Crash safety system for mobility scooters

Abstract

A collision safety system for a mobility scooter includes a circuit (40) including a connector (50) connecting the circuit to a charging receptacle (99) of the mobility scooter, which is electrically connected to an immobilizer. The collision detector is configured to detect one or both of a collision and an object within a predetermined safety range indicating a potential collision, and to close the circuit in response to the collision or the detected object to cause the immobilizer of the mobility scooter to stop the mobility scooter to avoid or mitigate the collision.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a collision safety system for an electric vehicle, in particular to a collision detection device for a mobility scooter.

[0002] A mobility scooter is an electrically powered vehicle designed for people with limited mobility. Typical users of mobility scooters are elderly or disabled people. Mobility scooters are divided into Class 2 vehicles and Class 3 vehicles. Class 2 scooters have a speed limit of 4 mph (miles per hour) and are usually designed for use on sidewalks. Class 3 scooters have a maximum speed of 8 mph for road use and include a switch that reduces the maximum speed to 4 mph so that they can be used on sidewalks. Class 3 scooters are often larger and heavier.

[0003] All classes of mobility scooters have certain basic controls in common. A key-operated on / off switch is used to operate the scooter, and acceleration is controlled by a simple joystick. The joystick is pushed in a first direction to move the scooter forward, and pushed in a second direction to move it backward.

[0004] Class 2 mobility scooters are not equipped with traditional user-operated brakes, and in order to stop, the user must release the accelerator lever. Once the user stops pressing the accelerator lever, the accelerator is released and the brakes are automatically activated, bringing the scooter to a stop. This is called passive braking, and the brake system is configured to activate even if the power to the scooter is cut. However, the action of passive braking can be difficult to get used to because it is counter-intuitive and the opposite of how, for example, a bicycle is brought to a stop. These braking difficulties can lead to accidents. For example, when a collision is imminent, the user may simply be too slow to react. It has also been found that users panic before a collision, and hold the accelerator instead of releasing it during the traditional "braking" action, which not only prevents the scooter from stopping, but also causes it to accelerate and jerk forward, making the collision worse. In some cases where pedestrians have been hit by mobility scooters, the user's impulse to hold the brakes not only resulted in a collision with the pedestrian, but also caused the pedestrian to be pushed forward for several meters until the scooter came to a stop. As a result, the injuries caused by the collision may be worse.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an improved braking system for a mobility scooter that addresses the above-mentioned problems and / or generally provides improvements.

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a collision safety device for a mobility scooter, and an electric vehicle, such as a mobility scooter.

[0007] In one aspect of the invention, a collision safety system for a mobility scooter is provided, the system comprising a circuit including a connector for connecting the circuit to a mobility scooter immobilization device; and a collision detector configured to detect a collision and / or an object within a predetermined safety range indicating a potential collision, and in response to the collision or detected object closes the circuit so that the immobilization device is connected in use to stop the mobility scooter. A collision detector is any device configured to detect a collision or potential collision. This includes contact detectors such as bumper switches, non-contact detectors such as ultrasonic detectors, or a combination of both. The collision detector may include more than one detector or sensor device. Specifically, the connector is configured to connect the circuit to a charging socket of the mobility scooter, which is electrically connected to the immobilization device / inhibitor of the scooter.

[0008] The connector is a detachable connector, such as a three-pin plug that can be connected to and removed from a corresponding connector of the mobility scooter, and the connector can be a socket corresponding to and configured to receive the plug. The term "receive" is intended to cover receiving in, around or against a corresponding connector, or any manner of forming a suitable electrical connection between the two connectors.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a crash switch for a mobility scooter is provided. The crash switch includes a bumper member having a contact surface, the bumper member being configured to be mounted to the mobility scooter so that the contact surface faces outward and is arranged to be impacted during a collision. The collision also includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact and an electrical circuit connected to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact so that separation of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact produces an open circuit that opens the circuit. The electrical circuit includes a connector for connecting the circuit to a mobility scooter immobilization device. The bumper member is configured so that when mounted to the mobility scooter, when the outer surface is engaged during a collision, it can move from an expanded configuration to a compressed configuration relative to the mobility scooter, and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged so that when the bumper is in the expanded position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are separated to open the circuit, which allows the mobility scooter to move in use, and when the bumper is in the compressed position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are in contact to close the circuit, which makes the mobility scooter immobile in use. The bumper member is moved to the compressed configuration during a collision and movement of the bumper member to the compressed configuration causes the mobility scooter to stop, which mitigates injuries and / or damage caused during a collision.

