Contact bar contact force-adjusting device having height-adjustable dog

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact bar contact force-adjusting device provided with not only a height adjustment means for varying the height of a dog sensed by a photosensor, but also a tension identification means whereby a change in the tension of a spring can be easily identified regardless of the skill level of an operator. More specifically, the contact bar contact force-adjusting device comprises: a dog that protrudes toward an upper portion of a support bar and rotates the support bar; a nut that is screwed to the outer surface of the dog and located on the upper surface of the support bar, and supports the dog when the dog rotates; a wedge member which is screwed to the outer surface of the support bar and inserted into a mounting hole, and the upper portion of which gradually increases in diameter toward the top along the height direction and sits in the mounting hole; and a height adjustment means for adjusting the height of the dog.

Description

Contact bar contact force adjustment device with adjustable dog height

[0001] The present technology relates to a contact bar contact force adjustment device equipped with a height adjustment means for varying the height of a dog detected by a photo sensor, as well as a tension confirmation means for easily checking changes in tension of a spring regardless of the skill level of the worker.

[0002] Electric trains, such as electric trains and high-speed trains, will run along rails and underground tunnels, designed to be pollution-free public transportation.

[0003] A number of electric vehicles are connected and supplied with high-voltage power through a pantograph to move the electric vehicles. However, this type of electric vehicle has the problem that it cannot run freely because it has to move along the rails.

[0004] To solve these problems, electric vehicles have been developed that can move freely with sufficient acceleration and driving speed by driving an electric motor using the power charged in the battery without emitting exhaust fumes. As the technology of electric motors and batteries has advanced, not only small passenger cars but also large buses that can be driven by electric charging have been developed recently.

[0005] In the case of small passenger cars, charging can be done using household electricity, but in the case of large buses, charging is done using high voltage and high current, so separate charging stations are provided for charging large buses.

[0006] In these charging stations, charging is performed by contacting a contact bar connected to a current collector with a plurality of charging terminals provided on the upper surface of a large bus. At this time, a spring is provided between the current collector and the contact bar to ensure that the contact bar is in close contact with the charging terminal, and the elasticity of the spring causes the contact bar to be pressed against the charging terminal, thereby performing charging.

[0007] However, there is a problem that when the spring provided between the collector and the contact bar is used while repeatedly contracting and relaxing under the load of the cable or over a long period of time, the tension of the spring itself decreases, which ultimately prevents the contact bar from being pressed against the charging terminal, and thus charging does not occur properly. In addition, in this case, there is a problem that a lot of maintenance costs are required because the spring must be replaced to solve this problem.

[0008] In order to solve these problems, the above-mentioned problems were solved through the 'Contact Bar Contact Force Control Device', which is a domestically registered patent No. 10-2561273 known to the applicant of the present invention as a prior art.

[0009] That is, by adjusting the tension of the spring by rotating the dog provided on the upper part of the support bar, the gap between the contact bar and the collector is adjusted, thereby allowing the worker to visually check the contact status between the contact bar and the charging terminal at a total of four locations.

[0010] However, in addition to the decrease in spring tension, which has been mentioned as a problem in the past, the decrease in contact force may also occur due to the slope of the ground or different air pressures of the tires of large buses, and although this can be compensated for with the configuration of the prior art, it is impossible to compensate for severely inclined ground with the configuration of the prior art alone.

[0011] That is, in the conventional technology, the height of the support bar is determined within the detection value of the photo sensor in the process of rotating the dog to adjust the tension (the degree to which it is extended or shortened) of the spring. Therefore, when the detection value is exceeded, even if the support bar is further lowered, the activation required for charging is not performed unless detection by the photo sensor is performed.

[0012] In addition, the conventional technology uses a method in which a worker visually identifies changes in tension of a spring due to warping of a contact bar, which can cause problems in that workers with insufficient skill are unable to detect changes in tension of the spring.

[0013] In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the present invention aims to lower the support bar by a value greater than the detection value by the photo sensor and to adjust the contact force between the contact bar and the charging terminal by the tension of the spring, thereby allowing the height of the dog to be varied so that it can be detected by the photo sensor.

