Apparatus and method

Abstract

Electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising a support column movable between a lower and a raised condi on, an arm connected to the support column and arranged to pivot from a first stowed posi on to a second opera onal posi on, and an expandable device in the support column for moving the support column from the lower to the raised condi on.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD

[0002] This invention relates to apparatus and a method of charging an electric vehicle, particularly one where a driveway or off-street parking is not available to position the vehicle upon.

[0003] Where owners of electric vehicles reside in terraced housing or housing with no driveway but has available street parking outside the property, in order to be able to charge the vehicle, charging cables would have to cross public footpaths and / or grass areas and thus provide a hazard to members of the public passing by. This is not a situation which most local authorities, in charge of public safety, allow.

[0004] It is known to construct a channel in the ground surface to house the charging cable below ground surface level, so that it does not form a trip hazard. One major disadvantage of this type of installation is that the cable is subject to ground movement and may form an electrical hazard.

[0005] It is also known to provide a device that supports the charging cable at a height above the ground surface. The problem with these types of arrangement is that they are intrusive and often encroach on the public space whilst being deployed, which is not safe for passersby. In addition, they are not aesthetically pleasing, nor do they fit-in with the surrounding architectural features. Additionally, these types of arrangements are very tall and made of metal, top to bottom. Potentially creating a lightening hazard.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising a support column movable between a lower and a raised condition, an arm connected to the support column and arranged to pivot from a first stowed position to a second operational position, and an expandable device in the support column for moving the support column from the lower to the raised condition.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging an electric vehicle, comprising moving a support column from a lower condition to a raised condition, pivoting an arm connected to the support column from a first stowed position to a second operational position, wherein the moving the support column from the lower to the raised condition includes expanding an expandable device.

[0008] Owing to these aspects, an electrical car charging arrangement can be expandably deployed from a stowed position to an operational position.

[0009] Preferably, in the first stowed position, the arm is arranged substantially parallelly to the support column.

[0010] Preferably, in the second operational position, the arm is pivoted away from the support column and, advantageously substantially orthogonal to the support column. In particular, the support column and arm enable an electric vehicle charging cable to be deployed at a suitably safe height above a pathway, walk-way or the like to bridge that pathway so that people passing beneath do not experience any potential hazard.

[0011] The arrangement is particularly useful for charging an electrical vehicle where the user / owner lives in a dwelling where there is no driveway, for instance in a row of terraced housing.

[0012] The arrangement is also particularly useful for charging electrical vehicles overnight when the cost of electricity is relatively low.

[0013] In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

[0014] Figures 1 to 5 are perspective views of a first embodiment of an electric vehicle charging arrangement showing the transition from a stowed condition to an operational condition; Figures 6 to 8 are schematic cross-sectional views of the first embodiment;

[0015] Figures 9 to 13 are views similar to Figures 1 to 5, but of a second embodiment;

[0016] Figures 14 to 15 are views similar to Figures 6 to 8, but of the second embodiment; Figures 16 and 17 are perspective views of a part of the charging arrangement of the first and second embodiments showing a different version of the charging capability of the arrangement; and

[0017] Figures 18 and 19 are schematic cross-sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the electric vehicle charging arrangement.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, an electric vehicle charging arrangement 2 comprises a power supply unit 4 which is electrically grounded and can be supported on a suitable standing and / or mounted to a substantially vertical wall surface 6 of a dwelling of an electric vehicle user / owner (the power supply unit 4 shown in the Figures located behind the wall 6). The arrangement 2 also comprises a support column 8 extending substantially vertically upwardly from the power supply unit 4, the support column 8 including first and second parts 8a, 8b in the form of tubular parts, the first part 8a being movable relative to the second part 8b by virtue of being located within the second part 8b. At an upper end region of the support column 8 opposite the power supply unit 4, a pivot joint 10 connects the support column 8 to an arm 12. The pivot joint 10 enables the arm 12 to be pivoted from a first stowed position or configuration (as shown in Figure 1) to a second operational position or configuration (shown in Figures 4 and 5), the pivoting of the arm 12 being controlled by a resilient device 14 in the form of a spring-type device, such as the at least one gas spring devices shown in the Figures (a pair of such gas spring devices being shown). At the top end of the support column and attached to the first part 8a, an illumination means 16 is provided.

