Positioning unit, in particular for a charging station, and method for contacting
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2022782853
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing positioning units for electric vehicles have limited charging current capacity, resulting in long charging times, and increasing the conductor's cross-sectional area to enhance current-carrying capacity is hindered by weight and material costs, requiring costly adjustments to the drive device.
The positioning unit employs a conductor with sections predominantly or entirely made of aluminum, allowing for a larger cross-sectional area without exceeding the weight of a copper conductor, thereby increasing the charging current capacity without needing costly adaptations to the drive device, and incorporating copper sections for added durability.
This configuration reduces charging time effectively and cost-efficiently by transmitting higher charging currents, avoiding the need for expensive modifications to the drive device and ensuring the conductor's structural integrity.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Positioning unit in particular for a charging station and method for contacting
[0002] The invention relates to a positioning unit and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, wherein by means of the positioning unit, an electrical charging contact of a contact device of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacted therewith, wherein the positioning unit has an articulated arm device and a drive device for driving the articulated arm device, wherein the charging contact can be positioned by means of the articulated arm device between a contact position for current transmission and a retracted position for current interruption, wherein the positioning unit has at least one electrical conductor provided for transmitting a charging current and arranged substantially on the articulated arm device,which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end to the charging station or to the vehicle.
[0003] Such positioning units and methods are known from the prior art and are regularly used in electrically powered vehicles. These vehicles can be electric buses, but also, in principle, other vehicles, such as trains, trams, or ferries, which are not permanently electrically connected to a contact wire or similar. In these vehicles, an electrical energy storage device is charged via a charging station during a break in the journey at a stop or at a vehicle depot. The vehicle is electrically connected to the charging station in the vehicle depot, whereby the vehicle's energy storage device is charged, for example, overnight.
[0004] To establish an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the charging station, a contact device is used, which is mounted or positioned on the positioning unit above the vehicle at a parking space for the vehicle in the vehicle depot or at a stop. A charging contact of the contact device is then moved by means of the positioning unit towards a charging contact surface on a roof of the vehicle and an electrical connection is established. For example, a contact device can have at least four charging contacts, with two charging contacts then usually serving for energy transfer, one charging contact as a grounding conductor, and another charging contact for data transmission. Grounding can be realized and implemented via a pantograph frame of the positioning unit. A generic positioning unit is known, for example, from DE 2015 217 380 A1.
[0005] In a contact position for current transmission, into which the charging contact is moved by means of an articulated arm device of the positioning unit for the purpose of charging the energy storage device, a charging current is regularly transmitted via an electrical conductor of the positioning unit which is arranged essentially on the articulated arm device and which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end to the charging station and is connected to this in such a way that the charging current can flow from the charging station via the conductor to the charging contact which is in contact with the charging contact surface and from there via the charging contact surface to the energy storage device. In this case, the conductor in the positioning units known from the prior art is always made essentially entirely of copper. It is true that with the previously known positioning units orwhose conductors can only regularly transmit a charging current of 600 A, which limits the charging time and is relatively long. Increasing the charging current is therefore desirable to reduce the charging time.
[0006] Generally, a current flowing through a conductor generates heat, which can lead to damage, particularly to the conductor itself or at contact junctions. For this reason, it is always important to ensure that the current carried by a conductor is compatible with the conductor's current-carrying capacity. Current-carrying capacity is defined as the maximum permissible current that a conductor can continuously carry under specified conditions without the conductor's permissible temperature exceeding a certain value. The current-carrying capacity of a conductor depends on the conductor material and its geometry, particularly its cross-sectional area. The current-carrying capacity generally increases with increasing cross-sectional area.
[0007] In order to be able to transmit a comparatively higher charging current via the conductor of the positioning unit in order to achieve a comparatively shorter charging time, it is therefore necessary for the conductor to have a comparatively greater current carrying capacity. This can in principle be achieved by selecting a conductor with a comparatively larger cross-sectional area. However, it should be noted that as the cross-sectional area of the conductor increases, the weight of the conductor also generally increases. It should also be borne in mind that the conductor in the positioning unit is essentially arranged on the articulated arm device driven by a drive device of the positioning unit, wherein the power of the drive device is in particular also coordinated with a certain weight of the components driven by it, in particular the articulated arm device and the conductor essentially arranged on the articulated arm device.To improve the charging time or current carrying capacity of the conductor, the cross-sectional area of the conductor, and thus the weight of the conductor, cannot simply be increased in a previously known positioning unit with a copper conductor, as this would require additional adjustments to the drive device, which would require costly measures. In addition, increasing the cross-sectional area of the conductor or copper conductor would require more comparatively expensive copper material.
