Electrical road track module, system comprising plurality of such modules, and switch controller for controlling power supply of such modules

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical road track module. An electrical road track module includes an elongate housing and a contact line structure physically connected to and extending along the housing. The contact line structure includes a plurality of contact elements arranged consecutively along a single track line to provide an alternating potential. Each other of the plurality of contact elements belongs to a first group of contact elements to be powered. The remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements. The contact elements are separated along a single track line by an electrical isolation element. The housing includes one or more cavities. Each of the one or more cavities accommodates a switch controller configured to control power supply of one or more contact elements to be powered adjacent to the respective cavity. The switch controller is removably connected to the housing. Each of the one or more cavities is located below a respective removable non-powered contact element. The electrical road track module also includes one or more removable access panels for accessing the one or more cavities.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric road track module, a system comprising a plurality of such modules, and a switch controller for controlling the power supply of such modules. BACKGROUND

[0002] With improvements in technology and infrastructure for supporting fully electric or partially electric vehicles, such vehicles are becoming more and more common. Electric vehicles allow for transportation of goods and people while reducing the use of fossil fuels and reducing environmental impact compared to conventional power alternatives.

[0003] Infrastructure along the road network lines that support these fully electric or partially electric vehicles is improving, and charging stations are now becoming more and more common, which allows electric vehicles to stop when needed to recharge their batteries. However, charging the batteries of vehicles at charging stations is still relatively time-consuming, and this is particularly true for large vehicles with large capacity batteries.

[0004] Thus, a new technology has emerged that provides electric power to vehicles electrically, namely electric road tracks. Electric road tracks provide the possibility to charge or power directly while the vehicle is in motion. Electric road tracks are arranged on or integrated into the road and carry electric power that can be transmitted to vehicles driving along the road in several different ways.

[0005] Providing electric power to vehicles via electric road tracks is a new technology and provides many benefits since this can reduce the need to stop to recharge the batteries of electric vehicles, thus not only helping to reduce the size of the batteries, but also helping heavy transport vehicles, such as trucks, to be made electric more easily since they do not have to make long stops to recharge their batteries.

[0006] However, electric road tracks are technically challenging due to wear from vehicles, road dirt, and many safety issues due to the ability of pedestrians to access. Thus, once an electric road track has been installed, there are challenges in maintaining the electric road track. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric road track that is easy to maintain.

[0008] To achieve this and any other technical advantages described herein, an electric road track having the features defined in claim 1 is provided. Preferred embodiments of the electric road track will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0009] The summary is provided to introduce a series of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. Thus, a new technology has emerged that provides electric power to vehicles electrically, namely electric road tracks. Electric road tracks provide the possibility to charge or power directly while the vehicle is in motion. Electric road tracks are arranged on or integrated into the road and carry electric power that can be transmitted to vehicles driving along the road in several different ways.

[0010] According to a first aspect, an electrical road track module is provided. The electrical road track module includes an elongated housing and a contact wire structure physically connected to and extending along the housing. The contact wire structure includes a plurality of contact elements arranged continuously along a single track line to provide alternating potential. Every other contact element belongs to a first group of contact elements to be powered. The remaining contact elements form a second group of non-powered contact elements. The contact elements are separated along the single track line by an electrical isolation element. The housing includes one or more cavities. Each of the one or more cavities houses a switch controller configured to control power supply to one or more contact elements adjacent to the corresponding cavity. The switch controller is removably connected to the housing. Each of the one or more cavities is located below a corresponding removable non-powered contact element in the second group of non-powered contact elements. The electrical road track module also includes one or more removable access panels for accessing the one or more cavities.

[0011] The design of the electrical track module presented in this paper allows for simplified maintenance. This is because a damaged switch controller can be easily replaced when it ceases to function. Experience has shown that the control circuitry system, which controls the on / off switching of the power supply to the contact elements to be powered, is the most maintenance-intensive part of the electrical track module. By arranging such control circuitry within the switch controller and making the switch controller easily accessible, the switch controller can be replaced simply with a new, working switch controller. Historically, if the control circuitry system in an electrical track module has begun to fail, the entire electrical track module needs to be replaced. Furthermore, the safety of the electrical track module is increased by arranging the switch controller in a cavity beneath the non-powered contact elements. This is because the removable access panel and the housing can be configured to have the same potential. Therefore, removing and reassembling the removable access panel does not create the need to ensure there is no electrical connection between the contact elements and the housing. Crucially for safety, there is no electrical connection between the powered contact elements and the housing. This is because the housing is grounded at the powered contact elements, which are configured to be powered at a high voltage during operation of the electrical track module.

