GB2614281A

GB2614281A - Vehicle charging unit

Info

Publication number: GB2614281A
Application number: GB2118896.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adams Tony
Original assignee: London Clamping Co Ltd
Current assignee: London Clamping Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-23
Filing date: 2021-12-23
Publication date: 2023-07-05
Also published as: GB202118896D0

Abstract

An electric vehicle charging unit 101 comprises housing 103 on which arm 107 is mounted. The arm is moveable, i.e., by a motor, between a first and second position. The first position prevents unauthorized vehicles from parking in a location for vehicles to be charged by the vehicle charging unit, while the second position permits an authorized vehicle to park. The arm may have a first portion 115 with a pivotal connection on each end connected to the housing and to connector 117, respectively. The first portion may be horizontal in the first position and vertical in the raised second position. A second portion 119 may be secured to the connector and remain horizontal when raised. A bar 121, which moves parallel to the first portion, may be pivotably connected to the housing and connector. The arm may have protective member 127, with reflectors 129, extending beyond the second portion. The unit may have sensors, e.g., ANPR reader 141, PIR sensor (Fig.3, 135), camera (Fig.3, 137), providing data to a controller, and an interlock to permit or inhibit the controller outputting instructions to a switch to connect charging socket 139. The unit may be in a parking bay 105 and be protected by a security portion (Fig.5, 143).

Description

Vehicle Charging Unit The present invention relates to vehicle charging units, more particularly, but not exclusively, to vehicle charging units for charging electric vehicles. The term electric vehicle, as used herein, includes vehicles which are powered solely by batteries which can be charged from a vehicle charging unit and hybrid vehicles, i.e. vehicles which can be charged from a vehicle charging unit but are equipped with an onboard independent generator to supply electricity to such batteries as and when required. Typical onboard independent generators include internal combustion engines and fuel cells.

Vehicle charging units for charging electric vehicles are known. In use, a user drives their vehicle into the desired parking bay which is in sufficient proximity to the vehicle charging unit. They would then connect the vehicle charging unit to a charging port of their vehicle via a charging cable, so as to charge the batteries within their electric vehicle.

Typically, a user will have their own personal vehicle charging unit located at their residence, for example mounted on a wall of their house, proximate their driveway. Their charging unit would be connected to the mains electricity supply. Due to the normal length of the charging cable associated with the user's vehicle charging unit and the typical location of the unit itself, it is necessary for the vehicle to be parked close enough to the vehicle charging unit in order for the charging cable to reach the vehicle. For example, the user needs to be able to park their vehicle on their driveway before they can connect their vehicle charging unit to their vehicle and charge its battery.

With the ever-growing need for housing, people look to live in flats which are often more affordable that houses. Usually, a block of flats will come with parking for the residents, either under the block itself or adjacent the block of flats. Each resident is allocated at least one parking bay, e.g. a bay parking space.

Historically several of the parking bays will have charging units installed proximate thereto and are intended as electric vehicle parking bays. Therefore, all the owners of electric vehicles within the block of flats will look to park in these bays in order to charge their vehicles.

Unfortunately, because more people are adopting electric vehicles, the demand for parking in these designated charging bays is increasing. Because of the time it takes to charge the battery of an electric vehicle, people are often left waiting for a designated parking bay to become available before they can charge their -2 -vehicle. In some circumstances people are left unable to use their vehicles, because they cannot charge the vehicle's battery as a result of inaccessibility to a charger unit.

One solution to this issue, is that electric vehicle owners have their own personal charging unit installed proximate to their designated parking bay, within the car park available to residents of the block of flats. Cables connecting the charging unit to the mains supply are run either underground, for example if the parking bay is outside or along adjacent walls, for example if the parking bay is under the block of flats.

This is advantageous, in that an owner has their own designated parking bay along with their own vehicle charging unit, whereby they should be able to charge their vehicle at any time they desire.

However, in reality, a visitor or other residents may park in someone else's parking bay without their permission. This could be by accident or because the visitor or other resident can't find anywhere else suitable to park. Not only would this prevent the intended occupant from parking in their own bay, but it would inhibit the intended occupant from accessing their charging unit and stop them from being able to charge their vehicle.

