Positioning unit and contact method

Abstract

This invention relates to a positioning unit (10) for an electrically driven vehicle and a method for forming a conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle, particularly an electric bus, and a fixed charging station having the positioning unit. The positioning unit is configured to be mounted on the top of the vehicle. A contact device (11) of the positioning unit is movable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically connected to the charging contact device in a contact position. The positioning unit has a hinged arm device (12) for positioning the contact device and a drive device (17) for driving the hinged arm device. The device has a first pivoting mechanism (13) with a first pivoting arm (14), which allows the contacting device to pivot from a storage state in the retracted position of the positioning unit for storing the contacting device to a vertically contacting state in the retracted position by means of the first pivoting arm, and vice versa. The articulated arm device has a second pivoting arm mechanism (15) with a second pivoting arm (16), which allows the contacting device to pivot from the retracted position to the contacting position by means of the second pivoting arm, and vice versa. The first pivoting arm is configured to pivot on the distal end (21) of the second pivoting arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning unit for an electrically driven vehicle, particularly for an electric bus, and a method for forming a conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle and a fixed charging station. The positioning unit is configured to be disposed on the top of the vehicle, and the contact device of the positioning unit is movable relative to the charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically connected to the charging contact device in a contact position. The positioning unit has a hinged arm device for positioning the contact device and a drive device for driving the hinged arm device. Background Technology

[0002] Such positioning units and methods are known in the prior art and are commonly used for electrically driven vehicles, such as those operating between bus stops. These vehicles can be electric buses or even different vehicles, such as trains or trams, that are not permanently connected to overhead lines, etc. While the vehicle is stopped at a bus stop, its energy storage is charged by a charging station. At the bus stop, the vehicle is electrically connected to the charging station, whereby the energy storage is charged at least sufficiently to enable the vehicle to reach the next stop equipped with a charging station. It is also possible to provide electrical power to the vehicle outside of operating hours in this manner.

[0003] To establish an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charging station, a positioning unit is used, which can be mounted on the top of the vehicle and connects the vehicle's contact device to the charging contact device of the charging station located above the vehicle. The contact surface of the contact device then moves toward the charging contact surface above the vehicle, establishing the electrical connection.

[0004] When guiding the contact device and the charging contact device together, it is important that the contact device be positioned relatively precisely on the charging contact device, and that the contact device presses against the charging contact surface with a sufficiently large contact force to form a reliable electrical connection. Similar positioning units are known from WO2015 / 018887. A disadvantage of the known positioning units is that they can only contact the charging contact device at a limited height. When the contact device is lifted by the articulated arm device, it moves to a vertical position; however, this vertical position is only achieved when the contact device is in the intended contact position or at the intended height. Therefore, charging contact devices at bus stops always require a substantially consistent height above the road, or the corresponding positioning unit on the vehicle must be coordinated with the height of the vehicle or the charging contact device. It is not easy to flexibly install charging contact devices along routes, such as under bridges or on poles, because the height of the charging contact device above the road is predetermined by the corresponding structure.

[0005] Another drawback is that the structural height of the positioning unit makes it impossible to drive under the structure, thus limiting the application range of vehicles with positioning units. Furthermore, it is desirable for passengers in the corresponding vehicle to have the positioning unit visible only to the smallest possible extent. Therefore, it is also known to place trim pieces on the top of the vehicle to conceal the positioning unit or to integrate them into the vehicle, so that the shape of the vehicle still appears attractive to passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a positioning unit and method for forming a conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle and a fixed charging station, both of which allow for flexible use of the vehicle.

[0007] This objective is achieved by a positioning unit having the features of claim 1, a fast charging system having the features of claim 14, and a method having the features of claim 15.

