Positioning unit for a charging station and method for producing contact

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning unit (10) and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a fixed charging station and a vehicle, in particular an electric bus, etc., by means of the positioning unit, wherein a charging contact (11) of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact surface and can be in contact with the charging contact surface by means of the positioning unit, wherein the positioning unit has a positioning device (12) and a drive device (13) for driving the positioning device, the charging contact can be positioned between a contact position for transmitting current and an entry position for interrupting current by means of the positioning device, and the drive device has a drive device for generating a regulating action on the positioning device. A force-saving adjustment drive and a spring device (15) mechanically interacting with the adjustment drive, the spring device comprising at least one contact spring (16), wherein the contact force acting on the charging contact surface can be generated by the adjustment drive and the contact spring, the positioning device comprising a fixed support (17), an upper section (18) arranged on the fixed support so as to be able to move linearly in a vertical adjustment direction, and a lower section (19) arranged on the upper section so as to be able to move linearly in the vertical adjustment direction, wherein the contact spring is connected to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section can be moved relative to the lower section by means of the adjustment drive.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning unit and a method for forming a conductive connection between a fixed charging station and a vehicle, in particular an electric bus, etc. The charging contact of the positioning unit can be moved relative to the charging contact surface and can contact the charging contact surface with the help of the positioning unit. The positioning unit has a positioning device and a driving unit for driving the positioning device. The charging contact can be positioned between a contact position for transmitting current and a retracted position for interrupting current with the help of the positioning device. The driving device has a displacement drive for forming a displacement force acting on the positioning device and a spring device that mechanically interacts with the displacement drive. The spring device includes at least one contact spring. The contact force acting on the charging surface can be generated by the displacement drive and the contact force.

[0002] Such positioning units and methods are known from the prior art and are usually used for electrically driven vehicles. These vehicles may be electric buses but are usually also other vehicles, such as trains or trams, which are not permanently electrically connected to overhead wires or the like. In the case of these vehicles, the electrical energy storage device is charged via a charging station at a parking station or vehicle pool. For example, the vehicle is electrically connected to a charging station at a vehicle pool and the energy storage device of the vehicle is charged overnight.

[0003] In order to produce an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the charging station, a contact device is used, which is mounted or positioned on a positioning unit above the vehicle in the parking space of the vehicle in the vehicle pool. The charging contacts of the contact device are moved on the roof of the vehicle towards the charging contact surface with the help of the positioning unit and an electrical connection is produced. For example, the contact device can include at least four charging contacts; two charging contacts are usually used to transmit energy, one charging contact is usually used as a grounding conductor, and an additional charging contact is usually used to transmit data. When the charging contacts are guided to the corresponding charging contact surfaces of the vehicle, the charging contacts must be pressed to the charging contact surfaces with a sufficiently large, but not too large, contact force so that a safe electrical connection can be ensured. For example, a positioning unit of this type is known from DE 10 2015217 380A1.

[0004] In existing vehicle pooling yards, when a fleet of vehicles is converted to electric vehicles, the corresponding charging stations are installed above the parking spaces or vehicle paths in the paddock or on the ground running through the vehicle pooling yard. For this purpose, positioning units are also used, such as positioning units on masts for docking stations. Since the facilities of the vehicle pooling yard are already existing infrastructure or buildings, the positioning units used in docking stations cannot be easily used, for example, in paddocks. The height of the ceiling may not be enough to install the positioning unit, or the positioning unit must be installed far below the ceiling. At the same time, the positioning units designed for use in docking stations must be sturdy to resist environmental influences and are therefore relatively heavy, which increases the production costs of the positioning units. In addition, the known positioning units are built relatively large because there is enough space available at the mast of the docking station, which is disadvantageous in the paddock because, for example, there are beams or power cables in the ceiling area.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a locating unit and a method for producing an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and a vehicle, which locating unit and method enable flexible and cost-effective charging of the vehicle in a vehicle pool.

[0006] This object is achieved by a locating unit having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 18 .

