Contact strip for current collector

Abstract

An example of a sliding contact strip capable of suppressing frequent arc discharges is disclosed. [Solution] The sliding contact strip 1 is provided with an insulating portion 4 on the sliding contact surface 3 that has a higher electrical resistance than the conductive portion (parts other than the insulating portion 4), and the insulating portion 4 is provided only on a portion of the sliding contact surface 3 in the width direction. Therefore, the occurrence of arc discharge between the trolley wire and the insulating portion 4 can be suppressed, and even if arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive portion 5, the continuous and frequent occurrence of such arc discharge can be suppressed. Consequently, premature damage to the sliding contact strip 1 can be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sliding plate for a current collector used in a tram or the like.

Background Art

[0002] A sliding plate for a current collector (hereinafter simply referred to as "sliding plate") is, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, for collecting electric power from a trolley wire while slidingly contacting the trolley wire when a vehicle is running.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the trolley wire and the sliding plate are separated during running, arc discharge may occur between the trolley wire and the sliding plate. If arc discharge frequently occurs, the sliding plate may be damaged early. The present disclosure discloses an example of a sliding plate in view of this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A sliding plate for a current collector that slidingly contacts a trolley wire and has a sliding contact surface (3) extending in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the trolley wire preferably has the following configuration. That is, in the sliding plate, an insulating portion (4) having a larger electrical resistance than other portions is provided on the sliding contact surface (3), and the insulating portion (4) is provided only on a part in the width direction of the sliding contact surface (3).

[0006] As a result, other parts, namely the parts of the sliding contact surface (3) other than the insulating part (4) (hereinafter referred to as the "conductive part (5)"), have lower electrical resistance than the insulating part (4). Therefore, when the trolley wire and the sliding contact surface (3) are in sliding contact (hereinafter referred to as "sliding contact"), current is collected via the conductive part (5).

[0007] Then, when the trolley wire separates from the conductive part (5), an arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive part (5) at that moment. When the position of the trolley wire where the arc discharge occurs is taken as the generation position, the generation position and the conductive part (5) are facing each other at the moment the arc discharge occurs.

[0008] However, in the said sliding plate (1), the insulating portion (4) is provided only in a part of the width direction, so the moment immediately following the moment when the arc discharge occurs, the location of the discharge and the insulating portion (4) are facing each other.

[0009] Furthermore, when the trolley wire and the insulating part (4) are separated (hereinafter simply referred to as "when separated"), the resistance value between the trolley wire and the insulating part (4) is greater than the resistance value between the trolley wire and the conductive part (5) when separated.

[0010] Therefore, since the occurrence of arc discharge between the trolley wire and the insulating part (4) can be suppressed, even if arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive part (5), the continuous and frequent occurrence of such arc discharge can be suppressed. Consequently, premature damage to the contact strip can be suppressed.

[0011] Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]This figure shows the relationship between the sliding plate and the trolley wire according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows the relationship between the sliding plate and the trolley wire according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the relationship between the sliding plate and the trolley wire according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the relationship between the sliding plate and the trolley wire according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing a sliding plate according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows a sliding plate according to the eighth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0014] The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of each component or part. Therefore, the inventions shown in this disclosure are not limited to the directions indicated in each figure. Diagonal lines do not always indicate cross-sectional views.

[0015] At least one member or part described with a reference sign is provided, unless otherwise stated, such as "one". That is, when there is no statement such as "one", two or more of such members may be provided. The contact strip shown in the present disclosure includes at least one of the components such as the members or parts described with a reference sign, and at least one of the illustrated structural parts.

[0016] (First Embodiment) <1. Configuration of Contact Strip> In this embodiment, an example of the contact strip according to the present disclosure is applied to a contact strip used for a current collection device of a train such as a bullet train. The contact strip is for collecting electric power from the trolley wire while slidingly contacting the trolley wire when the vehicle is running.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the contact strip 1 according to this embodiment is a strip-shaped member. The longitudinal direction of the contact strip 1 coincides with the direction intersecting the extension direction of the trolley wire when the contact strip 1 is mounted on the vehicle (see FIG. 2).