[0008] According to the invention, a positioning unit for electrically driven vehicles, particularly for electric buses, etc., is used to form a conductive connection between the vehicle and a fixed charging station. The positioning unit is configured to be disposed on the top of the vehicle. The contact device of the positioning unit is movable relative to the charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically connected to the charging contact device in a contact position. The positioning unit has a hinged arm device for positioning the contact device and a drive device for driving the hinged arm device. The hinged arm device has a first pivoting mechanism with a first pivoting arm. The contact device can pivot from a stored state (a retracted position of the positioning unit for storing the contact device) to a vertically contacted state (a retracted position) by means of the first pivoting arm, and vice versa. The hinged arm device has a second pivoting mechanism with a second pivoting arm. The contact device can pivot from a retracted position to a contact position (a retracted position) by means of the second pivoting arm, and vice versa. The first pivoting arm is configured to pivot at the distal end of the second pivoting arm.

[0009] Therefore, the movement of the contact device relative to the charging contact device positioned above the charging station is performed by a drive mechanism via a hinged arm device. The contact device may have multiple contacts, which are engaged by the charging contacts of the charging contact device. For this contact to occur fully, it is important that the contact device is in a vertical position in the contact position. The contact device is configured to pivot on the distal end of the second pivot arm, and thus can pivot to both the vertical contact state and the storage state. The contact device is also in the contact position in the vertical contact state. In particular, since the first pivot arm with the contact device is configured to pivot on the distal end of the second pivot arm, the contact device can be pivoted or moved to the vertical contact state regardless of the position of the second pivot arm. This allows the contact device to be positioned at different heights in the vertical contact state, for example, when the second pivot arm is in the lowered position or the storage state, or when the second pivot arm is moved to the maximum extended position. This results in a relatively large area in which the contact device can be moved to the contact position. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to set different charging contact devices at a substantially uniform height above the road along the route and to customize them for a single type of vehicle. Due to the relatively large area in which the contact device can be positioned above the top of the vehicle in the contact position, the positioning unit according to the invention can be flexibly used for various types of vehicles with charging contact devices having different installation heights.

[0010] The positioning unit may include a cage for mounting the positioning unit on the roof of the vehicle, and a second pivot arm configured to pivot on the cage. For example, the cage may be formed with or have fixed bearings for the second pivot arm and the drive unit. The cage may also be mounted on the roof of the vehicle in a particularly simple manner. For example, the mounting may be implemented via a damping element that dampens the vibrations and / or motion of the vehicle.

[0011] With the aid of this articulated arm assembly, the contact device can be positioned vertically and horizontally relative to the charging contact device and moved to the contact position. Specifically, when the first pivot arm pivots relative to the second pivot arm, and the second pivot arm pivots relative to the vehicle roof, the contact device moves at least within a radius or circular path around the pivot bearing of the respective pivot arm, resulting in both horizontal and vertical displacement of the contact device. It is also advantageous that the charging contact device is configured such that it can make horizontal contact at different positions. For example, the positioning unit can be mounted on the vehicle roof so that movement occurs in the horizontal direction along the vehicle's direction of movement.

[0012] The drive mechanism may have a first adjusting actuator for generating an adjusting force acting on the first pivot arm and for forming a first spring member that mechanically interacts with the first adjusting actuator. The first adjusting actuator may interact with the first spring member such that the adjusting force alone can cause movement of the first pivot arm having a contact device. The first adjusting actuator may interact directly with the first spring member or be connected to the pivot arm by inserting another mechanical component (e.g., a lever).

[0013] The first spring component may include at least one torsion spring, which may be disposed on a pivot axis connecting the first and second pivot arms. The torsion spring may apply an adjusting force to the first pivot arm, causing the first pivot arm to move to a stored state via the torsion spring, or alternatively, to a contact state. For example, it is conceivable that in the event of a failure of the first adjusting actuator, the torsion spring would move the contact device to the stored state to minimize erroneous contact. In principle, any other type of spring, such as a spring bar, may be used instead of the torsion spring. The torsion spring can be arranged in a particularly compact manner around the pivot axis.

