A management device for an energy storage device mounted on a vehicle includes a management unit, a component that operates according to an instruction from the management unit and that generates an operation sound, and an acquisition unit that acquires information. The management unit operates the component and diagnoses a failure of the component when the information acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition indicating a possibility that no person stays within the vehicle and within a certain distance from the vehicle.

The invention relates to a method for automatically connecting a charging connector (12) to a charging connector socket (21) of a vehicle (2), preferably a land vehicle (2), comprising at least the following steps: first optical capturing (100) of the charging connector socket (21) and/or the vehicle (2) as a first image by means of at least one first image capturing unit (13) which is arranged to be movable with the charging connector (12), determining (200) the position of the charging connector socket (21) and/or of the vehicle (2) based on the first image, reducing (300) the distance between the charging connector (12) and the charging connector socket (21) and/or the vehicle (2) by means of a positioning unit (10), and second optical capturing (400) of the charging connector socket (21) and/or of the vehicle (2) as a second image by means of the first image capturing unit (13).

A system for discharging or charging a capacitor of a hybrid vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a target state of charge (SOC) module and a capacitor charge/discharge module. The target SOC module determines a target state of charge of the capacitor based on a speed of the vehicle. The capacitor charge/discharge module determines whether a state of charge of a capacitor is greater than a target state of charge. The capacitor charge/discharge module dissipates power from the capacitor to at least one of a battery of the vehicle and an electrical load of the vehicle when the state of charge of the capacitor is greater than the target state of charge.

A method of prompting an operator of an electric vehicle for pre-conditioning the electric vehicle comprises monitoring a location of the electric vehicle, monitoring the temperature of an electric propulsion system within the electric vehicle, accessing historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, monitoring the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, identifying a condition that indicates imminent usage of the electric vehicle based on the location of the vehicle, the location of the operator of the electric vehicle, and the historical data of driving patterns for the electric vehicle, comparing the temperature of the electric propulsion system of the electric vehicle to a pre-determined preferred operating temperature, and sending a prompt to the operator of the electric vehicle suggesting that pre-conditioning of the electric vehicle may be appropriate.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. The charging and distribution machines may distribute portable electrical energy storage devices of particular performance characteristics and other attributes based on customer preferences and/or customer profiles. The charging and distribution machines may provide instructions to or otherwise program portable electrical energy storage devices stored within the charging and distribution machines to perform at various levels according to user preferences and user profiles.

Vehicle systems with context based dynamic power savings are disclosed. For one example, a vehicle data processing system includes a telematics subsystem, one or more sensors and a vehicle controller unit (VCU). The telematics subsystem receives map data for a vehicle. The one or more sensors receive sensor data related to the vehicle or user of the vehicle. The VCU is coupled to the telematics subsystem and one or more sensors. The VCU can change a torque limit for an electric motor of the vehicle based on a context derived from the received map data or sensor data. The VCU can enter a mode for dynamic power savings and set the torque limit to a lower base limit from a higher base limit to conserve power consumption.

A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.

A charger is permitted to perform external charging of a power storage device in a connector locked state in which a charging connector is locked to a charge inlet by a connector lock device. An ECU releases the connector locked state in conjunction a door unlock operation of releasing a door locked state placed by a door lock mechanism. When the external charging of the power storage device by the charger is cancelled by the connector locked state being released, a different charging stop history, depending on presence or absence of a predetermined user operation after the external charging is cancelled, is stored into a storage device.

A method for controlling the an electric hand truck comprises the steps of: determining whether user manipulation is present due to a user input on the electric hand truck; and, if there is no user manipulation, then braking an electric motor that drives the wheels of the electric moving vehicle in a softlock manner in which, instead of power being applied to the electric motor, electrodes of the electric motor are short-circuited.

A charging station for an electric vehicle determines that a first person is in proximity to the charging station and identifies whether the first person is a user of the charging station. In accordance with a determination that the first person is a user of the charging station, the charging station provides, using a first mode for selecting content for users of the charging station, first content for display. The charging station determines that a second person is in proximity to the charging station and identifies whether the second person is a user of the charging station. In accordance with the determination that the second person is not a user of the charging station, the charging station provides, using a second mode for selecting content distinct from the first mode for selecting content, second content for display. The second mode provides content for non-users of the charging station.