[0019] The illumination means 16 is, advantageously, lighting which minimizes glare, reduces light trespass, and doesn't pollute the night sky during overnight use of the arrangement 2. This lighting is preferably LED lighting switched on by way of a motion sensing device 17 connected to the illumination means 16 and thereby illuminates the pathway or passageway only when the motion sensing device 17 detects motion in the proximity of the arrangement 2. The lighting will remain on for a set period of time and then be switched off once motion is no longer detected by the sensing device 17. Referring to Figure 1, when the arm 12 is in the stowed configuration, an end region 18 of the arm 12 opposite an end of the arm 12 connected to the pivot joint 10 is secured in such configuration by retention means 20 of any suitable form which, as shown, may be located on an outer surface of the power supply unit 4. In addition, when in the stowed configuration, the arm 12 is arranged substantially pa ra I lei ly to and adjacent the support column 8. The arm 12 is advantageously locked in the retention means 20 until a user wishes to operate the arrangement 2. When in the operational configuration, the arm 12 is arranged substantially orthogonal to the support column 8 (see Figures 4 and 5). The resilient device 14 is biased to bring the arm 12 into the operational configuration, such that the resilient device is under tension in the stowed configuration and starts to move into the operational configuration once unlocked from the retention means 20.

[0020] When the first part 8a of the support column 8 is caused to move relative to the second part 8b in an upward direction the pivot joint 10 is raised to a desired and / or set height. Such a preferred height is around 3.05m above the ground or floor. The end region 18 of the arm 12 includes a standard electric vehicle charging connection means 22 connectable with a charging cable 24 that leads to the electric vehicle being charged. The electrical cables within the arm 12 and the support column 8 (see Figures 6 to 8 described hereinbelow) are the same rated coaxial cable type as used by a home electric vehicle charger which ensures that the same electric vehicle charging safety protocols as a direct charger-to-vehicle connection.

[0021] The arm 12 has the option to be a telescopic arm with arm sections 12a, 12b, 12c (see Figure 5) allowing the arm to reach over a relatively wide pathway or similar space to reach the electric vehicle at a kerb-side, for instance. In such an instance the cable within the arm 12 is coiled and resiliently mounted within the arm 12 so that the cable can be extended and recoiled as required. The end region 18 of the arm 12 may further include a light 19 of suitable type in order that it can be clearly seen during overnight charging by pedestrians and / or drivers of other road users.

[0022] Referring to Figures 6 to 8, the power supply unit 4 is powered by an electrical supply from an electrical supply cable 28 which may be installed beneath the surface of the ground or floor or in any other suitably safe manner. An electric vehicle charging cable 30 is also received by power supply unit 4 and which extends therethrough. The cable 28 is connected as an input cable to a control box 32, which is advantageously a low voltage control box including the necessary electrical components. A fluid displacement device 34 in the form of an air pump is connected to the control box 32 for power supply by way of a first output cable 36 and the air pump 34 is further connected by way of a suitable conduit 38 to an end region of an expandable device 40 located within the second part 8b of the support column 8. A solenoid valve 42 is also connected for power supply to the control box 32 by way of a second output cable 44 and to the end region of the expandable device 40 by a further suitable conduit 46. In this way the solenoid valve 42 is able to control the amount of air being pumped from the air pump 34 to the expandable device 40. Third and fourth output cables 48 and 50 to supply electrical power the light at the end region 18 of the arm 12 and the motion sensor 17 and light 16 respectively lead from the control box 32 and through the support column 8. The electric vehicle charging cable 30 which extends through power supply unit 4 for supplying power to the electric vehicle charging connection means 22 extends parallely to the third and fourth output cables 48 and 50 and the electric vehicle charging cable 30 and the third output cable 48 further extend through the arm 12 to the end region 18 by way of a plug-and-socket connection means 54 located within the pivot joint 10. The power supply unit 4 also includes a cable management system 56 to retain the various electrical cables in an area where they will not be mechanically damaged by moving parts when the expandable device 40 is inflated and deflated with air.