[0014] In addition, in order to solve another problem of the conventional technology described above, the present invention has another purpose of enabling a worker to easily identify changes in the tension of a spring regardless of the worker's skill level, and further enabling the worker to use the invention for uniformly adjusting the contact pressure between the contact bar and the charging terminal in multiple contacts.

[0015] As a means of solving the problem of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the contact bar contact force adjusting device according to the present invention, which is capable of adjusting the height of a dog, is characterized by a contact force adjusting unit (500), and the contact force adjusting unit (500) is characterized by including a dog (510) that is provided to protrude from the upper portion of the support bar (200) and rotates the support bar (200), a nut (520) that is screw-fastened to the outer surface of the dog (510) and is arranged on the upper surface of the support bar (200) and supports the dog (510) when the dog (510) rotates, a wedge member (530) that is screw-fastened to the outer surface of the support bar (200) and is inserted into an installation hole (610) and has an upper diameter that gradually increases upward in the height direction and is seated in the installation hole (610), and a height adjusting means (540) for adjusting the height of the dog (510).

[0016] In addition, it is preferable that the height adjustment means (540) be either a first height adjustment body (541) that is coupled to the outer surface of the dog (510) so as to be able to rise and fall and to vary the height of the dog (510) or a second height adjustment body (543) that is rotatably screw-coupled to the inner surface of an insertion groove (511) formed in the dog (510) and varies the height of the dog (510) depending on the direction of rotation.

[0017] In addition, the contact force control unit (500) further includes a tension confirmation means (800) for displaying in numbers not only the tension change for the spring (400) but also the contact pressure between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal, and it is preferable that the tension confirmation means (800) includes a piezoelectric sensor (810) installed on the support plate (600) so that the detection pin (811) is pressed by the contact bar (100), and a counter (820) electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensor (810) so as to display in numbers the pressure applied to the detection pin (811).

[0018] In addition, it is preferable that the piezoelectric sensor (810) be configured to always apply pressure to the detection pin (811) by the contact bar (100) so that a reference value can be displayed through the counter (820), and the state of the spring (400) can be determined as it becomes higher or lower than the reference value when the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal are not in contact with each other.

[0019] According to the present invention, in a case where an electric vehicle equipped with a charging terminal has an excessive inclination due to ground conditions or a difference in tire pressure, and thus a support bar is to be rotated beyond the detection value of a photo sensor, the first height adjusting body or the second height adjusting body provided on the dog enables detection by the photo sensor, thereby enabling charging of an electric vehicle having an excessive inclination.

[0020] In addition, unlike conventional methods, it is expected that the worker will be able to easily determine the state of each spring with the naked eye regardless of the worker's skill level or whether there is contact between the contact bar and the charging terminal, and at the same time, the contact pressure at each contact point of the contact bar and the charging terminal will also be easily confirmed.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a drawing illustrating a conventional contact bar contact force control device.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a first embodiment of a height adjustment means for a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a second embodiment of a height adjustment means for a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a tension confirmation means for a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention when the contact bar is in a horizontal state.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a tension confirmation means for a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention when the contact bar is in an inclined state.

[0030] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog according to the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as “adjustment device”) will be described in detail.

[0031] Before the explanation, it should be noted that the adjusting device according to the present invention further includes a height adjusting means (540) provided on the upper part of the dog (510) and a plurality of tension checking means (800) installed on the auxiliary support member (700) to detect the change in tension of the elastically restorable spring (400) in comparison with the 'Contact Bar Contact Force Adjusting Device', which is the domestic patent registration number 10-2561273 by the applicant of the present invention, so that the gist of the present invention can be clearly described, the detailed description of the contact bar (100), the support bar (200), the current collector (300), the spring (400), the contact force adjusting unit (500), the support plate (600), and the auxiliary support member (700) is based on the technical contents known in the domestic patent registration number 10-2561273 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] First, the control device according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, includes, in addition to the contact bar (100), support bar (200), current collector (300), spring (400), contact force control unit (500), support plate (600), and auxiliary support member (700) described above, a height control means (540) provided on a dog (510) constituting the contact force control unit (500) and a tension checking means (800) mounted on the auxiliary support member (700).

