CONTACT UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a contact device for a rapid charging system for electrically powered vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, wherein the rapid charging system comprises a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, wherein the contact unit carrier has a plurality of contact units, wherein a charging contact of the charging contact device can be contacted with the contact unit to form a contact pair, wherein the contact device or the charging contact device comprises a positioning device, wherein by means of the positioning device the contact unit carrier can be positioned relative to the charging contact device in such a way that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact unit has a contact element, wherein the contact unit has a connecting line for connection to the vehicle or the charging station.

[0002] Such contact units are already known from the prior art and are regularly used as an assembly of a contact device for the rapid charging of electrically powered vehicles at a stop or waiting point. Electrically powered vehicles used in local transport, such as buses, can be continuously supplied with electrical energy via an overhead line, among other things. However, this requires the presence or maintenance of an overhead line system. In order to be able to use the advantages of an electric drive even without an overhead line network, it is known to equip public transport vehicles with batteries or other types of energy storage devices. Continuous operation of the vehicle can be ensured by rapid charging of the batteries while the vehicle is stopped at a stop.

[0003] Various rapid charging systems for establishing an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station near a bus stop and a vehicle or electric bus are known from the prior art. For example, a current collector with a contact strip can be mounted on the roof of an electric bus, with a rail running longitudinally in the direction of travel of the electric bus suspended above a roadway near the stop. When the electric bus stops at the stop, the current collector is moved from the roof of the bus up onto the rail, establishing an electrical connection for the duration of the electric bus's scheduled stop at the stop, allowing rapid charging to occur during this time.In particular, however, two independent current collectors and corresponding contact areas on the rail are required in order to form a charging circuit.

[0004] Furthermore, contact elements may be required for, for example, a control line, grounding, or data transmission. In this case, several contact elements are arranged on a contact device of a pantograph or rapid charging system, which can be contacted with a corresponding number of charging contact elements arranged in the direction of travel of the electric bus, which can be formed, for example, from parallel rails. A larger number of contact pairs can thus be created.

[0005] WO 2015 / 01887 A1 discloses a rapid charging system in which a roof-shaped charging contact device is contacted by a correspondingly designed contact unit carrier of a contact device. The contact unit carrier is guided into a contact position by allowing contact elements in the contact unit carrier to slide along the roof-shaped slopes of the charging contact device, such that the contact unit carrier is centered in the charging contact device.

[0006] US 2014 / 0070767 A1 discloses a fast charging system for electrically powered vehicles, which comprises a vehicle-mounted charging contact device and a contact device with a contact unit carrier.

[0007] DE 20 2015 100 623 U1 discloses a contact device for a fast charging system for electrically powered vehicles. The contact device comprises a contact unit carrier with a contact unit comprising a contact strip.

[0008] WO 2015 / 018887 A1 shows a contact unit with the features of the preamble of claim 1. In particular, a contact element is formed with a bolt-shaped contact bump, which forms a contact surface for contacting a charging contact.

[0009] US 5,495,159 A relates to a so-called charging device for a driverless industrial truck. The charging device has at least two contact elements mounted on one leg of a lever, with the lever pivoted about an axis. Electrical contact is established via a rail with a cable.

[0010] The contact elements are each part of a contact unit that is permanently mounted on the contact unit carrier. Each contact unit comprises a contact element guide within which the respective contact element is movable in the direction of its longitudinal axis relative to the contact unit carrier and is spring-mounted. This makes it possible to compensate for any angular misalignment when bringing the contact unit carrier and charging contact device together, or even for a tilt of a bus at a stop due to a change in the payload or the bus being lowered, and to always provide more reliable contact. The respective contact units are each connected to the vehicle via one or more connecting cables. In particular, the connecting cables are screwed to the contact element guide using cable lugs.Current is therefore transmitted from, for example, an electrically conductive rail of the charging contact device to a contact element and from there via a gap, which allows movement of the contact element in the contact element guide, to the contact element guide to which the connecting cable is clamped.