[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a positioning unit and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, by means of which a charging time can be reduced by simple means and cost-effectively by increasing a charging current.
[0009] This object is achieved by a positioning unit having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 21.
[0010] In the positioning unit according to the invention for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, an electrical charging contact of a contact device of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact surface by means of the positioning unit and can be contacted therewith, wherein the positioning unit has an articulated arm device and a drive device for driving the articulated arm device, wherein the charging contact can be positioned by means of the articulated arm device between a contact position for current transmission and a retracted position for current interruption, wherein the positioning unit has at least one electrical conductor provided for transmitting a charging current and arranged substantially on the articulated arm device,which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end to the charging station or to the vehicle, wherein the conductor has at least one section formed predominantly, preferably entirely, from aluminum.
[0011] The positioning unit can therefore be part of a stationary charging station for an electrically powered vehicle and serve to move the electrical charging contact or charging contacts onto a charging contact surface of the vehicle, which can be arranged on a vehicle roof, and to make electrical contact with this. The movement of the charging contact or charging contacts onto the respective charging contact surface is carried out using the positioning unit, which can be arranged above the vehicle on a roof structure. For this purpose, the charging contact or charging contacts can be arranged at a lower end of the positioning unit and moved from an upper retracted position to a lower contact position for power transmission or contacting the charging contact surfaces. This movement of the charging contact or charging contacts is carried out using the articulated arm device, which can be actuated or driven by the drive device.Alternatively, the positioning unit can also be part of the vehicle and mounted on the roof, with the charging contact surface being located above the vehicle on a roof structure. In this case, the charging contact(s) can be moved from a lower retracted position to an upper contact position for power transmission or contacting of the charging contact surfaces.
[0012] Furthermore, the positioning unit has at least one electrical conductor intended for transmitting a charging current, which is arranged essentially on the articulated arm device. One end of the conductor is connected to the charging contact, and the other end of the conductor can be guided to or connected to the charging station or the vehicle. In the contact position, a charging current can then flow from the charging station to the vehicle through the conductor.
[0013] According to the invention, the conductor has at least one section made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum, i.e. at least in sections, with respect to a material of the section, it is made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum. Since aluminum, particularly compared to copper, has a considerably lower weight and a considerably lower density, it is thereby possible to form the section with a comparatively larger cross-sectional area for the same weight, so that a comparatively larger charging current can be transmitted by means of the conductor for the same weight, as a result of which charging time can advantageously be reduced. The cross-sectional area of the section can be selected to be just large enough that the weight of the conductor less than the weight of a conductor made entirely of copper used in a previously known positioning unit.copper conductor at least does not exceed. The section and at least one further section of the conductor, made of copper for example, which the conductor can have, can be coordinated with one another in such a way that the comparatively greater charging current can be transmitted with essentially the same weight of the conductor. Thus, according to the invention, the reduction in charging time can be achieved solely by adapting the conductor, without a cost-intensive adaptation of the drive device being necessary. Advantageously, the section is made entirely of aluminum. The conductor can also be made almost entirely of aluminum. It is conceivable to form the section from an aluminum alloy in which an aluminum proportion can predominate, preferably significantly.For example, the aluminum content in the aluminum alloy can then be more than 50% or at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%. Furthermore, the conductor can have several such sections, in particular two such sections. These sections can then be electrically conductively connected to one another. The sections can be similar or different from one another, in particular as different profiles. It should also be emphasized that aluminum is comparatively less expensive than copper, so that the reduction in charging time can also be achieved comparatively more cost-effectively against this background. As a result, the charging time can be reduced by means of the positioning unit according to the invention, wherein this reduction can be achieved using simple and cost-effective measures.
[0014] Advantageously, the conductor can be formed predominantly from aluminum relative to the length of the conductor. A length of the conductor section or a total length of several such conductor sections can then make up more than 50% or at least 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the length of the conductor. It is also conceivable for the conductor to be formed entirely from aluminum relative to the length of the conductor.