[0014] The first adjustment actuator may have an electric motor, a rope actuator, and / or a chain actuator, and the first pivot arm is rotatable on a pivot shaft via the electric motor, rope actuator, and / or chain actuator. For example, the electric motor may be directly mounted on the pivot shaft or integrated within the pivot shaft. Furthermore, tension can be applied to the first pivot arm via the rope actuator and / or chain actuator mounted on the pivot shaft. Thus, for example, two cable pulleys may be mounted on the pivot shaft, which can pivot the pivot arm by means of counter-movement. The rope actuator or chain actuator may also be actuated by means of an electric motor, in which case the electric motor may be mounted on the cage of the positioning unit away from the pivot arm. Alternatively, a combination of rope actuator and chain actuator may be used. The chain actuator may be formed of a chain extending on gears on the pivot shaft and connected at its respective ends to cable pulleys or Bowden cables.

[0015] The drive unit may have a second adjusting actuator for generating an adjusting force acting on the second pivot arm and for forming a second spring member that mechanically interacts with the adjusting actuator. The second adjusting actuator may be connected to the second spring member directly or by inserting an additional mechanical component (e.g., a lever). The second adjusting actuator may be a motor or a linear actuator, preferably a spindle drive. The second adjusting actuator may have a displacement sensor, which may be an incremental encoder or an absolute encoder. This allows the precise operating position of the second adjusting actuator to be determined at any given time. The adjusting actuator may also have limit switches that can operate according to position and / or pressure switches that can operate according to force. Furthermore, the pressure switch may be additionally used to limit the contact force or adjusting force.

[0016] The second spring component may include at least one contact spring, and the second adjusting actuator and the contact spring are mechanically connected in series with each other, such that the second adjusting actuator and the contact spring are configured to generate a contact force on the contact surface. By mechanically connecting the second adjusting actuator and the contact spring in series, the adjusting force of the second adjusting actuator can be used to move the articulated arm assembly or the second pivot arm, and the adjusting force can be further increased when the contact surface is contacted by the charging contacts of the charging contact device. The further increased adjusting force can then be stored by the contact spring connected to the second adjusting actuator and transmitted as a contact force to the contact surface. Therefore, the increase in adjusting force is not used for further movement of the articulated arm assembly, but rather for generating or increasing the contact force on the charging contact surface. Thus, a substantially constant contact force can be applied to the charging contact surface regardless of the height of the charging contact surface or the charging contact device above the road, or regardless of the relative distance between the charging contact surface and the contact device at the contact position of the contact device. In this case, changes in height, such as due to the vehicle's load, do not significantly alter the contact force, thereby ensuring reliable contact.

[0017] The second pivot arm can be curved, and the segment forming the distal end of the second pivot arm is horizontally locating in the stored state. In the stored state, the second pivot arm can be placed on the vehicle roof in a particularly compact manner.

[0018] In the storage state, the first pivot arm with the contact device can pivot towards and rest against the proximal end of the second pivot arm. If the second pivot arm is curved, the first pivot arm with the contact device can rest against the horizontally positioned second pivot arm within a section of the second pivot arm. Therefore, the structural height of the articulated arm assembly in the storage state can be relatively low. However, in principle, in the storage state, the first pivot arm with the contact device can also pivot away from the proximal end of the second pivot arm in the opposite direction, in which case the length of the articulated arm assembly on the roof of the vehicle is relatively large. Here, it is advantageous to arrange the articulated arm assembly in the storage state as compactly as possible on the roof of the vehicle.

[0019] The contact device can be positioned between a lower contact position and an upper contact position using a hinged arm mechanism. In the storage state, the ratio of the structural height of the positioning unit to the height of the upper contact position is 1:4, preferably 1:6.5, and the ratio of the structural height to the height of the lower contact position is 1:4, preferably 1:3. Therefore, a large area exists between the upper and lower contact positions where the charging contact device can make contact. Simultaneously, the structural height is relatively small relative to this area. Vehicles equipped with the positioning unit can also travel under relatively large structures (e.g., bridges), thus allowing for more flexible vehicle use.

[0020] The contact device may have a contact element carrier having contact elements that are electrically connected to charging contact elements of the charging contact device in a contact position to form a contact pair. The contact element carrier may be configured such that the contact elements are positioned on the upper side of the contact element carrier in the vertical contact state of the contact device. For example, the charging contact element may be a conductor strip disposed on a roof-shaped charging contact element carrier of the charging contact device.