[0011] To ensure reliable current transfer from the contact element to the contact element guide, contact grease and a contact lamella or a lamella ring are used. The disadvantage here is that the contact unit carrier is exposed to environmental influences such as snow or rain as well as dirt and dust, which can penetrate the contact element or the gap on the contact element despite the use of a ring seal. In certain cases, this can lead to the contact element becoming blocked or jammed in the contact element guide, thus preventing contact or even an undefined contact sequence with the risk of arcing. To prevent failure in cold weather, a heating cartridge can also be arranged on the contact element guide.It is also known to silver-plate contact elements to positively influence the contact resistance in the contact element guide area. If one contact unit fails, high currents flow through the remaining contact units, which can lead to excessive heating and failure of the entire fast-charging system. The contact units must therefore be replaced or serviced at regular intervals to ensure reliable contact.

[0012] The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a contact unit, a contact device with a contact unit and a rapid charging system which enables cost-effective operation of the means of transport and secure contacting.

[0013] This object is achieved by a contact device having the features of claim 1 and a rapid charging system having the features of claim 18.

[0014] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0015] In the contact device according to the invention for a rapid charging system for electrically powered vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, wherein the rapid charging system comprises a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, the contact unit carrier has a plurality of contact units, wherein a charging contact of the charging contact device can be contacted with the contact unit to form a contact pair, wherein the contact device or the charging contact device comprises a positioning device, wherein by means of the positioning device the contact unit carrier can be positioned relative to the charging contact device in such a way that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact unit has a contact element, wherein the contact unit has a connecting line for connection to the vehicle or the charging station,wherein the contact element is pivotably mounted on a pivot bearing of the contact unit relative to the contact unit carrier, and wherein the contact element is formed from a lever arm connected to the pivot bearing with a bolt-shaped contact bump, wherein the bolt-shaped contact bump forms a contact surface for contacting the charging contact and is pivotable on the pivot bearing in the direction of its longitudinal axis such that the longitudinal axis is arranged transversely to the pivot bearing, and the longitudinal axis is arranged in the manner of a tangent to a pivot radius of the pivot bearing such that the contact bump is pivoted around the pivot bearing when contacting a charging contact, wherein the contact unit comprises a connecting element with which the contact element is arranged on the contact unit carrier, wherein the contact element is connected to the connecting element via the pivot bearing.

[0016] Because the contact element is pivotally mounted on the pivot bearing of the contact unit relative to the contact unit carrier, it is possible to ensure the mobility of the contact element using simple means. The risk of the contact element jamming on the pivot bearing is significantly lower compared to the contact element guides known from the prior art. Furthermore, a pivot bearing is particularly simple to manufacture and can be easily protected against environmental influences. Overall, maintenance intervals for checking and, if necessary, replacing the contact unit can be significantly extended, allowing the means of transport to be operated more cost-effectively. Furthermore, the probability of the contact element becoming blocked is then very low, allowing the rapid charging system to be operated more safely.

[0017] The contact element is formed from a lifting arm connected to the pivot bearing and featuring a bolt-shaped contact bump. The bolt-shaped contact bump forms a contact surface for contacting the charging contact and is pivotable on the pivot bearing in the direction of its longitudinal axis. This makes the contact element particularly easy to manufacture and allows, for example, a point contact to be formed with a charging contact of a charging contact device.

[0018] It is advantageous if the bolt-shaped contact element has rounded edges or is completely rounded at its contact end. The contact element can then be moved along a charging contact without causing major mechanical damage to the charging contact or the contact element. Alternatively, the contact element can also be designed with another suitable shape. If the bolt-shaped contact bump is pivotable on the pivot bearing in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis always runs transversely, preferably at an angle of 90° relative to the pivot bearing. The bolt-shaped contact bump can then be designed such that the longitudinal axis is arranged as a tangent to a pivot radius of the pivot bearing. The lever arm then connects the contact bump to the pivot bearing. Furthermore, the contact element can be made of copper or a copper alloy and / or be unsilver-plated.Copper is particularly well-suited for use in electrically conductive components, and the connecting cable can also be made of copper. Copper alloys, in particular, exhibit comparatively high wear and tarnish resistance. Since no current transfer from a surface of the contact element to the pivot bearing is required, silver plating of the contact element is completely unnecessary, which significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of the contact element.

[0019] The contact element can also be constructed as a single piece or in multiple parts. This allows the contact element to be made from various materials, each suitable for its intended use. However, it is also possible to construct the contact element as a single piece, making it easy to install.

