Abstract: Provided is a power supply apparatus for supplying power to an external electric device. The power supply apparatus includes: a power outlet unit, to which a power plug of the external electric device is coupled, to supply electricity to the external electric device; a power control unit controlling power supply from the power outlet unit to the external electric device; and a user interface unit connected to the power control unit to receive a power activation code from a user, wherein the power control unit supplies power from the power outlet unit to the external electric device during a usage period corresponding to the power activation code.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical vehicle charging system, including a power source configured for providing electrical energy to charge an electrical vehicle, an outlet port configured for connecting the electrical vehicle to the charging system and for providing a DC voltage to the electrical vehicle, a switch configured for connecting the outlet port and the power source, and a control device configured, if the electrical vehicle is unconnected to the outlet port, for measuring the DC voltage at the outlet port, and configured, if the measured DC voltage is greater than zero, for switching off the DC voltage.

Abstract: A compensation device (20) for compensating for a discharge current has a compensation current generation device (28), a potential generation device (150), active conductor terminals (61, 62, 63, 64) and a PE conductor terminal (65), which active conductor terminals (61, 62, 63, 64) have a first active conductor terminal (61) and a second active conductor terminal (62; 64), which potential generation device (150) is interconnected with the first active conductor terminal (61) and has a potential generation device terminal (155), which potential generation device (150) is designed to provide a potential at the potential generation device terminal (155) which at least temporarily differs from the potential at the first active conductor terminal (61), and which compensation current generation device (28) is designed to effect a compensation current (I_COMP) between the potential generation device terminal (155) and the PE conductor terminal (65).

Abstract: A charging infrastructure unit for at least partly electrically driven vehicles has one or more DC supply devices for charging one or more vehicles, one or more supply connections, and one or more charging connections. At least one of the one or more DC supply devices can be supplied with energy via one or more supply connections, and a respective vehicle can be connected to a charging connection. There is also described a charging infrastructure with such charging units.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-functional multi-ratio OBC/LDC integrated circuit that is capable of bidirectional operation over a broad voltage rage with a high power density and without additional control in a battery charging system for an electric vehicle. As the turns ratio can be used selectively, the G2V and V2G functions can be performed bidirectionally over a broad voltage range without additional control, and the LDC function can be operated by using only a small number of switches, so that the efficiency of the charging control can be increased.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a personalized charging rate are provided. In one embodiment, a system may include a recognition module, a schedule module, a charge rate module, and a charging module. The recognition module is configured to identify a vehicle to receive a charge from a charging station. The schedule module is configured to determine a parked period when the vehicle will be present at the charging station based on a schedule. The charge rate module is configured to calculate a personalized charging rate based on the parked period. The charge rate defines a charge period that is an amount of time that the charging station will provide charge to the vehicle. The personalized charging rate is calculated to reduce a time difference between the parked period and the charge period. The charging module is configured to set the personalized charging rate.

Abstract: A vehicle power system includes a traction battery, an electric machine configured to receive power from the traction battery, switching circuitry connected between the traction battery and electric machine, and including pairs of switches connected in parallel, and a capacitor connected with and between the pairs such that the capacitor shares a common terminal with each of the switches of the pairs, and a controller configured to responsive to a temperature of the traction battery being less than a first threshold, activate the switches of each of the pairs in complementary fashion at a switching frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency defined by a capacitance of the capacitor and an inductance of the traction battery to cause AC current to circulate between the traction battery and switching circuitry to generate heat within the traction battery, and responsive to the temperature exceeding a second threshold, deactivate the switches.

Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.

Abstract: A method is provided for charging a battery-operated vehicle having a chargeable traction energy store and a system for autonomously guiding the vehicle with a charging vehicle having an energy generator and/or an energy store. The method forms at least one electrical coupling between the battery-operated vehicle and the charging vehicle via an autonomous driving manoeuver of the battery-operated vehicle and/or the charging vehicle. A charging of the traction energy store of the battery-operated vehicle occurs via the energy generator and/or the energy store of the charging vehicle during the driving of the paired battery-operated vehicle and charging vehicle.