[0033] Meanwhile, the symbol '540' not shown in the drawing means a height adjustment means including the first and second height adjustment bodies (541, 543), and '800' means a tension adjustment means including a pressure sensor (810) and a counter (520).

[0034] To explain in more detail, the height adjustment means (540) is configured to rotate the dog (510) to a value greater than the detection value of the photo sensor (320) to lower the support bar (200) when an excessive inclination (e.g., tire pressure) of an electric vehicle having a charging terminal in contact with the slope of the ground or the contact bar (100) occurs, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, so as to enable detection of the dog (510) by the photo sensor (320) by varying the upper height of the dog (510), and is used by applying one embodiment of the first height adjustment body (541) or the second height adjustment body (543) according to the embodiment.

[0035] Here, the first height adjusting body (541) is inserted into the outer surface of the dog (510) so as to be able to be raised and lowered for height variation, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is configured to be fixed by pressing the outer surface of the dog (510) after being raised and lowered.

[0036] To this end, the first height adjusting body (541) is formed in the shape of a cap with an open bottom, and a fixing bolt is inserted into the outer surface so that the first height adjusting body (541) can be fixed to the outer surface of the dog (510) by applying pressure to the outer surface of the dog (510), thereby forming a fixing hole (541a).

[0037] At this time, it is preferable that the fixed hole (541a) be formed in the shape of a long hole having a length in the vertical direction as shown so that the fixed bolt can be fixed to the outer surface of the dog (510) according to the change in height of the first height adjusting body (541).

[0038] Meanwhile, the second height adjustment body (543) has the same effect as the first height adjustment body (543), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, but is vertically extended outward from the inside of the dog (510) rather than from the outer surface of the dog (510).

[0039] To this end, the dog (510) is formed with an insertion groove (511) that extends from the top to the bottom in contrast to the conventional one, but has a screw thread formed on the inside, and a second height adjusting body (543) formed in a pillar shape is rotatably inserted into the insertion groove (511) so that it can be screw-connected.

[0040] In addition, a tool groove is formed on the upper surface of the second height adjusting body (543) to enable a worker to easily withdraw the second height adjusting body (543) out of the dog (510) using a tool, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, the second height adjusting member (543) that is screw-connected with the insertion groove (511) is fastened in the opposite direction to the screw-connecting direction of the nut (520) or the wedge member (530) that is screw-connected with the outer surface of the support bar (200), so that the support bar (200) can be prevented from rotating together during the process of rotating and withdrawing the second height adjusting member (543) from the insertion groove (511).

[0042] Thus, by fastening either the first height adjusting body (541) or the second height adjusting body (543) to the dog (510) and changing the upper height of the dog (510) higher than before, the lowering length of the support bar (200) can be further increased against excessive tilting of the electric vehicle equipped with the charging terminal, and in this process, detection by the photo sensor (320) becomes possible, so that contact between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal can be easily implemented.

[0043] In addition, the tension checking means (800) includes a piezoelectric sensor (810) and a counter (820) configured to easily visually check the change in tension (increase or decrease) of the spring (400) regardless of the skill level of the worker or the contact between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal as shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9.

[0044] For example, as shown, the piezoelectric sensor (810) is installed in a number corresponding to the number of springs (400) so as to be positioned on the lower surface of the support plate (600) facing the upper surface of the contact bar (100).

[0045] At the bottom of the piezoelectric sensor (810), a column-shaped detection pin (811) is formed to protrude so as to be in contact with the contact bar (100), and an electric signal generated through a change in resistance value, etc. depending on the degree of pressure applied to the contact bar (100) of the detection pin (811), is transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor (810).

[0046] In addition, as shown, a number of counters (820) are provided on the outer surface of the current collector (300) so that they can be individually electrically connected to each piezoelectric sensor (810), and receive an electric signal transmitted to the piezoelectric sensor (810) through the detection pin (811) and calculate and display it as a number.

[0047] Through this, the worker can easily visually check the tension change for each spring (400) without contact between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal, regardless of skill level, and the numerical information displayed through this counter (820) can numerically check the contact pressure generated at each contact point when the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal come into contact with each other, and can also include a function to check which contact point the pressure is being applied to. Based on this result, the worker can adjust the tension of the spring (400) by rotating the support bar (200).