In certain cases, a visitor or other resident may have an electric vehicle and proceed to park in someone else's parking bay as well as charge their vehicle using someone else's charging unit, without the owner's permission. Not only would this inhibit the intended occupant from parking in their own bay and charging their own vehicle, but the intended occupant would also be required to pay for the electricity the visitor or other resident uses.

This issue is exacerbated by the introduction of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which has made it more difficult to remove vehicles from private land.

The present invention at least in its preferred embodiment attempts to reduce this problem.

The present invention provides a vehicle charging unit for charging an electric vehicle, which vehicle charging unit comprises a housing and an arm mounted on the housing and moveable relative thereto, between a first position and a second position, the arrangement being such that, in use, the arm in the first position, inhibits an unauthorised vehicle being parked in a location intended for vehicles to park so as to be charged by the vehicle charging unit and the arm in the second position -3 -permits a vehicle being parked in a location intended for vehicles to park so as to be charged by the vehicle charging unit.

Advantageously the arm comprises a first portion pivotably connected at one end to the housing.

Preferably the arm further comprises a connector which is pivotably connected at the other end of the first portion.

Advantageously the arm further comprises a second portion secured at one end to the connector.

Preferably a bar is pivotably connected at one end to the housing and is pivotably connected to the connector at its other end.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit further comprises a motor, which upon activation moves the arm between the first position and the second position.

Preferably the bar is configured so that the movement of the arm moves the bar, via the connector, so that the arm and the bar move substantially parallel to each other.

Advantageously the arm is configured, so that in use, as the first portion is moved by the motor from the first position to the second position, the first portion moves from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation and the first portion pivots relative to the connector so that the connector and second portion remain in a substantially horizontal orientation as the arm moves from the first position to the second position.

Preferably when in the first position the arm is substantially straight and in the second position, the arm is substantially bent, so that the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the second portion.

Advantageously, when in the second position, the second portion is in a plane substantially parallel to and above the plane the second portion is in when it is in the first position.

Preferably the distance between the pivotable connection of the connector and the first portion and the pivotable connection of the connector and the bar is substantially equal to the distance between the pivotable connection of the first portion and the housing and the pivotable connection of the bar and the housing. Advantageously the arm is provided with a protective member thereon. Preferably the protective member is secured to an end of the second portion. Advantageously the ends of the protective member extend beyond the end of the second portion. It could be that an end of the protective member extends -4 -beyond the end of the second portion. It may be that a portion of the protective member extend beyond the end of the second portion.

Preferably the protective member is provided with at least one illumination means thereon. It could be that the at least one illumination means is a reflector. It may be that the at least one illumination means is a light source, e.g. an LED.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit further comprises a ANPR reader, so as to in use collect vehicle registration data in the area range which the ANPR reader covers.

Preferably the vehicle charging unit further comprises a PIR sensor, so as to in use collect data in the area range which the PIR sensor covers.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit further comprises a camera, so as to in use, collect data in the area range which the camera covers.

Preferably the vehicle charging unit further comprises a controller, so as to in use, receive data from at least any of the ANPR reader, the PIR sensor and the camera, process data and output instructions.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit further comprises an interlock in communication with the controller, so as to in use, permit or inhibit the controller from outputting an instruction.

Preferably the vehicle charging unit further comprises a charging socket, via which, in use, a user can charge an electric vehicle.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit further comprises a switch, so as to in use, either connect the charging socket to an electricity supply, when in a connected position or disconnect the charging socket from an electricity supply, when in a disconnected position.

Preferably the interlock is configured so as to, in use, inhibit the controller from activating the switch to a connected position when the arm is in the first position and wherein the interlock permits the controller from activating the switch into a connected position when the arm is in the second position.

Advantageously the vehicle charging unit is provided with a security portion to, in use, protect the vehicle charging unit.