[0020] The connecting cable can be attached directly to the contact element. This eliminates the need to use a gap between the contact element guide and the contact element to transmit currents, as is the case with prior art contact elements with a contact element guide. The connecting cable can then also be moved together with the contact element. Furthermore, conductive greases or other components to facilitate current transmission in the area of ​​a contact element guide or the pivot bearing are no longer required. This significantly reduces the contact resistance between the connecting cable and the contact element.

[0021] The connecting cable can have a conductor cross-section of at least 50 mm 2< , preferably 95 mm 2<. This makes it possible to transmit particularly high currents with the contact unit. In the contact units known from the prior art, several connecting cables are screwed to a contact element guide via cable lugs. If the connecting cable is attached directly to the contact element, even higher currents can be transmitted via the connecting cable, which is why such a large conductor cross-section can be selected. Undesired heating of the connecting cable can thus be prevented. The cross-sectional shape of the connecting cable is, in principle, arbitrary, which is why the connecting cable can also be a stranded wire, for example. In principle, however, the connecting cable can be designed with any conductor cross-section.

[0022] The pivot bearing can have a bearing bush made of a dielectric material on one of the pivot bearing's axles. In principle, the material of the bearing bush can be freely selected; the bearing bush can then also be made of aluminum, a plastic material, or another dielectric material. This is possible because excessive heating of the contact unit in the area of ​​the pivot bearing due to contact resistance can no longer be expected if a connecting cable is attached directly to the contact element. A bearing bush can, for example, be made of a material with good sliding or sealing properties, such as PTFE. The pivot bearing's axle can be formed particularly easily from a bolt or screw. Using a bearing bush made of dielectric material also makes it possible to electrically isolate the contact element from the other components of the contact unit.

[0023] A spring of the contact unit can exert a spring force on the contact element, pushing the contact element toward a charging contact. A spring-loaded mounting of the contact element can be implemented by a compression spring, in particular a spiral spring, on the contact element or in the area of ​​the pivot bearing. As a result, a point-like contact with a charging contact can be formed under spring preload. A spring force can be selected such that the contact element is always pushed toward the charging contact and moved to a forward end position when the contact element is not in contact with a charging contact.

[0024] The spring can be a coiled torsion spring that can be held on an axis of the pivot bearing. The torsion spring can be wound around the axis of the pivot bearing in the manner of a helical spring. Respective ends of the spring can be designed to be free-standing in the radial direction, so that the ends of the spring can be pivoted relative to one another about the axis, generating a spring force. One end of the torsion spring can be applied or fixed to the contact element, while the other end of the torsion spring can be attached to the pivot bearing or another component of the contact unit, for example a connecting element. This makes it easy to pivot the contact element on the pivot bearing into an end position using the spring force thus generated.

[0025] The pivot bearing can have an electrical resistance heating element. The electrical resistance heating element can be designed, for example, as a heating bushing or heating cartridge. A heating cartridge can simply be inserted into a bore within a pivot of the pivot bearing or into a bore within a bearing housing of the pivot bearing. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the pivot bearing from freezing even at low temperatures.

[0026] According to the invention, the contact unit comprises a connecting element with which the contact element can be arranged on the contact unit carrier, wherein the contact element is connected to the connecting element via the pivot bearing. Accordingly, the pivot bearing is fastened to the connecting element on the contact unit carrier in such a way that the contact element can pivot on the contact unit carrier. In a particularly simple embodiment, the connecting element can be fastened to the contact unit carrier by means of a screw connection and form an axis onto which the contact element can be easily slipped. The axis can also be a screw that is inserted into a bore or through-opening in the connecting element.

[0027] The connecting element can also have a stop that limits a pivoting movement of the contact element relative to the contact unit carrier. The stop can, for example, be a stepped diameter on the pivot bearing or a shoulder on the connecting element against which the contact element can come into contact. The stop can also simply be formed by a bolt that is attached to the connecting element or the contact element. By means of the stop, a pivoting movement of the contact element in the direction of a charging contact and / or in an opposite direction can be limited. In this way, a defined front end position and rear end position of the contact element on the pivot bearing can also be limited.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element can form a connecting bridge by means of which two parallel side walls of the contact unit carrier can be connected. The connecting element can then serve not only to hold the contact element, but also as a component of the contact unit carrier, connecting its side walls. For example, the connecting element can then also be designed in the manner of a connecting longitudinal profile, which is connected to the side walls at its opposite ends by means of pin and / or screw connections. An axis of the pivot bearing can be arranged parallel or orthogonal to the side walls on the connecting element or the connecting bridge.

