A computer implemented method for managing charge availability of a charge unit (CU) to obtain charge for a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is provided. The CU includes a computer for processing at least part of the method and for communicating with a server over a network. The method includes receiving, by the server, status information from the computer of the CU. The method includes sending to the computer of the CU instructions to make a reservation for the CU. The reservation is for a user account that has requested a desire to charge the battery of the electric vehicle of the user at the CU or another CU. The method includes sending, by the server, a confirmation for the reservation to the user account. The confirmation is viewable via a device having access to the server via the user account. The method includes sending, by the server, a data regarding a time of availability of the CU to the user account for the reservation. The computer of the CU is configured to display a visual indicator regarding the reservation of the CU.

A computer implemented method for managing charge availability of a charge unit (CU) to obtain charge for a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is provided. The CU includes a computer for processing at least part of the method and for communicating with a server over a network. The method includes receiving, by the server, status information from the computer of the CU. The method includes sending to the computer of the CU instructions to make a reservation for the CU. The reservation is for a user account that has requested a desire to charge the battery of the electric vehicle of the user at the CU or another CU. The method includes sending, by the server, a confirmation for the reservation to the user account. The confirmation is viewable via a device having access to the server via the user account. The method includes sending, by the server, a data regarding a time of availability of the CU to the user account for the reservation. The computer of the CU is configured to display a visual indicator regarding the reservation of the CU.

A vehicle-based high-voltage charging circuit is provided with an AC voltage terminal, at least two galvanically isolating DC-DC converters designed as step-up converters and a rectifier via which the DC-DC converters are connected to the AC voltage terminal, and a changeover switch. The charging circuit has a first and a second DC voltage terminal selectably connected to the first DC-DC converter via the changeover switch. The charging circuit has a third DC voltage terminal connected to the second DC-DC converter, wherein the charging circuit also has a controller which is set up, in a first mode, to drive the DC-DC converters according to a first target output voltage which is at least 750 V and at most 1000 V, and, in a second mode, to drive the DC-DC converters according to a second target output voltage which is at most 480 V or at most 450 V.

A battery load management system and methods of managing a battery load, e.g., in a vehicle, may be directed to a converter that steps down electrical power from an input voltage to a reduced voltage. An electrical bus in electrical communication with the converter may be configured to supply electrical power received from the converter at the reduced voltage to a plurality of electrical loads. A controller may be configured to detect a load shed trigger, and in response to the detection select one or more low-priority loads included in the plurality of electrical loads. The controller may also be configured to reduce electrical power consumption by the one or more low-priority loads.

A method for controlling heating of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a duct flowing air into the indoor of the hybrid vehicle from the outside, a heater core for circulating the coolant heated from an engine inside the duct, a PTC heater heated by the power supplied from a high-voltage battery of the hybrid vehicle inside the duct, and a controller. The controller operates the engine and the PTC heater and heats the air flowing into the indoor of the hybrid vehicle through the duct. The voltage supplied to the PTC heater from a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) is changed based on the state of the engine and an auxiliary battery for supplying power to an electric component of the vehicle to apply power to the PTC heater.

A vehicle electrical system is equipped with a DC charging connection, a rechargeable battery, a first DC-DC converter and an electrical drive. The first DC-DC converter has a first side. This is connected to a connecting point via a first switch. The first DC-DC converter has a second side to which the electrical drive is connected. The second side is connected to the rechargeable battery via a second switch and via a connecting point or is connected to the rechargeable battery directly. The vehicle electrical system has a second DC-DC converter. This is connected to one side of the first switch.

Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system and method for safe decoupling of the external power supply from a vehicle. The technology described herein provides an indication or an alert to the user at an appropriate time and avoids the possible damage to the system. The system comprises an electrical port by which the refrigerator can be connected to an external AC mains supply via an electrical cable when the vehicle is in stationary state. The system further comprises a refrigerator main controller unit (RMU) for controlling the power delivered to the refrigerator in both stationary and driving states of the vehicle. There is a safety system installed for restricting the vehicle from being driven when the electrical port of the system is connected to the AC mains supply via the electrical cable and the refrigerator is powered by the AC mains supply.

A charging and heating circuit is equipped with an AC voltage connection, a DC voltage connection and a rectifier. The rectifier is connected between the AC voltage connection and the DC voltage connection. The charging and heating circuit further includes a heating resistor which is connected to the rectifier and the rectifier is thereby set up to supply the heating resistor with current. Also described is a vehicle electrical system which includes the charging and heating circuit in addition to an accumulator.

A robot for charging a vehicle is provided. The robot has wheels or configured for a track for the robot to automatically move to the vehicle to provide charge to a battery of the vehicle. A charge storage is associated with the robot. An articulating arm of the robot. The articulating arm is configured for movement that enables the articulating arm to automatically connect to a connector of the vehicle after the robot moves in position beside the vehicle for providing charge to the battery of the vehicle.

A robot for charging a vehicle is provided. The robot has wheels or configured for a track for the robot to automatically move to the vehicle to provide charge to a battery of the vehicle. A charge storage is associated with the robot. An articulating arm of the robot. The articulating arm is configured for movement that enables the articulating arm to automatically connect to a connector of the vehicle after the robot moves in position beside the vehicle for providing charge to the battery of the vehicle.