[0023] A top end region 58 of the expandable device 40 is in contact with and located centrally of an underside zone of a bottom end region 60 of the upper part 8a of the support column 8, the arrangement being such that as air is pumped into the expandable device 40 which then begins to expand within the support column 8, the contact between the expandable device and the bottom end region 60 causes the upper part 8a to raise upwardly and therefore raise the pivot joint 10. The reverse is true when air is removed from the expandable device 40 by way of the solenoid valve 42 and the further suitable conduit 46.

[0024] In order to control the raising of the upper part 8a, a position sensor 62 is located within the power supply unit 4 and connected to the control box 32 by way of a sensor cable 64. When the position sensor 62 detects that the upper part 8a has been raised to a set maximum, it will send a shut-off signal to the air pump 34 to prevent any more air from being pumped into the expandable device. The position sensor is preferably a magnetic sensor whereby a first magnetic part of the sensor is positioned on a lower region of the upper part 8a and when the upper part 8a is extended upwardly by inflation of the expandable device 40 the first magnetic part is magnetically detected by a second magnetic part located towards the top end region inside the power supply unit 4. The position sensor 62 can be adjustable in respect of the maximum height reached by the pivot joint 10 depending upon any existing overhead obstacles that might be present, such as a tree branch for instance. The position sensor 62 also ensures that if the pivot joint is somehow lowered, through extremely high wind loading or indeed a third party interfering with the arrangement 10, it will automatically start the air pump to inflate the expandable device 40 further in order to restore the set height.

[0025] When the end region 18 of the arm 12 and the electric vehicle charging connection means 22 are freed from the retention means 20 in the transition from the stowed configuration to the operational configuration, the pivot joint 10 is arranged to be rotationally movable around the longitudinal axis of the support column 8. In this respect, the resilient means 14 are also arranged to similarly rotate about the support column 8 and are at one end of the resilient means mounted to a collar 26 (see Figures 2 to 5) substantially surrounding the support column 8. In this way, the arm 12, once it is freed from the retention means 20 can be rotationally moved relative to the support column 8 to enable the arm to be moved to a position proximal to the electric vehicle to be charged.

[0026] A user interface 63 in the form of a key-pad device is operable to perform a plurality of functions, including unlocking the arm 12 from the retention means 20, and operating the air pump and the solenoid valve 42 to raise and lower the pivot joint 10.

[0027] Advantageously, the user has to enter a PIN code or identify themselves in another suitable way, to be able to operate the charging arrangement 2. In addition, once the expandable device 40 is operated to extend the upper part 8a upwardly to the desired position, the user interface is configured to go into a locked mode and only by the user identifying themselves, can the charging arrangement be operated again to either raise further or lower the pivot joint 10.

[0028] Referring to Figures 9 to 13, a second embodiment of the electric vehicle charging arrangement 202 comprises a storage unit 204a forming retention means 220 (see Figures 9 to 13) for the support column 208 and the arm 212, and a power supply unit 204b, electrically grounded, for housing substantially all of the same electrical equipment in the power supply unit 4 described hereinabove with reference to Figures 6 to 8, but also referred to with reference to Figures 14 and 15 below. The storage unit 204a and the power supply unit 204b may be mounted on the same side of the wall 206 or, as shown on opposite sides of the wall 206. Preferably, the power supply unit 204b is mounted inside a dwelling and connects with a plug into the domestic electrical supply. The storage unit 204a is provided with a first obturating panel 250 and a second obturating panel 252, the first obturating panel being openable to reveal the support column 208 and the arm 212 in the stowed configuration with the arm 212 lying substantially para I lei ly to and adjacent the support column 208. The second obturating panel 252 closes the top end of the first power supply unit 204a to ensure that the support column 208 and arm 212 can be closed off from the outside atmospheric conditions. In this embodiment, the arm 212 is retained in its stowed configuration by the walls of the storage unit 204a.