[0018] Incidentally, the contact strip 1 according to this embodiment is formed by arranging a plurality of contact strip pieces ② in series along the longitudinal direction. On the upper surface of the contact strip 1, that is, the part of the contact strip 1 that slidingly contacts the trolley wire (hereinafter, this contact is referred to as "sliding contact"), a sliding contact surface 3 is provided. Therefore, when the contact strip 1 is mounted on the vehicle, the sliding contact surface 3 is a strip-shaped surface extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the trolley wire.

[0019] ​​​​Specifically, the insulating part 4 has a recessed groove 4A that extends downward from the sliding contact surface 3. This groove 4A is filled with air, which is an electrical insulator. Since air has a higher electrical resistance than the conductive part 5, the groove 4A and the air function as the insulating part 4.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the groove 4A extends parallel to the extension direction of the sliding surface 3, that is, the longitudinal direction of the sliding plate 1, at the center of the sliding surface 3 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the sliding plate 1 is an assembly of multiple sliding plate pieces 2.

[0022] Therefore, a groove 4A parallel to the extension direction is provided in the center of the width direction of each sliding plate piece 2. As a result, each groove 4A constitutes a single insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) that extends continuously along the sliding contact surface 3.

[0023] The interface 4B between the insulating portion 4 and the conductive portion 5, that is, the side surface of the groove 4A, is approximately perpendicular to the sliding contact surface 3, as shown in Figure 3. "Approximately perpendicular" means, for example, that it includes a slope equivalent to the "draft angle" when the groove 4A is formed by a mold.

[0024] In other words, the contact strip 2 according to this embodiment is a sintered body of an iron-based metal. The contact strip 2 is manufactured by filling a mold with metal powder and heating and sintering the metal powder. As a result, a draft angle inevitably occurs in the groove 4A of the contact strip 2.

[0025] Ideally, the interface 4B should be perpendicular to the sliding surface 3. However, if the groove 4A is manufactured by, for example, machining, the interface 4B can be perpendicular to the sliding surface 3. Incidentally, the depth of the groove 4A is approximately 5 mm, and the groove width is approximately 4 mm.

[0026] <2. Characteristics of the sliding plate> In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, an insulating portion 4 with a higher electrical resistance than the conductive portion 5 is provided on the sliding surface 3, and the insulating portion 4 is provided only in a portion of the width direction of the sliding surface 3.

[0027] In other words, the conductive part 5 is a part with lower electrical resistance compared to the insulating part 4. Therefore, when the trolley wire and the sliding contact surface 3 are in sliding contact, current is collected through the conductive part 5. Then, when the trolley wire separates from the conductive part 5, an arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive part 5 at that moment (see Figure 4). When the position of the trolley wire where the arc discharge occurs is called the generation position, at the moment the arc discharge occurs, the generation position and the conductive part 5 are facing each other (see Figure 4).

[0028] However, in the sliding plate 1, the insulating portion 4 is provided only in a part of the width direction, so the moment immediately following the moment when the arc discharge occurs, the location of the discharge and the insulating portion 4 are facing each other (see Figure 5).

[0029] Furthermore, when the trolley wire and the insulating part 4 are separated (hereinafter simply referred to as "when separated"), the resistance value between the trolley wire and the insulating part 4 is greater than the resistance value between the trolley wire and the conductive part 5 when separated.

[0030] Therefore, the occurrence of arc discharge between the trolley wire and the insulating part 4 can be suppressed. As a result, even if arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive part 5, the continuous and frequent occurrence of such arc discharge can be suppressed.

