pantograph mounting

Abstract

Current collector system (1), comprising a carrier rod (2), and at least one current collector (SPE, SPH) arranged or arrangeable thereon, wherein the current collector (SPE, SPH) has a fastening element (3, 4) with which the current collector (SPE, SPH) can be fastened to the carrier rod (2) and on which at least one sliding contact (5) is pivotably mounted, characterized in that at least one current collector (SPE, SPH) can be fastened to the carrier rod (2) by means of at least one snap-fit ​​connection (2b, 2d; 10) only in at least one discrete position (P1, P2, P3, P4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a current collector system, comprising a drive rod, and at least one current collector arranged or arrangable thereon, wherein the current collector has a fastening element with which the current collector can be fastened to the drive rod and on which at least one sliding contact is pivotably mounted.

[0002] Conventional pantograph systems have been known for many years, in which the individual pantographs are manually screwed onto the drive bar using clamps or clamping elements. The installer must ensure that the individual pantographs are attached to the drive bar at the correct distance from each other, which must correspond to the spacing of the busbars into which the individual sliding contacts of the pantographs are to engage. This requires a great deal of manual work and is therefore time-consuming and expensive. If the pantographs are not arranged at the correct distance from each other on the drive bar, it can lead to increased wear of the pantographs and the sliding contacts.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a current collector system that can be installed easily and safely.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention in that at least one current collector can be attached to the driver rod in at least one discrete position by means of at least one snap-fit ​​connection.

[0005] Due to the advantageous design of the snap-fit ​​connections according to the invention, it is only necessary to attach the current collectors to the drive rod in predetermined positions, and no additional tools are required for this purpose. Instead, the current collector simply needs to be slid over the drive rod and then snaps or locks into its predetermined position. Therefore, the current collectors no longer need to be laboriously aligned to markings and then screwed in place. The snap-fit ​​connections thus enable quick, easy, and reliable attachment of the current collectors to the drive rod, with the current collectors always remaining at a predefined distance from one another. If the current collectors are located between two snap-fit ​​connections or predefined positions, the snap-fit ​​connections will not engage, which is immediately noticeable to the person installing the current collectors.

[0006] To form a locking connection, the drive rod advantageously has at least one recess and / or at least one projection at each discrete position. These can be arranged on one or more, advantageously two, longitudinal sides of the drive rod.

[0007] The current collector has at least one spring-loaded and / or spring-mounted detent element for each detent connection or locking mechanism, which interacts with a recess and / or projection to form a detent connection as soon as the current collector is in a discrete position on the drive rod. The detent element can advantageously be a ball, which, for example, is subjected to force in one direction by means of a spring, and can be pressed into the recess of the drive rod. The spring-loaded ball is advantageously mounted such that it can be pressed into the fastening element against the spring force, allowing the current collector to be moved between the discrete positions along the drive rod.

[0008] If one or more projections for forming detent connections or locking mechanisms are formed or arranged on the drive rod, corresponding recesses or undercuts must be provided on each fastening element, which together with the projections form detent connections. In this case, the detent element can also be a resilient and / or spring-loaded part with a recess or undercut, which can be adjusted and / or tensioned from its rest position by means of the projection on the drive rod.

[0009] Naturally, it is also in line with the invention if movable or spring-mounted or spring-loaded elements are provided on the drive rod to form locking connections or detents, which interact with, for example, corresponding projections and / or recesses arranged on the fastening element.

[0010] Current collectors are often used for PH connections (i.e., live conductors) and PE connections (i.e., protective conductors). To prevent a PE current collector from coming into contact with the PH busbars, safety measures must be implemented. One possible and commonly implemented measure is to technically prevent a PE current collector from being accidentally attached to the contact rod in the position of a PH current collector. To ensure that such an incorrect positioning of the PE current collector is impossible, the PE current collector's fastening mechanism has historically been designed so that it can only be slid into a first PE position, where the contact rod is, for example, flattened along its longitudinal side.In the current collector system according to the invention, at least one discrete position for attaching a PE current collector can be provided, wherein the drive rod has a recess, in particular in the form of a chamfered surface, for receiving and attaching a positive locking element, in particular in the form of a plate, wherein the fastening element has at least one recess for the at least one area of ​​the positive locking element, in particular the plate, that projects laterally beyond the drive rod. The positive locking element can be attached to the drive rod, in particular by means of a screw. In this embodiment, the fastening elements each have a recess through which the drive rod can be slid.The recesses in the mounting elements for a current collector are advantageously designed with a cross-sectional shape such that both the drive rod and a positive-locking element attached to it can be slid through them. In contrast, the recess in the PE current collector is designed such that the current collector and its mounting element cannot be locked in any position or secured by means of a snap-fit ​​connection. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the recess in the PE current collector is designed such that it is open to one side of the mounting element, allowing the drive rod to be removed from the recess of the mounting element transversely to its longitudinal extent, provided the PE current collector is not in a position with a positive-locking element.If, however, the PE current collector is in a position with a positive locking element, the positive locking element engages with its portion extending beyond the cross-section of the drive rod into an undercut area of ​​the recess, thereby positively locking the PE current collector's fastening element transversely to the longitudinal direction of the drive rod. The PE current collector is also securely held in the axial direction of the drive rod by the snap-fit ​​or locking connections.