[0029] Furthermore, the contact unit can have two contact elements, each of which is pivotably mounted on a pivot bearing relative to the contact unit carrier, wherein the connecting element can then hold both contact elements. The connecting element can then be designed such that two pivot bearings are arranged or formed on the connecting element, wherein the pivot bearings can be arranged parallel to one another. It is then also possible to significantly simplify the structure of a contact unit carrier. It can also be provided to electrically decouple the respective contact elements from one another via the pivot bearings, wherein the connecting element itself can also be formed from a dielectric material. This is particularly possible if the respective connecting line is arranged directly on the associated contact element.

[0030] The pivot bearings can be arranged transversely relative to one another on the connecting element. This makes it possible to design the contact unit particularly compactly. In particular, the pivot bearings can be arranged orthogonally relative to one another.

[0031] The contact unit can be designed such that a current of 500 A to 1,000 A, preferably 800 A, at a voltage of 750 V can be transmitted via the contact unit. Consequently, a power of 375 kW to 750 kW, preferably 600 kW, can be transmitted via the contact unit. It may therefore be sufficient to provide only one connecting cable for connection to the contact element. The vehicle can also be charged more quickly because higher currents can be transmitted in a shorter time. If necessary, the number of contact units on a contact unit carrier can be reduced, making the contact device more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0032] The contact device has a plurality of contact units, for example for different phases, earthing or data transmission.

[0033] The positioning device can have a pantograph or a rocker arm, by means of which the contact unit carrier can be positioned at least vertically relative to the charging contact unit, wherein the contact device can be arranged on a vehicle or at a charging station. In the case of a rocker arm, a supplementary coupling gear can be provided, which stabilizes the contact unit carrier relative to a charging contact device or aligns it in the relevant direction. A pantograph or a rocker arm or a corresponding mechanical drive is particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture. In addition, the positioning device can also have a transverse guide, by means of which the contact unit carrier can be positioned transversely relative to the charging contact device or to a direction of travel of the vehicle.The transverse guide can be mounted on a vehicle, a pantograph, or a rocker arm of the positioning device. In both cases, the positioning device or a contact unit carrier mounted on the positioning device can be moved transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle. This moveability can, for example, compensate for incorrect positioning of the vehicle at a stop transversely to the direction of travel. Furthermore, any vehicle movements resulting from the vehicle being lowered to one side to allow passengers to board or disembark can be compensated for in such a way that the contact unit carrier cannot be moved transversely relative to the charging contact device.The contact device can, for example, be arranged on a vehicle roof, so that the contact unit carrier can be moved from the vehicle roof to the charging contact device and back by means of the positioning device. Alternatively, the contact device can be arranged at the charging station, wherein the contact unit carrier can then be moved from a support, such as a mast or bridge, at a stop toward a vehicle roof with a charging contact device and back.

[0034] At least two contact elements can protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact unit. This makes it possible to ensure a defined sequence in the production of the contact pairs when forming at least two contact pairs between a contact element and a charging contact. When the contact unit carrier and charging contact device are combined, a contact sequence is then inevitably always maintained and ensured due to the geometric arrangement of the contact elements relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier. Inadvertent or incorrect contacting or formation of contact pairs can thus be easily prevented.

[0035] The contact unit carrier can have a body formed with through-openings. Accordingly, the body can be open, meaning it can allow air to flow through it. If the body has a series of through-openings, the contact elements arranged on the body can also be easily cooled by air, thus reducing unwanted heating of the contact elements as a result of current transmission during a charging process using simple means. Furthermore, the body, and thus the contact unit carrier, can be designed with a lower weight.

[0036] The body may be formed from two parallel side walls made of a dielectric material, wherein the side walls may be connected to each other by means of connecting bridges.