[0031] Consequently, the arc discharge generated between the trolley wire and the conductive part 5 can be terminated at the insulating part 4, thereby suppressing the continuous occurrence of arc discharge over long periods and distances, and preventing premature damage to the sliding contact strip 1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the interface 4B between the insulating portion 4 and the conductive portion 5 is substantially perpendicular to the sliding contact surface 3. This ensures that arc discharge between the trolley wire and the insulating portion 4 is reliably suppressed.

[0033] In other words, the greater the depth dimension of the insulating portion 4 (groove 4A), the greater the electrical resistance, which can reliably suppress arc discharge. Therefore, it is desirable that the depth dimension be greater than or equal to the break-off dimension throughout the entire width direction. The break-off dimension refers to the depth dimension that can reliably prevent the occurrence of arc discharge.

[0034] In other words, if the interface 4B is perpendicular to the sliding contact surface 3 so that the cross-section of the insulating part 4 shown in Figure 3 is rectangular, then the point of occurrence and the insulating part 4 will face each other, and the depth dimension will be the interruption dimension. Therefore, if the interface 4B is perpendicular to the sliding contact surface 3, the continuous and frequent occurrence of arc discharge can be reliably suppressed.

[0035] Furthermore, if the interface 4B is composed of an inclined surface tilted at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to the sliding contact surface 3, the depth dimension will not immediately become the interruption dimension even if the generation location and the insulating part 4 are facing each other. For this reason, the generation of arc discharge cannot be reliably suppressed with this configuration.

[0036] (Second Embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the groove width dimension of the single recessed groove 4A that forms the insulating portion 4 is larger than that of the first embodiment (see Figure 1).

[0037] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. (Third embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, at least two insulating portions 4 are provided in the width direction of the sliding contact surface 3. In other words, in this embodiment, two grooves 4A that form insulating portions 4 are provided on the sliding contact surface 3.

[0038] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. (Fourth Embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the groove 4A forming the insulating portion 4 extends along a direction intersecting the extension direction (hereinafter also referred to as the longitudinal direction) of the sliding contact surface 3.

[0039] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the groove 4A is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, water, dust, and other deposits accumulated in the groove 4A can be easily discharged from the groove 4A using the airflow from the vehicle.

[0040] Incidentally, if the groove 4A is parallel to the longitudinal direction, the deposits are pressed against the interface surface 4B by the airflow from the vehicle, making it difficult to discharge the deposits from the groove 4A. In contrast, in this embodiment, the force pressing the deposit against the interface surface 4B is reduced, and a force acts on the deposit to move it along the groove 4A. As a result, the deposit can be reliably discharged from the groove 4A.

[0041] In Figure 8, since each insulating portion 4 provided on each sliding plate piece 2 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, the groove 4A forming the insulating portion 4 was discontinuous in the longitudinal direction. However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the grooves 4A forming the insulating portion 4 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the insulating portion 4 provided on each sliding plate piece 2 is continuous.

[0042] (Fifth embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the groove 4A forming the insulating portion 4 is configured to have a first insulating portion 4C and a second insulating portion 4D.

[0043] The first insulating portion 4C is a groove 4A that extends along a direction inclined with respect to the elongation direction of the sliding contact surface 3. The second insulating portion 4D is a groove 4A that extends along a direction inclined in the opposite direction to the first insulating portion 4C.

[0044] As a result, in the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, the direction in which the adhering material is discharged is suppressed, and it becomes possible to discharge the adhering material using airflow other than the airflow from the vehicle (for example, natural wind).

[0045] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. Incidentally, in Figure 9, since the first insulating portion 4C and the second insulating portion 4D provided on each sliding plate piece 2 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, the first insulating portion 4C and the second insulating portion 4D that make up the insulating portion 4 are discontinuous in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the first insulating portion 4C and the second insulating portion 4D that make up the insulating portion 4 may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the first insulating portion 4C and the second insulating portion 4D provided on each sliding plate piece 2 are continuous.

[0047] (Sixth Embodiment) In the ground plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, a water-repellent coating 4E is provided on the surface of the groove 4A that forms the insulating portion 4.