[0015] Advantageously, a cross-sectional area of the section can be 300 mm 2 up to 500 mm 2 , preferably 400 mm 2 This allows for the transmission of comparatively large charging currents. However, it is also conceivable to choose a larger or significantly larger cross-sectional area.
[0016] Advantageously, the section can be formed as a profile part, preferably as a rail. The section can also be formed as a rod or as an edge profile. Advantageously, the conductor can have insulation in one region of the section, preferably formed by a powder coating. By means of powder coating, a uniform layer that insulates the section from the outside can be applied to the aluminum material. An insulating material can, in particular, comprise a plastic.
[0017] Furthermore, the conductor can have at least one further section made predominantly, preferably completely, of copper. In this case, the conductor can also have insulation in a region of the further section. In particular, the further section can then form a cable together with the insulation. The further section can be electrically conductively connected to the section. Advantageously, the further section is made completely of copper. However, it is also conceivable to form the further section from a copper alloy in which a copper proportion can predominate. A length of the further section of the conductor or a total length of several such further sections of the conductor can orcan then advantageously make up less than 50% or at most 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% or 5% of the length of the conductor in order to be able to form the section with the largest possible cross-sectional area for essentially the same conductor weight in order to achieve a reduction in charging time. A cross-sectional area of the further section can then be adapted and matched to the cross-sectional area of the section such that the desired charging current can be transmitted by means of the conductor. The matching can be done in such a way that the weight of the conductor at least does not exceed the weight of a conductor or copper conductor made entirely of copper with a comparatively increased current carrying capacity. The further section can then advantageously be provided at kinks or in a bent conductor section or in a conductor section subject to bending stress.Since copper resists bending stress better than aluminum, breakage or tearing of the conductor in this section can be avoided. The additional section can connect two sections together or form an end section of the conductor. For example, the additional section can then also be connected to a charging contact or can be connected to the charging station or vehicle. Likewise, the section can be connected to a charging contact or can be connected to the charging station or vehicle.
[0018] At least at one contact point where the section contacts the other section, the section can be coated with nickel to reduce contact resistance. The section can also be completely coated with nickel.
[0019] The at least one section and the at least one further section can together form the conductor.
[0020] In the present case, the term “section” always refers to a conductor section made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum, while the term “further section” with the suffix “further” always refers to a conductor section made predominantly, preferably entirely, of copper.
[0021] A cross-sectional area of the further section can be 100 mm 2 up to 150 mm 2 , preferably 120 mm 2 However, the cross-sectional area of the further section may also be the same size as the cross-sectional area of the section.
[0022] Furthermore, the further section can be designed as a stranded wire, preferably as a round stranded wire.
[0023] Advantageously, a charging current of 800 A to 1500 A, preferably 1000 A to 1200 A, can be transmitted via the conductor. This can significantly reduce the charging time. Depending on the design of the cross-sectional area of the conductor or the cross-sectional area of the section or the further section, the charging current can also be higher or significantly higher.
[0024] Advantageously, the positioning unit can comprise a plurality of such conductors. The conductors are then advantageously of identical design. In particular, the positioning unit can comprise two such conductors, each of which can conduct the charging current to a charging contact provided for energy transmission or to various charging contacts.
[0025] Advantageously, the articulated arm device can be designed as a single-arm system or as a scissor system, preferably with a parallelogram guide, or as a pantograph. Thus, the articulated arm device can enable a parallel movement of the charging contact, starting from a retracted position of the charging contact to the contact position on the charging contact surface of the vehicle.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the articulated arm device can have at least a first arm member and a second arm member pivotally connected to the first arm member, wherein the conductor can have two sections made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum, wherein a first section of the two sections can be arranged on the first arm member and a second section of the two sections can be arranged on the second arm member, wherein the two sections can be electrically conductively connected to one another in a joint region of the articulated arm device by means of the further section of the conductor made predominantly, preferably entirely, of copper. The first arm member and the second arm member can be pivotally connected to one another by means of at least one joint of the articulated arm device provided in the joint region.Since the further section in the joint area is subjected to continuous buckling or bending loads due to the retraction and extension of the articulated arm device, this ensures that the conductor in this conductor section or in the joint area can withstand this continuous buckling or bending load. The further section can be made comparatively short compared to the two sections in order to optimize the current-carrying capacity of the conductor and the overall weight of the positioning unit. With regard to the cross-sectional area, the further section can be designed such that it can transmit the same charging current as the two adjacent sections of the conductor. The second section can be connected to the charging contact at its end, while the first section can be connected to the charging station or the vehicle at its end.Advantageously, the positioning unit can have two such conductors, which can be connected to two different charging contacts to provide a positive electrical pole and a negative electrical pole. The contact device can be arranged at the end of the second arm member. The articulated arm device can also comprise further arm members that are connected to one another in an articulated manner, on which sections can be arranged that can be electrically connected to other sections in corresponding joint areas.
