherein said default position corresponds to a pre-charging condition for said vehicle and corresponds to a normal operational, non-charging condition for said vehicle.