[0010] The crash switch may include a support member configured to be mounted to a mobility scooter, and a bumper member may be connected to the support member so that it is movable in a rearward direction toward the support member and in a forward direction away from the support member, the bumper member moving rearwardly to a compressed configuration and forwardly to a deployed configuration. The bumper member and support member form part of a switch assembly configured to be mounted to the mobility scooter as a single unit, which enables the switch to be easily retrofitted to existing mobility scooters.

[0011] The first electrical contact may be located on the support member and the second electrical contact may be located on the bumper member.

[0012] The support member is preferably configured so that when mounted to a mobility scooter in use it is fixed in position relative to the mobility scooter.The support member is thereby used to mount the switch to the mobility scooter and to support the bumper member.

[0013] The support member and the bumper member may each have an inner surface and an outer surface facing forwards away from the mobility scooter in use, the inner surface of the bumper member and the outer surface of the support member facing each other, and the first electrical contact is located on the outer surface of the support member and the second electrical contact is located on the inner surface of the bumper member. The bumper member moves rearwardly toward the support member, wherein the forward and rearward directions are defined relative to the forward direction of travel of the mobility scooter. However, it should be understood that the crash switch may alternatively or additionally be mounted to the rear of the mobility scooter.

[0014] The crash switch may include at least one biasing member arranged to bias the bumper member away from the support member to the deployed configuration. The biasing member holds the bumper in the deployed configuration and returns it to the deployed configuration after compression.

[0015] The bumper member may be mounted to the support member by at least one guide member and the bumper member is slidable along the at least one guide member to move in the forward and rearward directions between the deployed and compressed configurations. Preferably, a plurality of guide members extending in the forward / rearward direction are provided.

[0016] Preferably, the bumper member and the support member comprise metal bars or plates.

[0017] The bumper member preferably includes a conductive core at least partially covered by an insulating layer, and the second electrical contact includes at least one conductive protrusion connected to the core of the bumper member and extending rearwardly from the bumper member toward the support member, and wherein the first electrical contact is aligned with the at least one protrusion, and the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged such that in the expanded configuration the at least one protrusion is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and such that in the compressed configuration the at least one protrusion contacts the first electrical contact.

[0018] The biasing member may be at least one spring arranged around the at least one protrusion, and the at least one protrusion is surrounded by at least one electrically insulating sleeve located between the at least one protrusion and the at least one spring.

[0019] The second electrical contacts may include a plurality of protrusions extending rearwardly from the bumper member, and the first electrical contacts include a plurality of first electrical contacts disposed on an outer surface of the support member and aligned with the plurality of second electrical contacts.

[0020] The support member may include an electrically conductive core and an electrically insulating layer at least partially covering the core, and the first plurality of electrical contacts are in electrical contact with the core of the support member.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric vehicle, such as a mobility scooter, having a body and comprising a crash switch as described above mounted to the body so as to contact a bumper member in the event of a crash, wherein the vehicle comprises a drive motor and a stop device arranged to stop the vehicle by preventing operation of the drive motor and / or by activating a brake, and an electrical circuit is connected to the stop device so that the stop device prevents operation of the drive motor when the bumper member is in a compressed configuration and the electrical circuit is closed.

[0022] The electric vehicle may include a battery and a charging socket for charging the battery, and the immobilizer is connected to the charging socket so that when a closed circuit is connected to the charging socket, the immobilizer is activated to immobilize the vehicle, and the circuit of the collision switch is connected to the charging socket.

[0023] The vehicle preferably has a front end facing forward with respect to the traveling direction, and the collision switch is mounted to the front end of the vehicle and arranged so that the bumper member is the frontmost portion of the vehicle.

