Contact device and charging system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCHUNK TRANSIT SYST GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing contact devices for electric vehicle charging systems face issues with inconsistent spring forces due to wear and environmental factors, leading to potential contact interruptions and high maintenance requirements, especially when handling high currents and voltages.
A contact device with a spring device that mechanically links at least two contact units, ensuring equal spring force distribution across contact elements, which maintains consistent electrical output and compensates for positional tolerances, and includes an insulating element for electrical decoupling and phase signal transmission.
This solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance contact device that ensures consistent electrical performance, extends maintenance intervals, and allows for efficient transmission of high currents and voltages, reducing the risk of contact interruptions.
Smart Images
Figure EP2023070589_30012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Contact device and charging system
[0002] The invention relates to a contact device for a charging system for electrically powered vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, wherein the charging system comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, wherein the contact unit carrier has at least two contact units, wherein contact elements of the contact units can each be used to contact charging contacts of the charging contact device to form an electrically conductive contact pairing, wherein by means of the positioning device the contact unit carrier can be positioned relative to the charging contact carrier in a contact position such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the vehicle and a charging station, wherein the contact unit carrier has a spring device.
[0003] Such contact devices and charging systems are already known from the prior art and are regularly used to charge electrically powered vehicles, for example at a stopping point. The charging system can be arranged beneath the floor of the vehicle or above the vehicle. In order to quickly charge the vehicle's batteries, high currents and voltages must be able to be transmitted via the contact device. This requires correspondingly large contact units and appropriate conductor cross-sections. Furthermore, a corresponding positioning device must be provided that automatically connects or disconnects the contact device with the charging contact device. A simple charging system consisting of a plug-socket connection, on the other hand, is only suitable for transmitting lower currents and requires manual coupling of the plug and socket by an operator.
[0004] DE 10 2018 1 12 494 A1 discloses a charging system in which contact units are arranged in a contact unit carrier that can be attached to a floor. The contact units are each formed from contact elements with a lever arm and a spring-loaded pivot bearing. Furthermore, the contact elements are designed to protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device. This makes it possible to maintain a desired contact sequence of contact pairs when the contact device and charging contact device are brought together or separated.
[0005] The contact elements of the known contact devices are usually spring-loaded, i.e. they have a spring device which exerts a spring force on the respective contact element and presses this against a charging contact in a contact position. This movable design of the respective contact elements and the application of a spring force ensures that, in the contact position, all contact pairs can be formed reliably, even in the event of any inaccuracies when bringing the charging contact device and contact device together. Any vehicle movements during a charging process can then be compensated for to some extent. In addition, a high spring force, i.e. a high pressing force of the contact element on the respective charging contact, can also be used to transmit a high electrical power. The respective spring devices orSprings assigned to the individual contact elements are selected or adjusted in such a way that the contact force of the contact elements on the charging contacts is approximately the same in a contact position. Otherwise, this could result in uneven transmission of electrical power or an undesirable offset of the contact device and charging contact device in the contact position. However, it has been found that during the course of operation of the contact device, the spring force of the respective contact unit can change, for example due to wear, environmental influences, contamination or the like. This increases the risk that problems may arise with contact or during the charging process of the vehicle over the course of a service life of the contact device or charging system.For example, contact interruptions, undesirably high transmission resistance, or different transmission performances can occur with similar contact pairs. While different contact forces can be adjusted during regular maintenance intervals, for example, by adjusting or replacing the affected contact units, this requires considerable maintenance effort.
[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a contact device and a charging system which can be used reliably and cost-effectively.
[0007] This object is achieved by a contact device having the features of claim 1 and a charging system having the features of claim 20. In the contact device according to the invention for a charging system for electrically powered vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, the charging system comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, wherein the contact unit carrier has at least two contact units, wherein contact elements of the contact units can each be contacted with charging contacts of the charging contact device to form an electrically conductive contact pairing, wherein by means of the positioning device the contact unit carrier can be positioned relative to the charging contact carrier in a contact position such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the vehicle and a charging station,wherein the contact unit carrier has a spring device, wherein the spring device is formed by at least one spring, wherein the spring device is mechanically coupled to the at least two contact units in such a way that the spring device effects an equal spring force on the contact elements of the at least two contact units.