[0011] Instead of an opening to one side, the recess of the fastening element can also be enlarged to one side in such a way that the locking or latching function only works in the PE position with a positive locking element.

[0012] As previously explained, the locking element is advantageously actuated by a spring or spring element, so that it is securely held in a discrete position in engagement with the corresponding recess, e.g., of the drive rod. However, to prevent the locking element from being pushed out of the fastening element by the spring element and falling out, a stop for the locking element should advantageously be provided, which securely holds the locking element in the fastening element. The spring element then presses the locking element against the stop of the fastening element without any opposing force. If the current collector is located between two discrete positions, the drive rod pushes the locking element back into the fastening element against the spring force of the spring element, so that the drive rod can be moved relative to the current collector.

[0013] The current collector also has at least one arm which is pivotably mounted at one end on the fastening element, with at least one sliding contact arranged at the other end of the arm.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the spring element, particularly in the form of a compression spring, is supported at one end against the locking element and at the other end against the arm, the spring element thereby exerting force on the arm such that the sliding contact is pressed towards a busbar. In this way, the spring element performs two functions simultaneously: firstly, the preload for the locking connection, and secondly, pressing a sliding contact against a busbar.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the arm can also be pivotably mounted on the fastening element by means of a ball joint, so that the sliding contact arranged on it can also be pivoted transversely to its direction of travel. The spring element can also be used to center the sliding contact or arm transversely to the longitudinal extent of the busbar.

[0016] An additional locking mechanism can, of course, be provided alongside the latching connection if the latching connection cannot exert or absorb sufficient force. The latching connection would then serve only to precisely position the current collectors on the drive rod. After positioning, the additional locking mechanism, for example in the form of a clamp, would be activated or actuated to absorb the forces occurring during operation. The clamp could be implemented, for example, by flipping a lever on the mounting element, which presses a clamping element against the drive rod, ensuring a sufficiently high clamping force between the drive rod and the mounting element. The lever could then also be used to release the clamp for repair, maintenance, or modification purposes.

[0017] Naturally, the invention also claims a correspondingly designed current collector and drive rod for a previously described current collector system.

[0018] A possible embodiment of the current collector system according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1: Perspective view of the current collector system according to the invention; Fig. 2: Perspective view and cross-section through the drive rod according to the invention; Fig. 3: Side view and partial section of a current collector pushed onto a drive rod; Fig. 4: Current collector according to Fig. 3; Fig. 5: Side view and partial section of a PH current collector pushed onto a drive rod; Fig. 6: PH current collector according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7: Enlarged section of the fastening element; Fig. 8: Perspective view of a section of the fastening element; Fig. 9: Cross-sectional view through part of the fastening element and the drive rod of a PE current collector.

[0020] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the current collector system according to the invention. 1 , a drive rod 2 as well as four pantographs arranged on it S PE , S PH1 , S PH2 and S PH3 The PE current collector S PE as well as the three PH current collectors S PH1 , S PH2 and S PH3 Each has a fastening element 3 , 4 for attaching the current collectors to the drive rod 2 on which two arms each 6 rotatable and swiveling via the bearings 12 are arranged which are attached to their fastening element 3 ,4 Each of the ends facing away from the others has a carbon brush holder. 8 wear, in which the carbon brushes or sliding contacts 5 are arranged. Electrical transmission cables 7 are via connections 8a with the sliding contacts 5 in electrical connection and are also connected at their other end to contact terminals which are in the fastening element 3 , 4 are arranged, electrically connected. Springs 9 are between the carbon brush holders 8 and the fasteners 3 , 4 arranged which the sliding contacts 5 hold in position.

[0021] The four on the drive rod 2 arranged current collector S PE , S PH1 , S PH2 and S PH3 are each in the discrete positions P1 , P2 , P3 and P4 on the drive rod 2 at its end area 2varranged and held in their respective discrete positions by means of snap-fit ​​connections.