The present invention also provides a parking bay with a vehicle charging unit in accordance with the present invention provided thereon. -5 -

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging unit in accordance with the present invention in a first stage of use; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the vehicle charging unit as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle charging unit as shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle charging unit in accordance with the present invention in a second stage of use; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a security portion in accordance with the present invention. -6 -

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a vehicle charging unit 101 which comprises a housing 103, which is secured to the ground at a far end of a parking bay 105. The vehicle charging unit 101 is provided with an arm 107 which is pivotable with a spindle 109 on which the arm 107 is mounted. The spindle 109 extends through a side wall 111 and into the housing 103 of the vehicle charging unit 101. A cap 113 is provided on the external end of the spindle 109 so as to inhibit the arm 107 being removed from the spindle 109.

The arm 107 comprises a first portion 115 which is at one end mounted on the spindle 109 and pivotable thereabout. The other end of the first portion 115 is pivotably secured to a connector 117, such that the first portion 115 and the connector 117 are pivotable relative to each other.

The arm 107 further comprises a second portion 119 which is secured to the connector 117. The second portion 119 together with the connector 117 are pivotable relative to the first portion 115.

A bar 121 is provided so that it is at one end pivotably secured to the connector 117. The other end of the bar 121 is pivotable about a secondary spindle 123 on which the bar 121 is mounted. The secondary spindle 123 extends through the side wall 111 and into the housing 103 of the vehicle charging unit 101, so that the secondary spindle 123 sits adjacent to the spindle 109 extending from the side wall 111. A cap 125 is provided on the external end of the secondary spindle 123 so as to inhibit the bar 121 from being removed from the secondary spindle 123. A protective member 127 is secured to the free end of the second portion 119 of the arm 107. The protective member 127 is bent so as to form a "V" shape, with the bottom central portion being secured to the second portion 119. The arrangement when viewed from above depicts a "Y" shape. The protective member 127 is provided with a reflector 129 at each end thereof, to indicate its location in times of low lighting.

As better shown in Figure 2, the protective member 127 is secured at a point approximately halfway along its length, at the bottom of the "V", to the second portion 119. The arm 107 extends lengthways substantially along the centre of the parking bay 105. The protective member 127 at the end of the arm 107, extends across a major portion of the width of the parking bay 105.

As better shown in Figure 3, the vehicle charging unit 101 is provided with a light 131 in each of the upper corners of a front wall 133 of the housing 103. The lights 131 are for example red LEDs to indicate its location in times of low lighting. -7 -

A PIR sensor 135 and camera 137 are provided on the vehicle charging unit 101 so as to extend through the front wall 133 of the housing 103 and at an upper portion thereof. The detection range of the PIR sensor 135 and the angle of view of the camera 137 covers the parking bay 105.

A charging socket 139 is provided on the vehicle charging unit 101 so as to extend through the side wall 111 of the housing 103 at a central portion thereof. The charging socket 139 is connected to the mains electricity supply, via connections within the housing 103.

The vehicle charging unit 101 is further provided with an ANPR reader 141 so as to extend through the front wall 133 of the housing 103 at a lower portion therefore. The detection range of the ANPR reader 141 extends beyond the parking bay 105.

In use, the vehicle charging unit 101 is in the position as shown in Figure 1. In particular the arm 107 is substantially horizontal and extends the majority of the length of the parking bay 105. This arrangement inhibits a vehicle from driving into the parking bay 105 as it would otherwise collide with the arm 107 and protective member 127. Therefore no unauthorised visitors or other residents are able to park in the parking bay 105.

The vehicle charging unit 101 will remain in this position until the user, who has been designated the parking bay 105, intends to park their vehicle in their parking bay 105. In this instance they will drive up to the parking bay 105 and the ANPR reader 141 will read the number plate on the front of the user's vehicle. The user's vehicle registration will have already been programmed into a controller (not shown) which is provided within the vehicle charging unit 101 and the vehicle registration will be stored in the memory of the controller. The ANPR reader 141 will send the information associated with the number plate that it reads, to the controller, to which it is in communication with. The controller will determine whether this information corresponds with an approved vehicle registration that is stored in its memory. When the controller confirms that it is an approved vehicle registration, the controller will activate an electric motor (not shown) to which it is in communication with.

The electric motor is situated within the housing 101 and rotates the spindle 109, which is secured to the first portion 115 of the arm 107. The rotation of the spindle 109 moves the first portion 115 of the arm 107 in an upward arc motion, as the first portion 115 rotates with the spindle 109. The spindle 109 and first portion are rotated approximately 900 before the motor is stopped, so that the first portion 115 has moved from being substantially horizontal to being substantially vertical.

