Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle charging cable having a selective and controllable shape-memory. Selective shape memory cables of the present disclosure can advantageously adopt a different shape and/or forget a passively inherent thermoset shape, for example a spiral. Such selective shape memory cables have particular application for charging EVs and plug-in HEVs and may comprise a body; one or more primary wires accommodated by the body; a first means for biasing a region of the body (such as a thermosetting bias); and a second means for biasing all or part of said region of the body. The second means being responsive to an external stimulus, such as an electric current so that the second biasing means can be actively operated.

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: 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: The present invention relates to a vehicle charging cable having a selective and controllable shape-memory. Selective shape memory cables of the present disclosure can advantageously adopt a different shape and/or forget a passively inherent thermoset shape, for example a spiral. Such selective shape memory cables have particular application for charging EVs and plug-in HEVs and may comprise a body; one or more primary wires accommodated by the body; a first means for biasing a region of the body (such as a thermosetting bias); and a second means for biasing all or part of said region of the body. The second means being responsive to an external stimulus, such as an electric current so that the second biasing means can be actively operated.