A storage and charging system for a motor vehicle includes a drawer assembly front portion comprising a portion of the front grille. The drawer assembly is movable between open and closed positions by an actuator and provides a storage space that may be used for a charging cable. An electrical connection is disposed within the drawer assembly and provides an electrical coupling between a charging cable and a battery of the motor vehicle.

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting foreign objects. In one aspect an apparatus for detecting a presence of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency. The resonant circuit includes a sense circuit including an electrically conductive structure. The apparatus further includes a coupling circuit coupled to the sense circuit. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit coupled to the sense circuit via the coupling circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect the presence of the object in response to detecting a difference between a measured characteristic that depends on a frequency at which the resonant circuit is resonating and a corresponding characteristic that depends on the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. The coupling circuit is configured to reduce a variation of the resonant frequency by the detection circuit in the absence of the object.

The method for a two-stage authorization of a charging operation includes a first stage and a second stage. In the first stage, a control device allocated to the charging station receives a terminal-side proof of authorization transmitted from a mobile terminal device. The first personal authorization of the charging station user is verified on the basis of the terminal-side proof of authorization, without any action of the charging station user being required. With the given first authorization, the charging cable is released. In the second stage, the vehicle-side proof of authorization is received and verified after the vehicle has been connected to the charging cable, whereupon in response to verification of the vehicle-side proof of authorization, a second authorization is carried out, due to which the charging operation is approved.

A charging connector control system may include a charging control unit of a charging equipment for supplying a control signal for charging; and a vehicle control unit for changing a sensing control signal to a normal control signal by executing a variable resistor control according to whether the sensing control signal, which is generated by sensing the control signal transmitted through a charging connector for connecting the charging equipment and a vehicle, is normal.

The method for a two-stage authorization of a charging operation includes a first stage and a second stage. In the first stage, a control device allocated to the charging station receives a terminal-side proof of authorization transmitted from a mobile terminal device. The first personal authorization of the charging station user is verified on the basis of the terminal-side proof of authorization, without any action of the charging station user being required. With the given first authorization, the charging cable is released. In the second stage, the vehicle-side proof of authorization is received and verified after the vehicle has been connected to the charging cable, whereupon in response to verification of the vehicle-side proof of authorization, a second authorization is carried out, due to which the charging operation is approved.

An electric vehicle includes a power storage device, a front compartment, a power supplying port, and an external power supplying device. The power storage device is configured to feed electric power to a motor for traveling. The front compartment is provided in front of a cabin of the electric vehicle in the electric vehicle. The power supplying port is provided in the front compartment and is configured to be connected with a power supplying cable. The external power supplying device is configured to feed electric power of the power storage device to an outside of the electric vehicle from the power supplying port.

A method for communicating between an electric vehicle and a charging station for electrically charging at least one energy storage device of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to the charging station during the charging process by a lockable mechanical coupling between a terminal of charging cable connected to the vehicle and a terminal of the charging station. Charging current is fed from the charging station through the charging cable. Information is transferred in the course of the charging process based on a communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. The information includes a signal transmitted from the electric vehicle to the charging station for locking and/or unlocking the mechanical coupling. The signal triggers the locking and/or unlocking of the mechanical coupling between the terminal of the charging cable and the terminal at the charging station.

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for detecting foreign objects. In one aspect an apparatus for detecting a presence of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a resonant circuit having a resonant frequency. The resonant circuit includes a sense circuit including an electrically conductive structure. The apparatus further includes a coupling circuit coupled to the sense circuit. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit coupled to the sense circuit via the coupling circuit. The detection circuit is configured to detect the presence of the object in response to detecting a difference between a measured characteristic that depends on a frequency at which the resonant circuit is resonating and a corresponding characteristic that depends on the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. The coupling circuit is configured to reduce a variation of the resonant frequency by the detection circuit in the absence of the object.

A method for communicating between an electric vehicle and a charging station for electrically charging at least one energy storage device of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to the charging station during the charging process by a lockable mechanical coupling between a terminal of charging cable connected to the vehicle and a terminal of the charging station. Charging current is fed from the charging station through the charging cable. Information is transferred in the course of the charging process based on a communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. The information includes a signal transmitted from the electric vehicle to the charging station for locking and/or unlocking the mechanical coupling. The signal triggers the locking and/or unlocking of the mechanical coupling between the terminal of the charging cable and the terminal at the charging station.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To avoid theft and tampering of the portable electrical energy storage devices, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is locked in and operably connected to the vehicle to which it provides power unless the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as that in a service center. Once within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device a locking mechanism in the vehicle or within the portable electrical energy storage device unlocks and allows the portable electrical energy storage device to be exchanged or serviced.