[0008] The at least one spring of the spring device can therefore exert an equal spring force on the at least two contact elements in such a way that the contact elements are each pressed in the direction of an associated charging contact. When the contact device and the charging contact device are brought together, an electrically conductive contact with an associated charging contact can be formed with each contact element under spring preload. The spring force always presses the respective contact element in the direction of the associated charging contact or into a front end position, wherein when the contact pair is formed or in the contact position, the contact element is moved opposite to the direction of the spring force. The formation of the equal spring force always occurs independently of the size of the spring force. This results from the mechanical coupling of the two contact units with the spring device, since the force exerted by the spring device orthe spring force formed by the spring is always evenly distributed between the contact elements. Due to this even distribution of the spring force of the at least one spring across the at least two contact units, the contact force of the contact elements of the two contact units is always the same. This also means that the electrical power transmitted by the contact elements or contact pairs in question is also the same. In this way, tolerances in the positioning of the contact device and charging contact device relative to one another in the contact position can be compensated for. In the simplest embodiment of the contact device, there is no longer any need for an additional spring for the second contact unit. This reduces the outlay required to manufacture the contact device. Furthermore, adjustment work on the respective contact units to achieve an equal spring force, as is known from the prior art, is no longer necessary.Furthermore, maintenance intervals can be extended and maintenance of the contact device can be made much easier.
[0009] The spring device can have at least one insulating element made of a dielectric material, wherein the insulating element can electrically separate the at least two contact units from one another. By electrically decoupling the at least two contact units, different phases, signals, or the like can also be transmitted via the respective contact pairs with the respective contact units or contact elements. The contact units can then be used electrically independently of one another. In principle, however, it is also possible for one phase to be transmitted with the at least two contact units.
[0010] The spring device can form a mechanical transmission chain for transmitting the spring force to the at least two contact elements, wherein the spring can be a link in the mechanical transmission chain. The links of the mechanical transmission chain can therefore be connected in series, so that the spring force of the at least one spring can be distributed evenly between the two contact elements. Alternatively, it can also be provided that links in the transmission chain are connected in parallel, for example, two springs connected parallel to one another.
[0011] The insulating element can be a link in the mechanical transmission chain. This makes it possible to electrically isolate the contact units from each other, regardless of their design.
[0012] The spring device can be designed with at least two springs and an insulating element arranged between the two springs as links in the mechanical transmission chain. The two springs can then each be mechanically coupled to a contact unit. The insulating element can then be arranged in the center of the mechanical transmission chain. If the contact device has multiple spring devices, the spring devices can then be arranged such that they intersect in the area of the respective insulating elements. Current transmission from spring device to spring device is thus avoided.
[0013] In a further embodiment, the spring device can be designed with at least two insulating elements and a spring arranged between the two insulating elements as links in the mechanical transmission chain. The spring can then be arranged centrally between the two insulating elements, so that the insulating elements are each connected to a contact unit in the mechanical transmission chain. This also makes it possible to completely electrically insulate the spring.
[0014] According to a further embodiment, the spring can form the insulating element. This is possible if the spring is made of a dielectric material, for example, a plastic material. The spring device can then be particularly compact and designed with few components.
[0015] The spring can be a coil spring, leg spring, torsion spring, an elastomer element, or a fluid spring that connects the contact units to each other. The coil spring can be a compression spring or a tension spring. The elastomer element can be, for example, a plastic band, rubber band, or the like. The fluid spring can be formed by a bellows or a cylinder with a piston, wherein the fluid can be a gas, air, or the like.