Abstract: Battery swapping includes receiving a swap request for swapping a set of discharged batteries in a vehicle with a set of charged batteries at a charging station. Based on a battery swapping count provided by a user, the set of charged batteries including first and second subsets of charged batteries are selected from a plurality of charged batteries available at the charging station. At least one of a static ID or a dynamic ID is assigned to each charged battery. Each charged battery in the first and second subsets is configured as a master battery and a slave battery by integrating at least the respective static and dynamic ID in a corresponding battery management system of each charged battery, respectively, for facilitating in-vehicle battery communication. Further, the set of charged batteries is released from a charging and storing platform to a swapping platform for swapping.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining at least one state variable of a storage element for electrical energy having at least one control device, at least one storage element for electrical energy, and at least one temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the storage element continuously or periodically, wherein the control device determines the state variable of the storage element at least based on the detected temperature, wherein the control device fills measurement gaps of the temperature sensor using data of a weather service, the data then is used in the determination of the at least one state variable.

Abstract: A system of controlling a charging apparatus for a vehicle may include a power supply unit supplying an AC power, a power factor correction (PFC) converter unit connected to the power supply unit and converting the AC power supplied from the power supply unit into a DC power and supplying the converted DC power to a load, and a controller extracting a high frequency component from the AC power input to the PFC converter unit, determining a frequency of the extracted high frequency component, and limiting, when the determined frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, output power from the PFC converter unit to a value lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. A sensor is provided to sense the locations of the tires of the vehicle. The system then uses the relative location of the charge inlet to the tires to determine the location of the charge inlet in order to move the charge head.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle includes an electric battery powering a drive system of the vehicle. The battery has a housing and a plurality of cells within the housing. The cells are spaced apart by interconnectors. The electric vehicle also includes a coolant delivery. The coolant delivery delivers coolant to the interconnectors. An electric battery is also provided.

Abstract: A charging station can automatically and intelligently connect to and charge an electric vehicle's battery or otherwise provide power to a component of a vehicle. A charging station can be configured to detect the position of an onboard unit on a vehicle and automatically maneuver a receiver underneath the onboard unit. The charging station can then cause the onboard unit to extend and plug into the receiver. The charging station can then deliver power via the receiver and onboard unit.

Abstract: A power-supply and recharge group for an electric vehicle comprising: a first battery pack; a second battery pack; a first DC-to-DC converter; a second DC-to-DC converter; a low-voltage power-supply source; and a control unit configured to: detect a charge difference between a first and a second battery pack; transfer an electric current from a low-voltage power-supply source to the one of the first and second battery pack having a lower charge, until said charge difference is cancelled; connect the first and the second battery pack to one another in series and recharge them by means of a recharge station on the outside of the vehicle. A direct connection between the DC-to-DC converters can replace the auxiliary low-voltage source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems. Embodiments of the present invention can in response to receiving a request for a charge, dynamically determine an optimal charging station using a bipartite graph. Embodiments of the present invention can then navigate a user to the dynamically determined optimal charging station.

Abstract: A management device includes a manager configured to manage power stored in a secondary battery provided to a user for stationary use and execute a power exchange business, the power exchange business being performed by connecting the secondary battery to a power network, and a deriver configured to derive return information for returning part of a profit obtained through the power exchange business to the user.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a housing including an AC inlet and a DC connector. The DC connector is connectable to an inlet for DC power of a vehicle. The AC inlet is connectable to a connector of a cable for AC power. A rectifier circuit is housed in the housing. The rectifier circuit is located between the AC inlet and the DC connector, and configured to convert AC power input from the AC inlet side into DC power and output the DC power to the DC connector side.

Abstract: An intelligent electric-vehicle charging station is provided. The charging station includes at least one charger. Each charger includes at least one power conversion unit and at least one charging terminal. Each power conversion unit includes an alternating-current power distribution module, a plurality of rectification modules, a switch matrix and a power controller. The alternating-current power distribution module supplies power to each power conversion unit and the at least one charging terminal. The rectification modules are divided into a plurality of groups of modules. The plurality of groups of modules is controlled, through the switch matrix, to be connected to a plurality of direct-current output circuits. Each direct-current output circuit is connected to one charging terminal. The switch matrix switches each group of modules in the plurality of direct-current output circuits according to a control instruction of the power controller.

Abstract: A protective device for an electrical charging cable for connecting two mechanisms in a charging process. The protective device has a supporting frame and a jacket, which are designed to enclose a cavity extending in a longitudinal direction. Through the cavity a charging cable can be guided, and the supporting frame and the jacket are deformable in the longitudinal direction. A length of the protective device is to be modified and a length of the charging cable to be guided through the cavity is to be adapted between the two mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting a charging plug to a charging interface of a vehicle, with a moving apparatus with a plurality of controllable movement axes; a tool which can be positioned by means of the moving apparatus relative to the vehicle and is configured to hold the charging plug, the tool having a centering device for centering the charging plug within the tool and a controllable tool movement axis for moving the charging plug independently of the movement axes of the moving apparatus; wherein the tool with the charging plug centered therein can be positioned in a predetermined relative position with regard to the charging interface by means of the moving apparatus and the charging plug can subsequently be connected with the charging interface by using the tool movement axis.

