Apparatus and method for controlling a charge current

A system for controlling a current flow through a charge connector to a charging system, the system comprising:

• a charge connector comprising:
• a plug selectively connectable to a power supply outlet and including a positive connector to receive a current flow from a power supply via the outlet;
• a coupler selectively connectable to an inlet of a charging system to flow current to the charging system via the vehicle inlet;
• wherein the charge connector includes a first sensor to output a first signal corresponding to a first interface condition at an interface defined by the plug and the outlet when the plug is connected to the outlet;
• and
• wherein the coupler is operable to transmit the first signal via a communication link between the charge connector and the charging system when the coupler is connected to the inlet;
• the charging system further comprising:
• a charge controller in communication with the inlet to receive the first signal and determine the first interface condition;
• wherein the controller is operable to control the current flow through the positive connector at a first adjusted level of current flow based on the first interface condition.

A method for controlling a current flow through a charge connector to a charging system, the method comprising:

• connecting the charge connector to a power supply outlet;
• the charge connector comprising:
• a plug selectively connectable to a power supply outlet and including a positive connector to receive a current flow from a power supply via the outlet;
• a coupler selectively connectable to an inlet of a charging system to flow current to the charging system via the inlet and to establish a communication link between the charge connector and the charging system, when the coupler is connected to the inlet;
• a first sensor to output a first signal corresponding to a first interface condition at an interface defined by the plug and the outlet when the plug is connected to the outlet;
• sensing the first interface condition at the interface using the first sensor;
• outputting, via the first sensor, the first signal corresponding to the first interface condition to the coupler;
• the charging system further comprising a charge controller in communication with the inlet;
• the method further comprising:
• transmitting the first signal to the charge controller via the communication link;
• and
• controlling, via the charge controller, the current flow through the positive connector at a first adjusted level of current flow based on the first interface condition.