[0016] The spring device can have an adjustment device for setting the spring preload. The adjustment device then makes it possible to adjust the spring preload of the spring so that the respective contact elements of the contact units can be subjected to the desired spring force in a rest position and / or contact position. In this way, any manufacturing tolerances of the spring can be compensated for or adjusted. The adjustment device can, for example, be a screw or another type of threaded connection with which the spring can be preloaded. In this way, a spring preload for the at least two contact units can also be adjusted as needed during maintenance of the contact device.
[0017] At least two contact elements can protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device. During a contacting process with the charging contact device, a defined sequence of contact pairs can then be maintained. The same applies when the charging contact device is separated from the contact device, although the sequence is then reversed. By balancing the spring force via the spring device between the at least two contact units, the contact force is always the same, even with the contact elements protruding at different heights. The contact unit carrier can have a body which is formed with at least one through-opening for the contact elements in a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device.The body can consist of a dielectric material or can be at least partially or completely coated with the dielectric material. In principle, however, it is also possible for a plurality of through-openings for each contact element to be formed in the body. Because the contact unit carrier has the body which forms the surface facing the charging contact device, a special cover for the contact unit carrier can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the body can be formed from a single piece or multiple pieces of a plastic material. The body can be produced easily and cost-effectively in large quantities, for example, by injection molding, transfer molding, compression molding, or another primary molding process. The body can also be coated with a plastic material. In particular, the body can consist of a plastic material or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. In this case, the body can be single-piece, i.e.It can be formed in one piece and, together with, for example, the through-hole, be formed as a finished part. Alternatively, it is also possible for the body to be formed in several parts, in which case the body can then be assembled from several parts, which can then also be formed using the aforementioned primary forming processes. This is particularly advantageous when the body has a complex geometry. Because the body is formed or consists of a dielectric material, no special electrical insulation of the contact elements is required.
[0018] The contact units can each be designed with a lever arm for moving the contact element, wherein the lever arm can be pivotally mounted on a pivot bearing of the contact unit carrier or the contact unit relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact surfaces. Thus, the lever arm of the respective contact element can enable pivoting of the contact element about the respective pivot bearing such that a height of the contact element relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier can be varied. During a contacting process with a charging contact device, the contact elements can thus be moved or pivoted through, for example, through openings in a body of the contact unit carrier.
[0019] In the contact position, a contact surface of the contact elements and a charging contact surface can each be arranged in a contact plane parallel to a vehicle floor and / or a subsurface. The contact surface of the contact elements can be formed at a distal end of the relevant lever arm, which faces the charging contact surface. The charging contact surface of the charging contacts can, for example, be a flat surface that is round, oval, or strip-shaped. In the contact position, the contact device can then lie closely against the charging contact device, so that the surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device also lies against the charging contact device. Since the contact elements are then moved into the through-openings, all contact pairs of contact surfaces and charging contact surfaces can be formed in the contact plane. This can also be deviated from if the respective charging contacts orCharging contact surfaces are arranged at different heights relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier. In this case, a plurality of contact planes are formed. The contact plane(s) can be arranged parallel relative to the vehicle floor and / or the ground, such that the contact surfaces or charging contact surfaces face directly toward the vehicle floor or the ground.