[0007] In the positioning unit according to the present invention, the positioning unit is used to form a conductive connection between a fixed charging station and a vehicle, especially an electric bus, etc. The charging contact of the positioning unit can move relative to the charging contact surface and can contact the charging contact surface with the help of the positioning unit. The positioning unit has a positioning device and a driving unit for driving the positioning device. The charging contact can be positioned between a contact position for transmitting current and a retracted position for interrupting current with the help of the positioning device. The driving device has a displacement drive for forming a displacement force acting on the positioning device and a spring device that mechanically interacts with the displacement drive. The spring device includes at least one contact spring. The contact force acting on the charging contact surface can be generated by the displacement drive and the contact spring. The positioning device includes a fixed support, an upper section that can move linearly in a vertical displacement direction on the fixed support, and a lower section that can move linearly in a vertical displacement direction on the upper section. The contact spring is connected to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section can move relative to the lower section with the help of the displacement drive.

[0008] The positioning unit is thus part of a stationary charging station for electrically driven vehicles and serves to move the charging contacts in each case to a charging contact surface of the vehicle which is arranged on the roof of the vehicle and to bring the charging contacts into electrical contact with the charging contact surfaces. Thus, it is also possible to supply the vehicle with electrical energy, for example at a vehicle distribution yard, and to store this energy in the vehicle. The charging contacts are moved to the corresponding charging contact surfaces using the positioning unit, which is arranged above the vehicle on an enclosure carrier structure or on a ceiling structure. To this end, the charging contacts are arranged at the lower end of the positioning unit and can be moved from an upper retracted position into a lower contact position in order to transfer electric current and to contact the charging contact surfaces. In the contact position, a defined contact force is exerted on the corresponding charging contact surface.

[0009] The charging contact is moved using a positioning device, which can be actuated using a displacement drive of a drive device. The drive device generates a displacement force on the positioning device, and the displacement drive interacts with a spring mechanism, resulting in a contact force on the charging contact surface through the displacement drive and the contact spring of the spring mechanism.

[0010] According to the present invention, the positioning device has a fixed support and an upper section, the fixed support can be mounted on a carrier structure or a ceiling structure so as to be fixed, and the upper section is arranged on the fixed support and can be linearly moved on the fixed support in a vertical displacement direction. In addition, the lower section of the positioning device is arranged on the upper section, and the lower section can also be linearly moved on the upper section in a vertical displacement direction. Therefore, the lower section is connected to the upper section, and the upper section is connected to the fixed support and moves between a retracted position and a contact position in a telescopic manner. In addition, a contact spring is connected to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section can be moved relative to the lower section by means of a displacement drive. The movement of the lower section relative to the upper section via the displacement drive causes the lower section to move to the contact position or the retracted position, and thus causes a corresponding movement of the charging contact.

[0011] If the charging contact abuts the charging contact surface, the continued movement of the actuating drive can be converted to form a contact force due to the contact spring between the fixed support and the upper section. If the lower section can no longer move due to the abutment of the charging contact with the charging contact surface, the upper section moves relative to the fixed support. Therefore, the retraction of the charging contact to the retracted position occurs in the opposite way using the positioning unit. The positioning unit formed in this way can be manufactured particularly easily and is relatively compact compared to positioning units with articulated arms. Nevertheless, the corresponding distance between the retracted position and the contact position can be bridged according to any length of the upper and lower sections, which means that the positioning unit can be easily formed for vehicles and carrier structures or roof structures of different heights. Due to the compact design of the positioning unit, it can also be flexibly arranged on the roof structure without modifying the roof structure. Overall, the positioning unit can therefore be advantageously used in vehicle allocation yards with little effort, while its production costs are also low.

[0012] The displacement drive can be coupled to the upper section and the lower section in such a way that the upper section can be moved relative to the lower section by means of a displacement force. Thus, a displacement force can be generated between the upper section and the lower section, which means that a relative movement from the upper section to the lower section is caused. In order to generate a displacement force between the upper section and the lower section, the displacement drive can be arranged in a fixed manner on the upper section or the lower section. If the displacement drive is directly coupled to the upper section and the lower section, for example via an actuating element, the displacement drive can also be arranged away from the upper section and the lower section.