[0029] As with the first embodiment, an upper end region of the support column 208 a pivot joint 210 connects the support column 208 to the arm 212. The pivot joint 210 enables the arm 212 to be pivoted from the stowed configuration (as shown in Figures 9 and 10) to the operational configuration (shown in Figure 13), the pivoting of the arm 212 being controlled by a resilient device 214 in the form of a spring-type device, such as the at least one gas spring devices shown in the Figures (a pair of such gas spring devices being shown). Again, as with the first embodiment, the resilient device 214 is biased to the operational configuration. During use of the charging arrangement 202 the pivot joint only needs raising upwardly a small amount to clear the top end of the storage unit 204a before the arm 212 can be manually swung outwardly. This is particularly advantageous for disabled users in wheelchairs because at that stage, the electric vehicle charging connection means 222 is still located at a low level to be able to connect the vehicle charging cable 224 thereto.

[0030] Figure 13 shows the second embodiment of the electric charging arrangement in the operational configuration, with the obturating panel 250 closed, with the charging cable 224 connected to the electric vehicle charging connection means 222.

[0031] Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the power supply unit 204b is powered by an electrical supply from an electrical supply cable 228. An electric vehicle charging cable 230 is also received by the power supply unit 204b and extends therethrough by way of a cable management system 256 to the support column 208. The cable 228 is connected as an input cable to a control box 232, which is advantageously a low voltage control box including the necessary electrical components. A fluid displacement device 234 in the form of an air pump is connected to the control box 232 for power supply by way of a first output cable 236 and the air pump 234 is further connected by way of a suitable conduit 238 to an end region of an expandable device 240 located within the second part 208b of the support column 208. A solenoid valve 242 located in the storage unit 204a is also connected for power supply to the control box 232 by way of a second output cable 244 and to the end region of the expandable device 240 by a further suitable conduit 246. In this way the solenoid valve 242 is able to control the amount of air being pumped from the air pump 234 to the expandable device 240. A third output cable 248 to supply electrical power the light at the end region 218 of the arm 212 leads from the control box 232 and through the support column 208 by way of the cable management system 256. The electric vehicle charging cable 230 which extends through power supply unit 204b for supplying power to the electric vehicle charging connection means 222 extends parallely to the third output cable 248 and further extend through the arm 212 to the end region 218 by way of a plug-and-socket connection means 254 (see Figure 14) located within the pivot joint 210.

[0032] A top end region 258 (see Figure 15) of the expandable device 240 is in contact with and located centrally of an underside zone of a bottom end region 260 of the upper part 208a of the support column 208, the arrangement being such that as air is pumped into the expandable device 240 which then begins to expand within the support column 208, the contact between the expandable device and the bottom end region 260 (see Figure 15) causes the upper part 208a to raise upwardly and therefore raise the pivot joint 210. The reverse is true when air is removed from the expandable device 240 by way of the solenoid valve 242 and the further suitable conduit 246.

[0033] In order to control the raising of the upper part 208a, a position sensor 262 is located within the power supply unit 204b and connected to the control box 232 by way of a sensor cable 264. When the position sensor 262 detects that the upper part 208a has been raised to a set maximum, it will send a shut-off signal to the air pump 234 to prevent any more air from being pumped into the expandable device 240.

[0034] A user interface 263 in the form of a key-pad device mounted to an external side of the storage unit 204a is operable to perform the same functions as for the user interface 63 of the first embodiment described hereinabove. Both embodiments preferably include Wi- Fi / Bluetooth transceivers which communicate with a software application stored on a data processing device, such as a smartphone and / or tablet computing device. The user is also preferably supplied with a key device to gain access to the power supply units 4 or 204b and also the storage unit 204a. Alternatively, or in addition, a key-pad can be supplied to gain access to those units and related control circuitry could allow operation of the electric vehicle charging arrangements. The second embodiment is shown without illumination means, but it can be provided if required in a similar manner to that of the first embodiment and a corresponding motion sensor may also be used.

[0035] The second embodiment is tailored to be used with dwellings where the front entrance opens directly onto a pathway or similar passageway as is commonly found in city areas. The first embodiment as described above with reference to figures 1 to 8 is tailored to be used with dwellings which feature a front open space that may be bordered from the footpath or passageway by a wall, fence or similar physical boundary. Both therefore cater for people with no private off-street parking and so have to charge their electric vehicles at kerb-side locations. Both embodiments perform to provide the maximum protection set by, not only local and / or national authorities governing public safety, but also by the manufacturers of electric vehicles. In the same way as the first embodiment, the end region 218 of the arm 212 may further include a light of suitable type in order that it can be clearly seen during overnight charging by pedestrians and / or drivers of other road users. Both embodiments are especially useful for overnight charging of an electric vehicle keeping the public safe and taking advantage of lower cost electricity rates at those times.