[0020] The pivot bearing can be formed by at least one bearing eye or at least one bearing journal of the body, wherein the bearing eye or the bearing journal can be fastened to a respective mounting base of the body by means of a screw connection. If the pivot bearing is formed by at least one bearing eye, the contact element can form a bearing journal or the contact element can be connected to the bearing eye via an axis. Alternatively, the pivot bearing can be formed by two bearing eyes or two bearing journals of the body. The bearing eyes or bearing journals can then be arranged on either side of the lever arm or the contact element, so that lateral tilting and clamping of the lever arm on the pivot bearing is avoided. Furthermore, the bearing eye or the bearing journal can be made of a dielectric material, for example a plastic material.The bearing eye or bearing journal can then be manufactured cost-effectively and in large quantities using a primary forming process, for example by injection molding. The mounting base of the body may already have recesses to accommodate screws for a screw connection or blind holes with a thread. If the body is made of a plastic material, self-tapping screws can also be used to create the screw connection. Furthermore, it is possible to vary the different distances of the pivot bearing relative to the surface using the bearing eye or bearing journal. In this way, different bearing eyes or bearing journals with different heights can be used to form the pivot bearings, so that the desired distance between the pivot bearing and the surface of the contact unit carrier can be achieved by simply selecting the appropriate bearing eye or bearing journal.However, it is also possible to design the respective mounting bases of the body with a suitable height or to use adapter bases that are mounted between the bearing eye or the bearing journal and the mounting base. In this case, all mounting bases can be at the same level and identical bearing eyes or bearing journals can be used. The desired height is then set using adapter bases of different heights. The pivot bearing can have a bearing bush made of a dielectric material on one of the pivot bearing's axles. This makes it possible to design pivot bearings from a conductive material, such as metal. The bearing bush can, for example, be pressed into a bearing eye or onto the axle and thus firmly mounted there. In addition to radial bearings, axial bearings can also be achieved using the bearing bush.If the pivot bearing is formed by two bearing eyes or journals, for example, two bearing bushes can also be used. The bearing bush can ensure maintenance-free maintenance or lubrication of the pivot bearing, for example, by using graphite as one of the bearing bush materials.
[0021] The lever arm can be formed by the contact element. Contact elements designed in this way allow the number of parts to be reduced even further. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the respective lever arms of the at least two contact units are of equal length. The same spring force can then be transmitted to the contact elements via the lever arms. In principle, however, it is also possible for the contact element to be designed independently of the lever arm. The contact element can then be mechanically coupled to the lever arm, for example, via a coupling mechanism or arranged directly on the lever arm.
[0022] The lever arms or contact elements can each be connected to the spring device via a joint. The joint can, for example, be a simple axle on the lever arm or an opening in the lever arm. A tension spring with an eyelet can then be attached to the axle or the opening. It is essential that the joint allows relative movement between the lever arm and the spring device.
[0023] The contact unit carrier can have a plurality of spring devices, wherein the spring devices can each mechanically connect contact units lying opposite one another relative to a vertical axis of the contact unit carrier. The spring devices can be arranged parallel to one another, but the spring devices can also be arranged such that they cross one another. The arrangement of the spring devices results from the arrangement of the contact units or contact elements relative to one another. For example, a star-shaped arrangement of the contact units relative to the vertical axis or a row arrangement of the contact elements can be formed. It can also be provided that the contact elements are arranged at irregular intervals relative to the vertical axis. The contact device is advantageously provided with an even number of contact units orContact elements are designed so that a spring device can mechanically couple two contact units at a time.
[0024] Furthermore, a connecting cable can be attached directly to the contact element. The connecting cable can be attached to the contact element, for example, at an opposite end of the lever arm, adjacent to the pivot bearing. For this purpose, a hole can be formed in the contact element, to which a connecting lug of the connecting cable can be easily attached using a screw. The connecting cable can then be moved together with the contact element when it is pivoted. The contact resistance between the connecting cable and the contact element is then particularly low.
[0025] The contact unit can be designed such that a current of > 300 amperes, preferably > 800 amperes, at a voltage of > 600 volts can be transmitted via the contact element. Consequently, a power of > 750 kW, preferably up to 1500 kW, can be transmitted via the contact unit. It may then be sufficient to provide only one connecting cable for connection to the respective contact element. The vehicle can also be charged more quickly, since higher currents can be transmitted in a shorter time. If necessary, a larger number of contact units can be provided on the contact unit carrier in order to be able to transmit even greater power.
[0026] The contact unit carrier can have at least five, preferably seven, contact elements, wherein at least two contact elements can form power contacts, two contact elements can form data contacts, and one contact element can form a grounding contact. Since a defined sequence in the production of the contact pairings of contact elements and charging contacts can be ensured due to the different heights of the contact elements relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier, it can be provided that the grounding contact is contacted first, followed by the data contacts, and then the power contacts. For transmitting particularly high power, four power contacts, for example, can be provided.