[0013] The displacement drive and the contact spring can be connected to each other in a mechanical series connection so that the contact force acting on the charging contact surface can be generated by the displacement drive and the contact spring. Via the mechanical series connection of the displacement drive and the contact spring, the positioning device can be moved via the displacement force of the displacement drive, and when the charging contact surface contacts the charging contact, the displacement force can be further increased. Then, the further increased displacement force is stored by the contact spring connected to the displacement drive, and then transmitted to the positioning device and the charging contact surface as a contact force. Therefore, the increase in displacement force is not used for the continuous movement of the positioning device toward the charging contact surface, but for generating or increasing the contact force on the charging contact surface. According to the dead weight of the segment and the charging contact or the dead weight of the component arranged on the fixed support, the dead weight can also be at least partially compensated by the contact spring. When the charging contact surface contacts the charging contact, the contact spring is initially tightened or stored by the dead weight. The further increased displacement force is obtained from the dead weight and load removal of the contact spring connected to the displacement drive, which is transmitted to the positioning device or the charging contact surface as a contact force. Also in this case, the increase in displacement force is not used to position the device for continuous movement toward the charging contact surface, but is used to generate or increase the contact force on the charging contact surface. Thus, regardless of the height of the charging contact surface above the road or the relative distance of the charging contact surface from the charging contact, a substantially constant contact force can be generated on the charging contact surface in the retracted position of the charging contact.

[0014] The contact springs may be coupled to the fixed support and the upper section. By definition, the fixed support cannot move relative to the additional support of the positioning device and the drive device. The upper section may be directly connected to the fixed support via the contact springs.

[0015] The contact spring may be a tension spring and / or a compression spring. In principle, any type of spring is suitable which allows a spring force and / or a tension force or a compression force to be generated between the fixed support and the upper section when the fixed support and the upper section are moved relative to each other. In addition to a single contact spring, several contact springs may also be provided which constitute the spring mechanism.

[0016] The fixed bearing and the upper section can be connected to the upper linear guide, and the upper section and the lower section can be connected to the lower linear guide.The linear guide can be realized particularly easily by two guide elements which are connected in a form-fitting manner and can be displaced relative to each other on the axis.

[0017] The positioning device can have at least one additional section which connects the upper section to the lower section and can be freely moved linearly relative to the upper section and the lower section in the vertical displacement device. In principle, the positioning device can have a plurality of such sections connected to each other in a serial arrangement. Depending on the number and length of the respective sections, such a connection between the sections allows the positioning device in the retracted position to be pushed together into a small space with a low construction height.

[0018] The positioning unit can be formed particularly cheaply if the fixed support and the segments consist of profiles arranged coaxially with respect to one another. The measurements of the respective profiles can be such that the profiles can be inserted into one another or relative to one another. If the profiles are hollow profiles, the inner surface of the hollow profile can abut against the outer surface of the hollow profile, so that a telescopic guide is achieved between the two hollow profiles. Nevertheless, the distance between the hollow profiles can be so large that a gap is formed between the hollow profiles. For this purpose only, linear guides for displacing the hollow profiles relative to one another can be provided in the gap. The hollow profiles can have a square, rectangular or even circular cross section. Instead of hollow profiles, solid profiles, such as rods or plates, can also be used.

[0019] The profile of the fixed support can form the housing of the positioning device, and the section can be received in the housing. It is also possible for the profile of the fixed support to have the largest cross section among all the profiles. The length of the remaining profile can be such that it can be substantially received in the housing of the positioning device thus realized. Vice versa, the profile of the lower section can also form the housing of the positioning device.