[0012] One or more of the non-powered contact elements can be removably connected to the housing to form a set of removable non-powered contact elements and constitute one or more removable reach panels.

[0013] Every other non-powered contact element can be a removable non-powered contact element.

[0014] Removable non-powered contact elements can extend entirely between the side boundaries of the housing.

[0015] The electric road track module may also include one or more bottom covers located on the bottom surface of the housing. The one or more bottom covers may form one or more removable access panels.

[0016] A switch controller can be configured to individually control the power supply to two adjacent contacts in the first set of contacts to be powered. Therefore, a switch controller can be configured to control the two contacts to be powered. Such a switch controller can then include two separate switches (each typically an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), a controller board, and a relay. Space and cost are saved by sharing the same controller board and relay. Furthermore, safety is controlled by the controller board that activates each switch individually. If one switch fails (e.g., a short circuit), both switches can be disconnected via the relay. However, the remaining contacts of the electrical track module can remain operational.

[0017] The switch controller may include pairs of transistors and relays, which control the electrical connection of the switch controller to the supply voltage. Each transistor may be configured to individually control the power supply to a corresponding contact in an adjacent set of contact elements to be powered.

[0018] The contacts in the first set of contacts to be powered can be electrically isolated from the housing. The contacts in the second set of non-powered contacts can be electrically connected to the housing.

[0019] Each of the multiple contact elements can be in the form of an elongated metal sheet.

[0020] The electric road track module may also include a corresponding gasket surrounding the corresponding cavity, disposed in a corresponding recess within the housing. The gasket may be configured to seal the cavity to isolate it from the environment when a removable non-powered contact element is connected to the housing.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a switch controller is provided. The switch controller is configured to individually control the power supply to two contact elements of an electrical track module according to the first aspect. The switch controller includes: a relay that controls the switch controller to an electrical connection to a supply voltage; and a pair of transistors, wherein each transistor is configured to individually control the power supply to a corresponding contact element of the electrical track module.

[0022] The switch controller may also include connectors complementary to one or more power connectors, one or more contact connectors, and one or more data connectors of the electric road track module. The switch controller can be removably connected to the electric road track module via said connectors.

[0023] The switch controller can take the form of an elongated box assembled in the cavity of the electrical road track module.

[0024] Moisture protection for control circuit systems can be achieved through potting.

[0025] The control circuit system may also include a control unit implemented as a controller circuit board. The control circuit system can be configured to individually control pairs of transistors in order to individually control the power supply to the corresponding contact elements of the electric track module.

[0026] A relay can be an electrically operated switch.

[0027] Each of the transistor pairs can be implemented as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

[0028] A transistor can be a main switching device used to control the on / off switching of power supply to a contact element to be powered.

[0029] The aforementioned features of the electric road track module also apply, where applicable, to this third aspect. To avoid undue repetition, please refer to the above.

[0030] According to a third aspect, an electric road track system is provided. The electric road track system includes a plurality of electric road track modules according to a first aspect, the electric road track modules being arranged along a road.

[0031] An electric road track system may also include one or more control servers and power plants.

[0032] The aforementioned features of the electric road track module also apply to this second aspect where applicable. To avoid undue repetition, please refer to the above.

[0033] Further applicability will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are given only by way of illustration.

[0034] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and appended claims, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to indicate the presence of one or more elements unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. Therefore, for example, a reference to “unit” or “the unit” can include several devices, etc. Furthermore, the words “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and similar wording do not exclude other elements or steps. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The above and other aspects will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should not be considered limiting; rather, they are used for interpretation and understanding.

[0036] As shown in the figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and are therefore provided to illustrate the general structure. Similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0037] Figure 1 An electric road track system and a vehicle powered by the electric road track system are schematically shown.

[0038] Figure 2 This shows a portion of the electrical road track module as seen from the top.

[0039] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 The enlarged portion of the electrical road track module.

[0040] Figure 4 A portion of the electrical road track module is shown as seen from the bottom, with the bottom surface including a bottom cover for accessing cavities within the electrical road track module.

[0041] Figure 5 A switch controller is shown for controlling the power supply to one or more contact elements of an electric road track module.

[0042] Figure 6 It is a schematic circuit diagram of a switch controller depicted within the framework of an electrical road track module.

