# US 2014/0152255 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Preventing Simultaneous Charging and Fueling of a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152255 A1 - Document ID: US20140152255A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/705,264 - Filed: 2012-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Karin Lovett; Hilde Anne Heremans - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152255A1 ## CPC - H02J 7/60: including safety or protection arrangements - H02J 7/685: {using connection detecting circuits (H02J7/68 takes precedence)} - 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 - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is inhibited by detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger, and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exist. Simultaneous fuelling and electrical charging of a PHEV may further be inhibited by detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition and, if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an on-board charger connectable with a charging plug to receive charging current therefrom; a door controlling access to a fueling port; and a control module operative to prevent the on-board charger from receiving charging current in response to the door being in a fueling-permitting condition when the charger and the plug are in pre-charging electrical connection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pre-charging electrical connection is detected by an exchange of signals between the charger and a charging station supplying electric current to the plug. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device providing an alert to an operator when the control module prevents the on-board charger from receiving the charging current. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a door condition sensor, wherein the fueling-permitting condition corresponds to a door open condition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control module prevents the on-board charger from receiving charging current by suppressing a fuel-door-ready signal being sent to the charger. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a door locking system, wherein the fueling-permitting condition corresponds to the door locking system indicating the door is unlocked. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the control module is further operative to: prevent the door locking system from unlocking the door if the pre-charging electrical connection exists. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a device providing an alert to an operator when the door is prevented from being unlocked. ### Claim 9 Apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an on-board charger connectable with a charging plug; a door controlling access to a fueling port; a lock selectively locking and unlocking the door; and a control module preventing the lock from unlocking the door upon detection of a signal indicating electrical continuity between the charger and the charging plug. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a device activated by the control module to provide an alert to an operator when the lock is prevented from unlocking the door. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the control module is further operative to: receive a door locked/unlocked signal and prevent the on-board charger from receiving charging current if the door is unlocked. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control module prevents the charger from receiving charging current by suppressing a fuel-door-ready signal being sent to the charger. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a device activated by the control module to alert an operator when receipt of the charging current is prevented due to the door being unlocked. ### Claim 14 A method for impeding simultaneous electrical charging and fueling of a vehicle comprising: detecting pre-charging electrical continuity between an on-board charger of the vehicle and a charging plug engaging the charger; and impeding opening of a door controlling access to a fueling port if the pre-charging electrical continuity exists. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein impeding opening of the door comprises suppressing an unlock signal sent to a door lock. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the door lock is part of a central vehicle locking system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein detecting the pre-charging electrical continuity comprises sending an electrical signal at least one way between the charger and the plug. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising: providing an operator alert if opening of the door is impeded due to detection of pre-charging electrical continuity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 further comprising: preventing the on-board charger from receiving charging current from the charging plug if the door is in a fueling-permitting condition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising: providing an operator alert if receipt of charging current by the on-board charger is prevented due to the door being in the fueling-permitting condition. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein opening of the door is impeded by preventing a command from an operator to unlock the door from being carried out. ### Claim 22 A method for impeding simultaneous electrical charging and fueling of a vehicle comprising: detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is in a fueling-permitting condition; and if the fuel door is in the fueling-permitting condition, preventing an on-board charger engaged with a charging plug from receiving charging current from the charging plug. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprising: providing an operator alert if receipt of charging current by the on-board charger is prevented. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprising: impeding unlatching of the door if electrical continuity exists between the on-board charger of the vehicle and the charging plug. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 further comprising: providing an operator alert if opening of the door is prevented. ### Claim 26 A method for operating a vehicle comprising: detecting whether electrical continuity exists between an on-board charger and a charging plug engaging the charger; detecting whether a fuel door of the vehicle is openable; if continuity is detected, preventing opening of the fuel door; and if the fuel door is openable, preventing the on-board charger from receiving charging current from the charging plug.