Abstract: A full-service electric vehicle charging station and method of operating the station can provide for efficient and secure vehicle access and movement. The full-service charging station can include a parking area with a charging area; an electric vehicle charger at the charging area; and a full-service charging station server. The full-service charging station server is configured to receive vehicle identification information and a charging confirmation profile from the electric vehicle. The vehicle identification information or the charging confirmation profile includes location information relating to the electric vehicle. Additionally, the full-service charging station server is further configured to disseminate a command profile directly, indirectly, or a combination thereof, to the electric vehicle. The command profile includes a security-based command, a driving command, or both a security-based command and a driving command.

Abstract: In a charging control apparatus, a supply power requestor requests an external power source to output supply power having a constant voltage and a constant current. A voltage conversion instructor instructs a voltage conversion device to perform voltage conversion of the supply power from the external power source such that converted supply power has a charging voltage and a charging current that are respectively within allowable charging-voltage range and allowable charging-current range. The voltage conversion instructor instructs the voltage conversion device to output the converted supply power to the power storage to thereby charge the power storage.

Abstract: When batteries of a plurality of electric autonomous moving bodies are charged, a plurality of electric autonomous moving bodies are aligned in a serial state, a second connection means of one of the electric autonomous moving bodies that are adjacent to each other in a direction in which the electric autonomous moving bodies are aligned and a first connection means of the other one of the electric autonomous moving bodies that are adjacent to each other are electrically connected to each other, and the first connection means of the electric autonomous moving body that is the closest to the charger unit and the connection means of the charger unit are electrically connected to each other. In this case, power is supplied from the charger unit to each of the electric autonomous moving bodies, thereby charging the batteries of the plurality of electric autonomous moving bodies.

Abstract: The system is a system for a battery exchanger that accepts a used first battery and provides a charged second battery. The above system includes a support target information receiving unit that receives, from a supporter that supports operation of a battery exchanger, an instruction for selecting the battery exchanger for which the supporter supports operation from among multiple battery exchangers. The above system includes a user information providing unit that provides the supporter with information on the user of the battery exchanger selected by the supporter, according to support value information indicating the value of the support for the operation of the battery exchanger by the supporter.

Abstract: A docking station for a robotic lawnmower includes a base, an electrical connector above the base and positioned along a longitudinal axis of the docking station, and a central guide member positioned on the base and along the longitudinal axis. The central guide member includes a right lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion, and a left lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion.

Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes: a power transmitter transmitting power for charging a battery of a vehicle; a charger including a three-phase motor and inverter, and receiving the power from the power transmitter; an input voltage calculating processor selecting any one of a plurality of predetermined duty ratios and calculating a value of an input voltage supplied to the charger based on the selected duty ratio and a voltage value of the battery of the vehicle; an input current calculating processor calculating a value of an input current based on the calculated value of the input voltage and a value of the power transmitted by the power transmitter; a power transmission controller instructing the calculated input current to be input to the charger; and a charging controller instructing the battery of the vehicle to be charged.

Abstract: An energy module exchange system may include an enclosure with one or more storage racks configured to store and charge energy modules; an opening in the enclosure; and a robotic arm configured to retrieve the energy modules from the storage racks and pass them through an opening in the enclosure for exchange with an electric vehicle.

Abstract: An on-board charger (OBC) for charging a traction battery of an electric vehicle includes a primary phase, a secondary phase, and a pre-charge circuit. Each phase includes a circuit having an input and an output. The primary phase circuit input is connectable to a mains supply to connect the primary phase to the mains supply. The secondary phase circuit input has an input capacitor. The pre-charge circuit is connected between the circuit outputs and is switchable between an opened state in which the pre-charge circuit disconnects the circuit outputs and a closed state in which the pre-charge circuit connects the circuit outputs. When the pre-charge circuit is in the closed state, an electrical current may flow through the pre-charge circuit from the primary phase circuit output to the secondary phase circuit output and through the secondary phase circuit to the input capacitor to charge the input capacitor.