[0043] Figure 7 It shows the relationship with Figure 3 It is an enlarged version of the same electrical road track module, but the switch controller is installed in the cavity.

[0044] Figure 8 It shows the relationship with Figure 7 It is an enlarged version of the same electrical road track module, but with removable non-powered contact elements connected to the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. However, the invention may be implemented in many different forms.

[0046] Figure 1An electrical road track system 300 is schematically shown. The electrical road track system 300 includes a plurality of electrical road track modules 100 arranged along a road 11. The electrical road track modules 100 may be arranged on the road 11 or integrated into the road 11, for example, integrated into a recess formed in the road 11.

[0047] The electric road track module 100 is designed to provide power to the vehicle 12. The general function of the electric road track modules 100 is to provide power to the electric vehicle 12. This allows the battery of the electric vehicle 12 to be charged while it is traveling on the road. Alternatively or in combination, the electric motor of the electric vehicle 12 may be continuously powered by power from the electric road track module 100. To power and / or charge the electric vehicle 12, the electric vehicle 12 may include power collectors 14a, 14b, 14c that draw power from the electric road track module 100.

[0048] The electric road track module 100 includes multiple contact elements 30a and 30b. The contact elements 30a and 30b form a contact wire structure 30, which is configured for power transmission from the electric road track module 100 to the vehicle 12. The contact elements 30a and 30b are separated along the electric road track module 100 by an electrical isolation element 17. The contact elements 30a and 30b and the isolation element 17 are arranged within a housing 20. The housing is typically made of aluminum.

[0049] Every other contact element 30a is configured to be powered by the power station 15. The contact elements 30a configured to be powered form a first set of contact elements 30a. The contact elements in the first set of contact elements 30a are electrically isolated from the housing 20. The power station 15 may be located, for example, on one side of a road. The power station 15 may be connected to the electric road track module 100 via conductors 15a, 15b. Therefore, the power station 15 is configured to provide a supply voltage to the electric road track module 100. When powered by a positive potential, the contact element 30a in the first set of contact elements 30a forms a positive terminal. Alternatively, the contact elements in the first set of contact elements 30a may be powered by a negative potential and thus form a negative terminal.

[0050] Other contact elements 30b form a second set of non-powered contact elements 30b. The non-powered contact elements 30b are configured to have the same potential as ground. Typically, the non-powered contact elements 30b are electrically connected to the housing 20. Therefore, the housing 20 and the non-powered contact elements 30b typically have the same potential.

[0051] When power is supplied to one of the contact elements 30a in the first set of contact elements, a voltage difference is generated between the powered contact element 30a and the non-powered contact element 30b. Therefore, the electrical track module 100 is divided into a plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b, which are arranged to provide alternating potential. In other words, the plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b are arranged continuously along a single track line to provide alternating potential.

[0052] Contact elements 30a and 30b are arranged such that at any time during operation, at least one of the power collectors 14a, 14b, and 14c is connected to contact element 30a in the first set of contact elements 30a, and at least another of the power collectors 14a, 14b, and 14c is connected to contact element 30b in the second set of contact elements 30b. Therefore, continuous power collection from the electrified road track module 100 can be achieved when contact element 30a in the first set of contact elements 30a is powered. Each electrified road track module 100 preferably includes a plurality of first-type contact elements 30a and a plurality of second-type contact elements 30b.

[0053] Contact elements 30a and 30b are typically formed from corresponding elongated metal sheets. For example, each contact element 30a and 30b may be made of stainless steel. Using stainless steel reduces the formation of sparks between the contact elements 30a and 30b and the power collectors 14a, 14b, and 14c located at the vehicle. The extensions of the contact elements 30a and 30b along the travel direction 13 of the vehicle 12 have a length shorter than the length of the vehicle 12. According to a non-limiting example, the length of the contact elements 30a and 30b is approximately 1 m. The electrical isolation element 17 may be approximately 10 cm to 30 cm long. Multiple electrical road track modules 100 may be arranged one after another to form an electrical road track.

[0054] The electrified track system 300 may also include a control server 200. The control server 200 may be located in the power plant 15 and / or in one or more of the electrified track modules 100 and / or as a remote server, such as a cloud-based server. The control server 200 may be formed as a single unit or as a distributed unit across several units. The control server 200 is configured to perform overall control of the functions and operations of one or more electrified track modules 100. The control server 200 may also be configured to perform control of the individual power supply to contact element 30a in the first set of contact elements. This control of the individual power supply to contact element 30a in the first set of contact elements is typically performed via a switch controller located within the electrified track module 100. This will be discussed in detail below. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Let's discuss such a switch controller in more detail.