[0037] The body can be made of a plastic material, for example, whereby the parallel side walls can also be made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The side walls are therefore particularly simple, stable, and cost-effective to manufacture. The body can be formed by connecting the side walls using connecting bridges. The connecting bridges then determine a relative distance between the side walls and can, for example, be screwed to the side walls. The connecting bridges can also be made of a plastic material or even of metal and be designed as a simple, rectangular strip. Through openings can be formed within the connecting bridges, into which a contact unit can then be inserted and fastened as required.Special electrical insulation of the contact units or the connecting bridges is not required if the side walls are made of the dielectric material.

[0038] Further advantageous embodiments of a contact device emerge from the subclaims which refer back to claim 1.

[0039] The rapid charging system according to the invention comprises a charging contact device and a contact device according to the invention.

[0040] The charging contact device can form a receiving opening for the contact unit carrier, wherein the contact unit carrier can be inserted into the receiving opening of the charging contact device. The receiving opening can preferably be V-shaped. In the event of a relative deviation of the contact unit carrier when the contact unit carrier and charging contact device are brought together to form the receiving opening, the V-shaped design of the receiving opening then centers the contact unit carrier. The receiving opening therefore forms a guide for the contact unit carrier, which can compensate for a deviation from a contact position on the charging contact device.

[0041] Alternatively, the contact unit carrier can form a receiving opening for the charging contact device, wherein the charging contact device can be inserted into the receiving opening of the contact unit carrier. The receiving opening can then also preferably be V-shaped. The receiving opening then also forms a guide for the charging contact device.

[0042] The charging contact device and / or a transverse guide of the positioning device can have an electrical resistance heating element. This can then prevent, for example, the buildup of frost, ice, or snow on the charging contact device by heating the charging contact device with the electrical resistance heating element. The transverse guide of the positioning device can also be heated with the electrical resistance heating element, ensuring that the transverse guide remains movable even at low temperatures and cannot freeze.

[0043] Advantageous embodiments of the rapid charging system result from the subclaims which refer back to claim 1.

[0044] The invention can in principle be used for any type of electric vehicle that is powered by batteries that need to be recharged.

[0045] In the following, an explanatory example and preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] They show: Fig. 1 a contact unit carrier according to the prior art in a side view; Fig. 2 a first embodiment of a contact unit in a perspective view; Fig. 3 a side view of the contact unit Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a sectional view along a line IV - IV from Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a sectional view along a line V - V Fig. 3 ; Fig. 6 a second embodiment of a contact unit in a perspective view; Fig. 7 the contact unit Fig. 6 in a side view; Fig. 8 the contact unit Fig. 6 in a rear view; Fig. 9 the contact unit Fig. 6 in a subview; Fig. 10 a sectional view along a line X - X Fig. 9 ; Fig. 11 a third embodiment of a contact unit in a perspective view; Fig. 12 the contact unit Fig. 11 in a top view; Fig. 13 a sectional view along a line XIII - XIII from Fig. 12 ; Fig. 14 the contact unit Fig. 11 in a side view.

[0047] The Fig. 1 shows, as an unclaimed example, a contact unit carrier 10 as known from the prior art. The contact unit carrier 10 is a component of a contact device (not shown in detail here) and is arranged on a positioning device of the contact device, so that the contact unit carrier 10 can be moved relative to a charging contact device (also not shown here) and can be contacted therewith. The contact unit carrier 10 is formed from a body 11 with contact units 12, 13 and guide elements 14 for attachment to a transverse guide of the positioning device. The contact units 12 and 13 each have a contact element 15, contact element guides 16 and 17, respectively, and connecting lines 18.The connecting leads are formed from conductors 19 with cable lugs 20, wherein the cable lugs 20 are screwed to the contact element guide 16 or 17 to establish an electrical connection. The contact elements 15 are movable in the direction of their longitudinal axis 21 in the contact element guide 16, project beyond a surface 22 of the housing 11, and are subjected to a spring force. To form a contact pair, a contact end 23 is contacted with a charging contact of the charging contact device, wherein the contact element 15 is then pressed a short distance into the contact element guide 16. Current is then transmitted from the charging contact to the contact element 15 and from there to the contact element guide 16 or 17, which in turn is connected to the connecting lead 18. Two connecting leads 18 are attached, in particular, to the contact element guides 17 in order to be able to conduct high currents via the connecting leads 18.