Abstract: A charge transfer device for transferring charge between a local power grid and an electric vehicle is mounted to a street light. The charge transfer device includes a control device to control application of charge transfer between the local power grid and the electric vehicle. The charge transfer device is coupled to the local power grid through a wiring box that also couples the street light to the local power grid. The charge transfer device includes a current measuring device to measure an amount of current flowing for charge transfer. The charge transfer device includes a controller to cause the control device to control application of charge transfer and monitor output from the current measuring device.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the embodiments described herein, there are provided systems and methods for integration of electric vehicle charging stations with photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment. In various embodiments, the aforesaid integration is used to perform balancing of the electrical power generated by the aforesaid photovoltaic, wind, hydro, thermal and other alternative energy generation equipment and the electrical power consumed by the aforesaid EVSE equipment. In one exemplary embodiment, the aforesaid balancing may be performed on a house (building) level. In another exemplary embodiment, the balancing may be performed on a neighborhood level.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel high-performance repairable sliding plate of a pantograph of an electric locomotive and a manufacturing method thereof. The sliding plate includes a monometallic substrate and a conductive, wear-resistant, anticorrosion and self-lubricating coating integrated with the substrate. The coating is formed by plasma spraying Cu—TiO2 core-shell composite powder on the monometallic substrate directly, and includes the following components by mass percent: 60-70% of Ti4O7, 15-25% of Cu, 10-15% of TixO(2x?1) and 5-10% of TiO2, where 5?x?10. The multifunctional composite coating is the working layer of the sliding plate of the present disclosure, and the damage of the coating can be repaired by plasma spraying with the composite powder, thereby recovering dimensional accuracy and service performance.

Abstract: A charging station is provided herein for being adapted to bear an unmanned vehicle. The charging station includes a platform and a charging mechanism. The charging mechanism is disposed on the platform, and the charging mechanism may be electrically connected to the unmanned vehicle for charging by a movement over the platform. In addition, a charging station module including a plurality of the aforesaid charging stations is also provided.

Abstract: A system and methods that enables smart charging for electric resources. A charging behavior guarantee may comprise a guaranteed charging schedule that matches a regular charging schedule of an electric resource and provides power flow flexibility. A smart charging method may also include periodically updated schedules and may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis. A smart charging method may manage the charging behavior of the electric resources on a grid based on the smart charging benefit. Further, a smart charging method may manage electric resources via a smart charging benefit analysis and smart charging customer guarantees. A smart charging method also may include schedules with overrides, and may involve a method for local load management in the presence of uncontrolled loads. A smart charging method for managing electric resources may also provide direct control over prices-to-devices enabled devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing fleets of robots are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a task with a computing device, and retrieving, from a memory, battery-charge attributes associated, respectively, with at least three robots. A determination is made that the first battery-charge attribute is greater than the second battery-charge attribute, which is greater than the third battery-charge attribute. The battery-charge attributes are evaluated against a criterion. After determining that the first and second battery-charge attributes satisfy the criterion, the first and second robots are added to a selection set. After determining that the third battery-charge attribute does not satisfy the criterion, the third robot is omitted from the selection set. The selection is then optimized based on the first and second battery-charge attributes, and then one of the first and second robots is selected from the selection set to perform an action associated with the task request.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a charging operation for a vehicle at a charging station includes detecting a request for a charging operation on an electronic communication device and determining position data that indicates the position of the communication device. The method also includes determining whether a wireless connection exists between the communication device and the vehicle, where the wireless connection is based on a short-distance communication method with a nominal range. The method additionally includes determining a number of possible charging stations and/or a number of possible vehicles subject to the position data and nominal range.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system for charging one or more electric vehicles (e.g., based on one or more reserved charging sessions; for charging an electric vehicle during a scheduled time period; etc.) can include: receiving a reservation request (e.g., a reservation request including one or more reservation parameters; etc.); scheduling a reserved charging session based on the reservation request (e.g., based on reservation parameters from the reservation request; etc.); determining a check in at an Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) for the reserved charging session; and/or causing the EVSE to charge the electric vehicle based on the reserved charging session (e.g., during the scheduled time period; etc.).