[0055] Figure 2 A portion of an electrical road track module 100 is shown. The electrical road track module 100 includes a housing 20 and a contact wire structure 30. The contact wire structure 30 includes a plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b, which are continuously arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potential. Figure 2 In the example shown, the contact line structure 30 includes seven contact elements 30a, 30b. Contact elements 30a, 30b are separated along the contact line structure 30 by an electrical isolation element 17. Contact elements 30a, 30b and the electrical isolation element 17 are physically connected to and extend along the housing 20. Therefore, it can be said that the contact line structure 30 is physically connected to and extends along the housing 20. In the contact elements 30a, 30b, every other contact element belongs to the first group of contact elements 30a to be powered. Figure 2 In the example shown, there are four contact elements belonging to the first group of contact elements 30a to be powered.

[0056] The first set of contact elements 30a to be powered is electrically isolated from the housing 20. To electrically isolate the contact elements 30a to be powered from the housing 20, multiple arrangements comprising pairs of plastic plugs with caps and rubber O-rings can be used. For each pair of plastic plugs, a metal screw is used. Such metal screws can also be used to connect the contact elements 30a to be powered to the supply voltage. This can be achieved by connecting one or more screws to a cable that is connected to a switch controller 50 for controlling the power supply to one or more contact elements 20a to be powered. The switch controller 50 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0057] The remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements 30b. The contact elements in the second set of non-powered contact elements 30b are electrically connected to the housing 20.

[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, at least some of the non-powered contact elements 30b are removably connected to the housing 20, thereby forming a set of removable contact elements 30b'. For example, every other non-powered contact element may be a removable non-powered contact element 30b'. The removable non-powered contact elements 30b' can be connected to the housing 20 by screws, snap-fit ​​engagements, or any other suitable means for removably connecting the removable non-powered contact elements 30b' to the housing 20. Figure 2 In the example shown, there are two removable non-powered contact elements 30b' and one other type of non-powered contact element 30b.

[0059] The removable non-powered contact element 30b' can extend entirely between the side boundaries of the housing 20. This allows the cavity 40 beneath the removable contact element 30b' to extend as far as possible across the width of the housing 20. The cavity 40 in the housing will be discussed in more detail below.

[0060] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The magnified portion of the electrical road track module 100 in the middle. Figure 3 The enlarged portion shown depicts a portion of the electric road track module 100, in which the removable non-powered contact element 30b' has been removed from the housing 20, thereby exposing the cavity 40 located beneath the removable non-powered contact element 30b'. Thus, by removing the removable non-powered contact element 30b', access to the cavity 40 is permitted. In other words, the removable non-powered contact element 30b' constitutes a removable access panel 41 for accessing the cavity 40. The cavity 40 is configured to accommodate a switch controller 50. The following will be combined with... Figure 5 and Figure 6 Let’s discuss the switch controller 50 in more detail.

[0061] Cavity 40 includes one or more power connectors 42, which provide interfaces for connecting switch controller 50 to a supply voltage. The supply voltage may be 650 V. Power is supplied via power station 15.

[0062] Cavity 40 includes one or more contact connectors 44, which provide interfaces for connecting switch controller 50 to one or more contact elements 30a to be powered. A corresponding contact connector among the one or more contact connectors 44 provides an interface for connecting switch controller 50 to a corresponding contact element 30a adjacent to cavity 40 to be powered. For example, cavity 40 may include two contact connectors 44. One of these two contact connectors 44 may provide an interface for connecting switch controller 50 to an “upstream” contact element 30a to be powered. The other of the two contact connectors 44 may provide an interface for connecting switch controller 50 to a “downstream” contact element 30a to be powered. Here, “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the hypothetical direction of movement of a vehicle moving along the electric road track module 100.

[0063] Cavity 40 may include one or more data connectors 46, which provide interfaces for connecting switch controller 50 to a data supply line. The data supply line is typically connected to control server 200. Therefore, switch controller 50 can receive control signals from control server 200 via one or more data connectors 46.