[0036] In the stowed configuration, which is that which is intended to be, but not exclusively, during the daytime, minimizes the visual impact on the immediate environment at a time when most people are out and about. Advantageously, all exterior parts of both embodiments are made from non-conducting materials for added safety.

[0037] The exterior power supply units 4 are preferably rated at IP54 or higher for protection of the electrical equipment inside and interior 204b power supply units are IP43 rated or higher.

[0038] The arrangement of both embodiments is designed to provide gentle overnight charging rather than high-powered charging and therefore has the beneficial effects of lowering the carbon footprint, reducing demand on the electrical grid and reducing the cost of operating an electrical vehicle. Gentle overnight charging also prolongs the life of the electrical vehicle batteries.

[0039] A further advantageous feature of each embodiment is that all cables and conduits are enclosed until the point where the charging cable 24, 224 is connected to a standard electric vehicle charging connection means 22, 222. Furthermore, if there is a break in the vehicle charging circuit, for example from acts of vandalism to the charging cable 24, 224, there is no danger of serious electrical accidents.

[0040] Referring to Figures 16 and 17, in a further version of both embodiments, there could be provided a plurality of electric vehicle charging cables 20, 230 for charging respective electric vehicles simultaneously. With increasingly more households having more than one electric vehicle, the arrangement 2, 200 is capable of handling, for example two or more electric vehicle charging cables 20, 230 within it. With three such outputs (as shown) from a single charging arrangement, there would be corresponding plug-and-socket connection means 54, 254 at the end region 18, 218 of the arm 12, 212. Figures 16 and 17 show the end region 18, 218 of the arm 12, 212 includes a corresponding number of standard electric vehicle charging connection means 22, 222 connectable with charging cables 24, 224 that each lead to a respective electric vehicle to be charged.

[0041] Referring specifically to Figure 16, a bracket 302 which is substantially C-shaped in cross section is mounted to an outer end of the arm 12, 212. The arm 12, 212 is substantially centrally located in the bracket 302 with the charging connection means 22, 222 extending fowardly of the bracket 302. Located at respective opposite end regions of the bracket 302 are pivot joints 304 which connect respective tubular members 306 to the bracket 302. The tubular members 306 are shown in Figure 16 is a first compact configuration in which the tubular members 306 extend rearwardly and substantially parallel to the arm 12, 212. At the end of each tubular member 306 further charging connection means 22, 222 and each may include a light (as mentioned hereinabove). In the compact configuration shown in Figure 16, the further charging connection means 22, 222 connected to the tubular members 306 are in a position in which it is not desired to connect the charging cable 24, 224 for charging an electric vehicle. The shape of the bracket 306 and the tubular members 306 house and protect from external factors the cabling leading to the further charging connection means 22, 222.

[0042] Referring specifically to Figure 17, the tubular members 306 have been rotated outwardly by way of the pivot joints 304 to form a substantially T-shaped spread configuration in which, preferably, the tubular members 306 extend substantially parallelly to a roadside region. In this spread configuration the charging cable 24, 224 is connected and allows a plurality of electric vehicles to charge at the kerbside simultaneously. This modified version might require a slight increase of the diameter of the arm 12, 212 to accommodate extra cabling, a correspondingly enlarged pivot joint 10, 210, larger retention means 20, 220, sufficiently supportive resilient devices 14, 214 and slightly larger power supply unit 4, 204b. Even with the spring-coiled cord extension option, induction is not a factor, as the extension straightens the cables within therefore cancelling out any induction potential and parallelly arranged spring coil cables tend to "nest" within each other when tension is reduced as they 15 return to their normal coiled shape. At that stage, there is no electricity running within the cables.

