Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of controlling a high-voltage circuit (15) of a vehicle, comprising detecting (310) a fault associated with the high-voltage circuit, reducing (320) a voltage of the high-voltage circuit (15) in dependence on detecting the fault, receiving (330) a torque request and, in dependence thereon, increasing (340) the voltage of the high-voltage circuit (15).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sub-system for a vehicle comprising an electrical power bus (12, 14, 16) for distributing electrical power from an electrical energy storage means (10) to various different electrical components of the vehicle, such as a combined electric traction motor/generator (20).

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method of communicating between controllers on a vehicle includes communicating a first operation request from a first controller to a second controller. The first operation request is indicative of the second controller performing a first operation. The second controller attempts to perform the first operation at a time when it cannot be performed, determines that the first operation cannot be performed, and communicates an indication that the first operation request cannot currently be satisfied. The second controller continues to attempt to perform the first operation at a subsequent time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of controlling a high-voltage circuit (15) of a vehicle, comprising detecting (310) a fault associated with the high-voltage circuit, reducing (320) a voltage of the high-voltage circuit (15) in dependence on detecting the fault, receiving (330) a torque request and, in dependence thereon, increasing (340) the voltage of the high-voltage circuit (15).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method (300, 400), comprising communicating (310, 410), from first control means (110) to a second control means (120), a first operation request indicative of the second control means (120) performing a first operation, determining (320, 420), at the second control means, whether the first operation can be performed, communicating (330, 430), if the operation cannot be performed, from the second control means to the first control means, an indication that the first operation request cannot currently be satisfied, and continuing (320, 330), by the second control means, to attempt to perform the first operation.

Abstract: A method of controlling an isolated high voltage circuit of a vehicle comprising the high voltage circuit and a low voltage circuit wherein the high voltage circuit is isolated from the low voltage circuit, the method comprising: detecting a change in an isolation resistance of the high voltage circuit from the low voltage circuit; determining a speed of the vehicle; operating the high voltage circuit in dependence on the change in the isolation resistance and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling an isolated high voltage circuit of a vehicle comprising the high voltage circuit and a low voltage circuit wherein the high voltage circuit is isolated from the low voltage circuit, the method comprising: detecting a change in an isolation resistance of the high voltage circuit from the low voltage circuit; determining a speed of the vehicle; operating the high voltage circuit in dependence on the change in the isolation resistance and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle comprises an engine and an electric propulsion motor, and the vehicle is operable in an HEV mode in which the engine may be switched on automatically during a drive-cycle by a controller and an electric vehicle (EV)-only mode. The vehicle is operable in a plurality of attribute modes in which operating parameters of the vehicle are changed by the controller responsive to the identity of the selected attribute mode, wherein, when in the HEV mode and a first attribute mode is selected, selection of the EV-only mode by the driver results in assumption of the EV-only mode and continued operation in the first attribute mode, and, when in the HEV mode and a second attribute mode is selected, selection of the EV-only mode results in assumption of the EV-only mode and automatic de-selection of the second attribute mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid electric vehicle (100) comprising: an engine (121) and at least one electric propulsion motor (123), the vehicle (100) being operable in a HEV mode in which the engine (121) may be switched on automatically during a drive-cycle by control means (140) and an electric vehicle (EV)-only mode in which engine starting is inhibited during a drive-cycle, the vehicle (100) being operable in one of a plurality of attribute modes in which one or more operating parameters of the vehicle (100) are changed by the control means (140) responsive to the identity of the selected attribute mode, wherein when in the HEV mode and a first attribute mode is selected, selection of the EV-only mode by the driver results in assumption of the EV-only mode and continued operation in the first attribute mode, and when in the HEV mode and a second or further attribute mode has been selected, selection of the EV-only mode by the driver results in assumption of the EV-only mode and automatic de-selection b

Abstract: A vehicle mode controller, a driving mode collecting means, and a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system, a transmission controller, a steering controller, a brakes controller and a suspension controller, provide an improved system and method of operating a vehicle control system in a host vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface in a plurality of different off-road surfaces and terrains such as might be encountered when driving off-road. An improved method is provided for controlling a vehicle control system by avoiding unplanned combinations of subsystem configuration modes and minimizing the transition time when changing between subsystem configuration modes.

Abstract: A vehicle mode controller, a driving mode collecting means, and a plurality of subsystem controllers including an engine management system, a transmission controller, a steering controller, a brakes controller and a suspension controller, provide an improved system and method of operating a vehicle control system in a host vehicle in a manner suitable for a respective driving surface in a plurality of different off-road surfaces and terrains such as might be encountered when driving off-road. An improved method is provided for controlling a vehicle control system by avoiding unplanned combinations of subsystem configuration modes and minimizing the transition time when changing between subsystem configuration modes.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasably securing a coffee holder (30) and a boiler (42) of a coffee making machine (16) is disclosed, in which the coffee holder (30) includes a handle (32), a catch (34), and a container (36) with an upwardly facing opening, and the handle (32) is pivotally movable relative to the container (36), and the catch (34) includes an aperture (41) and is movable relative to the handle (32), and the boiler (42) includes a downwardly facing opening and an outwardly extending hook (46), and the upwardly facing opening of the container (36) may be engaged with the downwardly facing opening of the boiler (42), and the hook (46) of the boiler (42) is receivable within the aperture (41) of the catch (34) of the coffee holder (30) when the upwardly facing opening of the container (36) is engaged with the downwardly facing opening of the boiler (42).

Abstract: There is disclosed a casing (10) for containing an electric appliance (86), in which the casing (10) includes two doors (14) and a platform (22) with an upper surface (24), and the doors (14) are movable between a closed position in which access to the electric appliance (86) is denied and an open position in which access to the electric appliance (86) is allowed, and the platform (22) is movable between a retracted position in which the upper surface (24) of the platform (22) is substantially wholly enclosed by the doors (14), and an extended position in which the upper surface (24) of the platform (22) is exposed to the outside environment. There is also disclosed an electric appliance (86) with such a casing (10).

Abstract: A lighter is disclosed as including a body and an button, the body including a piezo electric unit and a container for containing fuel under pressure, the body further including an at which a flame may he produced upon movement of the button relative to the body, and the button is slidable relative to the body parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, and the button has an outer surface which may be operated by a user to slide the button relative to the body, and the outer surface of the button is generally orthogonal to the end of the body, and wherein the button is generally as long as the body.

Abstract: A lighter is disclosed as including a body and an button, the body including a piezo electric unit and a container for containing fuel under pressure, the body further including an at which a flame may he produced upon movement of the button relative to the body, and the button is slidable relative to the body parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, and the button has an outer surface which may be operated by a user to slide the button relative to the body, and the outer surface of the button is generally orthogonal to the end of the body, and wherein the button is generally as long as the body.