The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 02, 2025
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2022
Toyota Research Institute, Inc., Los Altos, CA (US);
Manuel Ludwig Kuehner, Mountain View, CA (US);
Hiroshi Yasuda, San Francisco, CA (US);
TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC., Los Altos, CA (US);
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota, JP;
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for improving a contact condition between a charging cable and a charging port. A charging cable may be plugged into a charging power to charge an electrical device. A charging cable may include a plug which may mate with prongs of a charging port. The plug may include sensors and a vibrator. The sensors may detect when a user intends to plug the charging cable into the charging port. Upon detection of intent to plug the charging cable into the charging port. The vibrator may be activated and may vibrate the plug. The vibration may generate relative movement between the prongs of the charging port and the plug. The movement may release dirt, dust, and corrosive materials from the charging port and plug, resulting in increased cleanliness. The movement may also assist in forming a more secure connection between the charging cable and plug.