[0027] Advantageously, the conductor can have three further sections made predominantly, preferably entirely, of copper, wherein a first further section of the three further sections can electrically connect the two sections to one another in the joint region, wherein a second further section of the three further sections can electrically connect the second section to the charging contact or can be connected to the charging contact, wherein a third further section of the three further sections, which is electrically connected to the first section, can be connected to the charging station or to the vehicle. Consequently, the conductor can have five connected conductor sections, namely two sections and three further sections. The second further section and the third further section can then form end sections of the conductor. Since the conductor in one region of the contact device orIn an area of a holding frame of the positioning unit, which can be provided for fastening the positioning unit and on which the articulated arm device can be arranged, in particular via the first arm member, can also be subjected to continuous buckling loads, this design of the conductor can prevent the conductor from tearing in conductor sections running through these areas. A connection or a connection tab of the holding frame can be provided on the holding frame, to which the third further section can be connected, wherein the charging station or the vehicle can be connected to the connection. Advantageously, the further sections can be designed identically. Advantageously, the positioning unit can have two such conductors.
[0028] Advantageously, the first arm member can be designed as a single arm and the second arm member as a double arm, wherein the contact device can be arranged at the end of the second arm member. However, the first arm member can also be designed as a double arm or the second arm member as a single arm.
[0029] Advantageously, the positioning unit can have two conductors, wherein a second section of the conductor made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum can be arranged on each of two arms of the double arm that run at least partially parallel to one another. Two first sections of the conductor made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum can then be provided on the single arm, preferably spaced apart from one another, wherein each first section can be electrically connected to one of the second sections provided on the double arm by means of a further section of the conductor made predominantly, preferably entirely, of copper. The two second sections can be connected at their ends to two different charging contacts, while the two first sections can be connectable to the charging station or to the vehicle.Advantageously, the two second sections can each be connected to the charging contacts via a second further section, while the two first sections can each be connected to the charging station or to the vehicle via a third further section.
[0030] Advantageously, the drive device can have an adjustment drive for generating an adjustment force acting on the articulated arm device and a spring device that mechanically interacts with the adjustment drive. The spring device can be formed by one or more springs. The adjustment drive can be a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromechanical drive that can act on the articulated arm device and move it into the contact position and, optionally, the retracted position. The spring device can exert a defined contact force on the respective loading contact surfaces. Furthermore, the spring device can be designed such that, in the event of a failure of the adjustment drive, the articulated arm device can be moved into the retracted position using a spring force.
[0031] The contact device can have two charging contact carriers, each with at least two charging contacts arranged thereon. The positioning unit can then have a total of four charging contacts. Two of the charging contacts can be used for power transmission, one charging contact can serve as a grounding conductor, and another charging contact can be used for data transmission.
[0032] The charging contacts can be connected to each other via a linkage of the contact device, each with at least one connecting rod for connecting two charging contacts and at least one support rod arranged transversely to the connecting rods for connecting the charging contact supports. The linkage then makes it possible to distribute a contact force evenly across all charging contacts and to exert it on the respective charging contact surfaces via the charging contacts. The linkage can also be used to compensate for any movement of the vehicle during a charging process.
[0033] Furthermore, the positioning unit can have a support frame for mounting the positioning unit above the vehicle. Alternatively, the support frame can also be designed for mounting the positioning unit on a vehicle roof.
[0034] The charging station according to the invention comprises a mast, a boom, or a bridge and a positioning unit according to the invention arranged thereon above a vehicle. Alternatively, an electrically powered vehicle can comprise the positioning unit according to the invention.
