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US 11,654,772 B2Granted
Charging port heater
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsPaul Merryweather, Christopher Thomas Schaafsma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly includes a movable door assembly and a heating element. The movable door assembly is configured to be disposed on an exterior of a vehicle. The heating element is coupled to the movable door assembly, and is configured to receive energy from a battery disposed on the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the movable door assembly.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a door assembly configured to be disposed on an exterior surface of a vehicle, wherein the door assembly is hingedly movable with respect to the exterior of the vehicle;
- and
- a heating element coupled to the door assembly, the heating element configured to receive energy from at least one of a battery disposed on the vehicle or a charging cable, and to heat at least a portion of the door assembly.
A heated energy port assembly comprising:
- a housing configured to be disposed along an exterior of a vehicle, the housing defining a cavity configured to accept an external power source for insertion into a port disposed within the cavity;
- a door assembly comprising a hingedly movable door coupled to the housing;
- a seal interposed between the hingedly movable door and the housing;
- and
- a heating element coupled to at least one of the housing, the hingedly movable door, or the seal, the heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the at least one of the housing, the hingedly movable door, or the seal.
2 more elements
A method of providing a heated energy port assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a housing configured to be disposed along an exterior of a vehicle, the housing defining a cavity configured to accept an external power source for insertion into a port disposed within the cavity;
- coupling a door assembly comprising a hingedly movable door to the housing;
- disposing a seal between the movable door and the housing;
- and
- providing a heating element coupled to at least one of the housing, the hingedly movable door, or the seal, the heating element configured to receive energy from a battery disposed in the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the at least one of the housing, the hingedly movable door, or the seal.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.