[0021] The first pivoting mechanism may have a lateral guide by which the contact device is laterally positionable relative to the charging contact device, the lateral guide being disposed on the distal end of the first pivoting arm. Therefore, the contact device can be displaced laterally relative to the vehicle's direction of travel at the distal end of the first pivoting arm. For example, this displacement allows compensation for mispositioning of the vehicle laterally relative to the direction of travel at a bus stop. Furthermore, the potential vehicle movement caused by passengers entering and exiting the vehicle and lowering one side can be compensated for, preventing the contact device from displacing laterally relative to the charging contact device. Additionally, in this case, no shear force acts on the first and second pivoting arms. The lateral guide may be a straight guide or even a curved guide. The contact device can be disposed on the lateral guide for free displacement, wherein the lateral guide is a guide rod or formed with a guide profile for the contact device. Furthermore, the contact device can be centered on the lateral guide, i.e., disposed centered relative to the lateral guide by means of a spring, for example, in a resting position or in a non-contact position.

[0022] The fast charging system according to the invention includes a charging contact device and a positioning unit according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the fast charging system will be apparent from the description of the features of the dependent claims invoking claim 1.

[0023] In the method according to the invention for forming a conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle, particularly an electric bus, and a fixed charging station having a positioning unit, the contact device of the positioning unit moves relative to the charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically connected to the charging contact device in a contact position. The contact device is positioned by means of a hinge arm device of the positioning unit, and the hinge arm device is driven by means of a drive device of the positioning unit. The contact device pivots from a stored state (for storing the contact device in a retracted position) to a vertically contacted state in the retracted position by means of a first pivoting mechanism of the hinge arm device using a first pivoting arm. The contact device pivots from the retracted position to the contact position by means of a second pivoting mechanism of the hinge arm device using a second pivoting arm. The first pivoting arm is disposed on and pivots thereon at the distal end of the second pivoting arm. For further details of the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, refer to the description of the advantages of the positioning unit according to the invention.

[0024] The contact device can first pivot from the stored state to the vertical direct contact state, then pivot from the vertical direct contact state to the contact position, and vice versa. Thus, the positioning unit can have a minimum structural height in the stored state. In the first step, as the vehicle approaches the bus stop, the contact device can pivot from the stored state to the vertical direct contact state.

[0025] Furthermore, during the pivoting of the contact device using the second pivot arm, the first pivoting mechanism can always position the contact device in the vertical direct contact state. After the contact device has pivoted to the vertical direct contact state, it can be lifted in this state and moved against the charging contact device in a second step by pivoting the first pivot arm with the contact device using the second pivot arm. It is advantageous if the first pivot arm or the contact device is always vertically positioned during the pivoting of the second pivot arm, or if the first pivot arm pivots relative to the second pivot arm. This simultaneous movement of the first and second pivot arms can be caused by a suitable mechanism or controller of the drive device. Therefore, in any case, the charging contact device can be made to contact the contact device in the correct position in the area between the upper and lower contact positions by means of the charging contact device.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the method will be apparent from the description of the features of the dependent claim incorporating claim 1. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a 3D view of the positioning unit;

[0029] Figure 2 This is the front view of the positioning unit;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a side view of the positioning unit in its stored state at the contracted position;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a side view of the positioning unit in the vertical direct contact state at the retracted position;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a side view of the positioning unit in the vertical direct contact state at the contact position;

[0033] Figure 6 These are side views of the positioning unit at different positions. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figures 1 to 6The combined view shows a positioning unit 10 mounted on the top of a vehicle (not shown), particularly an electric bus. The positioning unit 10 includes a contact device 11 for forming electrical contact with a charging contact device (not shown) at a charging station. The charging contact device is suspended above the vehicle top and the contact device 11 by means of a suspension device (not shown) in the area of ​​the bus stop. The positioning unit 10 also includes an articulated arm assembly 12 and a drive device 17 for driving the articulated arm assembly 12, which is formed by a first pivoting mechanism 13 having a first pivoting arm 14 and a second pivoting mechanism 15 having a second pivoting arm 16.