Abstract: An integrated converter is provided. The integrated converter includes a high-voltage charger having a power factor correction (PFC) device configured to compensate a low-frequency ripple and convert an alternating current (AC) voltage of a commercial power source into a direct current (DC) voltage. A first switching module is configured to convert the DC voltage output from the PFC device into an AC voltage and charge a high-voltage battery using the commercial power source and a low-voltage charger that is connected between the PFC device and the first switching module and the high-voltage charger configured to charge a low-voltage battery using the commercial power source or the high-voltage battery.

Abstract: At an electronic device that is coupled to a main input of an electricity demand center on an electric grid: activating load monitoring for the electricity demand center; determining an electricity consumption cap for a current electricity consumption cycle at the electricity demand center; during the current electricity consumption cycle, detecting activation of a first electric vehicle charging connection; and in response to detecting activation of the first electric vehicle charging connection, enforcing an output power cap for EV-charging circuits at the electricity demand center, including dynamically adjusting a current output power of the first electric vehicle charging connection in accordance with a difference between the electricity consumption cap for the current electricity consumption cycle and a current load on non-EV charging circuits at the electricity demand center.

Abstract: A quick charging system for electrically driven vehicles and method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station having a contact device, a charging contact device, and a positioning device. The charging contact device can be electrically contacted in a contact position together with the contact device. The contact device can be positioned in the vertical and horizontal direction relative to the charging contact device and moved to the contact position. The contact device has a contact element carrier with contact elements that can each be electrically contacted together with charge contact elements of the charge contact device, forming contact pairs, in the contact position. A guide device is provided, such that, when the contact device and the charge contact device are brought together, a physical contacting of the contact elements together with the charge contact device is inhibited before reaching the contact position.

Abstract: An electric vehicle management system which controls a charging amount for an electric vehicle by way of peak shift, and an on-board unit used for the electric vehicle management system are provided. Thereby, the on-board unit mounted on the electric vehicle detects a current location, and an electric vehicle management center provided on a network manages a charging schedule created in advance. Propriety of a charging operation at a current time is checked via communications between them. Charging of the electric vehicle is managed based on the charging schedule by notifying a driver of the check result through a display of the on-board unit.

Abstract: A system includes a controller and base stations each including first and second transmitters and a detector. The controller, when a first base station is not connected with any mobile body, causes the first transmitter of the first base station to transmit a first signal and the second transmitter of the first base station to transmit a second signal, thereby guiding a mobile body around the first base station toward the first base station. The controller, when the first base station is connected with a mobile body and a second base station closest to the first base station is not connected with any mobile body, causes the first transmitter of the first base station to transmit the second signal and/or the second transmitter of the first base station to transmit the first signal, thereby guiding the mobile body around the first base station toward the second base station.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided. One example method is for interfacing a mobile device with a vehicle. The method includes providing a connection to the Internet for the vehicle via wireless connection circuitry associated with an on-board computer of the vehicle. The connection used to communicate with a server of a cloud service provider for the vehicle. The cloud service provider is configured to manage user accounts to enable one or more vehicles to connect with the cloud service provider. A user account is assigned to a user and the user account is associated with custom settings of the user. The method includes enabling communication, by the on-board computer, with a mobile device proximate to the vehicle. The communication provides for pairing the mobile device with the on-board computer using credentials saved by the on-board computer from a previous paring or pairing the mobile device with the on-board computer via a pairing routine processed between the on-board computer and the mobile device.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle charger and cord management system includes a cord-reel and a charging cord. The cord-reel includes a spool and a reel housing extending from the spool. The spool includes a hub and a cord opening. The reel housing includes a rewind mechanism. A charging cord extends through the cord opening and is removably wound around the hub. An electric vehicle charging system is integrated with the cord-reel.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The charging and distribution machines may distribute portable electrical energy storage devices of particular performance characteristics and other attributes based on customer preferences and/or customer profiles. The charging and distribution machines may provide instructions to or otherwise program portable electrical energy storage devices stored within the charging and distribution machines to perform at various levels according to user preferences and user profiles.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission system has a wireless power receiving device that can be charged using multiple different types of wireless power transmitting devices. The different types of wireless power transmitting devices have power transmitting coils that exhibit different levels of magnetic coupling with the power receiving coil of the wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may include capacitors, resistors, and/or other loading circuits that can be independently switched into use depending on the level of magnetic coupling that is detected, on a rectified voltage level, on the size of the output load, and/or on information conveyed during handshaking operations to present a desired impedance adjustment at the power receiving coil so that data signal can be properly conveyed between the power receiving device and the power transmitting device.