[0027] The charging system can be designed to be arranged below or above a vehicle. For example, a charging contact device with charging contacts can then be provided on the vehicle or on its underbody, wherein the contact device can then be arranged on a base. The positioning device can be designed such that the charging contact device is moved in the direction of the contact device, or alternatively the contact device in the direction of the charging contact device. Conversely, the contact device can be arranged on the underbody of the vehicle and the charging contact device on the base, wherein the positioning device can be designed to move the charging contact device or the contact device. According to a further alternative embodiment, the contact device can be arranged on a roof of a vehicle and the charging contact device above the roof of the vehicle.The positioning device can be designed such that the contact device can be moved toward the charging contact device, or conversely, the charging contact device can be moved toward the contact device by means of the positioning device. Alternatively, the charging contact device can be arranged on the roof of the vehicle and the contact device above the roof of the vehicle. The positioning device can then be designed such that the charging contact device can be moved toward the contact device, or conversely, the contact device can be moved toward the charging contact device.
[0028] The charging system according to the invention comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device, and a contact device according to the invention. The positioning device, the charging contact device, and the contact device can be arranged below or above a vehicle, or on or in a substructure and on or in a vehicle floor of the vehicle, or alternatively on or in a roof of the vehicle and above the roof of the vehicle.
[0029] The positioning device can comprise a cylinder, articulated arm, pantograph, or rocker, by means of which the contact unit carrier can be positioned at least vertically relative to the charging contact device, wherein the contact device can be arranged on a vehicle or a charging station. The charging contact device or the contact device can comprise the positioning device, so that either the charging contact device can be moved toward the contact device or the contact device can be moved toward the charging contact device by means of the positioning device during a contacting process.
[0030] Further advantageous embodiments of a charging system emerge from the subclaims which refer back to claim 1.
[0031] The invention can in principle be used for any type of electric vehicle that is powered by batteries that need to be recharged.
[0032] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:
[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a top side of a first embodiment of a contact device;
[0034] Fig. 2 is a side view of the contact device from Fig. 1;
[0035] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the contact device of Fig. 1;
[0036] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a charging system;
[0037] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a charging system;
[0038] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a charging system;
[0039] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a charging system;
[0040] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a charging system;
[0041] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of a charging system;
[0042] Fig. 10 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of a charging system;
[0043] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a contact device.
[0044] A summary of Figures 1 to 3 shows a contact device 10 that can be arranged underneath a vehicle (not shown here). A charging contact device with charging contacts is provided on the vehicle, which can be contacted with the contact device 10 to form an electrically conductive connection. For this purpose, the contact device 10 can, for example, comprise a positioning device (not shown here), by means of which the contact device 10 can be moved in the direction of the charging contact device and back. The contact device 10 can, for example, be arranged on or in a surface over which the vehicle can travel, and thus, together with the charging contact device on the vehicle, form a charging system.
[0045] The contact device 10 comprises a contact unit carrier 11 with contact units 12, each having a contact element 13. The contact elements 13 protrude at different heights relative to a surface 14 of the contact unit carrier 11 facing the charging contact device, wherein the contact elements 13 are shown here in a contact position in which contact surfaces 15 of the contact elements 13 are positioned in a common contact plane 16. Furthermore, the contact elements 13 are formed with lever arms 17 and 18 and are pivotally mounted relative to the surface 14 on the pivot bearings 19. The pivot bearings 19 are formed on a body 20 of the contact unit carrier 11 made of a dielectric material.The contact elements 13 are arranged in a star shape relative to one another, wherein contact elements 13 lying opposite one another relative to a vertical axis 21 of the contact device 10 are mechanically connected via the lever arms 18 to a spring device (not shown in detail here) in such a way that the spring device effects an equally large spring force on the contact elements 13 of the contact units 12.