[0022] Based on the following Fig. 2 to Fig. Section 9 describes and explains in more detail a possible embodiment of a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view and a cross-section through the drive rod according to the invention. 2 The drive rod 2 It has a rectangular or square cross-section and a longitudinal direction. L on, whereby it has a first end area 2v for attaching current collectors S and a second end area 2w features with which the current collector system 1 e.g., it can be attached to a vehicle that travels along conductor rails. The drive rod 2 indicates in the first end area 2vone, corresponding to the required number (here four) of current collectors to be attached S , Number of depressions 2b , 2d on two of its long sides 2a , 2c on, which the discrete positions P1 , P2 , P3 and P4 define and are arranged at predetermined intervals from each other. Additionally, the drive rod has 2 at the position P1 a flattening on its upper surface 2g on, into which a positive locking element P e.g. in the form of a plate, as seen in the Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 9 is shown and explained, inserted and secured with a screw P S on the drive rod 2 It can be attached.

[0024] The position P1 It is used to attach a PE current collector. S PE , whereas the positions P2-P4 for mounting PH current collectors S PH2-4 The current collector system according to the invention ensures that a PE current collector cannot be arranged or attached at a position intended for PH current collectors (here P2-P4), so that a PE sliding contact is avoided in any case. SPE with a PH busbar S PH2-4 contacted.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view and partial section of a drive rod mounted on a drive rod. 2 deferred PH current collector S PH This one has a fastening element. 4 which has a window-like opening in the upper area 4a exhibits, through which the drive rod 2 with one end pushed through. The springs 11 in the direction of the drive rod 2 force-loaded balls 10 are in the trough-shaped recesses 2b , 2d of the drive rod 2pressed, thereby releasing the locking connections between the drive rod 2 and electricity consumers S PH It works. The window-like recess 4a Its cross-section is designed in such a way that it matches the outer contours of the drive rod. 2 interacts and forms a positive connection transverse to the longitudinal extent L of the drive rod. It also has recesses. 4b up, which emerge from the side of the opening 4a protrude, which are designed to accommodate a positive locking element P (see Fig. 1, Fig. 5 and Fig. 9) serves.

[0026] The feathers 11 can attach themselves with their end (not shown) either to the fastening element 4 or the end 6a of each arm 6 support.

[0027] The poor 6 are by means of bearings 12 on the fastening element 4pivotably mounted and support the fastening element 4 The carbon brush holders are located at the ends facing away from each other. 8 At the lower end of the fastener 4 Contact terminals (not shown) are arranged to which electrical cables can be connected for connection to the transmission cables. 7 can be connected.

[0028] The Fig. 4 shows the pantograph S PH according to Fig. 3 without inserted drive rod 2 It is clearly visible how the balls 10 into the window-like opening 4a protrudes. Will the drive rod now... 2 into the opening 4a pushed in, the balls 10 first from the smooth outer sides 2a , 2c of the drive rod back into the housing of the fastener 4 against the spring force of the springs 11Pressed and roll or slide along the outer edges. 2a , 2c of the drive rod 2 , until they reach the area of ​​the trough-shaped recesses 2b , 2d arrive.

[0029] The Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view and partial section of a PE pantograph. S PE , whereby this in Fig. 4 onto the drive rod 2 The PE current collector is shown as deferred. S PE It is basically structured and designed in the same way as the one previously in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 described PH current collectors S PH , with the difference that the opening 3a for receiving the drive rod 2 not a window-like opening, but a recess that opens upwards. 4a The recess is open at the top for safety (3r) so that the PE current collector S PE , provided he is in a position designated for PH current collectors P2-4 is located, not by means of a positive locking mechanism on the drive rod 2 is not held, but rather slopes downwards from it. Only if the PE current collector S PE in the position designated for him P1 is located there and the positive locking element P , here in the form of a plate, by means of the screw PS Once attached, it is held in place by the recesses. 3b inset plate P on the drive rod 2 perpendicular to its longitudinal extent L held in a form-fitting manner by the fact that it is in this position P1 into the recesses 2b , 2d intervening balls 10 , a locking connection is present and the PE current collector S PE securely in position P1 on the drive rod 2 held.

[0030] The Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 9 shows enlarged sections of the fasteners. 3 , 4 . The Fig. Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view through part of the fastening element. 3 and the drive rod 2 of the PE current collector S PE Here is the ball seat. 3t depicted, against which the balls 10 by means of the springs11, whereby they are pressed into the opening in this position 3a protrude. The width 3r The opening is dimensioned so that the drive rod 2 , provided the disk P not on the drive rod 2 is attached or not in the recesses 3b reaches in, through the opening 3r can pass through it.

[0031] The openings 3a , 3b or 4a , 4b They are designed in such a way as to ensure the best possible fit between the drive rod and the drive rod. 2and fastening element 3 , 4 results in and the fastening elements being as free of play as possible on the drive rod 2 sit.

