Vehicular powered charge port actuator and panel assembly with ice breaking capabilities

A vehicular charge port closure system, the vehicular charge port closure system comprising:

• a cover panel disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular charge port closure system, wherein the cover panel is movable between (i) a closed position where the cover panel conceals a charge port of the vehicle and (ii) an opened position where the cover panel is positioned to allow access to a charging connector of the charge port;
• a vibration device that is electrically operable to impart vibration of the cover panel;
• and
• wherein, when ice is present at an outer side of the cover panel that limits movement of the cover panel from the closed position toward the opened position, the vibration device is electrically operated to impart vibration of the cover panel to break the ice from the outer side of the cover panel so that the cover panel is movable from the closed position toward the opened position.

A vehicular charge port closure system, the vehicular charge port closure system comprising:

• a cover panel disposed at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular charge port closure system, wherein the cover panel is movable between (i) a closed position where the cover panel conceals a charge port of the vehicle and (ii) an opened position where the cover panel is positioned to allow access to a charging connector of the charge port;
• a first electrically operable actuator that is electrically operable to move the cover panel between the closed position and the opened position;
• an ice-breaking mechanism disposed at the cover panel;
• wherein the ice-breaking mechanism comprises (i) an output element disposed at least partially outboard of the peripheral edge of the cover panel and (ii) a second electrically operable actuator that is electrically operated to move the output element;
• wherein, with the cover panel in the closed position, the output element is movable between (i) a retracted position, where the output element is disposed inboard of an outer side of the cover panel, and (ii) an extended position, where the output element is moved from the retracted position and toward the outer side of the cover panel;
• wherein, when ice is present at a peripheral edge of the cover panel that limits movement of the cover panel from the closed position toward the opened position, the second electrically operable actuator is electrically operated to move the output element from the retracted position toward the extended position so that the output element engages and breaks the ice as the output element moves toward the extended position;
• and
• wherein, with ice present at the peripheral edge of the cover panel, the second electrically operable actuator operates responsive to failing to move the cover panel from the closed position toward the opened position via operation of the first electrically operable actuator.