The movement of the first portion 115 moves the connector 117, which in turn moves the bar 121. The bar 121 moves substantially in parallel to the first portion 115. As the first portion 115 moves in an upward arc motion, so too does the bar 121. The distance between the pivotable connection of the bar 121 and the connector 117 and the pivotable connection of the first portion 115 and the connector 117, is similar to that of the distance between the spindle 109 and the secondary spindle 123 to which the bar 121 is pivotable thereabout. This arrangement results in the rotation of the connector 117 relative to the first portion 115 and relative to the bar 121 as the first portion 115 and the bar 121 move in their upward arc motion. The result of this is that the orientation of the connector 117 does not change and the second portion 119 of the arm 107 remains substantially horizontal throughout the upward arc movement of the first portion 115 and the bar 121. The end result is that the first portion 115 and the bar 121 are orientated substantially vertical and the second portion is still orientated substantially horizontal, as shown in Figure 4. The user is then able to drive their vehicle into the parking bay 105 as it is no longer blocked by the arm 107 and protective member 127. The user can then charge their vehicle by plugging in one end of their charging cable into the charging socket 139 on the side wall 111 of the vehicle charging unit 101 and the other end of their cable into the charging port on their vehicle. The charging socket 139 is covered with a protective cover (not shown) when not in use.

A security portion 143 (Figure 5) is provided on the ground in the parking bay 105 adjacent the front wall 133 of the vehicle charging unit 101. The security portion is secured to the ground via its feet 145 and protects the vehicle charging unit 101 from damage caused by a possible abutment of a vehicle as it is being parked in the parking bay 105. The security portion 143 is sized so that if a vehicle drives too far towards the vehicle charging unit 101, the vehicle will abut the security portion 143 and not the vehicle charging unit 101.

When the user drives their vehicle out of the parking bay 105, the PIR sensor 135 and camera 137 send information to the controller to which they are in communication with. The controller determines that no vehicle is present in the parking bay 105 and actives the motor so as to rotate the spindle 109 in an opposing manner as previously described. Namely the spindle 109 is rotated approximately -9 - 90° so as to move the first portion 115 and the bar 121 downwards in an arc motion, from a substantially vertical orientation to a substantially horizontal orientation (as shown in Figure 1). This returns the first portion 115, connector 117, second portion 119 and protective member 127 to their original positions in the parking bay 105 which inhibit an unauthorised vehicle from entering it.

This arrangement allows the user to park in their parking bay 105 and charge their vehicle with their vehicle charging unit 101 at a time that suits them, without the risk of an unauthorised vehicle having occupied their parking bay 105.

The "V" shape of the protective member 127 protects the arm 107 in the event a vehicle drives into it. For example, if a driver reverses their vehicle and for whatever reason does not see that the arm 107 is in the first position, the rear of their vehicle would first contact the ends of the protective member 127, which would bend to accommodate the force from the vehicle. The protective member 127 is manufactured from a flexible material. The abutment between the vehicle and the protective member 127 would indicate to the driver that they have hit an object, causing them to stop and drive away from it. This arrangement gives the driver time to react before the vehicle abuts the arm 107 and exerts a damaging force on such arm 107. After the vehicle has moved away, the protective member 127 returns back to its original position and shape.

The vehicle charging unit 101 further comprises an interlock (not shown) and a switch (not shown) which are in communication with the controller. The switch connects and disconnects the charging socket 139 from the mains power supply. VVhen the first portion 115 of the arm 107 is in its substantially horizontal orientation, i.e. the position as shown in Figure 1, the interlock communicates with the controller so as to ensure the controller keeps the switch in a disconnected position. This inhibits someone from charging their electric vehicle via the charging socket 139.

When the first portion 115 of the arm 107 is in its substantially vertical orientation, i.e. the position as shown in Figure 4, the interlock communicates with the controller so as to ensure the controller keeps the switch in a connected position.