[0048] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. This makes it possible to reliably discharge any water, dust, or other deposits accumulated in the groove 4A from the groove 4A in this embodiment.

[0049] In Figure 10, the insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the first embodiment is provided with a coating 4E, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the second to fifth embodiments may also be provided with a coating 4E.

[0050] (Seventh Embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the grooves 4A constituting the insulating portion 4 are filled with a filler material 4F made of a material with higher electrical resistance than the conductive portion 5. Thus, in this embodiment, the insulating portion 4 is composed of the grooves 4A and the filler material 4F.

[0051] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. As a result, in this embodiment, water, dust, etc., will not accumulate in the groove 4A in principle, and, similar to the above-described embodiment, even if an arc discharge occurs between the trolley wire and the conductive part 5, the continuous and frequent occurrence of such arc discharge can be suppressed.

[0052] In Figure 11, the insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the first embodiment is filled with filler material 4F, but this embodiment is not limited to this. The insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the second to fifth embodiments may also be filled with filler material 4F.

[0053] (Eighth embodiment) In the sliding plate 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, an inclined surface 3A is provided on the sliding contact surface 3 such that the groove 4A forming the insulating portion 4 is the lowest.

[0054] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. Incidentally, Figure 12 shows a configuration in which the insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the first embodiment is provided, but this embodiment is not limited to this. A configuration in which the insulating portion 4 (groove 4A) according to the second to seventh embodiments is provided may also be used.

[0055] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the abrasive plate 1 was constructed by arranging a plurality of abrasive plate pieces 2 in series along the longitudinal direction. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may, for example, consist of a single abrasive plate piece to form a single abrasive plate 1.

[0056] The insulating portion 4 according to the above embodiment had a groove 4A. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the insulating portion 4 does not need to be grooved, as illustrated in the seventh embodiment, for example.

[0057] Therefore, for example, in the eighth embodiment, the groove 4A may be eliminated. In other words, the insulating portion 4 may be formed by a triangular recess formed by the inclined surface 3A. Alternatively, the insulating portion 4 may be formed by modifying a part of the sliding contact surface 3.

[0058] The conductive part 5 in the above-described embodiment was a sintered body of an iron-based metal. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the conductive part 5 may be made of carbon, for example. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1… Sliding board 3… Sliding surface 3A… Inclined surface 4… Insulation part 4A… Concave groove 4B… Boundary surface

Claims

1. A sliding contact strip for a current collector, having a sliding contact surface that slides in contact with a trolley wire and extends in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the trolley wire, The aforementioned sliding contact surface is provided with an insulating portion that has a higher electrical resistance compared to other parts. Furthermore, the insulating portion is provided only on a portion of the sliding plate in the width direction of the sliding contact surface.

2. The sliding plate according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion extends parallel to the extension direction of the sliding surface at the center in the width direction of the sliding surface.

3. The sliding plate according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion is provided at least two times in the width direction of the sliding surface.

4. The insulating portion has a recessed groove that is recessed from the sliding contact surface. Furthermore, the sliding plate according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion extends along a direction intersecting the elongation direction of the sliding contact surface.

5. The insulating portion has a recessed groove that is recessed from the sliding contact surface. Furthermore, the sliding plate according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion comprises a first insulating portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the elongation direction of the sliding surface, and a second insulating portion extending in a direction inclined in the opposite direction to the first insulating portion.

6. The sliding plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the interface between the insulating portion and the other portion is substantially perpendicular to the sliding contact surface.

7. The insulating portion has a recessed groove that is recessed from the sliding contact surface. Furthermore, the abrasive plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a water-repellent coating is provided on the surface of the grooves forming the insulating portion.

8. The insulating portion has a recessed groove that is recessed from the sliding contact surface. Furthermore, the abrasive plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the groove is filled with a filler material of a material having a higher electrical resistance than the other parts.

Images