[0064] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, instead of using a removable non-powered contact element 30b' as a removable access panel 41 for accessing the cavity 40, access to the cavity 40 can be provided via a bottom cover 24 located in the bottom surface 22 of the housing 20. The bottom surface 22 of the housing 20 is a surface of the housing 20 that is configured to face and typically abut against the road 11 when the electrical road track module 100 is installed at the road 11. Figure 4 A portion of an electrical road track module 100, including such a base cover 24, is shown. (As in conjunction with...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As in the discussed implementation, cavity 40 is located below the non-powered contact element 30b. Furthermore, as in the combination... Figure 3 As in the discussed implementation, cavity 40 includes one or more power connectors 42 and one or more contact connectors 44. Furthermore, as in the combination... Figure 3 As discussed in the embodiments, cavity 40 may include one or more data connectors 46. The bottom cover 24 may be attached to housing 20 by screws, snap-fits, or any other suitable means for removably attaching the bottom cover 24 to housing 20. By providing a removable access panel 41 (i.e., in the form of a bottom cover 24) for accessing cavity 40 at the bottom surface 22 of electrical track module 100, the number of fastening means (e.g., screws, snap-fits, or any other suitable means) for removably attaching the access panel 41 at the top surface of electrical track module 100 can be minimized. By arranging the removable access panel 41 at the bottom surface 22 of electrical track module 100, the risk of tampering with electrical track module 100 and / or switch controller 50 can be reduced. Furthermore, by arranging the removable access panel 41 at the bottom surface 22 of electrical track module 100, a more uniform appearance of the top surface of electrical track module 100 can be achieved. For example, this allows all contact elements 30a, 30b of contact line structure 30 to be designed with the same width. Designing all contact elements 30a, 30b of the contact wire structure 30 to have the same width allows the electrical track module 100 to include corresponding friction elements arranged on the respective longitudinal sides of the contact wire structure 30. Such friction elements extend along the entire longitudinal direction of the electrical track module 100.

[0065] Figure 5A switch controller 50 for controlling the power supply to one or more contact elements of an electrified track module 100 is shown. The switch controller 50 is configured to be mounted in one of the cavities 40 of the electrified track module 100. The switch controller 50 includes connectors complementary to one or more power connectors 42, one or more contact connectors 44, and one or more data connectors 46 of the cavity 40. The switch controller 50 is removably connected to the cavity 40 / housing 20 via said connectors. The switch controller 50 also includes a control circuitry configured to control the power supply to one or more contact elements 30a to be powered. The switch controller 50 is in the form of an elongated box assembled in the cavity 40. The control circuitry is typically protected against moisture by potting. Potting is a process of filling the complete electronic components of the switch controller 50 with a solid or gel-like compound. Such potting also provides resistance to shock and vibration.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a schematic circuit diagram of a switch controller 50 depicted within the framework of an electrical track module 100. The control circuit system of the switch controller 50 includes a relay 52, one or more transistors 54, and a control unit 56. The control unit can be implemented as a controller circuit board. The relay 52 connects the switch controller 50 to a power supply 16. The power supply 16 is an electrical line arranged within the housing 20. This is via a power supply section 15 (see...). Figure 1 Power is supplied to power source 16. Relay 52 is an electrically operated switch. Figure 6 In the illustrated example, the switch controller 50 includes two transistors 54. Each transistor 54 is configured to operate independently as a control switch for supplying power to a corresponding contact element among adjacent contact elements 30a to be powered. Each transistor 54 may be implemented as an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Control of the transistors 54 is provided via a control circuit system 56. The control circuit system 56 is typically connected to a control server 200, which manages the control of the power supply to the contact elements 30a to be powered.

[0067] In the switch controller 50, transistors 54 are the main switching devices. They are used to control the on / off switching of power to the contact element 30a to be powered. Power is supplied when a vehicle approaches the contact element 30a; otherwise, the contact element 30a is disconnected. This is for safety reasons. However, transistors (such as IGBTs) can sometimes break down and short-circuit. If this happens, the contact element 30a controlled by the transistor will be constantly powered. This is very dangerous and must be avoided. This can be achieved using a relay 52. ​​Therefore, the relay can be turned off so that no power reaches the transistor 54. Thus, the contact element 30a controlled by the switch controller 50 is no longer powered. The service team can then replace the switch controller 50 with the damaged transistor 54. Relays are considered safer circuit breakers than transistors because relays have a physical spring-like breaking capability in a vacuum. However, the lifespan of a relay is shorter than that of a transistor / IGBT.

[0068] Figure 7 It shows the relationship with Figure 3 An enlarged portion of the same electrical road track module 100, but in which the switch controller 50 is mounted in cavity 40. Housing 20 includes recess 22. Recess 22 surrounds cavity 40. Recess 22 is configured to receive a gasket. Gasket is configured to seal cavity 40 to isolate it from the environment when removable non-powered contact element 30b' is attached to housing 20.

