Patent ID: 8720968

Claim:
A port door assembly of a vehicle, comprising: a housing integrated into a vehicle reflector and lamp assembly of said vehicle, said housing providing access to a vehicle port; a door coupled to said housing by a hinge, wherein in a closed position said door covers said vehicle port and in an open position said door provides access to said vehicle port; a door latching system, comprising: a ferromagnetic member attached to an interior surface of said door; a latching assembly integrated into said housing, wherein an exterior surface of said latching assembly contacts said ferromagnetic member when said door is in said closed position, wherein said latching assembly further comprises: a latching assembly case; an electromagnet mounted within said latching assembly case, the electromagnet forming the exterior surface of the latching assembly; and a permanent magnet mounted within said latching assembly case on an opposite side of the electromagnet relative to the ferromagnetic member, wherein said permanent magnet attracts said ferromagnetic member and said latching assembly maintains said door in said closed position when said electromagnet is not energized, and wherein said latching assembly releases said door when said electromagnet is energized.