[0024] The circuit is preferably connected to an intermediate socket mounted to the vehicle body, the intermediate socket being connected to the charging socket via a secondary cable having a first plug compatible with the charging socket and a second plug compatible with the intermediate socket.

[0025] In another aspect of the present invention, an electric vehicle is provided, such as a mobility scooter including a collision safety system, wherein the vehicle includes a drive motor, a stop device arranged to prevent operation of the drive motor, and an electrical connector, the electrical connector being connected to the stop device and being configured to receive a connector of the collision safety system to connect the stop device to a circuit of the collision safety system, and wherein when the circuit of the collision safety system connected to the stop device is closed, the stop device prevents operation of the drive motor to stop the vehicle.

[0026] The electrical connector of the electric vehicle may be a charging connector which is connected to a power storage device of the electric vehicle in addition to the immobilization device and is configured to receive an electrical connector of the charging device, the immobilization device being configured to immobilize the vehicle when the charging device is connected to the electrical connector of the electric vehicle.

[0027] The electrical connector of the collision safety system and the electrical connector of the charging device are preferably interchangeably received by the charging connector of the electric vehicle, which means that both connectors can be received by the charging connector of the vehicle and one connector can be inserted when the other is removed.

[0028] The vehicle preferably includes a battery and a charging socket for charging the battery, and the immobilizer is operably connected to the charging socket so that when the circuit of the crash switch is connected to the charging socket in a closed state, the immobilizer is activated to immobilize the vehicle, meaning that it is activated when the connector is received by the charging socket, and when received, the circuit of the crash switch is closed.

[0029] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a crash switch according to the present invention in a deployed configuration; and

[0031] Figure 2 A crash switch according to the present invention is shown in a compressed configuration.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 , an emergency stop device for a mobility scooter is shown in cross section. The emergency stop device comprises a bumper switch comprising a first rod 2 formed of a conductive material. The first rod 2 is preferably an elongated flat metal rod having a front face 4 and a rear face 6. The first rod 2 defines a metal core, which is surrounded by an electrically insulating layer 8. The electrically insulating layer 8 may be a heat shrinkable plastic layer, a molded plastic coating, or any other suitable insulating material layer. A series of electrically conductive contacts 10 are arranged along the front face 4 of the first rod 2. The electrical contacts 10 are disc-shaped elements formed of a conductive material such as copper. The electrical contacts 10 are fixed to the front face 4 of the first rod 2 and are in electrical contact therewith. The electrical contacts 10 protrude through the insulating coating 8 so as to be able to form external electrical contact with the first rod 1.

[0033] The second rod 12 is formed of a conductive material. The second rod 12 is preferably similar in form to the first rod 2, comprising an elongated flat metal rod having a front face 14 and a rear face 16. The second rod 12 defines a metal core surrounded by an electrical insulating layer 18. The electrical insulating layer 8 can be a heat shrinkable plastic layer, a molded plastic coating, or any other suitable insulating material layer. The second rod 12 comprises a series of conductive rods 20 arranged along the rear face 16. The conductive rods 20 are fixed to the rear face 16 of the second rod 12 and are in electrical contact therewith. The conductive rods 20 protrude through the insulating coating 18.

[0034] The second rod 12 is arranged parallel to the first rod 2 and is spaced forwardly from the first rod 2, defining a spacing gap 22. The terms "front", "rear", "forward" and "rearward" are relative terms and relate to the arrangement of components in use, wherein the device is mounted to a mobility scooter having a front and rear portion and forward and rearward directions of travel. A pair of guide rods 24 extend through corresponding holes 26 in the first and second rods 2, 12 and are arranged at opposite ends of the first and second rods 2, 12. The holes 26 are aligned longitudinally of the rods so that the guide rods are arranged perpendicular to the length of the first and second rods 2, 12. The guide rods 24 each include a cylindrical metal rod 25 at its core, surrounded by an electrically insulating sleeve 27, which electrically isolates the metal core 25 from the first and second rods 2, 12. The second rod 12 is slidably received on the guide rods 24 so that it can slide along the guide rods 24 towards and away from the first rod 2 in the rearward and forward directions transverse to the length of the first rod 2.