Abstract: A system for managing and tracking plant management at a site is provided. The system includes a device management server and a plant management device communicatively connected to the device management server via a network. The plant management device is configured to: receive a plant management task order including task instructions for performing a plant management task and automatically perform the plant management task according to the task instructions; send a task receipt notification to the device management server, the task receipt notification including task beneficiary data; and transmit task performance data to the device management server, the task performance data logged during performance of the plant management task.

Abstract: A battery management and balance circuit comprises multiple battery group balance circuits, multiple battery module balance circuits and a battery management unit. The battery group balance circuits connect to battery groups for executing first charge or discharge command. The battery management unit connect to the battery group balance circuits and the battery module balance circuits for generating the first and second charge or discharge commands to the battery module balance circuits. A battery system and a battery management and balance circuit method is also introduced.

Abstract: A liquid cooled charging cable system may be provided. The liquid cooled charging cable system may comprise a source, a load, a liquid cooled charging cable, and a cooling device. The liquid cooled charging cable may connect the source to the load, and may supply electric energy from the source to the load. The liquid cooled charging cable may comprise a supply conductor and a return conductor. The cooling device may pump a coolant around the supply conductor and the return conductor where the supply conductor and the return conductor may be immersed in the coolant.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrical system, in particular designed to be installed on board an electric or hybrid vehicle, whereby said electrical system includes an AC-to-DC converter that includes a rectifier and a DC-to-DC converter, an isolated DC-to-DC converter connected to a high voltage battery, and whereby said electrical system is configured, in a first operating mode, to be connected to an external alternating electricity grid to charge the high voltage battery. Furthermore, the first interface terminals of the DC-to-DC converter are connected to a low voltage battery, whereby said electrical system is configured so that, in a second operating mode, when the electrical system is disconnected from the external alternating electricity grid, said DC-to-DC converter supplies an initial voltage from the high voltage battery to power the low voltage battery.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a battery, a cooler, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to propel the vehicle. The battery is configured to power the electric machine. The cooler is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, responsive to the vehicle traveling from first to second locations on a predetermined route, operate the electric machine such that battery charge is depleted from an initial charge at the first location to a minimum battery charge limit upon arrival at the second location. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to the vehicle traveling from first to second locations on a predetermined route, operate the cooler such that battery temperature increases from an initial temperature at the first location to a battery shutdown temperature limit at the second location.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an electrical port that charges a vehicle battery via a connection to a power source, and a controller configured to interrupt charging and to display an alert responsive to temperature at the connection being greater than a threshold and voltage of a control pilot terminal of the port being at an overtemperature state voltage that is different from each of disconnected, connected, ready, and fault state voltages.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric vehicle is provided. The method includes that a mobile charging apparatus transmits its own status information to a centralized battery distribution station; the centralized battery distribution station determines, according to the received status information, whether power of a battery of the mobile charging apparatus is less than a first threshold; if the power of the battery of the mobile charging apparatus is less than the first threshold, the battery of the mobile charging apparatus is processed so that the power of the battery of the mobile charging apparatus is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first threshold; and if the power of the battery of the mobile charging apparatus is not less than the first threshold, the mobile charging apparatus charges the electric vehicle.

