Power supply device, power supply means and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a power supply device for a vehicle, comprising a contact device (1), which can be lowered towards a vehicle in order to form an electrical contact between the contact device (1) and the vehicle, and comprising a drive (3), wherein, for moving the contact device (1), the drive (3) can be connected to a power supply means, and a conveying means (16) of the drive (3) is coupled to the contact device (1), or the drive (3) is connected to the contact device (1) and the conveying means (16) can be coupled to the power supply means. According to the invention, the drive (3) has a drive spring (17) coupled to the contact device (1), wherein, for a lifting process of the contact device (1), the drive spring (17) has a greater strain energy in a lowered first state of the contact device (1) than in a second state of the contact device (1) raised above the first state. This ensures a reliable return of the contact device (1).

Description

[0001] Power supply device, power supply device and vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a power supply device for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle such as an electric bus or an electric truck or for a rail vehicle, with a contact device which can be lowered towards the vehicle to form an electrical contact between the contact device and a vehicle, and with a drive which has a conveying means, wherein for a movement of the contact device either the drive can be connected to a power supply device and the conveying means is coupled to the contact device or the drive is connected to the contact device and the conveying means can be coupled to the power supply device.

[0003] To supply power to vehicles, devices can be used that automatically establish electrical contact between chargers or charging stations on the one hand and batteries of electric vehicles on the other. For example, the standards EN (European Standard) 50696 and SAE (SAE International) J3105 describe such devices.

[0004] These devices are used, for example, to bridge distances, to transmit contact forces and to transmit charging current between chargers or charging stations on the one hand and vehicles on the other.

[0005] These devices often have, for example, four-pole contact heads which are lowered from the ceiling of a vehicle depot or from a crossbeam of a loading gantry and, in order to form mechanical and electrical contacts with the vehicles, are docked onto docking devices on the vehicles which are mechanically and electrically compatible with the contact heads. Due in particular to the drives and return devices of these devices, the devices are often very tall and heavy, which means that hall ceilings, crossbeams, etc. to which the devices can be connected must often meet high load-bearing capacity requirements. In addition, these devices often have to apply high actuating forces with short actuating travels.

[0006] From the prior art, for example, WO 2023 / 072365 A1 is known, which describes a positioning arrangement for a charging station and a contacting method. The positioning arrangement has a positioning device, a drive device and a charging contact, by means of which a contact surface of an electric vehicle can be contacted to supply electrical power to the vehicle. The drive device comprises a support means connected to the positioning device, via which a tensile force can be transmitted to the positioning device, whereby the charging contact can be positioned.

[0007] Furthermore, US 2023 / 0098461 A1 discloses a charging device in which, for a charging process on an electric vehicle, a charging head can be lowered onto a contact device of the vehicle by means of an adjusting device. The adjusting device can have articulated scissor levers.

[0008] WO 2021 / 058221 A1 discloses a charging station for charging an electric vehicle, which has a charging head for contacting a contact element of the electric vehicle, which can be manipulated by means of an actuating device with an actuating rod and an actuating drive.

[0009] CN 204383201 U shows a charging device with a retractable contact head for an electric vehicle. Furthermore, WO 2017 / 042065 A1 shows a positioning device for forming an electrical connection between a charging station and an electric vehicle, wherein the positioning device comprises a linkage and a drive device with an actuator and a spring device for adjusting the linkage.

[0010] Furthermore, WO 2022 / 100790 A1 discloses a power supply device in which arms which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and to which a contacting device is coupled can be moved between a raised position and a lowered position by means of a drive arrangement, wherein the contacting device can be held in a lowered position by means of its weight.

[0011] CN 210792806 U further discloses a loading device for motor vehicles which comprises a telescopic arm arrangement.

[0012] The invention is based on the object of specifying a compact power supply device with a mechanical return device which is further developed compared to the prior art.

[0013] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a power supply device according to claim 1, in which the drive has a driving spring which is coupled to the contact device via the conveying means, wherein for a lifting process of the contact device the driving spring has a greater tensioning energy in a lowered first state of the contact device than in a second state of the contact device raised above the lowered first state of the contact device. By this measure, a functional arrangement for lowering and retrieving the contact device is achieved, in which a tensioning process of the driving spring is initiated by a lowering process of the contact device.

[0014] From the lowered first state of the contact device, the contact device can be raised and retrieved due to the tensioning energy of the mainspring, whereby the mainspring carries out a relaxation process.