[0035] A series of conductive rods 20 correspond in number to a series of electrical contacts 10 and are longitudinally aligned with the electrical contacts 10, each conductive rod 20 being aligned with a corresponding electrical contact. The conductive rods 20 protrude rearwardly through the gap 22 toward the electrical contacts 10. Each conductive rod 20 has a side wall and a distal face 30. An electrically insulating sleeve 32 surrounds the side wall of each conductive rod 20. Each sleeve 32 is hollow and open at the end so that a clear passage is defined between each distal face 30 and the adjacent electrical contact 10. Each sleeve 32 is surrounded by a compression spring 36. The compression spring 36 contacts the front face 4 of the first rod 2 at a first end and contacts the rear face 16 of the second rod 12 at a second end. The compression spring 36 is arranged and configured to bias the first rod 2 and the second rod 12 away from each other in the forward / rearward direction.

[0036] A cotter pin 38 is provided at the opposite end through the guide rod 24. The cotter pin 38 defines a retaining member that prevents the end of the guide rod 24 from passing through the hole 26. Each cotter pin 38 is proximate the distal end of the corresponding guide rod 24. The spacing of the cotter pins 38 along the length of the guide rod 24 sets the maximum spacing of the first rod 2 and the second rod 12. It should be understood that any other suitable retaining member may be used, such as a circlip, a threaded cap, or any other retaining member having a diameter greater than the hole 26.

[0037] Each mobility includes a charging system for charging the battery of the scooter. The charging system includes a socket for connecting to an external power source. Typically, a socket is provided on the steering column or "tiller" of the scooter, which is configured to receive and electrically connect to a plug of a charging plug, such as a 3-pin plug. The charging system includes a stop device / inhibitor, which is configured to disconnect the battery to stop the motor and prevent the scooter from being driven during charging. This avoids the situation where the charger is forcibly pulled out of the plug and damages the charging system, especially the socket and the charger, when the plug is in the socket and the scooter is driven away. When a closed circuit is connected to the charging socket, the stop device is activated. During charging, the closed circuit indicates to the charging system that a power source is connected. For example, the stop device can work by preventing power from being supplied to the electric drive motor. In the context of the present invention, the term stop device or inhibitor refers to any system configured to deactivate the electric drive system or otherwise stop the vehicle in response to the circuit of the emergency stop device being closed.

[0038] The first bar 2 is mounted to the front bumper of the mobility scooter so that the rear face 6 of the first bar is adjacent to the bumper and the front face 14 of the second bar 12 is forward and facing forward. A circuit 40 is connected to the first bar 2 and the second bar 12. A first wire 44 is connected to the first bar 2 so that it is in electrical contact with the metal core. The first wire 44 is in electrical contact with the electrical contact 10 via the metal core of the first bar 2. A second wire 42 is connected to the second bar 12 so that it is in electrical contact with the metal core through the second bar 12. The second wire 42 is in electrical contact with the conductive bar 20 via the metal core of the second bar 12. The first wire 44 and the second wire 42 are connected to a socket 46, which is connected via a plug 48.

[0039] The plug 48 is connected to a 3-pin plug 50 which is configured to connect to a charging socket of a mobility scooter. The socket 46 is a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire.

[0040] The spring 36 pushes the first rod 2 and the second rod 12 apart to a maximum distance, where they are held by the retaining member 38. In this separated configuration, the distal end face 30 of the conductive rod 20 is spaced apart from the electrical contact 10 by a gap 52. The spring 36 is electrically insulated from the second rod 12 by the insulating surface 18 and the insulating sleeve surrounding the rod 12. The first rod 2 and the second rod 12 are therefore electrically isolated from each other and the circuit 40 is disconnected by the gap 52. When the 3-pin plug is connected to the charging socket of the mobility scooter and the first rod 2 and the second rod 12 are in a spaced configuration, the battery of the mobility scooter remains connected to the mobility scooter in an active state. This is because the immobilizer requires a closed circuit to be connected to the charging socket to activate. Therefore, when the first rod 2 and the second rod 12 are in a spaced configuration, the user can freely drive the mobility scooter.