[0043] Referring to Figures 18, an alternative embodiment in which the power supply is externally provided through at least one input cable 330 delivering electrical power to charge the electric vehicle is shown. A connector device 370 is mounted to the surface of a cabinet 372 that in the other embodiments formed the power supply units 4, 204b and a plug-in type or wired connection with the input cable 330 is made on an external surface of the cabinet 372. Internally of the cabinet 372 a power delivery cable 374 extends from the connector device 370 to a spring-biased cable reel or spool 376 biased to a position in which at least one spoolable cable 378 is wound onto the reel or spool 376. Electrical power is also supplied via a further input cable 328 to the fluid displacement device 334. The cabinet 372 houses the reel or spool 376 and the fluid displacement device 334. The cable management system 356 and the position sensor 362 are also enclosed within the cabinet 372. A switch 380 to activate the electric vehicle charging arrangement 302 may be in the form of a known key switch device. When the electric vehicle charging arrangement 302 is activated and the expandable device 340 expands, the force of the expansion overcomes the bias of the reel or spool 376 and the spoolable cable 378 wound around the reel or spool is paid out as the upper part 308a extends upwardly. The purpose of the reel or spool 376 is therefore to simply store the low voltage spoolable cable 378 when the arrangement 302 is in the first stowed position when no charge is being delivered to an electric vehicle. There is zero current running through the spoolable cable 378 when in this stowed position. A rotary electrical interface, formed preferably by an electrical slip ring, enables transfer of electrical power from the power delivery cable 374 to the spoolable cable 378. The spoolable cable 378 is kept taught through the spring bias of the reel or spool 376 without adding undue pressure to the expandable device 340. In addition, the spoolable cable 376 comprises an outer layer of a smooth mesh-like material to prevent tangling or binding of the cable with other internal parts, and this may be the case with the other embodiments described herein.

[0044] Referring to Figure 19, the arrangement 302 shown is similar to that of Figure 18 but with the tubular members 306 of Figures 16 and 17 that form the substantially T-shaped configuration in which allows a plurality of electric vehicles to be charged. In this version of the alternative embodiment, there are the equivalent number of input cables 330 connected to the cabinet 372 as there are standard electric vehicle charging connection means 322. As a result, there are respective power delivery cables 374 and reels or spools 376 with their own spoolable cables 378, each reel or spool 376 having respective rotary electrical interfaces.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Electric vehicle charging apparatus comprising a support column movable between a lower and a raised condition, an arm connected to the support column and arranged to pivot from a first stowed position to a second operational position, and an expandable device in the support column for moving the support column from the lower to the raised condition.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support column includes first and second parts, the first part being movable relative to the second part.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising a pivot joint at an upper end region of the support column connecting the support column to the arm and at which the arm pivots from the first stowed position arranged substantially parallelly to the support column to the second operational position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pivot joint includes a resilient device biased to the second position.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising an illumination means at the top end of the support column.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the illumination means is connected to a motion sensing device.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, and further comprising retention means for securing an end region of the arm opposite an end of the arm connected to the pivot joint when the arm is in the first sowed position.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the arm is telescopic.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein top end region of the expandable device when expanding contacts and centrally locates in an underside zone of a bottom end region of the first part of the support column.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, and further comprising a position sensor for detecting the position of the first part relative to the second part.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when a set maximum is reached, the position sensor sends a shut-off signal to a fluid displacement device for expanding the expandable device to prevent any more fluid from being displaced into the expandable device.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the position sensor is preferably a magnetic sensor.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a user interface to operate the apparatus.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a power supply unit from which the support column extends outwardly and upwardly.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and further comprising a power supply unit electrically connected to a storage unit which encloses the support column and the arm in the first position.

16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an end of the arm further includes a plurality of electric vehicle charging connection means to simultaneously charge a plurality of electric vehicles.

17. A method of charging an electric vehicle, comprising moving a support column from a lower condition to a raised condition, pivoting an arm connected to the support column from a first stowed position to a second operational position, wherein the moving the support column from the lower to the raised condition includes expanding an expandable device.

18. A method according to claim 17, and further comprising prior to said moving, a user identifying themselves by way of a user interface.

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein once a user is identified and prior to said axially extending, unlocking at least the arm from retention means.

20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein during said pivoting, connecting a vehicle charging cable to an electric vehicle charging connection means at an end region of the arm.

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, and further comprising telescoping the arm to reach a greater distance.

22. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, and further comprising providing illumination from a top end region of the support column.

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