[0015] To carry out the lowering process of the contact device, for example, a drive torque can be transmitted against a spring torque of the mainspring by means of the drive, whereby a height level of the contact device is changed and the mainspring is tensioned.

[0016] The drive can, for example, be mounted on or at the power supply device (e.g., on a crossbeam of a loading frame), wherein the conveying means can be coupled to the contact device for transmitting a holding force caused by the drive torque to the contact device. Thus, the contact device can be lowered and held in the lowered first state of the contact device, for example, by braking the drive.

[0017] However, it is also possible for the drive to be mounted on or in the contact device, for example, and for the conveyor to be coupled to the power supply device. The contact device can thus be lowered together with the drive and held by the conveyor, with the holding force caused by the drive torque being transmitted. Components of the drive can, for example, be arranged in a compact housing. A redundant power supply for the drive (for example via an accumulator), in order to be able to retrieve the contact device in the event of a power failure, for example, can be dispensed with. The power supply device according to the invention can therefore be compact and lightweight, placing only a moderate load on the power supply device, and requiring little maintenance, for example due to the lack of an accumulator for carrying out retrieval processes for the contact device in the event of a power failure.

[0018] For example, supply lines of the power supply device can be connected to the contact device. The supply lines can, for example, be electrically connected to contact elements of the contact device.

[0019] Because the drive has the mainspring, externally arranged springs (e.g. coil springs) between the contact device and the power supply device, which can place a heavy load on the power supply device and the power supply device due to high masses and spring forces, can be dispensed with.

[0020] Further advantageous embodiments of the power supply device according to the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0021] It is advantageous, for example, if, for the lifting process of the contact device from the lowered first state of the contact device, the contact device can be lifted by means of the tensioning energy of the drive spring in the lowered first state of the contact device, overcoming weight forces of at least the contact device and the drive and overcoming a breakaway torque and / or a breakaway force of the drive.

[0022] This measure ensures effective automatic retrieval of the contact device (e.g. when an electric motor of the drive is de-energized due to a power failure, etc.).

[0023] A simple and robust solution for the mainspring using standard components is achieved when the mainspring is designed as a torsion spring, a strip spring, or a spiral spring. The torsion spring can be designed, for example, as a torsion spring, etc.

[0024] Precise manipulation of the contact device is promoted if a guide device of the power supply device is coupled to the contact device and connectable to the power supply device in order to stabilize the movement of the contact device.

[0025] Compensation for a tilted position of a vehicle to which the power supply device can be docked, for example to carry out an electrical charging process, can also be achieved if the guide device is coupled in an articulated manner to the contact device.

[0026] The tilt can be caused, for example, by an uneven distribution of passengers in the vehicle or by one-sided lowering of the vehicle by means of a level control in order to make it easier for passengers to get in or out (kneeling), etc.

[0027] A high degree of flexibility in the alignment of the power supply device can also be achieved if the guide device can be connected to the power supply device in an articulated manner.

[0028] It is also helpful, for example, if the guide device has a plurality of scissor levers. This measure increases the mechanical stability of the power supply device.

[0029] It may also be advisable if the guide device has at least four scissor levers, preferably six scissor levers.

[0030] This measure allows the load-bearing capacity of the guide device to be adjusted as needed. With regard to the free movement of the contact device, it is also helpful if the conveyor is articulated to the contact device or can be articulated to the power supply device.

[0031] A structurally and functionally simple solution for manipulating the contact device is achieved if the drive is designed as a winch drive with a winch for the conveying means, wherein the conveying means is connected to the winch in a first diameter range of the winch in the lowered first state of the contact device and the conveying means is connected to the winch in a second diameter range of the winch in the second state of the contact device raised above the lowered first state of the contact device, wherein a first minimum diameter of the winch in the first diameter range is greater than a second minimum diameter of the winch in the second diameter range.

[0032] This measure increases the instantaneous winding radius of the winch as the spring torque of the mainspring increases. The conveying force required to unwind the conveying means from the winch is calculated from the quotient of the spring torque and the winding radius. Therefore, the drive torque required to manipulate the contact device is simply a differential torque between the spring torque and the product of the conveying force and the winding radius.

[0033] The winch drive can be designed as a cable pull, etc. The drive's conveying means can be designed as a rope, a belt, a strap, a chain, etc. The winch can be designed conically, etc.