Abstract: A connector includes: an outer circumferential wall forming a recessed portion inside thereof, a counterpart connector being to be fitted into the recessed portion; a cylindrical portion provided inside the outer circumferential wall, having an inner circumferential surface, and configured to receive a counterpart terminal of the counterpart connector inside the inner circumferential surface; a terminal having a contact portion arranged inside the inner circumferential surface, the terminal being to be electrically connected to the counterpart terminal when the contact portion contacts the counterpart terminal; and a cooling mechanism having a heat absorption portion and a heat dissipation portion, the heat absorption portion being provided at a position opposite to the contact portion with respect to the inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A charging connection is provided for charging a battery of a vehicle using an external power source. The first connector is coupled to the external power source with an electric cable. The second connector is coupled to the vehicle. The first connector is automatically guided for connection to the second connector using radio frequency signals to couple the first and second connectors so that electrical energy is supplied to the vehicle from the first connector to the second connector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) control to maximize profits that include determining at least one demand based charging schedule and processing an OEM charging policy option to schedule charging of the at least one electric vehicle at a low energy production cost timeframe. The system and method also include modifying the at least one demand based charging schedule into a policy based charging schedule based on an acceptance of the OEM charging policy option by the at least one utility provider. The system and method further include facilitating payment of an incentive fee from the at least one utility provider to the OEM.

Abstract: A wireless charging coil structure with a function of heat dissipation comprises a first connecting terminal, a second connecting terminal and a coil. The coil is disposed between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal, and configured to transmit a signal between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal. The coil comprises a heat-pipe segment and a transmission segment electrically and heat-conductively connected with each other. The transmission segment has a predetermined thickness, the heat-pipe segment encircles an accommodating space, and a heat-dissipating medium is disposed in the accommodating space.

Abstract: A method for charging an electric vehicle includes steps of providing a charger station and providing an electric vehicle operable to navigate to a desired destination autonomously, the vehicle comprising a power receiver configured to mate with the charger station to provide charging to the electric vehicle. The method further includes steps of aligning, via autonomous operation of the electric vehicle, the charger station and the power receiver of the electric vehicle, so as mate the charger station and the power receiver, and initiating charging of the electric vehicle upon mating of the charger station and the power receiver.

Abstract: An electric charging system for a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft includes one or more energy storage modules on the vessel, vehicle, or aircraft; a pulse rectifier; a converter; and a voltage control transformer. The one or more energy storage modules are connected to outputs of the pulse rectifier. The voltage control transformer is connected to inputs of the pulse rectifier. The voltage control transformer includes a serial transformer having a plurality of pairs of transformer windings, connected together in series, one winding of each pair being adapted to be connected between the pulse rectifier and an input from an energy source and the other winding is connected to the converter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (100) use a charging cable (108) for charging an electric vehicle. The apparatus has a first voltage converter (110) to transform a charging voltage applied to the charging cable (108) to a high voltage for a high-voltage battery (104) of the electric vehicle. The apparatus (100) also has a second two-level voltage converter (112) to charge a low-voltage battery (106) of the electric vehicle by transforming the high voltage to an intermediate voltage for an intermediate circuit (118) and transforming the intermediate voltage to a low voltage for the low-voltage battery (106). The intermediate circuit (118) is designed to precharge the charging cable (108) using the intermediate voltage before the beginning of a charging process.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One example system is for sharing vehicle system control of the vehicle with a passenger. The system uses an on-board computer and communications circuitry of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is configured to use a wireless network for accessing the internet and the on-board computer is configured to enable the communications circuitry to provide a wireless connection to a portable device of the passenger of the vehicle. The on-board computer has access to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle, and via the wireless connection, the on-board computer provides the portable device access to at least one graphical user interface, the graphical user interface includes input options that enable control of settings or functions of one or more of said vehicle systems. The on-board computer is configured to process information associated with a wireless signal of the portable device.

Abstract: A charging station, a charging system and a charging method for a drone are provided. The charging station adapted to park a drone for charging includes a parking ramp, a pair of charging plates, a pair of protecting covers, and at least one actuating device. The parking ramp has a parking surface and a bottom surface. The drone is parked on the parking surface having at least two openings. The charging plates are fixed to the bottom surface. The protecting covers are disposed between the bottom surface of the parking ramp and the charging plates. The protecting covers cover the charging plates at the openings. The actuating device is fixed to the bottom surface and connected to the protecting covers. When the drone stands still on the parking surface, the actuating device drives the protective covers to move relative to the charging plates to expose the charging plates.