This permits someone to charge their electric vehicle via the charging socket 139. Not only does this arrangement act as a safety feature, in that charging can only take place when the barrier is safely in the correct position. It also inhibits unauthorised charging via the vehicle charging unit 101 in the event that an unauthorised person has parked their vehicle behind the parking bay 105 and -10 -attempts to stretch a charging cable from their vehicle to someone else's vehicle charging unit in a bid to charge their vehicle.

The housing is manufactured from metal, preferably steel. The first portion 115 and second portion 119 of the arm 107 are manufactured from aluminium. The connector 117 is manufactured from aluminium.

The protective member 127 is manufactured from plastics material, in particular polypropylene. This allows the protective member 127 to deform if a vehicle abuts it, so as to minimize damage to the vehicle. The flexibility of the protective member 127 allows it to return to its original shape after such a force from an abutting vehicle has been removed.

The security portion 143 is manufactured from metal, in particular stainless steel. It is secured to the ground with bolts which are passed through its feet 145.

The first portion 115 and the second portion 119 of the arm 107 are each 137cm in length. The protective member 127 is 91cm in length. The housing is 100cm in height and 40cm in width.

The vehicle charging unit accommodates a charging current of 16 to 32 amps, so that an electric vehicle being charged can take up to 32 amps per hour.

Various modifications could be made to the vehicle charging unit, for example a door could be provided on a side or rear wall of the housing, to permit access to a storage volume within the housing. The user could use this storage compartment to store items of their desire. The housing could be suitably IP rated so as to be waterproof to protect the necessary components within the housing as well as any items stored inside the storage compartment.

Three pin plug sockets could be provided within the storage compartment of the housing. The plug sockets could be connected to the mains electricity supply via 240 volt and 12 adaptors, so as to be safe and suitable for use by the user. The user could plug in and power a vacuum cleaner or air pump to maintain their vehicles. The user could also plug in and charge a phone or tablet into the plug sockets.

The housing could also be provided with a receiver so as to receive signals, for example a signal from a remote control or a mobile phone app. In this way, the user could move the arm between the positions as shown in Figures 1 and 4 by the activation of a remote control.

It may be that the housing is provided with a router having a hardwired broadband connection or connected to a broadband cellular network, e.g. 5G. The vehicle charging unit could then have its own VVi-Fi network in which the user could securely conned with. For another level of safety and security, it could be that the interlock only permits the movement of the arm into the position to permit parking in the parking bay and therefor charging via the vehicle charging unit, only when a pre-approved device owned by the user connects to or is detected by the Wi-Fi network of the vehicle charging unit.

It could be that the list of approved vehicle registrations stored in the memory of the controller is editable. New vehicle registrations can be added to permit other vehicles parking and charging in the parking bay, for example other family members or friends. Vehicle registration numbers can be removed from the list, in the event that the user no longer owns a particular vehicle. The list can be amended via computer or mobile phone that is connectable to the controller, either via a hard wired connection or by connecting to the Wi-Fi network associated with the vehicle charging unit.

The PIR sensor and camera may have the functionality to record information in sufficient detail to provide a security feature. For example, they could detect suspicious movement and send a notification to the user's mobile phone, so as to alert the user to possible suspicious activity.

It could be that any information obtained by the vehicle charging unit is stored locally in the memory of the controller or stored with a cloud based data storage provider or a combination of both.

It may be that the protective member is substantially straight. It could be that the protective member is any suitable shape, for example a circle or an oval or a rectangle.

It may be that the components of the vehicle charging unit are manufactured from other suitable materials. For example, the housing could be manufactured from aluminium or from plastics material. The housing could be manufactured via moulding recycled plastic resin or polymers. The arm could be manufactured from plastics material, for example the arm could be manufactured via moulding recycled plastic resin or polymers.

The security portion could be secured to the ground in front of the vehicle charging unit, via any other suitable means, for example securing the feet of the security portion in the ground via cement. It may be that the electric vehicle is secured to the security portion when it is parked in the parking bay, for extra security.

It is envisaged that the electric vehicles will be cars, however it could be that other vehicles which comprise a battery can utilise the parking bay and vehicle -12 -charging unit. These vehicles could be vans, lorries, tractors, caravans, motorhomes motorbikes, scooters or bicycles.

It may be that vehicle charging stations in accordance with the present invention are used outside of a carpark, for example, they could be used on private driveways, or located within allocated road parking or at campsites for caravans or motorhomes.