[0046] Fig. 4 shows a charging system 22 with a contact device 23 and a charging contact device 24. The contact device 24 comprises a contact unit carrier 25 with at least two contact units 26, each with contact elements 27. The charging contact device 24 has charging contacts 28, which can be brought into a contact position with the contact elements 27 such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between a vehicle (not shown here) and a charging station. The contact units 26 are designed with a lever arm 29, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot bearing 30. A joint 31 is arranged on each lever arm 29, on which joint a spring device 32 of the contact unit carrier 25 engages.
[0047] The spring device 32 is formed here by two springs 33 and an insulating element 34. The insulating element 34 consists of a dielectric material and is arranged between the two springs 33. The spring device 32 forms a mechanical transmission chain 35 for transmitting a spring force from the springs 33 to the two contact elements 27. Through the mechanical coupling of the spring device 32 with the two contact units 26, an equal spring force can be exerted on the contact elements 27 when the contact device 23 comes into contact with the charging contact device 24.
[0048] Fig. 5 shows a spring device 36 with a spring 37, which forms an insulating element 38 made of a dielectric material.
[0049] Figure 6 shows a spring device 39, which is formed from a single spring 40 and two insulating elements 41. The spring 40 is arranged between the insulating elements 41 in the thus formed mechanical transmission chain 42.
[0050] Fig. 7 shows a spring device 43 with a single spring 44 and a single insulating element 45, which together form a mechanical transmission chain 46.
[0051] Fig. 8 shows a spring device 47 similar to the spring device shown in Fig. 4, but with an insulating element 48 having a through-opening 49. A further spring device of a contact device, not shown in detail here, is passed through the through-opening 49. The spring device 47 can thus intersect with the further spring device.
[0052] Fig. 9 shows a spring device 5 in a plan view, with three springs 51 connected to a central insulating element 52. This spring device 50 makes it possible to mechanically couple three contact units together.
[0053] The spring devices shown in Figs. 5 to 9 can be used alternatively with the contact device of Fig. 4.
[0054] Fig. 10 shows a charging system 53 with a contact device 54 and a charging contact device 55. The contact device 54 is arranged on the roof of a vehicle (not shown in detail here). A contact unit carrier 56 of the contact device 54 is movable relative to the charging contact device 55 in the direction of a vertical axis 58 by means of a positioning device 57 of the charging system 53. Thus, contact elements 59, which protrude at different heights relative to a surface 60 of the contact unit carrier 56 facing the charging contact device 55, can be contacted by means of a charging contact (not shown in detail here) of the charging contact device 55.The contact unit carrier 56 has a spring device (not shown here) which is formed by at least one spring, with which at least two contact units of the contact device 54 are mechanically coupled in such a way that the spring device effects an equal spring force on the contact elements 59 of the at least two contact units.
[0055] Fig. 11 shows a contact unit carrier 61, which can alternatively also be used with the charging system of Fig. 10. The contact unit carrier 61 here has at least two contact units 62 with contact elements 63 and a spring device 64. The contact units 62 are each designed with a lever arm 65 for moving the contact element 63 about a pivot bearing 66 on a body 67 of the contact unit carrier 61. The contact units 62 are thus pivotally mounted relative to a surface 68 of the body 67 or of the contact unit carrier 61. Joints 69 for connection to the spring device 64 are provided on the contact units 62 or contact elements 63. The spring device 64 is designed from two springs 70 and an insulating element 71 arranged between the springs 70. Rods 72, on which springs 70 are guided, are screwed into the insulating element 71. The rods 72 are in turn connected to the joints 69.The spring device 64 thus forms a mechanical transmission chain 73 for transmitting a spring force of both springs 70 to the two contact elements 63.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Contact device (10, 23, 54) for a charging system (22, 53) for electrically powered vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, wherein the charging system comprises a positioning device (57), a charging contact device (24, 55) and the contact device with a contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61), wherein the contact unit carrier has at least two contact units (12, 26, 62), wherein contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63) of the contact units can each be contacted with charging contacts (28) of the charging contact device to form an electrically conductive contact pairing, wherein by means of the positioning device the contact unit carrier can be positioned relative to the charging contact carrier in a contact position such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the vehicle and a charging station, wherein the contact unit carrier has a spring device (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64),characterized in that the spring device is formed by at least one spring (33, 37, 40, 44, 51, 70), wherein the spring device is mechanically coupled to the at least two contact units in such a way that, the spring device causes an equal spring force on the contact elements of the at least two contact units.