[0020] The upper section can be tilted on the fixed support by an angle α of >0° to 5° relative to a vertical axis extending in the vertical displacement direction, and / or the lower section can be tilted on the upper section by an angle α of >0° to 5° relative to a vertical axis extending in the vertical displacement direction. In particular, the fixed support and / or the sections can be connected to one another in such a way that a horizontal relative movement is also possible. If a linear guide is implemented for realizing a vertical relative movement of the fixed support and the sections, the linear guide can be implemented with a corresponding play, or the linear guide itself can be implemented so as to be able to pivot by an angle α. The option of pivoting the lower section by at least an angle α can be used to compensate for smaller movements or swings of the vehicle below the positioning unit, for example when people are getting on or off the vehicle, or when the vehicle is loaded or unloaded.

[0021] The displacement drive can have a position sensor or a path sensor, by means of which the spring path of the contact spring can be determined, and / or a force sensor, by means of which the contact force can be determined. By limiting the spring path of the contact spring and / or due to a force sensor, the contact force acting on the charging contact surface can be limited. The switching off of the displacement drive when a certain spring path or measuring force is reached can be the cause of the limitation. Damage to the positioning unit or the charging contact surface can thus be easily avoided.

[0022] The displacement drive can have a control element and an electric motor or a pneumatic drive which can be controlled by means of the control element. In addition, the displacement drive can have a backup battery which ensures that in the event of a power failure or a different fault, the positioning device is automatically retracted into the retracted position via an emergency power supply from the backup battery. The backup battery can be integrated in the displacement drive. Other suitable drives can also be provided instead of the electric motor or the pneumatic drive.

[0023] The electric motor can be a linear motor, preferably a spindle drive, which is arranged in a fixed manner on the upper section or the lower section. Optionally, the spindle drive can also be self-locking, depending on the inclination of the spindle. The positioning device can then be easily moved to the desired position and fixed without the need for further auxiliary devices. The linear drive can have a path sensor, with the help of which the movement range of the positioning device can be limited. For example, an incremental encoder or an absolute encoder can be used as a path sensor. Then, the exact working position of the linear drive can always be determined.

[0024] The displacement device can be implemented so that the torque of the electric motor can be recorded by the control element and the contact force can be controlled by the control element according to the torque of the electric motor. The control element can be made of control electronics for the electric motor. In this case, the control electronics can be directly integrated in the electric motor. The control element can record the torque of the electric motor via, for example, applied energy and control the electric motor so that a defined contact force is generated on the charging contact surface by the electric motor via the positioning device and the charging contact. The indirect force effect on the positioning device can then be actively adjusted and, if necessary, the indirect force effect on the charging contact can also be optionally adjusted according to different influencing factors. Thus, a consistent large contact force can be achieved on the charging contact surface regardless of the relative distance of the charging contact surface from the positioning unit or the height of the vehicle.

[0025] The positioning unit can have a holding frame for fastening the positioning device above the vehicle, on which the fixing support can be arranged. The holding frame can be realized so that the holding frame can be easily fastened to a mast or ceiling structure of a building. Therefore, the contact spring of the spring mechanism can usually be connected to the holding frame.

[0026] The fixed support can be fastened to the holding frame so as to be adjustable in the vertical displacement device. If the fixed support is made, for example, of a hollow profile extending in the vertical direction, the holding frame can surround the fixed support. Depending on the way in which the fixed support is fastened to the holding frame, it can easily be allowed to set the height of the fixed support above the road and thus, for example, the ceiling height can be adjusted. In a particularly simple embodiment, the holding frame can also be welded or screwed to the fixed support. If the fixed support is substantially arranged on the upper side of the holding frame, the fixed support and therefore the main part of the positioning unit can be hidden in the ceiling.