[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the charging station emerge from the feature descriptions of the subclaims referring back to device claim 1.
[0036] In the method according to the invention for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, an electrical charging contact of a contact device of the positioning unit is moved relative to a charging contact surface by means of a positioning unit and contacted therewith, wherein an articulated arm device of the positioning unit is driven by a drive device of the positioning unit, wherein the charging contact is positioned by means of the articulated arm device between a contact position for current transmission and a retracted position for current interruption, wherein in the contact position a charging current is conducted via at least one electrical conductor of the positioning unit which is arranged essentially on the articulated arm device and which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end to the charging station or to the vehicle,is transmitted, wherein the charging current is transmitted via at least one section of the conductor formed predominantly, preferably entirely, from aluminum. For the advantageous effects of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantages of the positioning unit according to the invention.
[0037] Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the descriptions of the features of the subclaims which refer back to device claim 1.
[0038] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0039] They show:
[0040] Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of the positioning unit in a contact position;
[0041] Fig. 2 is a perspective side view of the positioning unit in a retracted position;
[0042] Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the positioning unit in the contact position from the front.
[0043] 1 to 3 shows a positioning unit 10 for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station (not shown here) and an electrically driven vehicle (likewise not shown here), wherein by means of the positioning unit 10 four electrical charging contacts 11 of a contact device 12 of the positioning unit 10 can be moved relative to a charging contact surface (not shown here) and can be contacted therewith, wherein the positioning unit 10 has an articulated arm device 13 and a drive device 14 for driving the articulated arm device 13, wherein the charging contacts 11 can be positioned by means of the articulated arm device 13 between a contact position for current transmission, which is shown in Fig. 1, and a retracted position for current interruption, which is shown in Fig. 2.
[0044] In the present case, the articulated arm device 13 has a first arm member 15 and a second arm member 16 articulated to the first arm member 15, wherein the first arm member 15 is designed as a single arm and the second arm member 16 as a double arm, wherein the contact device 12 is arranged at the end of the second arm member 16. Furthermore, the positioning unit 10 has two electrical conductors 17a, 17b provided for transmitting a charging current and arranged essentially on the articulated arm device 13, each of which is connected at one end to one of the charging contacts 11 and at the other end can be connected in particular to the charging station.Each conductor 17a, 17b has a first section 18a, 18b, of which only the first section 18a can be seen in the figures due to the perspective, and a second section 19a, 19b as well as a first further section 20a, 20b, wherein the first section 18a, 18b is arranged on the first arm member 15 and the second section 19a, 19b is arranged on the second arm member 16, wherein the first section 18a and the second section 19a or the first section 18b and the second section 19b are electrically conductively connected to one another in a joint region 21 of the articulated arm device 13 by means of the first further section 20a or 20b. The second sections 19a, 19b are arranged on two arms 22 of the second arm member 16 or the double arm, which arms run parallel to one another in sections.Furthermore, each conductor 17a, 17b has a second further section (not shown here) and a third further section (also not shown here), wherein the second further section electrically connects the second section 19a, 19b to one of the charging contacts 11, wherein the third further section is electrically connected at one end to the first section 18a, 18b and the other end is connectable, in particular, to the charging station. Furthermore, the first sections 18a, 18b and the second sections 19a, 19b are each formed as an aluminum profile having a cross-sectional area of 400 mm. 2and is insulated from the outside by a powder coating. The three further sections 20a, 20b are round strands made of copper. Furthermore, the contact device 12 has two charging contact carriers 23 with the charging contacts 11 arranged thereon. The charging contacts 11 are connected to one another via a linkage 24 of the contact device 12, each with a connecting rod 25 for connecting two charging contacts 11 and with a support rod 26 arranged transversely to the connecting rods 25 for connecting the charging contact carriers 23.
[0045] Furthermore, the positioning unit 10 has a holding frame 27 for fastening the positioning unit 10, in particular above the vehicle.