[0069] Figure 8 It shows the relationship with Figure 7 An enlarged portion of the same electrical road track module 100, but with a removable non-powered contact element 30b' connected to the housing 20.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is by no means limited to the content expressly described above. Rather, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0071] Furthermore, based on a study of the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, a person skilled in the art can understand and implement variations when practicing the claimed invention.

Claims

1. An electric road track module (100), comprising: The housing (20) is elongated; A contact wire structure (30) is physically connected to and extends along the housing (20), the contact wire structure (30) comprising a plurality of contact elements (30a, 30b) arranged continuously along a single track to provide an alternating potential. Wherein, every other contact element in the plurality of contact elements belongs to the first group of contact elements (30a) to be powered. The remaining contact elements form the second group of non-powered contact elements (30b). The contact elements (30a, 30b) are separated by an electrical isolation element (17) along the single track line. The housing includes one or more cavities (40), each of which houses a switch controller (50) configured to control the power supply of one or more contact elements (30a) adjacent to the corresponding cavity (40) to be powered. The switch controller (50) is removably connected to the housing (20), and each of the one or more cavities (40) is located below a corresponding non-powered contact element (30b) in the second set of non-powered contact elements (30b). The electrical road track module (100) also includes one or more removable access panels (41) for accessing the one or more cavities (40).

2. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 1, wherein, One or more of the non-powered contact elements (30b) are removably connected to the housing (20) to form a set of removable non-powered contact elements (30b') and constitute the one or more removable access panels (41).

3. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 2, wherein, Every other non-powered contact element (30b) is a removable non-powered contact element (30b').

4. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The removable non-powered contact element (30b') extends entirely between the side boundaries of the housing (20).

5. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 1 further includes one or more bottom covers (24) located on the bottom surface (22) of the housing (20), the one or more bottom covers (24) constituting the one or more removable access panels (41).

6. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The switch controller (50) is configured to individually control the power supply of two adjacent contact elements in the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered.

7. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The switch controller (50) includes pairs of transistors (54) and relays (52) that control the electrical connection of the switch controller (50) to the supply voltage (16), wherein each transistor (54) is configured to individually control the power supply of a corresponding contact element in an adjacent pair of the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered.

8. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The contact elements in the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered are electrically isolated from the housing (20).

9. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The contact element in the second set of non-powered contact elements (30b) is electrically connected to the housing (20).

10. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Each of the plurality of contact elements (30a, 30b) is in the form of an elongated metal sheet.

11. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 further includes a corresponding gasket disposed in a corresponding recess (22) surrounding the corresponding cavity (40) in the housing (20), the gasket being configured to seal the cavity (40) to isolate it from the environment when the removable access panel (41) is attached to the housing (40).

12. A switch controller (50) configured to individually control the power supply of two contact elements (30a) of an electric road track module (100) to be powered, the switch controller (50) comprising: A relay (52) controls the electrical connection of the switch controller (50) to the supply voltage (16); as well as A pair of transistors (54), wherein each transistor (54) is configured to individually control the power supply of a corresponding contact element (30a) of the electrical road track module (100).

13. The switch controller (50) of claim 12 further comprises connectors complementary to one or more power connectors (42), one or more contact connectors (44), and one or more data connectors (46) of the electrical road track module (100), wherein, The switch controller (50) is removably connected to the electric road track module (100) via the connector.

14. The switch controller (50) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the switch controller (50) is in the form of an elongated box assembled in the cavity (40) of the electrical road track module (100).

15. The switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, Potting is used to protect the control circuit system from moisture.

16. The switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein, The control circuit system also includes a control unit (56) implemented as a controller circuit board, wherein the control circuit system (56) is configured to individually control pairs of transistors (54) in order to individually control the power supply of the corresponding contact elements (30a) of the electric road track module (100).

17. The switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, The relay (52) is an electrically operated switch.

18. The switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein, Each of the pairs of transistors (54) is implemented as an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT).

19. The switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein, The transistor (54) is a main switching device used to control the on / off switching of the power supply to the contact element (30a) to be powered.

20. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, Each of the one or more cavities (40) houses a switch controller (50) according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

21. An electric road track system (300), comprising: Multiple electrical road track modules (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or 20, the electrical road track modules (100) being arranged along the road (11).

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