Abstract:
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To allow easy and convenient access to empty portable electrical energy storage device compartments within the vehicles, if the vehicle comes within the vicinity of a collection, charging and distribution machine or other authorized external device such as a key fob or other wireless device of a user, an empty portable electrical energy storage device compartment that is closed or locked, is unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically. Also, if the portable electrical energy storage device compartment is in another desired state to have the compartment unlocked, such as having a portable electrical energy storage device in the compartment that has a charge level below a particular threshold, the compartment will likewise be unlocked, unlatched or opened automatically.
Abstract:
A vehicle turn signal system causes a turn signal to turn off when a turn is completed or nearly completed based on the orientation of the vehicle changing to turn to a certain degree in a direction indicated by the turn signal. Current heading, position, location and/or or other such information is electronically received from a compass or other device by a turn signal switch controller. When the vehicle has changed direction from the direction the vehicle was traveling at the time associated with when the turn signal was turned on, a signal is sent to turn off the turn signal and reset the manual turn signal button or lever.
Abstract:
In response to receiving information regarding an unsafe condition from portable electrical energy storage device (e.g., battery) safety sensors, a locking mechanism controller determines whether the battery is in a desired state to, as a safety measure, have the compartment that holds the battery locked and/or to send a signal to reduce or eliminate current draw from the battery. If the locking mechanism controller determines the battery is in the desired state to have the compartment locked, then it sends a signal to a compartment locking mechanism causing the compartment locking mechanism to lock the compartment in which the battery is located to prevent a user from opening the compartment, and thus helps protect the user against the unsafe condition. In some embodiments, the unsafe condition may be a potential or existing catastrophic failure of the battery in the compartment (e.g., a meltdown, explosion or dangerous leak, etc.).
Abstract:
A network of collection, charging and/or distribution machines collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). In some embodiments, if the user selects to change their current portable electrical power storage device exchange plan to a two-portable electrical power storage device exchange plan while exchanging their current portable electrical power storage device, the user will return their current portable electrical power storage device and will receive two portable electrical power storage devices in exchange at the collection, charging and distribution machine. The user may also be required to pay additional fees and/or commit to additional obligations while at the collection, charging and distribution machine in order to change to the different portable electrical power storage device exchange plan.
Abstract:
A vehicle turn signal system causes a turn signal to turn off when a turn is completed or nearly completed based on the orientation of the vehicle changing to turn to a certain degree in a direction indicated by the turn signal. Current heading, position, location and/or or other such information is electronically received from a compass or other device by a turn signal switch controller. When the vehicle has changed direction from the direction the vehicle was traveling at the time associated with when the turn signal was turned on, a signal is sent to turn off the turn signal and reset the manual turn signal button or lever.