[0027] The positioning unit may have a contact device with two charging contact carriers, the two charging contact carriers having at least two charging contacts arranged thereon, the charging contacts being connected to each other via parallel rods of the contact device, the contact device having two parallel connecting rods and having two parallel bearing rods, each of which is connected to the connecting rod via a spaced connecting joint in one of two parallel motion planes, and in combination with the connecting rod forms a parallelogram. With such a positioning unit, at least four charging contacts can be moved on each charging contact surface of the vehicle and electrically contacted with it. In addition, the contact force can also be evenly distributed or generated on the corresponding charging contact surface. The contact device can be arranged on the lower section so that the contact device remains substantially in the center. The parallel rods can be composed of a longer connecting rod and a shorter bearing rod, which are vertical and connected to the connecting rod via a connecting joint. Therefore, the connecting rod can be tilted relative to the horizontal plane, and the bearing rod can always be arranged vertically in two parallel motion planes. If the connecting joint is coaxially arranged with the bearing joint, the force of the contact force centrally applied to the contact device is always evenly distributed on the two bearing rods regardless of the inclination of the connecting rod.

[0028] The connecting rod can be connected to the lower section of the contact device via two spaced-apart bearing joints in parallel bearing planes extending centrally to the motion plane, and the charging contact carriers can each be connected to the bearing rod via a rotating joint, the rotating joint being arranged orthogonally relative to the connecting joint, and the charging contact carrier can coaxially hold the corresponding charging contact relative to the rotation axis. The charging contact carriers can each be arranged on the bearing rod via a rotating joint. Since the charging contacts are also arranged coaxially relative to the rotating joint on the corresponding charging contact carrier, the contact force can be distributed proportionally to the corresponding two charging contacts arranged on the charging contact carrier via the bearing rod or the rotating joint. If the rotating joint is arranged orthogonally relative to the connecting joint, the charging contacts can be adjusted according to the lateral inclination and longitudinal inclination of the vehicle relative to the height of the vehicle, and at the same time, a safe contact of each corresponding charging contact surface of the vehicle can be achieved using a simple method and a contact force of substantially proportional and equal magnitude.

[0029] A method according to the invention for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and a vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, wherein a charging contact of a positioning unit is moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacts the charging contact surface by means of the positioning unit, a positioning device of the positioning unit is driven by a drive unit of the positioning unit, the charging contact is positioned by means of the positioning device between a contact position for transmitting current and a retracted position for interrupting current, a displacement force acting on the positioning device is generated by means of a drive device of the drive device, and a spring device of the drive device mechanically interacts with the displacement drive, the contact force acting on the charging contact surface is generated by the displacement drive and at least one contact spring, an upper section of the positioning device is linearly moved on a fixed support in a vertical displacement direction, and a lower section of the positioning device is linearly moved on the upper section in a vertical displacement direction, the contact spring is coupled to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section is moved relative to the lower section by means of the displacement drive. With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the positioning unit according to the invention.

[0030] The movement of the positioning unit from the retracted position to the contact position may include the following steps:

[0031] a. by means of a displacement drive, the lower section and the charging contact member disposed on the lower section are moved downwardly and relative to the upper section, and the upper section abuts against the stopper of the positioning device;

[0032] b. stopping the lower section in the contact position by abutting the charging contact against the charging contact surface;

[0033] c. Moving the upper section upward and relative to the lower section and the fixed support by continuing to operate the displacement drive and simultaneously generating contact forces by tightening and loosening the contact springs coupled to the upper section and the fixed support.

[0034] After the spring force applied by the spring mechanism and / or the deadweight of the component arranged on the fixed support, the upper section can abut the stopper. After the charging contact is extended downward so far by means of the displacement drive that the charging contact abuts the charging contact surface, the movement of the lower section is stopped even if the displacement drive is continuously operated. Then, the movement of the displacement drive is transmitted to the upper section displaced upward. Since the contact spring is arranged between the upper section and the fixed support, the upper section is lifted from the stopper by the relative movement of the upper section and the fixed support, and the upper section presses against the spring force of the contact spring or moves toward the storage spring force of the contact spring, depending on whether the contact spring is a tension spring or a compression spring. The contact spring in turn causes the contact force to be generated on the charging contact surface by the increase of the deadweight and spring force of the component arranged on the fixed support or by the decrease of the deadweight and spring force of the component arranged on the fixed support. By continuing to operate the displacement drive, the spring force is further increased until, for example, the displacement drive is closed by means of the final position switch. The movement of the charging contact or the positioning device to the retracted position occurs in the opposite way.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the method are apparent from the description of the features of the dependent claims with reference to device claim 1 .

