A positioning unit for electrically driven vehicles and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle and a stationary charging station having a positioning unit configured to be disposed on a vehicle roof. The positioning unit includes a contact device that is moveable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically connectable to the charging contact device in a contact position, and an articulated arm device for positioning the contact device and a drive device for driving the articulated arm device. The articulated arm device includes for pivoting the contact device from a storing state to a vertical contact state and vice versa, and a second pivot arm for pivoting the contact device from the retracted position to the contact position and vice versa. The first pivot arm is disposed to be pivotable on a distal end of the second pivot arm.

A system for electrically connecting a vehicle to track electrodes, the system comprising vehicle electrodes configured to be electrically connected with a respective one of the track electrodes; actuators operatively connecting the vehicle electrodes to a structure of the vehicle for displacement of the vehicle electrodes relative to the structure of the vehicle, the actuators operable to vary distances between the vehicle electrodes and the track electrodes; sensors operatively mounted to one of the vehicle or track electrodes, the sensors detecting variations in the distances; and a controller operatively connected to the actuators for actuating the actuators as a function of the variations in the distances detected by the sensors.

A system for electrically connecting a vehicle to track electrodes, the system comprising vehicle electrodes configured to be electrically connected with a respective one of the track electrodes; actuators operatively connecting the vehicle electrodes to a structure of the vehicle for displacement of the vehicle electrodes relative to the structure of the vehicle, the actuators operable to vary distances between the vehicle electrodes and the track electrodes; sensors operatively mounted to one of the vehicle or track electrodes, the sensors detecting variations in the distances; and a controller operatively connected to the actuators for actuating the actuators as a function of the variations in the distances detected by the sensors.

A charging control device of an electric vehicle and a method thereof may include requesting a charging required current from a charger in a state in which power line communication (PLC) with the charger is established, detecting a round trip time required to receive a response to the request, and adjusting a switching period of a multi-inverter based on the round trip time such that the PLC with the charger is prevented from being interrupted in a process of charging a battery of the electric vehicle.

A charging control device of an electric vehicle and a method thereof may include requesting a charging required current from a charger in a state in which power line communication (PLC) with the charger is established, detecting a round trip time required to receive a response to the request, and adjusting a switching period of a multi-inverter based on the round trip time such that the PLC with the charger is prevented from being interrupted in a process of charging a battery of the electric vehicle.

An electrical circuit for a vehicle includes at least one electrical contact device for an intermittently detachable electrical connection to a vehicle-external electrical network, a vehicle-internal electrical network and at least one detector device which determines if a connection exists between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. The circuit has at least one switching device which closes the electrical connection between the contact device and the vehicle-internal network depending on the connection determined between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. A method for making contact and/or breaking contact of a vehicle with a vehicle-external electrical network is also provided.

An electrical circuit for a vehicle includes at least one electrical contact device for an intermittently detachable electrical connection to a vehicle-external electrical network, a vehicle-internal electrical network and at least one detector device which determines if a connection exists between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. The circuit has at least one switching device which closes the electrical connection between the contact device and the vehicle-internal network depending on the connection determined between the contact device and the vehicle-external network. A method for making contact and/or breaking contact of a vehicle with a vehicle-external electrical network is also provided.

The invention relates to 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.

The invention relates to 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.

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.