[0048] A summary of the Fig. 2 bis 5 shows, as an embodiment of the invention, a contact unit 24 which can be fastened to a body of a contact unit carrier (not shown in detail here). The contact unit 24 comprises a contact element 25, a pivot bearing 26 and a connecting element 27 which forms a connecting bridge 28. The connecting element 27 has bores 30 at its respective ends 29 for connection to the side walls (not shown here). The contact element 25 is formed from a lever arm 31 and a bolt-shaped contact bump 32. The contact bump 32 is pivotally mounted on the pivot bearing 26 in the direction of its longitudinal axis 33 and can contact a charging contact (not shown here) of a charging contact device with a surface 34 at a contact end 35 of the contact bump 32.

[0049] The lever arm 31 has a through-opening 36 into which a screw 37 is inserted for clamping cable lugs 38 of connecting lines (not shown here) to the contact element 25. Furthermore, a through-opening 39 is formed in the connecting element 27, into which an axle 40 of the pivot bearing 26 is inserted and fastened by screwing. The lever arm 31 here also has a through-opening 42 at an end 41 facing away from the contact bump 32, as well as a groove 43 running transversely to the through-opening 42. Bearing shells 44 and 45 are arranged on the axle 40 in such a way that the lever arm 31 or the contact element 25 can pivot on the pivot bearing 26 with as little play as possible.A spring 46 of the contact unit 24 is arranged within the groove 43 surrounding the axis 40, wherein one spring end 47 rests on the connecting element 27 and another spring end 48, as indicated here, rests on the lever arm 31 within the groove 43, thus causing a spring force on the lever arm 31 by prestressing the spring 46.

[0050] Within the connecting element 27, a through-opening 50 for the contact bump 32 is formed in an upper surface 49, so that the contact bump 32 projects beyond the upper surface 49. A lower surface 51 of the connecting element 27 in the region of the through-opening 50 serves as a stop 52 for limiting the upper end position 53 of the contact element 25 shown here. When the contact element 25 or the contact bump 32 is contacted with a charging contact (not shown here), the contact bump 32 is pressed into the through-opening 50 against the spring force of the spring 46 and is pivoted about the pivot bearing 26.

[0051] A summary of the Fig. 6 bis 10 shows, as an embodiment of the invention, a contact unit 54 with contact elements 55 and 56, pivot bearings 57 and 58 and a connecting element 59. The pivot bearing 57 or 58 is formed on the connecting element 59 by means of a screw 60, wherein the screw 60 forms an axis 63 of the pivot bearing 57 or 58. An electrical resistance heating element 64 for heating the pivot bearing 57 or 58 is inserted into the axis 63. Furthermore, the axis 63 is surrounded by a spring 65. The contact elements 55 and 56 each have a bolt-shaped contact bump 66 or 67 and lever arms 68 or 69, which are fastened to the pivot bearings 57 or 58 by means of the screws 60. A cable lug 70 of a connecting cable (not shown here) is directly fastened to the contact element 55 and a stranded wire strip 71 is directly fastened to the contact element 56.Furthermore, the connecting element 59 can be fastened at ends 72 to side walls (not shown in detail here) of a body of a contact device.

[0052] A summary of the Fig. 11 bis 14shows, as an embodiment of the invention, a contact unit 73 which is formed from a contact element 74, a pivot bearing 75 and a connecting element 76. The connecting element 76 can be fastened here at one end 77 to a side wall (not shown here) of a body of a contact unit carrier or a contact device. A through-opening 78 is formed in the connecting element 76, into which an axle 79 of the pivot bearing 75 is inserted and screwed. A bearing shell 80 and a spring 81 are arranged on the axle 79. The contact element 74 is formed in two parts from a bolt-shaped contact bump 82 and a lever arm 83, which are screwed together. A through-opening 84 is also formed in the lever arm 83, and the lever arm 83 is plugged onto the bearing shell 80 with the through-opening 84.The bolt-shaped contact bump 82 can thus pivot about the pivot bearing 75 in the direction of its longitudinal axis 85. The spring 81 rests with one spring end 86 on the lever arm 83 or is attached thereto, with another spring end 87 resting on a bolt 88 of the axis 79. By preloading the spring 81, a spring force can be exerted on the lever arm 83 and thus in the direction of the longitudinal axis 85.

