An electric vehicle (EV) charging system includes a receptacle on the EV and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a removal request and a discrepancy between a stored biometric record and first biometric data received from a first biometric sensor, compare the stored biometric record and second biometric data received from a second biometric sensor that is different from the first biometric sensor, and responsive to the comparison matching, generate an unlock request.

A security apparatus for a portable electronic device having a slot includes a body having an insertable portion configured to be inserted into the slot of the portable electronic device, and a boss extending from the insertable portion and positioned outside of the slot. The boss is configured to attach to a lock head. The security apparatus also includes a wedge supported at least partially within the insertable portion of the body. The wedge is movable relative to the insertable portion between a first position, in which the wedge extends out of the insertable portion and is configured to engage a surface of the portable electronic device that defines the slot, and a second position, in which the wedge is retracted relative to the first position and is configured to disengage the surface of the portable electronic device that defines the slot.

The present invention relates to a charging control apparatus and a control method therefor. A charging control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a communication unit which performs wireless communication with at least one communication device including a vehicle; a charging connector electrically connected to a charging inlet provided in the vehicle; a locking unit which is disposed in the charging connector, so as to perform or release locking between the charging connector and the charging inlet; a control unit which checks whether the ID of the vehicle, received by the communication unit, is included in a pre-stored authentication information list, in response to an electrical connection between the charging connector and the charging inlet, and when the ID of the vehicle is included in the pre-stored authentication information list, determines whether to release the locking between the charging connector and the charging inlet, depending on the location of a previously authenticated portable device, and controls the locking unit according to the determination.

An apparatus for locking an electronic device includes an actuator, a return mechanism, and an arm. The actuator includes an actuator SMM wire that is configured to apply a contraction force. The return mechanism includes a return SMM wire that is configured to apply a return force opposite the contraction force. The arm is movable toward an unlocked position by the actuator and movable toward a locked position by the return force. The arm has at least one equilibrium position with less than 1 Newton of force on the arm from the actuator and less than 1 Newton of force on the arm from the return mechanism.

An apparatus for locking welding leads together or for locking a welding lead connector to a welding machine terminal connector, and for protecting such welding leads. A method of locking welding leads together or locking a welding lead connector to a welding machine terminal connector.

In one example, the connector includes a body portion configured to be connected to a cord and a connection portion engaged with the body portion and comprising a plurality of conductors. The connection portion includes a conductive shield electrically connected to a plurality of the conductors when the connection portion is not engaged with the article of merchandise, and the connection portion also includes at least one ground conductor that is not electrically connected to the remaining conductors and/or the conductive shield when the connection portion is not engaged with the article of merchandise. At least one of the conductors and/or the conductive shield is configured to cooperate with the ground conductor to define a sense loop when the connector is engaged with the article of merchandise, and interruption of the sense loop is indicative of a security event.

An electrical receptacle including a body having a plurality of electrical connections, a device face connected to the body and movable with respect to the body, a plurality of electrical plug contacts positioned behind the device face, and wherein the electrical plug contacts retain an electrical plug prong at a first tension when the device face is in a first position and the electrical plug contacts retain the electrical plug prong at a second tension when the device face is in a second position.

This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for automatically locking and unlocking electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) relative to vehicle inlet assemblies during charging events. A lock may be moved between an engaged position in which a coupler of the EVSE is locked to a charging port and a disengaged positon in which the coupler is unlocked to the charging port. The lock may be moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position in response to a limb of an authorized user being detected within a designated area.

A latch indicator apparatus for indicating a locked status of an attachment between a cable housing and a cable receptor. The latch indicator apparatus includes a latch indicator attached to a cable housing at an attachment point, a first resistive element having a first resistance, and is attached to the cable housing at the attachment point. The restive element of the latch indicator attaches to an indicator tab. The latch indicator includes an indicator window, which is positioned to indicate a locked status of the latch indicator based on the first resistance of the first resistive element. The latch indicator tests a connection between a cable housing and a cable housing by indicating a locked status. The locked status is indicated by exerting a first force on the indicator tab by pulling the indicator tab in a direction away from the connection between the cable housing and the cable receptor.