[0035] Furthermore, the positioning unit 10 has a retainer 18 for mounting the positioning unit 10 on the vehicle roof via a damping element 19. A pivot bearing 20 is formed on the retainer 18, and a second pivot arm 16 is mounted on the pivot bearing 20 for pivotability. A pivot shaft 22 is formed on the distal end 21 of the second pivot arm 16, about which the first pivot arm 14 can pivot. A contact device 11 is provided on the distal end 23 of the first pivot arm 14, and the contact device 11 is laterally movable relative to a charging contact device (not shown) on a lateral guide 24 of the first pivoting mechanism 13, the lateral guide 24 being formed by a rail 25 mounted on the distal end 23.

[0036] The contact device 11 is formed by a contact element carrier 26 having a contact element 27, which is elastically mounted on the contact element carrier. The contact element 27 is disposed on the upper side 28 of the contact element carrier 26 and is connected to a junction box 30 on a retainer 18 via a flexible cable 29.

[0037] The drive unit 17 includes a first adjustment actuator 31 for generating an adjustment force acting on the first pivot arm 14. The first adjustment actuator 31 includes a torsion spring 32 disposed on the pivot shaft 22. Furthermore, the first adjustment actuator 31 includes a rope and chain actuator (not shown) formed by a chain and two cable pulleys. The chain engages with a gear (not shown) on the pivot shaft 22 and can be actuated via the cable pulleys, allowing the first pivot arm 14 to pivot.

[0038] Furthermore, the drive unit 17 has a second adjustment actuator 33 for generating an adjustment force acting on the second pivot arm 16. The second adjustment actuator 33 includes a spring 34 and a linear actuator 35, through which the adjustment force can be applied to the second pivot arm 16 in cooperation with the spring 34. The spring 34 and the linear actuator 35 are engaged in a pivot shaft 38 disposed in the pivot bearing 20 via a rod 36 or 37. The first adjustment actuator 31 and the second adjustment actuator 33 are actuated by a controller 39, which in this case is disposed on the cage 18.

[0039] The charging contact device is from Figure 3 The articulated arm assembly 12, in its retracted position, begins to contact the contact device 11. In the first step, the first pivot arm 14 moves to... Figure 4 In the vertical direct contact state shown in the contracted position, in the second step, the second pivot arm 16 is raised, while the first pivot arm 14 remains vertical or is positioned in the vertical direct contact state. Therefore, the contact device 11 can be positioned between the upper contact position Ko and the lower contact position Ku, or positioned in a contact area where electrical contact can be formed using a charging contact device in any case. Similarly, the positioning unit 10 can have a relatively low structural height B in the storage state. The second pivot arm 16 is bent to reduce the structural height B, such that the section 40 of the second pivot arm 16 is positioned horizontally in the storage state, and the first pivot arm 14 with the contact device 11 can be compactly rested on the section 40.

Claims

1. A positioning unit (10) for an electrically driven vehicle for forming an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and a stationary charging station, the positioning unit being configured to be arranged on the roof of the vehicle, a contact device (11) of the positioning unit being movable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and electrically connectable to the charging contact device in a contact position, the positioning unit having an articulated arm device (12) for positioning the contact device and a drive device (17) for driving the articulated arm device, characterized in that the articulated arm device has a first pivot mechanism (13) with a first pivot arm (14) by means of which the contact device is pivotable from a storage state of a retracted position of the positioning unit for storing the contact device to an upright retracted state of the retracted position and vice versa, the articulated arm device has a second pivot mechanism (15) with a second pivot arm (16) by means of which the contact device is pivotable from the retracted position to the contact position and vice versa, the first pivot arm is arranged pivotable on a distal end (21) of the second pivot arm, in which the contact device is pivotable regardless of the position of the second pivot arm, in which the second pivot arm is formed curved, a section of the second pivot arm forming the distal end is positioned horizontally in the storage state, in which in the storage state the first pivot arm with the contact device is pivoted towards a proximal end of the second pivot arm and rests on the section, in which the contact device is first pivoted from the storage state to the upright retracted state and then from the upright retracted state to the contact position and vice versa.