Abstract: A drone charging station configured to charge at least one drone, the charging station including at least one charging stack comprised of a plurality of base blocks, the at least one charging stack including a first conductor block having a first polarity for electrically engaging with a corresponding first electrode of the at least one drone, and a first drone guiding portion, a second conductor block having a second polarity different from the first polarity for electrically engaging with a corresponding second electrode of the at least one drone, the second conductor block having a second drone guiding portion, and an insulator block positioned between the first conductor block and the second conductor block and having a third drone guiding portion. The first drone guiding portion, the second drone guiding portion and the third drone guiding portion arranged to provide a drone guiding path along the charging stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for charging an electric vehicle. The method includes two steps. The first step is to move at least one of a transmitter coil of a charger and a receiver coil arranged at an upper end of a chassis of an electric vehicle relative to the other. The second step is to align the transmitter coil with the receiver coil such that the transmitter coil is arranged above and proximal to the receiver coil. The present invention also provides an electric vehicle arranged to be charged by the above method, a method for manufacturing such electric vehicle, and a charger or charging station that is arranged to charge electric vehicles using the above method.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical charging system includes a charging socket arranged to receive a charging plug and a detector arranged to infer whether the charging plug is plugged into the charging socket and output a detection signal indicative of whether the charging plug is plugged into the charging socket. The vehicle charging system includes a controller that outputs a control signal to control one or more of the vehicle systems to prevent the vehicle from entering or maintaining a condition whereby the vehicle is moveable under its own power or weight in dependence on the detection signal indicating that the charging plug is plugged into the charging socket. The controller overrides the prevention in dependence on a blocking body being in a first configuration, where the blocking body is arranged, when in the first configuration, to prevent the action of plugging the charging plug into the charging socket.

Abstract: Electric vehicles indicate charge levels in different ways. A lighting control module is communicatively is configured to illuminate an exterior light of an electric vehicle to indicate a charge status of a battery for the electric vehicle. The charge status is indicated based on varying an intensity of the exterior light, based on illuminating a subset of the exterior lights, and/or based on an animation. The display of the charge indicator varies based on a location of the vehicle, the presence of a person in proximity to the vehicle, and/or a charger connected to the vehicle.

Abstract: An power system for a power system. The power system includes multiple electrical power sources and an enclosure operatively connected to the power sources at multiple input terminals. Multiple loads operatively connect to the enclosure at multiple output terminals by multiple cables. The enclosure includes the input terminals and the output terminals and a controller unit. Multiple selection units operatively connect to the controller unit, multiple power converters are connected to multiple connection paths. The selection units connect to at least one of multiple switches connected in the connection paths. Multiple sensor units are operatively attached to the controller unit which is configured to sense multiple parameters in the connection paths. Responsive to the parameters sensed by the sensor units, the selection units select the connection paths between the electrical power sources and the loads.

Abstract: An AC charging device for a motor vehicle has a neutral conductor, at least one phase conductor, and at least one rectifier. The neutral conductor and the at least one phase conductor are connected to the rectifier, to which at least one smoothing capacitor is also connected. The AC charging device has a precharge circuit arranged between a mains connection and the at least one smoothing capacitor. The precharge circuit is designed to precharge the at least one smoothing capacitor. The precharge circuit has at least one transistor.

Abstract: A charging station for providing power connections, charging and/or data connections includes one or more wiring devices mounted to a power module that slides in the housing of the main assembly of the charging station such that each wiring device is recessed from the outer surface of the charging station. A back wall of the power module serves as a barrier between different branch circuits for code compliance. The charging station includes a cover assembly with a sloped upper surface and is constructed so that most of the required electrical connections are made on the power module prior to the assembly of the charging station.

Abstract: The present specification describes to a self-service payment device and a control method thereof. One example method includes determining that a removable cover plate is in a first state, wherein the removable cover plate and a payment box form an enclosed space when the removable cover plate is in the first state, and the top of the payment box is open when the removable cover plate is in a second state; reading, using at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna fastened to at least one inner wall of the payment box, at least one RFID tag, wherein each RFID tag is associated with a merchandise to be paid inside the payment box; and providing payment information based on the at least one RFID tag.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a charging gun conduit structure, including a main post erected on the ground, a first conduit rotatably attached to a top portion of the main post, an L-shaped second conduit with one end rotatably attached to an end of the first conduit and the other end extended toward the ground, a third conduit with one end attached to the second conduit through an extendable corrugated pipe, a fourth conduit with one end rotatably attached to the other end of the third conduit, a charging gun with one end connected to the other end of the fourth conduit through an elastic connection unit allowing a bending within a predetermined range at an arbitrary direction, and a plurality of charging cables with one or more signal lines disposed to be unconstrained inside the first through fourth conduits to allow easy rotation and extension of the conduit structure.