Abstract: An inductive power transfer pad for inductive power transfer to a vehicle, which includes a stationary part and a movable part, where the movable part includes a primary winding structure for generating a magnetic or electromagnetic field while an electric current flows through windings of the primary winding structure. The inductive power transfer pad includes at least one actuator for actuating motion of the movable part and the movable part is movable at least into a first direction by the at least one actuator so as to move between a retracted state and an extended state. The inductive power transfer pad includes a cleaning device integrated in the inductive power transfer pad and adapted to remove foreign matters from a space between the stationary part and the movable part.

Abstract: A method includes controlling an electrified vehicle based on a route selected for a desired thermal management of a battery. An electrified vehicle includes at least one battery and a control system configured with instructions for automatically controlling the electrified vehicle based on the route selected for the desired thermal management of the battery.

Abstract: As the density of Electric Vehicle deployments in residential neighborhoods increase, demand on local power grids may exceed the local utility power supply causing local brown outs or transformer failure. The invention describes a method and process which enables the acquisition and efficient RF transmission of data that enables utility customers, utilities and/or other controlling entities to collaboratively regulate the timing and rate of Electric Vehicle battery charging in a manner that avoids peak-load related transformer failures.

Abstract: A method for automatically selecting a recharging mode of an electric vehicle includes: identifying a first recharging mode corresponding to a duty cycle of a received pulse width modulation signal, performing a first recharge process corresponding to the identified first recharging mode, identifying a second recharging mode according to the duty cycle of the received pulse width modulation signal when the first recharge process fails; and performing a second recharge process corresponding to the second recharging mode when the second recharging mode is identified.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.

Abstract: A management device is a management device that: manages batteries; receives a first battery; and supplies a second battery. The management device includes an obtaining portion that obtains, from the first battery, first identification information stored in the first battery. The management device includes an authenticating portion that authenticates a user of the first battery by using the first identification information the obtaining portion has obtained. The management device includes a writing portion that, if the authenticating portion authenticates the user, writes the first identification information to the second battery that is to be supplied to the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for scheduling and distributing power for electric vehicle chargers, through enabling and disabling a plurality of relays at a system. One of the criteria to allow an authenticated user to use an electric vehicle charger is whether there is enough electricity capacity. When the user is allowed to use a scheduled electric vehicle charger, its location is then sent to the user. Alert messages can be generated if charging does not begin within a first time limit and the cancellation of a reservation will take place if the second time limit is reached.

Abstract: A charging station for charging an electric energy storage means of an electric vehicle using alternating charging current, having a fault-current protective device and having a charging controller. The fault-current protective device is divided into its functional units, a differential-current monitoring unit forming an integral structural unit in the form of a charging-current controller and monitoring device in conjunction with the charging controller according to the invention. Alternatively, the fault-current protective device forms an integral structural unit in the form of a charging-current controller and protective device in conjunction with charging controller.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging device includes a processing unit having a memory with a routine stored therein which, when executed by the processing unit causes the processing unit to control circuitry to prevent the electric vehicle charging device from charging an electric vehicle for a random delay period and to allow the electric vehicle charging device to charge the electric vehicle starting when the random delay period ends, wherein the random delay period starts at a predetermined start time and lasts a random delay length of time. The random delay reduces the peak load on a transformer that the electric vehicle charging device and other electric vehicle charging devices receive power from.

Abstract: A mobile charging system includes: at least one or more vehicles collecting and transmitting vehicle information; at least one or more mobile chargers collecting and transmitting charger information and supplying charging power to the at least one or more vehicles; and a server performing clustering within a range that each of the at least one or more mobile chargers is capable of covering, based on the vehicle information and the charger information and determining a standby location of each of the at least one or more mobile chargers and a charging location of each of the at least one or more vehicles in each cluster.

Abstract: A charging device of an automatic cruise platform for a greenhouse comprises a power monitoring module, an information transmission module and a sensor module, which are located on a movement monitoring platform (25), and a ground pressure sensor module, a charging module, an information receiving module (20), an information collection module (21), a control module (22), an AC-DC conversion module (23), and a power control module (24), which are located on a smart charging device (33). The device can automatically return to be charged at a cruise detection interval of a movement platform when the electric quantity is lower than a threshold, thereby improving the working efficiency and automation degree of a movement monitoring platform, reducing the labor management cost, and meanwhile greatly improving the reliability and safety of a charging docking process and facility power consumption.