[0034] A simple and robust drive means is obtained if the drive has a motor and a gearbox, wherein the conveying means of the drive is guided by means of the winch of the drive, can be wound onto the winch and can be unwound from the winch, and wherein for the transmission of torque from the motor via the gearbox to the winch the motor is coupled to the gearbox and the gearbox is coupled to the winch.

[0035] A mechanical coupling of winding processes of the winch with respect to the conveyor with tensioning and relaxation processes of the mainspring is achieved when the mainspring is connected to the winch in a mechanical parallel circuit.

[0036] The mainspring can, for example, be connected to the winch on the one hand and to a housing of the drive or another component which is arranged at rest relative to the winch on the other hand, etc.

[0037] A supply of electricity to a vehicle at a stop, in a depot or at a charging station etc. is made possible by a power supply device according to the invention with at least one power supply device according to the invention and with a holding device, wherein a vehicle can be arranged below the holding device and the contact device of the at least one power supply device is connected to the holding device so that it can be lowered towards the vehicle.

[0038] The power supply device can be connected, for example, via the holding device to a ceiling of a hall forming the power supply device or to a cross member of a loading frame forming the power supply device, etc.

[0039] For example, electrical supply lines of the power supply device can be connected to the power supply device, which can be connected, for example, to an electricity network via the power supply device. A promising field of application for the power supply device according to the invention and the power supply device according to the invention can be developed with a vehicle according to the invention having at least one docking device, which can be supplied with electrical power by means of a power supply device according to the invention and can be arranged below a power supply device according to the invention, wherein the at least one docking device is designed such that it can be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with the power supply device, wherein the at least one docking device is designed to be mechanically and electrically compatible with the power supply device.

[0040] The contact device of the power supply device can, for example, have first contact rails which are spaced apart from one another and which can be brought into contact with second contact rails of the docking device, wherein the first contact rails can be arranged at right angles to the second contact rails, etc. The docking device can, for example, be arranged on a roof of the vehicle, wherein electrical vehicle cables can be led from the docking device, for example, to a battery of the vehicle, etc. The battery can, for example, be charged by means of the power supply device.

[0041] The vehicle can be, for example, an electric bus, an electric truck or an electric rail vehicle, etc.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0043] Examples include:

[0044] Fig. 1: A side view of an exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, which is connected to an exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, wherein a drive of the power supply device is mounted on the power supply device and wherein the power supply device can be docked to an exemplary first embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0045] Fig. 2: Diagrams showing a spring torque curve of a drive spring, a conveying force curve of a conveying means of a drive and a drive torque curve of a motor of the drive of that exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention according to Fig. 1, and

[0046] Fig. 3: A side view of an exemplary second embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, which is connected to an exemplary second embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, wherein a drive of the power supply device is mounted on a contact device of the power supply device and wherein the power supply device can be docked to an exemplary second embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention. A schematic side view shown in Fig. 1 shows an exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention.

[0047] The power supply device is configured for an electric bus, i.e. for a commercial vehicle, and comprises a metallic contact device 1, a metallic guide device 2 and a drive 3, from which an inverted charging current collector is formed.

[0048] The bus is an exemplary first embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention. However, according to the invention, it is also conceivable for the vehicle to be designed, for example, as an electric truck or an electric rail vehicle, etc.

[0049] The contact device 1 can be lowered toward the vehicle to form an electrical contact between the contact device 1 and the vehicle. Fig. 1 shows a partially lowered state of the contact device 1. In a fully lowered state of the contact device 1, the contact device 1 contacts a docking device 4 on a roof 5 of the vehicle.

[0050] The docking device 4 is thus designed to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with the power supply device and is designed to be mechanically and electrically compatible with the power supply device.

[0051] A lithium-ion battery of the vehicle (not shown in Fig. 1) can be supplied with electrical power by means of the power supply device and can thus be charged. The lithium-ion battery is connected to the docking device 4 via electrical vehicle cables (not shown in Fig. 1).

[0052] The guide device 2 is articulated to the contact device 1 to stabilize a movement of the contact device 1 and, to support the power supply device, is articulated to an exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention. The power supply device is designed as a charging station in a vehicle depot and has a holding device 6 designed as a cross member, to which the guide device 2 and, via the guide device 2, the contact device 1 are connected. The guide device 2 is detachably connected to the holding device 6 of the power supply device, for example for maintenance purposes. The vehicle is arranged below the holding device 6 of the power supply device.