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 A perspective view of a first embodiment of a positioning unit is shown in a first working position;

[0038] Figure 2 shows the positioning unit in a second working position;

[0039] Figure 3 shows the positioning unit in a third working position;

[0040] Figure 4a A second embodiment of the positioning is shown in a first working position;

[0041] Figure 4b shows the positioning unit in a second working position;

[0042] Figure 4c shows the positioning unit in a third working position;

[0043] Figure 4d The positioning unit is shown in a fourth working position.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 A positioning unit 10 is shown for forming an electrically conductive connection between a fixed charging station (not shown) and a vehicle (not shown), in particular an electric bus or the like, which is arranged below the positioning unit. Using the positioning unit 10, four charging contacts 11 of the positioning unit 10 can be moved on the roof of the vehicle relative to a charging contact surface (not shown) and come into contact with the roof of the vehicle. The positioning unit 10 comprises a positioning device 12 and a drive device 13 for driving the positioning device 12. In this case, the charging contacts 11 are positioned at Figure 2 and Figure 3 The contact positions for transmitting current shown in Figure 1 The charging contact 11 is a component of a contact device 14 arranged on the positioning device 12.

[0045] The drive device 13 has a displacement drive (not further shown) for generating a displacement force acting on the positioning device 12 and for forming a spring mechanism 15 that mechanically interacts with the displacement drive. The spring mechanism 15 comprises a contact spring 16, by means of which a contact force is generated on the corresponding charged contact surface. In addition, the positioning device 12 comprises a fixed support 17, an upper section 18 that can be linearly moved in a vertical displacement direction on the fixed support, and a lower section 19 that can be linearly moved in a vertical displacement direction on the upper section 18. The fixed support 17, the upper section 18 and the lower section 19 are each made of profiles 20, 21 and 22, respectively. The contact device 14 is fastened to the lower end 23 of the profile 22 of the lower section 19. The profile 20 forming the fixed support 17 is fastened to a holding frame 24 of the positioning unit 10. The holding frame 24 can be fastened to a ceiling structure (not further shown) of a building, such as the enclosure of a vehicle pooling yard. Furthermore, the profile 17 forms a housing 25 of the positioning device 12 , in which the profiles 21 and 22 can be received in the retracted position.

[0046] A linear guide 26 is provided between the profile 20 and the profile 21 of the upper section 18 so that the profile 20 can be easily moved in the vertical displacement direction relative to the profile 21. In addition, a linear guide 27 is formed between the profile 21 of the upper section 18 and the profile 22 of the lower section by the profile 22 surrounding the profile 21 and abutting against the profile 21 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. The contact spring 16 is coupled to the profile 20 of the fixed support and the upper section 18 and is formed by a tension / compression spring 28.

[0047] The contact device 14 has two charging contact carriers 29, to whose distal ends 30 contact strips 31 are fastened, the contact strips 31 forming the charging contacts 22. The substantially arc-shaped or O-shaped charging contact carriers 29 are connected to parallel rods 32 of the contact device 14, which parallel rods 32 consist of connecting rods 33 and vertically arranged carrying rods 34. The connecting rods 33 are movably connected to the carrying rods 34 via connecting joints 35, and the charging contact carriers 39 are each movably connected to the carrying rods 34 via swivel joints 36. In addition, the carrying joints 37 connect the lower section 19 to the connecting rods 33 in a movably manner.