2. The positioning unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) comprises a holder (18) for mounting the positioning unit on the roof of the vehicle, the second pivot arm (16) is arranged pivotable on the holder.

3. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by means of the articulated arm device (12) the contact device (11) is vertically and horizontally positionable relative to the charging contact device and movable into the contact position.

4. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device (17) has a first adjustment drive (31) for generating an adjustment force acting on the first pivot arm (14) and for forming a first spring member mechanically interacting with the first adjustment drive.

5. The positioning unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the first spring member comprises at least one torsion spring (32) arranged on a pivot axis (22) connecting the first pivot arm (14) and the second pivot arm (16).

6. The positioning unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the first adjustment drive (31) has an electric motor, a rope drive and / or a chain drive, via which the first pivot arm (14) is rotatable on the pivot axis (22).

7. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The drive device (17) has a second adjustment drive (33) for generating an adjustment force acting on the second pivot arm (16) and for forming a second spring member that mechanically interacts with the second adjustment drive.

8. The positioning unit according to claim 7, characterized in that The second spring member comprises at least one contact spring, the second adjustment drive (33) and the contact spring being mechanically coupled to one another in series, such that the second adjustment drive and the contact spring are configured to generate a contact force on a contact surface.

9. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second pivot arm (16) is formed curved, in the storage state a section (40) of the second pivot arm forming a distal end (21) is positioned horizontally.

10. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that In the storage state, the first pivot arm (14) with the contact device (11) is pivoted toward a proximal end of the second pivot arm (16) and rests thereon.

11. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The contact device (11) is positionable between a lower contact position and an upper contact position using the articulated arm device (12), the ratio of the construction height (B) of the positioning unit (10) in the storage state to the height (Ko) of the upper contact position is 1:4, and the ratio of the construction height (B) to the height (Ku) of the lower contact position is 1:

4.

12. The positioning unit according to claim 11, characterized in that The ratio of the construction height (B) of the positioning unit (10) in the storage state to the height (Ko) of the upper contact position is 1:65, and the ratio of the construction height (B) to the height (Ku) of the lower contact position is 1:

3.

13. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The contact device (11) has a contact element carrier (26) with contact elements (27) that are electrically connectable to charging contact elements of the charging contact device in the contact position, respectively, for forming a contact pair.

14. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first pivot mechanism (13) has a lateral guide (24) by means of which the contact device (11) is positionable laterally relative to the charging contact device, the lateral guide being arranged on a distal end (23) of the first pivot arm (14).

15. A fast-charging system having a charging contact device and a positioning unit (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle and a stationary charging station having a positioning unit (10), a contact device (11) of the positioning unit being moved relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and electrically connected to said charging contact device in a contact position, the contact device being positioned by means of an articulated arm device (12) of the positioning unit and the articulated arm device being driven by means of a drive device (17) of the positioning unit, characterized in that The contact device is pivotable by means of a first pivot mechanism (13) of the articulated arm device with a first pivot arm (14) from a storage state for a storage position of a positioning unit for the contact device to an upright contact state of the storage position, the contact device is pivotable by means of a second pivot mechanism (15) of the articulated arm device with a second pivot arm (16) from the storage position to a contact position, the first pivot arm is arranged on a distal end (21) of the second pivot arm and is pivotable on the distal end (21) of the second pivot arm, wherein the contact device is pivotable regardless of the position of the second pivot arm, wherein the second pivot arm is formed curved, a section of the second pivot arm forming a distal end is positioned horizontally in the storage state, wherein in the storage state the first pivot arm with the contact device is pivoted towards a proximal end of the second pivot arm and rests on the section, wherein the contact device is first pivoted from the storage state to the upright contact state and then from the upright contact state to the contact position and vice versa.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the contact device (11) is first pivoted from the storage state to the upright contact state and then from the upright contact state to the contact position and vice versa.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the first pivot mechanism (13) always positions the contact device in the upright contact state during the pivoting of the contact device (11) with the second pivot arm (16).

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