Claims
Patent claims Positioning unit (10) for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, wherein by means of the positioning unit an electrical charging contact (11) of a contact device (12) of the positioning unit is movable relative to a charging contact surface and can be contacted therewith, wherein the positioning unit has an articulated arm device (13) and a drive device (14) for driving the articulated arm device, wherein the charging contact can be positioned by means of the articulated arm device between a contact position for current transmission and a retracted position for current interruption, wherein the positioning unit has at least one electrical conductor (17a, 17b) provided for transmitting a charging current and arranged substantially on the articulated arm device,which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end can be connected to the charging station or to the vehicle, characterized in that the conductor has at least one section (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) formed predominantly, preferably entirely, from aluminum. Positioning unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductor (17a, 17b) is formed predominantly from aluminum relative to a length of the conductor. Positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a cross-sectional area of the section (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) is 300 mm 2 up to 500 mm 2 , preferably 400 mm 2, is. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) is designed as a profile part, preferably as a rail. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor (17a, 17b) has an insulation, preferably formed by a powder coating, in a region of the section (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b). Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor (17a, 17b) has at least one further section (20a, 20b) formed predominantly, preferably completely, from copper. Positioning unit according to claim 6, characterized in that a cross-sectional area of the further section (20a, 20b) is 100 mm 2 up to 150 mm 2 , preferably 120 mm 2 , amounts. Positioning unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the further section (20a, 20b) is designed as a stranded wire, preferably as a round stranded wire. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a charging current of 800 A to 1500 A, preferably of 1000 A to 1200 A, can be transmitted via the conductor (17a, 17b). Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) has a plurality of similar conductors (17a, 17b). Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulated arm device (13) is designed as a single-arm system or as a scissors system, preferably with a parallelogram guide, or as a pantograph.Positioning unit at least according to claim 6, characterized in that the articulated arm device (13) has at least a first arm member. (15) and a second arm member (16) connected in an articulated manner to the first arm member, wherein the conductor (17a, 17b) has two sections (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) formed predominantly, preferably entirely, from aluminum, wherein a first section (18a, 18b) of the two sections is arranged on the first arm member and a second section (19a, 19b) of the two sections is arranged on the second arm member, wherein the two sections are arranged in a joint region (21) of the articulated arm device by means of the predominantly, preferably a further section (20a, 20b) of the conductor which is made entirely of copper and is electrically conductively connected to one another. Positioning unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the conductor (17a, 17b) has three further sections (20a, 20b) which are predominantly, preferably entirely, made of copper, wherein a first further section (17a, 17b) of the three further sections electrically conductively connects the two sections (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) in the joint region, wherein a second further section of the three further sections electrically conductively connects the second section to the charging contact (11), wherein a third further section of the three further sections which is electrically conductively connected to the first section can be connected to the charging station or to the vehicle.Positioning unit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the first arm member (15) is designed as a single arm and the second arm member (16) as a double arm, wherein the contact device (12) is arranged at the end of the second arm member. Positioning unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) has two conductors (17a, 17b), wherein a second section (19a, 19b) of the conductors, which is made predominantly, preferably entirely, of aluminum, is arranged on two arms (22) of the double arm that run at least partially parallel to one another. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. that the drive device (14) has an adjustment drive for forming an adjustment force acting on the articulated arm device (13) and a spring device mechanically cooperating with the adjustment drive.
17. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact device (12) has two charging contact carriers (23) each with at least two charging contacts (11) arranged thereon.
18. Positioning unit according to claim 17, characterized in that the charging contacts (11) are connected to one another via a linkage (24) of the contact device (12) with at least one connecting rod (25) for connecting two charging contacts and with at least one support rod (26) arranged transversely to the connecting rods for connecting the charging contact supports (23).
19. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) has a holding frame (27) for fastening the positioning unit above the vehicle.
0. Charging station with a mast, a boom or a bridge and a positioning unit (10) arranged thereon above a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims.
1. Method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and an electrically driven vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, wherein by means of a positioning unit (10), an electrical charging contact (11) of a contact device (12) of the positioning unit is moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacted therewith, wherein an articulated arm device (13) of the positioning unit is driven by a drive device (14) of the positioning unit, wherein the charging contact is positioned by means of the articulated arm device between a contact position for current transmission and a retracted position for current interruption, wherein in the contact position a charging current is transmitted via at least one electrical conductor (17a, 17b) of the positioning unit which is arranged substantially on the articulated arm device and which is connected at one end to the charging contact and at the other end to the charging station or to the vehicle, characterized in that the charging current is transmitted via at least one predominantly, preferably completely,aluminum section (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b) of the conductor.