Claims

[1] Current collector system (1), with a carrier rod (2), and at least one current collector arranged or arrangable thereon (S PE , S PH ), wherein the current collector (S PE , S PH ) has a fastening element (3, 4) with which the current collector (S PE , S PH ) can be attached to the drive rod (2) and on which at least one sliding contact (5) is pivotably mounted, characterized by that at least one current collector (S PE , S PH ) can be attached to the driver rod (2) by means of at least one snap connection (2b, 2d; 10) only in at least one discrete position (P1, P2, P3, P4) on the driver rod (2). [2] Current collector system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the driver rod (2) has at least one recess (2b, 2d) and / or at least one projection at each discrete position (P1, P2, P3, P4). [3] Current collector system (1) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the driver rod (2) has recesses (2b, 2d) and / or projections on each of two longitudinal sides (2a, 2c) at the discrete positions (P1, P2, P3, P4). [4] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the current collector (S PE , S PH ) each detent connection has a spring-loaded and / or spring-mounted detent element (10) which interacts with a recess (2b, 2d) and / or a projection to form a detent connection or locking mechanism as soon as the current collector (S PE , S PH ) is located in a discrete position (P1, P2, P3, P4) along the longitudinal extent (L) of the driver rod (2). [5] Current collector system (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the locking element is a ball (10) which is subjected to force in one direction by means of a spring (11), in particular can be pressed into the recess (2b, 2d) of the drive rod (2). [6] Current collector system (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the locking element is a spring-loaded and / or spring-loaded part with a rebound, which can be adjusted and / or tensioned from its rest position by means of the projection of the drive rod (2). [7] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one position (P1) is available for the attachment of a PE current collector (S PE ) is designed, wherein the driver rod (2) has at least one laterally projecting projection (Pa, Pb), which is formed in particular by a positive locking element (P) attachable to the driver rod (2), in particular in the form of a plate (P), and that the fastening element (3, 4) has at least one recess (3b, 4b) for the at least one laterally projecting projection (Pa, Pb) or of the positive locking element (P) extending beyond the driver rod (2). [8] Current collector system (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the positive locking element (P) can be screwed onto the drive rod (2) by means of a screw (Ps) or is screwed onto it. [9] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the fastening element (3, 4) has a recess (3a, 4a), in particular a window-like recess (4a), through which the drive rod (2) can be pushed. [10] Current collector system (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the recess (3a, 4a) of the fastening element (3, 4) for a current collector (S PE , S PH ) is designed in such a way that both the driver rod (2) and a positive locking part (P) arranged on it can be pushed through. [11] Current collector system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that the fastening element (3) of the pantograph (S PE) has a recess (3a) which has an opening (3r) towards one side (3p), in particular the top, of the fastening element (3), such that the fastening element (3) cannot be fastened to the drive rod (2) without a positive locking element (P) mounted on the drive rod (2), in particular the drive rod (2) can be removed from the recess (3a) through the opening (3r) transversely to its longitudinal extent (L). [12] Current collector system (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by , that the PE current collector (S PE ) can only be arranged or attached by engaging at least one projection (Pa, Pb) in a recess (3b) on the driver rod (2). [13] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the locking element (10) is pressed in the direction of a stop (3t) by means of a pressure force, wherein the stop (3t) is arranged on the fastening element (3, 4), and that the locking element (10) projects into the recess (3a, 4a) and can be pressed wholly or partially into the fastening element (3, 4) by the drive rod (2) against the pressure force. [14] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one arm (6) is pivotably mounted at one end (6a) on the fastening element (3, 4), wherein at least one sliding contact (5) is arranged at the other end (6e) of the arm (6). [15] Current collector system (1) according to claim 14, characterized by , that the spring element (11), in particular in the form of a compression spring, is supported with one end (11a) against the detent element (10) and with its other end (11b) against the arm (6), in particular the end (6a). [16] Current collector system (1) according to claim 15, characterized by , that the spring element (11) exerts such force on the arm (6) that the sliding contact (5) is pressed in the direction of a busbar. [17] Current collector system (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by , that a fastening element (6d), in particular in the form of a projection, is arranged or formed on the end (6a) of the arm (6), which serves to fasten or hold one end (11b) of the spring element (11), in particular the end (11b) is pushed over the projection (6d). [18] Current collector system (1) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized by , that the arm (6) is pivotably mounted on the fastening element (3, 4) by means of a ball joint (12). [19] Current collector system (1) according to claim 18, characterized by , that the spring element (11) serves to center the sliding contact (5) or arm (6) transversely to the longitudinal extension of the busbar. [20] Current collector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in addition to the snap connection of the fastening element (3, 4) on the driver rod (2) an additional locking device, in particular a clamp, for example in the form of a clamp, can be attached to the driver rod, such that the snap connection serves only for precise positioning and the additional locking device for force absorption during the use of the current collector system. [21] Current collector (S PE , S PH ) for a current collector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [22] Driving rod (2) for a current collector system (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [23] Drive rod (2) according to claim 22, characterized by that the driver rod has a profile with a cross-section other than a circle, in particular a rectangular or square cross-section.

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