Claims

1. A contact device for a fast charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric busses or the like, the fast charging system comprising a charging contact device and the contact device having a contact unit carrier (10), the contact unit carrier having a plurality of contact units (24, 54, 73), a charging contact of the charging contact device being electrically connectable to the contact unit to form a contact pair, the contact device or the charging contact device comprising a positioning device, the contact unit carrier being positionable relative to the charging contact device by means of the positioning device in such a manner that an electrically conductive connection is formed between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, the contact unit (24, 54, 73) comprising a contact element (25, 55, 56, 74), the contact unit (24, 54, 73) having a connecting lead (38, 70, 71) for being connected to the vehicle or the charging station, the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) being mounted on a pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) of the contact unit (24, 54, 73) so as to be pivotable relative to the contact unit carrier, the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) being formed by a lever arm (31, 68, 69, 83) which is connected to the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75), said lever arm (31, 68, 69, 83) having a bolt-shaped contact bump (32, 66, 67, 82), said bolt-shaped contact bump forming a contact surface (34) for contacting the charging contact and being pivotable on the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) in the direction of its longitudinal axis (33, 85) such that the longitudinal axis (33, 85) is disposed perpendicular to the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75), and the longitudinal axis (33, 85) being disposed such in the manner on a tangent of a pivot radius of the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) that the contact bump (32, 66, 67, 82) is pivoted about the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) when contacted with a charging contact, the contact unit (24, 54, 73) comprises a connecting element (27, 59, 76), the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) being disposable on the contact unit carrier by means of the connecting element, the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) being connected to the connecting element (27, 59, 76) via the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75).

2. The contact device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) is formed in one piece or multiple pieces.

3. The contact device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting lead (38, 70, 71) is directly attached to the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74).

4. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting lead (38, 70, 71) has a conductor cross section of at least 50 mm2, preferably 95 mm2.

5. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) has a bearing bush (44, 45, 80) made of a dielectric material on an axis (40, 63, 79) of the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75).

6. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring (46, 65, 81) of the contact unit (24, 54, 73) exerts a spring force on the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74), such that the contact element is pushed in the direction of a charging contact.

7. The contact device according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring (46, 65, 81) is a coiled torsion spring, which is mounted on an axis (40, 63, 79) of the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75).

8. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) has an electric resistance heating element (64).

9. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (27, 59, 76) has a stop (52) which limits a pivoting motion of the contact element (25, 55, 56, 74) relative to the contact unit carrier.

10. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (27, 59, 76) forms a connecting bridge (28), two parallel side walls of the contact unit carrier being connectable by means of said connecting bridge.

11. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit (24, 54, 73) has two contact elements (25, 55, 56, 74) which are each mounted on a pivot bearing (26, 57, 58, 75) so as to be pivotable relative to the contact unit carrier, both contact elements being mounted on the connecting element (27, 59, 76).

12. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot bearings (56, 57, 58, 75) are disposed transversely to each other on the connecting element (27, 59, 76).

13. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit (24, 54, 73) is configured in such a manner that a current of 500 A to 1000 A, preferably of 800 A at a voltage of 750 V is transmittable via the contact unit.

14. The contact device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device has a pantograph or a pole by means of which the contact unit carrier is positionable in at least the vertical direction relative to the charging contact unit, the contact device being disposable on a vehicle or on a charging station.

15. The contact device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that at least two contact elements (25, 55, 56, 74) protrude at different heights relative to a surface (49) of the contact unit carrier, said surface (49) facing the charging contact unit.

16. The contact device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the contact unit carrier has a body having passage openings.

17. The contact device according to claim 16, characterized in that the body is formed by two parallel side walls made of a dielectric material, the side walls being connected to each other by means of connecting bridges (28).

18. A fast charging system comprising a charging contact device and a contact device according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. The fast charging system according to claim 18, characterized in that the charging contact device forms a receiving opening for the contact unit carrier, the contact unit carrier being insertable into the receiving opening of the charging contact device.

20. The fast charging system according to claim 18, characterized in that the contact unit carrier forms a receiving opening for the charging contact device, the charging contact device being insertable into the receiving opening of the contact unit carrier.

21. The fast charging system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the charging contact device and / or a transverse guide of the positioning device have an electric resistance heating element.