A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

A charge cable lock device is for use with an inlet that includes an inlet housing. A charge cable including a rocking arm with a hooking portion is connected in a removable manner to the inlet. The charge cable lock device includes a lock member, a lock housing, and a fixing pin. The lock member is movable to a lock position and an unlock position and configured to contact the rocking arm to restrict disengagement of the hooking portion of the rocking arm from the inlet when the lock member is located at the lock position. The lock housing supports the lock member. The fixing pin is configured to be inserted into the lock housing and the inlet housing and fix the lock housing to the inlet traversing the lock housing and the inlet housing.

An ECU executes a program including: a step of setting a threshold as a shutdown threshold when, during a power supply operation, a duration of a power supply stoppage exceeds a first time; a step of stopping an operation of an engine or prohibiting the engine from operating; and a step of executing system shutdown processing when an SOC of a storage apparatus falls to or below the shutdown threshold or the duration of the power supply stoppage exceeds a second time.

A device for securing a primary coil used for inductive charging fastens a rail to an underlying surface. The rail has a lower wall and at least one side wall. The device includes a connection strip, which has a longitudinal extent along the rail and which has an adequate width for covering the lower wall and at least partially the at least one side wall of the rail. The connection strip has an outer connection layer on an outer face, which outer connection layer is designed to produce adhesion between the connection strip and the surface along the lower wall of the rail. The connection strip has at least one inner connection layer on an inner face, which inner connection layer is designed to produce adhesion between the at least one side wall of the rail and the connection strip along the at least one side wall of the rail. The device also includes a housing, which can be connected to the rail and which blocks access to the rail when the housing is connected to the rail.

A two-way distribution, charging, and vending system permits a subscriber to exchange one or more partially or completely discharged portable electric energy storage devices for a comparable number of charged portable electric energy storage devices. The two-way distribution, charging, and vending system includes a number of charging modules, each with a dedicated power converter, communicably coupled to at least one two-way distribution system controller and to a power distribution grid. Upon receipt of a discharged portable electric energy storage device, the at least one two-way distribution system controller validates a manufacturer identifier and a subscriber identifier stored in a nontransitory storage media carried by the discharged portable electric energy storage device. Responsive to a successful authentication and validation, the at least one two-way distribution system controller dispenses a charged portable electric energy storage device to the subscriber.

Disclosed are a battery replacement device (1) and a control method therefor. The battery replacement device (1) is used for mounting a battery on an electric vehicle, and sending a security message to a battery lock (2) to unlock the battery, so that the battery is electrically connected to the electric vehicle.

A cable management assembly configured for selective attachment to an electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cable management structure, and an electromagnet configured to be selectively activated to attach the cable management structure to an exterior of the electrified vehicle. A theft prevention feature and a method are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a method (300) for securing an electric rental vehicle when returning/picking up the vehicle at a so-called rental site, said vehicle including at least one sensor for determining at least one state of an element of said vehicle, said method including the following steps: measuring (310, 320) at least one value of at least one parameter by said sensor means, comparing (310, 320) the value of said parameter with at least one predetermined value, and indicating (312, 322, 324) an anomaly if the value is not equal to the predetermined value. The invention also relates to a method for securing an electric rental vehicle when returning/picking up said vehicle, and to a secure vehicle.

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. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

A fail safe battery pack is disclosed and claimed wherein first and second housings are affixed together. A plurality of battery cells reside within and fixedly engage the first and the second housings. First and second printed circuit boards (PCBs) reside within first and second lattice structures of the first and second housings. A variable bias device resides in the first and/or second lattice structure of the first and second housing and engages the first and/or second PCBs. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently large it overcomes a plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices operating between the PCB and the plurality of battery cells and tending to separate same and causes the PCB to electrically communicate with the plurality of battery cells. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently small, the plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices separates the PCB and the plurality of battery cells rendering the battery cells in an electrically safe condition.