Abstract: A high-voltage portable charging system for remote recharging of an electric vehicle includes a housing, an array of battery cells forming a high-voltage battery disposed in the housing, and a low-voltage battery disposed in the housing. A coupler assembly has a cord and a vehicle connector configured to connect to a vehicle charge port. A switching arrangement is powered by the low-voltage battery and is configured to electrically connect the high-voltage battery to the cord when in a first condition and to de-energize the cord when in a second condition.

Abstract: An autonomous supply room includes an enclosure, a computer dispensing system, and one or more processors. The enclosure includes a secure entryway configured to provide access to a user into the enclosure based on a user characteristic; and at least one storage shelf within the enclosure. The computer dispensing system includes a sensor integrated to the storage shelf, the sensor configured to detect addition or removal of items to or from the shelf and to transmit one or more signals indicative of detecting addition or removal of items; and one or more cameras configured to track movement of the user within the enclosure.

Abstract: A high-voltage portable charging system for remote recharging of an electric vehicle includes a housing, an array of battery cells forming a high-voltage battery disposed in the housing, and a low-voltage battery disposed in the housing. A coupler assembly has a cord and a vehicle connector configured to connect to a vehicle charge port. A switching arrangement is powered by the low-voltage battery and is configured to electrically connect the high-voltage battery to the cord when in a first condition and to de-energize the cord when in a second condition.

Abstract: A vehicle charger includes two charge connectors configured to couple with DC charge ports of two vehicles each having a battery, a buck boost converter connected between the two charge connectors configured to convert a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, and a controller. The controller is configured to wirelessly connect to a mobile device to obtain a charging instruction identifying a donor vehicle and a beneficiary vehicle among the two vehicles, and responsive to the two charger connectors being coupled with the DC charge ports of the donor vehicle and the beneficiary vehicle, output a request for charging permission to a digital device associated with at least one of the vehicles. The controller is further configured to, responsive to receiving the charging permission, start a charging session by transferring electric charge from the donor vehicle to the beneficiary vehicle via the buck boost converter.

Abstract: A vehicle charger includes two charge connectors configured to couple with DC charge ports of two vehicles each having a battery, a buck boost converter connected between the two charge connectors configured to convert a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage, and a controller. The controller is configured to wirelessly connect to a mobile device to obtain a charging instruction identifying a donor vehicle and a beneficiary vehicle among the two vehicles, and responsive to the two charger connectors being coupled with the DC charge ports of the donor vehicle and the beneficiary vehicle, output a request for charging permission to a digital device associated with at least one of the vehicles. The controller is further configured to, responsive to receiving the charging permission, start a charging session by transferring electric charge from the donor vehicle to the beneficiary vehicle via the buck boost converter.

Abstract: An exemplary busbar assembly includes a first strip including a first material, and a second strip including a second material different than the first material. The first strip extends continuously from a first connector portion to a second connector portion. The first connector portion electrically connects the first strip to a first structure. The second connector portion electrically connects the first strip to a second structure. The first and second strips are both configured to communicate electric current. An exemplary current communication method includes communicating electrical current using both a first strip and a second strip of a busbar. The first strip is made of a first material and bonded to the second strip made of a second material. The first strip extends continuously from a first to a second connector portion. The first connector portion electrically connects to a first structure, and the second connector portion electrically connects to a second structure.

Abstract: An exemplary busbar assembly includes a first strip including a first material, and a second strip including a second material different than the first material. The first strip extends continuously from a first connector portion to a second connector portion. The first connector portion electrically connects the first strip to a first structure. The second connector portion electrically connects the first strip to a second structure. The first and second strips are both configured to communicate electric current. An exemplary current communication method includes communicating electrical current using both a first strip and a second strip of a busbar. The first strip is made of a first material and bonded to the second strip made of a second material. The first strip extends continuously from a first to a second connector portion. The first connector portion electrically connects to a first structure, and the second connector portion electrically connects to a second structure.

Abstract: An outsole unit for an item of footwear comprises a base layer of a flexible material having fibres extending from one surface, for example a napped leather such as pigskin suede or a textile material, and one or more lugs of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) moulded directly to the fibrous surface so as to form a tread. Multiple lugs may form a regular array separated by grooves, and may be connected solely by the base layer, by a skin of TPU extending across the base layer or by narrow connecting elements of TPU. An upper of an item of footwear may comprise a backing of suede leather with a grid of strips of TPU moulded to its napped surface. An item of footwear may comprise the outsole unit of the invention, the upper of the invention, or both.

Abstract: A boot (1) or other item of footwear is made up of a rubber sole unit (2) mounted to an upper comprising both leather and rubber components, for example a foot piece (3) of rubber and a shaft piece (4) of leather having a napped outer surface, such as suede, particularly pigskin suede. The boot (1) is assembled with an edge of the rubber foot piece (3) overlapping the outer surface of the leather shaft piece (4), and a rubber tape (11) binding the edges (13) of the shaft piece (4) together. The whole boot (1) is then vulcanised, bonding the leather and rubber components sealingly together. The boot (1) or other item of footwear is attractive, durable and waterproof.