[0048] Figures 4a to 4d The combined view shows the positioning unit 38 in different working positions without a contact device. In this case, the positioning unit 38 is formed with a holding frame 39, a fixed support 40 arranged on the holding frame 39 and a lower segment 41, an additional segment 42 and a lower segment 43. The upper segment 41, the additional segment 42 and the lower segment 43 are connected to each other and can be moved in a telescopic manner. In addition, a spring mechanism 44 with a contact spring 45 is provided, which is connected to the fixed support 40 and the upper segment 41. A displacement drive (not shown) is arranged in the segments 41, 42 and 43 and moves the upper segment 41 relative to the lower segment 43, and the additional segment 42 also moves according to the displacement length of the displacement drive.

[0049] Figure 4a First, the retracted position of the positioning device 46 of the positioning unit 38, which is realized accordingly, is shown. In the retracted position, the upper section 41 abuts against the fixed support 40 on the stop 47. By operating the displacement drive, at least the lower section 43 is moved out of the upper section 41 and according to Figure 4b The icon in the figure is lowered downward. Figure 4c , the lower segment 43 or the contact device (not shown in this case) is in contact with a counter-support 48, which can be a charging contact device on the roof of the vehicle (also not shown). By continuing to operate the displacement drive, at least the lower segment 43 is moved further out of the upper segment 41, and the upper segment 41 is moved upward due to the counter-support 48. As a result, the upper segment 41 is lifted by the stop 47 and the contact spring 45 is tensioned or relaxed depending on the type of contact spring used, a tension spring or a compression spring. The spring force of the contact spring 45 causes a contact force on the charging contact surface (not shown). As a result, the positioning device 38 is in the contact position. The change from the contact position to the retracted position can be carried out in the opposite way.

Claims

1. A positioning unit (10, 38), the positioning unit (10, 38) being used to form an electrically conductive connection between a fixed charging station and a vehicle, the charging contact (11) of the positioning unit being movable relative to a charging contact surface and being connectable to the charging contact surface by means of the positioning unit, the positioning unit comprising a positioning device (12, 46) and a drive unit (13) for driving the positioning device, the charging contact being positionable by means of the positioning device between a contact position for transmitting current and a retracted position for interrupting current, the drive unit comprising a displacement drive for generating a displacement force acting on the positioning device and a spring device (15, 44) mechanically interacting with the displacement drive, the spring device comprising at least one contact spring (16, 45), the contact force acting on the charging surface being able to be generated by the displacement drive and the contact spring, Features The positioning device comprises a fixed support (17, 40), an upper section (18, 41) capable of linearly moving along a vertical displacement direction on the fixed support, and a lower section (19, 43) capable of linearly moving along the vertical displacement direction on the upper section, the contact spring being connected to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section being capable of moving relative to the lower section by means of the displacement drive.

2. The positioning device according to claim 1, Features The displacement drive is coupled to the upper segment (18, 41) and the lower segment (19, 43) so that the upper segment can be moved relative to the lower segment by means of the displacement force.

3. The positioning device according to claim 1 or 2, Features The displacement drive and the contact spring (16, 45) are coupled in a mechanical series connection so that the contact force can be generated on the charging contact surface by the displacement drive and the contact spring.

4. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The contact spring (16, 45) is a tension spring (28) and / or a compression spring.

5. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The fixed support (17, 40) and the upper section (18, 41) are connected to an upper linear guide (26), and the upper section and the lower section (19, 43) are connected to a lower linear guide (27).

6. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The positioning device (12, 46) has at least one additional section (42) which connects the upper section (18, 41) to the lower section (19, 43) and is freely linearly movable relative to the upper and lower sections in the vertical displacement direction.

7. The positioning unit according to claim 6, Features The fixed support (17, 40), the upper section (18, 41), the lower section (19, 43) and the at least one additional section (42) are made of profiles (20, 21, 22) arranged coaxially with respect to one another.

8. The positioning unit according to claim 7, Features The profile (20) of the fixed support (17, 40) forms a housing (25) of the positioning device (12, 46), in which the upper section (18, 41), the lower section (19, 43) and the at least one additional section (42) can be received.

9. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The upper section (18, 41) can be tilted on the fixed support (17, 40) at an angle α of >0° to 5° relative to a vertical axis extending along the vertical displacement direction, and / or the lower section (19, 43) can be tilted on the upper section at an angle α of >0° to 5° relative to a vertical axis extending along the vertical displacement direction.

10. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The displacement drive has a position sensor or a path sensor by means of which the spring path of the contact spring (16, 45) can be determined and / or a force sensor by means of which the contact force can be determined.

11. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The displacement drive has a control element and an electric motor or a pneumatic drive which can be controlled by means of the control element.

12. The positioning unit according to claim 11, Features The electric motor is a linear motor which is arranged in a fixed manner on the upper section (18, 41) or the lower section (19, 43).

13. The positioning unit according to claim 11, Features The displacement drive is realized in such a way that the torque of the electric motor is recorded by the control element and the contact force is controlled by the control element as a function of the torque of the electric motor.

14. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The positioning unit (10, 38) has a holding frame (24, 39) for fastening the positioning device (12, 46) above a vehicle, and the fixing support (17, 40) is arranged on the holding frame.

15. The positioning unit according to claim 14, Features The fixed support (17, 40) can be fastened to the holding frame (24, 39) so as to be retractable in the vertical direction.

16. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, Features The positioning unit (10, 38) has a contact device (14), the contact device (14) has two charging contact carriers (29), the two charging contact carriers (29) have at least two charging contacts (11) arranged on the two charging contact carriers, the charging contacts are connected to each other via parallel rods (32) of the contact device having two parallel connecting rods (33) and two parallel bearing rods (34), the bearing rods are each connected to the connecting rod via a connecting joint (35), the connecting joints (35) are spaced apart from each other in one of the two parallel motion planes and form a parallelogram with the connecting rod.

17. The positioning unit according to claim 16, Features The connecting rod (33) is connected to the lower section (19, 43) of the contact device (14) via two spaced-apart bearing joints (37) in a parallel bearing plane extending centrally to the movement plane, and the charging contact carriers (29) are each connected to the bearing rod (34) via a rotational joint (36), which is orthogonal to the connecting joint (35), and the charging contact carriers each hold the charging contact (11) coaxially relative to the rotation axis.

18. The positioning unit according to claim 1, Features The vehicle comprises an electric bus.

19. The positioning unit according to claim 12, Features The electric motor is the spindle drive.

20. A method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a fixed charging station and a vehicle, wherein a charging contact (11) of a positioning unit (10, 38) is moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacts the charging contact surface by means of the positioning unit, a positioning device (12, 46) of the positioning unit is driven by a drive unit (13) of the positioning unit, the charging contact is positioned by means of the positioning device between a contact position for transmitting current and a retracted position for interrupting current, a displacement force on the positioning device is generated by means of a displacement drive of the drive unit, and a spring device (15, 44) of the drive unit mechanically interacts with the displacement drive, the spring device comprising at least one contact spring (16, 45), the contact force acting on the charging surface is generated by the displacement drive and the at least one contact spring (16, 45), Features The upper section (18, 41) of the positioning device moves linearly along the vertical displacement direction on the fixed support (17, 40), and the lower section (19, 43) of the positioning device moves linearly along the vertical displacement direction on the upper section, the contact spring is connected to the fixed support and the upper section, and the upper section moves relative to the lower section by means of the displacement drive.

21. The method according to claim 20, Features The movement of the positioning device (12, 46) from the retracted position to the contact position comprises the following steps: a. by means of the displacement drive, the lower section (19, 43) and the charging contact (11) arranged on the lower section (19, 43) are moved downward and relative to the upper section (18, 41), and the upper section abuts against the stopper (47) of the positioning device; b. stopping the lower section in the contact position by abutting the charging contact member against the charging contact surface; c. The contact force is generated by continuing to operate the displacement drive and simultaneously by tightening and loosening the contact spring (16, 45) coupled to the upper section and the fixed support, thereby moving the upper section upward and relative to the lower section and the fixed support (17, 40).

22. The method according to claim 20, Features The vehicle comprises an electric bus.

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