2. Contact device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring device (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64) has at least one insulating element (34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 71) made of a dielectric material, wherein the insulating element electrically separates the at least two contact units (12, 26, 62) from one another.
3. Contact device according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring device (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64) forms a mechanical transmission chain (35, 42, 46, 73) for transmitting the spring force to the at least two contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63), wherein the spring (33, 37, 40, 44, 51, 70) is a link in the mechanical transmission chain.
4. Contact device according to claim 3, characterized in that the insulating element (34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 71) is a link in the mechanical transmission chain (35, 42, 46, 73).
5. Contact device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the spring device (32, 47, 50, 64) is designed with at least two springs (33, 51, 70) and an insulating element (34, 48, 52, 71) arranged between the two springs as links of the mechanical transmission chain (35, 73).
6. Contact device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the spring device (39) is provided with at least two insulating elements (41) and a spring (40) arranged between the two insulating elements as links of the mechanical transmission chain (42).
7. Contact device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spring (37) forms the insulating element (38).
8. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (33, 37, 40, 44, 51, 70) is a spiral spring, leg spring, torsion spring, elastomer element or a fluid spring which connects the contact units (12, 26, 62) to one another.
9. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring device (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64) has an adjusting device for adjusting a spring preload of the spring (33, 37, 40, 44, 51, 70).
10. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63) protrude at different heights relative to a surface (14, 60, 68) of the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) facing the charging contact device (24, 55).
11. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) has a body (20, 67) which is formed with at least one through-opening for the contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63) in a surface (14, 60, 68) of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device (24, 55).
12. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact units (12, 26, 62) are each designed with a lever arm (17, 18, 29, 65) for moving the contact element (13, 27, 59, 63), wherein the lever arm is pivotally mounted on a rotary bearing (19, 30, 66) of the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) or the contact unit relative to a surface (14, 60, 68) of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device (24, 55).
13. Contact device according to claim 12, characterized in that the lever arm (17, 18, 29) is formed by the contact element (13, 27, 59) 14. Contact device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the lever arms (17, 18, 29, 65) or the contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63) are each connected to the spring device (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64) via a joint (31, 69).
15. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) has a plurality of Spring devices (32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 50, 64), wherein the spring devices each mechanically connect contact units (12, 26, 62) lying opposite one another relative to a vertical axis (21, 58) of the contact unit carrier.
16. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting line is attached directly to the contact element (13, 27, 59, 63).
17. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit (12, 26, 62) is designed such that a current of > 300 A, preferably of > 800 A at a voltage of > 600 V can be transmitted via the contact element (13, 27, 59, 63).
18. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) has at least five, preferably seven contact elements (13, 27, 59, 63), wherein at least two contact elements form power contacts, two contact elements form data contacts and one contact element forms an earthing contact.
19. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging system (22, 53) is designed to be arranged below or above a vehicle.
20. Charging system (22, 53) with a positioning device (57), a charging contact device (24, 55) and a contact device (10, 23, 54) according to one of the preceding claims.
21. Charging system according to claim 20, characterized in that the positioning device (57) has a cylinder, articulated arm, pantograph or a rocker, by means of which the contact unit carrier (11, 25, 56, 61) can be positioned in at least a vertical direction relative to the charging contact device (24, 55), wherein the contact device (10, 23, 54) can be arranged on a vehicle or a charging station.