[0041] During a frontal collision, the first part of the mobility scooter that comes into contact with the object being collided is the second rod 12 of the emergency stop device. Figure 2 As shown, during a collision, an impact force F is applied to the second rod 12 used as a bumper plate. The force F causes the second rod 12 to move in a rearward direction toward the first rod 2. As the second rod 12 moves backward, the spring 36 is compressed. The insulating sleeves 32 and 27 are formed of an elastic, compressible material and are compressed as the second rod 12 moves backward. The second rod 12 continues to move backward until it reaches a fully compressed configuration in which the end face 30 of the conductive rod 20 contacts and abuts the electrical contact 10, which prevents further movement of the second rod 12. The contact between the conductive rod 20 and the electrical contact 10 completes the circuit 40, which activates the immobilization device of the mobility scooter, causing the battery to disconnect and the motor to stop. Even if the user continues to pull the acceleration control lever, the mobility scooter can no longer move. Therefore, the mobility scooter automatically stops running immediately upon collision, thereby preventing further injury or damage that may occur when the mobility scooter continues to move or accelerate.

[0042] After the collision, once the force F has been removed, the spring 36 acts to return the second bar 12 to the deployed, separated configuration. The circuit is broken again and the mobility scooter can be restarted and run.

[0043] In another embodiment, the emergency stop device may include a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined distance range in front of the mobility scooter. The proximity sensor is preferably a non-contact sensor. The sensor may include a sound wave detector, such as an ultrasonic ranging sensor. The sensor may, for example, be a non-contact ultrasonic sonar for measuring the distance to an object. Alternatively, the sensor may include a light sensor that uses light such as laser or infrared light to measure the distance. The sensor may, for example, include a LiDAR sensor, such as a time-of-flight LiDAR sensor that is capable of measuring the distance to an object as close as 10 centimeters. Any other sensor suitable for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined safety range may alternatively be used.

[0044] The sensor is integrated into the circuit of the emergency stop device, and the circuit is configured to establish a closed circuit when the sensor detects an object within a predetermined distance range in front of the mobility scooter. The system may include a controller configured to determine when an object enters a predetermined safety range in front of the vehicle based on a signal from the sensor, and to close the circuit when such an object is detected. The controller may be configured to receive a signal indicating the vehicle speed from a motor and / or a speed sensor or accelerometer on the vehicle. The controller may be configured to adjust the safety range according to the speed of the vehicle. In particular, the controller may reduce the safety range in response to an increase in speed and / or increase the range in response to a decrease in speed. The sensor and controller are integrated into the circuit so that when the circuit is closed in response to an object within the safety range, the shutdown device is operated to stop the mobility scooter.

[0045] In addition to or as an alternative to the bumper switch, a sensor may be provided. In one embodiment, the emergency stop device includes a proximity sensor and a bumper switch. In an ideal and normal operating mode of operation, the mobility scooter will stop when the sensor detects an object within the safety range. However, in the event that an object enters the safety range without causing the mobility scooter to stop, the bumper switch ensures that the mobility scooter stops immediately in the event of a collision.

[0046] It should be understood that the above embodiments describe the use of an emergency stop device at the front of a mobility scooter to detect an object in front of the mobility scooter. However, it should be understood that the emergency stop device may be applied to the rear of a mobility scooter in addition to or in lieu of a device located at the front of the vehicle, and all of the above references to the "front" of the vehicle and objects "in front" of the vehicle are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle comprising: Drive motor; a stopping device arranged to prevent operation of said drive motor; A collision safety system for a mobility scooter, comprising: an electric circuit including a connector for connecting the electric circuit to the shutdown device; and a collision detector configured to detect collisions and objects within a predetermined safety range indicative of a potential collision and to close the circuit in response to the collision or detected object to cause the immobilizer connected thereto to stop the electric vehicle in use; a charging connector connected to the immobilizer, configured to receive a connector of the crash safety system to connect the immobilizer to the circuit of the crash safety system and configured to receive an electrical connector of a charging device; and a power storage device connected to the charging connector; Wherein, the stopping device is configured to stop the vehicle when the electrical connector of the charging device is connected to the charging connector, and when the circuit of the collision safety system is connected to the stopping device and the collision detector closes the circuit, the stopping device prevents the operation of the drive motor to stop the vehicle.

2. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the collision detector comprises a collision switch, the collision switch comprising a bumper member having a contact surface, the bumper member being mounted to the electric vehicle such that the contact surface faces outward and is arranged to be struck during a collision; a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact connected to the electrical circuit such that separation of the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact creates a break that opens the electrical circuit; wherein the bumper member is configured such that when the outer surfaces are engaged during a collision, it can move from an expanded configuration to a compressed configuration relative to the electric vehicle, and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged such that when the bumper is in the expanded position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are separated to open the circuit, which allows the electric vehicle to move in use, and when the bumper is in the compressed position, the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are contacted to close the circuit, which causes the immobilizer to stop the electric vehicle in use.

3. The electric vehicle of claim 2 , comprising a support member, wherein the bumper member is connected to the support member so that it can move in a rearward direction toward the support member and in a forward direction away from the support member, the bumper member moving rearwardly to the compressed configuration and forwardly to the expanded configuration. 4 . The electric vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the first electrical contact is located on the support member and the second electrical contact is located on the bumper member.

5. The electric vehicle of claim 4, wherein the support member is configured such that it is fixed in place relative to the electric vehicle.

6. The electric vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the support member and the bumper member each have an inner surface and an outer surface facing forward away from the electric vehicle, the inner surface of the bumper member and the outer surface of the support member face each other, and the first electrical contact is located on the outer surface of the support member, and the second electrical contact is located on the inner surface of the bumper member.

7. The electric vehicle of claim 6, comprising at least one biasing member arranged to bias the bumper member away from the support member to the deployed configuration. 8 . The electric vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the bumper member is mounted to the support member by at least one guide member, and the bumper member is slidable along the guide member to move between the deployed configuration and the compressed configuration.

9. An electric vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the bumper member includes a conductive core at least partially covered by an insulating layer, and the second electrical contact includes at least one conductive protrusion connected to the core and extending rearwardly from the bumper member toward the support member, and wherein the first electrical contact is aligned with the at least one protrusion, and the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are arranged so that in the expanded configuration the at least one protrusion is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and so that in the compressed configuration the at least one protrusion contacts the first electrical contact.

10. The electric vehicle of claim 9, wherein the biasing member is at least one spring disposed around the at least one protrusion, and the at least one protrusion is surrounded by at least one electrically insulating sleeve located between the at least one protrusion and the at least one spring.

11. The electric vehicle of claim 10, wherein the second electrical contact comprises a plurality of protrusions extending rearwardly from the bumper member, and the first electrical contact comprises a plurality of first electrical contacts arranged on the outer surface of the support member and aligned with the plurality of protrusions of the second electrical contact.

12. The electric vehicle of claim 11, wherein the support member includes an electrically conductive core and an electrically insulating layer at least partially covering the core, and the first plurality of electrical contacts are in electrical contact with the core of the support member.

13. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the collision detector comprises a non-contact sensor arranged to detect an object within a predetermined distance range and to close the circuit in response to the detected object.

14. The electric vehicle of claim 13, wherein the non-contact sensor is a sound wave detector.

15. The electric vehicle of claim 13, wherein the non-contact sensor is a light sensor. 16 . The electric vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the collision detector further comprises a contact switch configured to close the circuit when the contact switch is operated during a collision.

17. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector of the collision safety system and the electrical connector of the charging device are interchangeably received by the charging connector of the electric vehicle.

18. An electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 17, wherein the vehicle includes a battery and a charging socket for charging the battery, and the immobilizer is operably connected to the charging socket so that when the circuit of the collision switch is connected to the charging socket in a closed state, the immobilizer is activated to immobilize the vehicle.

19. The electric vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a front end facing forward with respect to a traveling direction, and the collision detector is mounted to the front end of the vehicle.

20. The electric vehicle of claim 1, wherein the circuit is connected to an intermediate socket mounted to the vehicle body, the intermediate socket being connected to the charging socket via a secondary cable having a first plug compatible with the charging socket and a second plug compatible with the intermediate socket.

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