# US 11,440,421 B2 · Plug inlet for storing electrical vehicle plug > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,421 B2 - Document ID: US11440421B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/119,420 - Filed: 2020-12-11 - Published: 2021-06-03 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-14 - Assignees: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Applicants: Solaredge Technologies Ltd. - Inventors: Michael Raikh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440421B2 ## CPC - H01R 13/6272: {comprising a single latching arm} - B60L 53/11: {DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4} - B60L 53/16: Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles - H01R 13/443: Dummy plugs - H01R 13/6205: {Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet} - H01R 13/6271: {Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 13/629: Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)} - H01R 13/665: {with built-in electronic circuit (H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence)} - H01R 13/7032: {making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals} - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries - Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors - Y02T 90/14: Plug-in electric vehicles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A method includes plugging a plug into a socket, wherein the plugging includes pushing the plug into the socket at least up to a point that a latch clicks into the plug and locks the plug in place. Pressing down on a lever that rotates around an axis causes the lever to be pushed down. This results in the latch moving away from the plug and unlocking the plug from the socket, to thereby allow the plug to be separated from the socket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a base including: a first magnet, and a socket section; a plug inlet for accommodating a plug; and a lever including: a section configured to be actuated, a second magnet mounted on a first side of the lever, and a latch designed to be inserted into and removed from a mortise; wherein the first magnet is mounted on a divider between the lever and the socket section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the socket section is accessible from a niche section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the socket section is accessible from the niche section through the mortise. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lever is connected to the base by an axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lever is rotatable around the axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the axis comprises one of a pin, a hinge, or a screw. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base further includes a niche section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises an electrical vehicle charging plug. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to lock the plug into the plug inlet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lever is capable of locking the plug into the plug inlet, and unlocking the plug from the plug inlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of prong receptacles. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is provided on one side of the lever, and wherein a handle is provided on another side of the lever opposite the one side of the lever. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetized such that the second magnet is repelled from the first magnet, to thereby cause the latch to be disposed in a locked position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mortise is disposed on the divider. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: plugging a plug into a socket, wherein the plugging includes pushing the plug into the socket at least up to a point that a latch clicks into the plug and locks the plug in place; receiving a wireless signal to cause movement of a lever, to cause the latch to move away from the plug and thereby unlock the plug from the socket; and removing the plug from the socket. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the lever is rotatable around an axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the axis comprises one of a pin, a hinge, or a screw. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the plug corresponds to an electrical vehicle charging plug. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the socket is accessible from a niche section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the socket is accessible from the niche section through a mortise.