101 Vehicle charging unit 103 Housing Parking bay 107 Arm 109 Spindle 111 Side wall 113 Cap First portion 117 Connector 119 Second portion 121 Bar 123 Secondary spindle 125 Cap 127 Protective member 129 Reflector 131 Light 133 Front wall 135 PR sensor 137 Camera 139 Charging socket 141 ANPR reader 143 Security portion 145 Feet -13 - -14 -

Claims

Claims: 1 A vehicle charging unit for charging an electric vehicle, which vehicle charging unit comprises a housing (103) and an arm (107) mounted on said housing (103) and moveable relative thereto, between a first position and a second position, the arrangement being such that, in use, the arm (107) in the first position, inhibits an unauthorised vehicle being parked in a location intended for vehicles to park so as to be charged by the vehicle charging unit (107) and the arm (107) in the second position permits a vehicle being parked in a location intended for vehicles to park so as to be charged by the vehicle charging unit (107).
2 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arm (107) comprises a first portion (115) pivotably connected at one end to the housing (103).
3 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the arm (107) further comprises a connector (117) which is pivotably connected at the other end of the first portion (115).
4 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the arm (107) further comprises a second portion (119) secured at one end to the connector (117).
A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a bar (121) is pivotably connected at one end to the housing (103) and is pivotably connected to the connector (117) at its other end.
6 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a motor, which upon activation moves the arm (107) between the first position and the second position.
7 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein the bar (121) is configured so that the movement of the arm (107) moves the bar (121), via the connector (117), so that the arm (107) and the bar (121) move substantially parallel to each other.
8 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 when dependent on Claim 5, wherein the arm (107) is configured, so that in use, as the first portion (115) is moved by the motor from the first position to the second position, the first portion (115) moves from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation and the first portion (115) pivots relative to the connector (117) so that the connector (117) and second portion (119) remain in a substantially horizontal orientation as the arm (107) moves from the first position to the second position.
9 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8, wherein in the first position the arm (107) is substantially straight and in the second position, the arm -15 - (107) is substantially bent, so that the first portion (115) is substantially perpendicular to the second portion (119).
A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 9, wherein in the second position, the second portion (119) is in a plane substantially parallel to and above the plane the second portion (119) is in when it is in the first position.
11 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 5 or any of Claims 6 to 10, when dependent directly or indirectly on Claim 5, wherein the distance between the pivotable connection of the connector (117) and the first portion (115) and the pivotable connection of the connector (117) and the bar (121) is substantially equal to the distance between the pivotable connection of the first portion (115) and the housing (103) and the pivotable connection of the bar (121) and the housing (103).
12 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arm (107) is provided with a protective member (127) thereon.
13 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the protective member (127) is secured to an end of the second portion (119).
14 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein ends of the protective member (127) extend beyond the end of the second portion (119).
A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the protective member (127) is provided with at least one illumination means thereon.
16 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a ANPR reader (141), so as to in use collect vehicle registration data in the area range which the ANPR reader (141) covers.
17 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a PIR sensor (135), so as to in use collect data in the area range which the PIR sensor (135) covers.
18 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a camera (137), so as to in use, collect data in the area range which the camera (137) covers.
19 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a controller, so as to in use, receive data from at least any of the ANPR reader (141), the PIR sensor (135) and the camera (137), process data and output instructions.
-16 -A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 19, further comprising an interlock in communication with the controller, so as to in use, permit or inhibit the controller from outputting an instruction.
21 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a charging socket (139), via which, in use, a user can charge an electric vehicle.
22 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a switch, so as to in use, either connect the charging socket (139) to an electricity supply, when in a connected position or disconnect the charging socket (139) from an electricity supply, when in a disconnected position.
23 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in Claim 20 and 22, wherein the interlock is configured so as to, in use, inhibit the controller from activating the switch to a connected position when the arm (107) is in the first position and wherein the interlock permits the controller from activating the switch into a connected position when the arm (107) is in the second position.
24 A vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with a security portion to, in use, protect the vehicle charging unit.A parking bay with a vehicle charging unit as claimed in any preceding claim, provided thereon.