[0048] In detail, as shown in the drawing, in order to determine the tension of a smooth spring (400), the contact bar (100) is horizontal to an arbitrary center line (L) and the contact bar (100) is not in contact with the charging terminal, and the detection pin (811) of the piezoelectric sensor (810) presses the contact bar (100) with a predetermined pressure so that the numerical value (indicated as '1.0' in the drawing) displayed on each counter (820) is set to the initial state in which the counter (820) is displayed (see FIG. 8).

[0049] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 9, when the contact bar (100) is biased in one direction in response to a change in the tension of the spring (400) (in the drawing, the spring is in an extended state), the contact pressure applied to the detection pin (811) changes, and this change ultimately brings about a change in the numerical value displayed by the counter (820), so that the worker can easily determine the state of the spring (400) with the naked eye.

[0050] Of course, when the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal come into contact with each other through the above method to have multiple contact points, the contact pressure applied to the detection pin (811) accordingly can be confirmed through the numerical value displayed on the counter (820), and the worker can adjust the support bar (200) in response to the numerical value, thereby enabling each contact pressure to be applied evenly.

[0051] As described above, the control device according to the present invention is different from the conventional one in that, when an electric vehicle equipped with a charging terminal has an excessive incline due to ground conditions or a difference in tire air pressure, and the support bar (200) is rotated beyond the detection value of the photo sensor (320), the first height adjustment body (541) or the second height adjustment body (543) provided in the dog (510) enables detection by the photo sensor (320), so that charging of the electric vehicle having an excessive incline is expected to be possible.

[0052] In addition, unlike the conventional method, it is expected that the worker can easily check the state of each spring (400) with the naked eye regardless of the worker's skill level or whether there is contact between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal, and at the same time, the contact pressure at each contact point between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal can also be easily checked.

Claims

1. In a contact bar contact force control device of a pantograph, which includes a contact force control unit (500) that is provided on the upper part of a support bar (200) and drives the support bar (200) to rotate so that the current collector (300) moves up and down along the height direction of the support bar (200), thereby controlling the gap between the contact bar (100) and the current collector (300), thereby controlling the contact force at which the contact bar (100) comes into contact with the charging bar. The above contact force control unit (500) A contact bar contact force adjusting device capable of adjusting the height of a dog, characterized by comprising: a dog (510) protruding from the upper portion of the support bar (200) to rotate the support bar (200); a nut (520) that is screw-fastened to the outer surface of the dog (510) and is arranged on the upper surface of the support bar (200) to support the dog (510) when the dog (510) rotates; a wedge member (530) that is screw-fastened to the outer surface of the support bar (200) and inserted into an installation hole (610) and has an upper diameter that gradually increases as it goes upward in the height direction and is settled in the installation hole (610); and a height adjusting means (540) for adjusting the height of the dog (510).

2. In paragraph 1, The above height adjustment means (540) A first height adjusting body (541) that is connected to the outer surface of the dog (510) so as to be able to rise and fall and changes the height of the dog (510); or A contact bar contact force adjusting device capable of adjusting the height of a dog, characterized by comprising: a second height adjusting body (543) that is rotatably screw-connected to the inner surface of an insertion groove (511) formed in the dog (510) to vary the height of the dog (510) depending on the direction of rotation; 3. In paragraph 1, The above contact force control unit (500) It further includes a tension checking means (800) for displaying numerically the tension change of the spring (400) as well as the contact pressure between the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal; A contact bar contact force control device capable of adjusting the height of a dog, characterized in that the tension checking means (800) includes a piezoelectric sensor (810) installed on the support plate (600) so that the detection pin (811) is pressed by the contact bar (100), and a counter (820) electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensor (810) to numerically display the pressure applied to the detection pin (811).

4. In paragraph 3, The above piezoelectric sensor (810) A contact bar contact force adjustment device capable of adjusting the height of a dog, characterized in that the contact pin (811) is always subjected to pressure by the contact bar (100) so that a reference value can be displayed through the counter (820), and the state of the spring (400) can be determined as it becomes higher or lower than the reference value when the contact bar (100) and the charging terminal are not in contact with each other.

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