Abstract: In a method of determining whether a battery system arranged onto a vehicle is connected to an external battery charging unit, the battery system includes a plurality of battery cells, first and second main terminals connected to the battery cells, and a charging interface including first and second contact points connected to corresponding first and second main terminals. The charging unit includes third and fourth contact points configured to be connected to the first and second contact points during charging of the battery system. The method includes disconnecting, by means of a switch, the first main terminal from the corresponding first contact point; measuring a voltage between the first contact point and a reference point having a potential substantially similar to the disconnected first main terminal; and determining, by comparing a value from the voltage measurement to a threshold value, whether the charging unit is connected to the battery system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and device for storing vehicular data. An embodiment of a method for storing vehicular data includes: analyzing importance of received vehicular data to determine a storage level of the vehicular data; acquiring a corresponding key and a corresponding encryption algorithm based on the storage level of the vehicular data; encrypting the vehicular data using the acquired key and the acquired encryption algorithm; and storing encrypted vehicular data in a storage area corresponding to the storage level of the vehicular data. The embodiment may improve the safety of vehicular data by encrypted storage of the data in different levels, effectively prevent important vehicular data from being illegally read or maliciously falsified, and improve the storage efficiency of the vehicular data.

Abstract: A system and method for a recharging station including an elevated landing pad, a rechargeable component coupled to the elevated landing pad, a power delivery unit configured to deliver power from a power supply unit or power storage unit to the recharging component, and a support component coupled to the bottom of the elevated landing pad.

Abstract: This application discloses a heat dissipator for a charging connector, a heat dissipation device and a vehicle. The heat dissipator comprises a body formed to have a cooling chamber and an internally circumferentially defined receiving hole, wherein the receiving hole is configured to accommodate the charging connector.

Abstract: A charging device for a motor vehicle, wherein at least one rod element, which has a first end with a cross-sectional surface, which forms a part of a holding surface of the charging device, and wherein a main extension axis of the at least one rod element intersects the part of the holding surface such that a second end, opposite the first end, of the at least one rod element is facing away from the part of the holding surface and protrudes into the charging device, an adjustment device for adjusting the at least one rod element along the main extension axis, and an energy output device with at least one energy output element, wherein the energy output device is designed to output energy to an energy storage.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a housing including an AC inlet and a DC connector. The DC connector is connectable to an inlet for DC power of a vehicle. The AC inlet is connectable to a connector of a cable for AC power. A rectifier circuit is housed in the housing. The rectifier circuit is located between the AC inlet and the DC connector, and configured to convert AC power input from the AC inlet side into DC power and output the DC power to the DC connector side.

Abstract: Multi-phase-shift control of a power converter is provided. The power converter includes a dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter having a transformer, a first H-bridge coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, and a second H-bridge coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer. The DAB converter is operable to generate two-level and three-level voltage waveforms on the primary winding and on the secondary winding to yield a system which ensures zero-voltage switching and unity power factor over a wide range of input and output voltage levels and power throughputs. In a multi-phase shift (MPS) mode of operation, the DAB converter changes from a two-level voltage in at least one of the windings to a three-level voltage in both windings in response to the instantaneous load being below a predetermined level, resulting in more efficient performance of the DAB converter in light load conditions.

Abstract: A body of a power feed control device includes a housing recess to house a module including a holder, the first sub-bus bar, the second sub-bus bar, the third sub-bus bar, and a zero-phase-sequence current transformer. Lengths of respective extended pieces of the first sub-bus bar, the second sub-bus bar, and the third sub-bus bar are different from each other. The holder includes a rod portion, a post portion, and an extended portion. The extended portion covers the respective extended pieces of the first sub-bus bar, the second sub-bus bar, and the third sub-bus bar.

Abstract: A charging system includes: a plurality of charging devices, each including a device main body having one or more charging cables connected to the main body, the charging cables being equipped with respective charging plugs; and one or more arm mechanisms each being configured to grasp any one of the charging plugs of the charging devices and automatically insert and remove the grasped charging plug to and from a charging port of a vehicle located in a charging space. Further, a number of arm mechanisms is smaller than a number of charging cables.