Abstract: A charging rescue system and method for all-electric vehicles comprises: a rescue vehicle APP, a charging rescue vehicle, a rescued vehicle APP, and a rescue platform. The rescue vehicle APP comprises a user module, an order module, a monitoring module, and a communication module. The charging rescue vehicle comprises a controller, a GPS device, a direct current battery charger, an alternating current battery charger, and a measuring module. The rescued vehicle APP comprises a user module, an order module, a payment module, and a communication module. The rescue platform comprises an access module, an order execution module, a vehicle selection module, a rescue vehicle monitoring module, a bill management module, and a user authentication module.

Abstract: An electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) system includes an EVSE case having a front plug face, a rear face, and left and right gripping sides that collectively define a trapezoidal prism cross section, the left and right gripping sides further having left and right convex gripping portions, respectively, a relay positioned within the EVSE case, and a controller positioned within the EVSE case and in communication with the relay, the controller responsive to a pilot duty signal, when a pilot duty signal is present.

Abstract: A method controls electrical charging of a group of vehicles, wherein the respective vehicles are connected to a power supply system for charging a vehicle energy store for driving the particular vehicle, wherein a central control system communicates with the respective vehicles in the group and with a server belonging to the power supply system operator. On the basis of a received charging command from the server which specifies a charging period, the central control system selects a number of vehicles from the group which are intended to be charged.

Abstract: A parking assistance control apparatus for assisting parking a vehicle including a charging port that is connectable to electrical supply equipment via a charging cable. In the apparatus, a charging port recognizer is configured to recognize a mounting location of the charging port on the vehicle. An electrical supply equipment recognizer is configured to recognize an installation location of the electrical supply equipment. A parking assistance controller is configured to, based on the mounting location of the charging port on the vehicle and the installation location of the electrical supply equipment, determine a parking manner to park the vehicle, and based on the determined parking manner, perform parking assistance control.

Abstract: Electric power is provided to motor vehicles via a respective outlet station. A number of outlet stations are connected to a common electric power supply, each with an interface towards a control node. Over the interfaces, the outlet stations receive operation commands from and send status messages to the control node. The control node allocates a fraction of the common electric power supply to each outlet station to which a motor vehicle is connected. The fractions are allocated such that a sum of all fractions represent a total delivered power, which is less than or equal to a predefined maximum level for the common electric power supply. If an interface between an outlet station and the control node is broken, the outlet station is configured to apply a power supply scheme according to which the outlet station is only allowed to deliver electric power up to a level prescribed by a predefined principle stored in each of the outlet stations.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging system includes logic collocated with an electric service panel to monitor a total present electric current consumption value for all electric consumers below a point in the service panel; a first input to receive the present electric current consumption value from the logic collocated with the service panel, and to compare the present electric current consumption value with a maximum current capacity value for the service panel; a second input to receive electric current from the service panel; an output to supply electric charging power to at least one electric vehicle; and logic to set an electric charging current drawn from the service panel through the second input and provided to the electric vehicle charging output to a value less than a difference between the maximum current capacity for the service panel and a sum of the present electric current consumption value and the current consumption value of a largest expected electric consumer.

Abstract: Coupling unit for coupling a freely movable device into an energy chain system which is connected to a coupling carriage that is movable parallel to the displacement path of the device, wherein the coupling unit has a first plug part which is able to be connected to the device in a flexible and tension-resistant manner and which is able to be connected to a second plug part arranged on the coupling carriage, wherein the coupling unit is able to be extended in the direction of the coupling carriage, wherein the coupling carriage has a guide unit by way of which a vertically displaceable strut arranged on the device is able to be raised with the first plug part, and wherein, when the coupling carriage stops in a predetermined position relative to the device the strut drops into a receptacle of the coupling carriage and surrounds the latter, wherein the two plug parts are positioned horizontally and vertically with respect to one another.