[0053] The guide device 2 has a plurality of scissor levers which are arranged in a parallelogram shape in the state of the power supply device shown in Fig. 1.

[0054] The guide device 2 has six scissor levers. However, according to the invention, it is also possible for the lowering device to comprise a smaller number of scissor levers, for example, four scissor levers, or a larger number of scissor levers.

[0055] A first end of a first scissor lever 7 and a second end of a second scissor lever 8 are pivotally connected to the contact device 1. The first scissor lever 7 and the second scissor lever 8 are arranged to converge and overlap in the region of the first end and the second end.

[0056] A third end of the first scissor lever 7 is pivotally coupled to a fourth end of a third scissor lever 9, a fifth end of the second scissor lever 8 is pivotally coupled to a sixth end of a fourth scissor lever 10. The third scissor lever 9 and the fourth scissor lever 10 are arranged to cross one another and are pivotally connected to one another, with a seventh end of the third scissor lever 9 being pivotally coupled to an eighth end of a fifth scissor lever 11 and a ninth end of the fourth scissor lever 10 being pivotally coupled to a tenth end of a sixth scissor lever 12.

[0057] The guide device 2 can be lowered toward the vehicle via an eleventh end of the fifth scissor lever 11 and a twelfth end of the sixth scissor lever 12 and is pivotally coupled to the holding device 6. As a result, the contact device 1 is connected to the holding device 6 so that it can be lowered toward the vehicle.

[0058] The fifth scissor lever 11 and the sixth scissor lever 12 are arranged to converge and overlap each other in the region of the eleventh end and the twelfth end.

[0059] The drive 3 is designed as a motorized winch drive, which is designed as a cable pull.

[0060] The drive 3 comprises a motor 13 designed as an electric motor, a gear 14, a winch 15, a conveyor 16 and a mainspring 17 designed as a metallic strip spring. According to the invention, however, it is also conceivable to design the mainspring 17, for example, as a spiral spring or as a torsion spring, which can be designed as a torsion spring, etc. The winch 15 is designed for manipulating the conveyor 16, the conveyor 16 being designed as a rope. The conveyor 16 is guided by means of the winch 15, can be wound up onto the winch 15 and unwound from the winch 15. In a partially lowered state of the contact device 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor 16 is partially wound up onto the winch 15. The drive 3 is connected to the holding device 6 of the power supply device in order to move the contact device 1 and is mounted on the holding device 6.The conveyor means 16 is coupled to the contact device 1 in an articulated manner. According to the invention, however, it is also conceivable that the drive 3 is, for example, mounted on the contact device 1 and connected to the contact device 1, the conveyor means 16 being, for example, coupled to the holding device 6 in an articulated manner. In the fully lowered state of the contact device 1, in which the contact device 1 contacts the docking device 4 on the roof 5 of the vehicle, the conveyor means 16 is connected to the winch 15 in a first diameter range of the winch 15, and in the partially lowered state of the contact device 1, raised above the fully lowered state of the contact device 1, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1, the conveyor means 16 is connected to the winch 15 in a second diameter range of the winch 15.A first minimum diameter of the winch 15 in the first diameter range is greater than a second minimum diameter of the winch 15 in the second diameter range.

[0061] The winch 15 has a diameter that decreases in the direction of a winch longitudinal axis 18 and toward that part of the conveyor 16 which is coupled to the contact device 1. The winch 15 is conical and tapers from right to left, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0062] To transmit torque from the motor 13 via the gearbox 14 to the winch 15, the motor 13 is coupled to the gearbox 14, and the gearbox 14 is coupled to the winch 15. To supply the drive 3 with electrical power, the drive 3 is connected to an electrical network via drive lines not shown in Fig. 1.

[0063] The mainspring 17 is arranged between the gear 14 and the winch 15 and is connected to the winch 15 and to a housing of the drive 3 (not shown in Fig. 1). According to the invention, it is also conceivable, for example, that the mainspring 17 is connected to the winch 15 and to another component which is arranged to remain at rest relative to the winch 15, etc.

[0064] The mainspring 17 is connected to the winch 15 to form a mechanical parallel circuit.

[0065] The drive 3 is configured to move the contact device 1 and, for this purpose, is coupled to the contact device 1 via the conveyor 16. The drive 3 can be switched on and off, and the speed of the drive 3 can be adjusted, via an operating computer (not shown in Fig. 1) in the vehicle depot. For this purpose, the drive 3 is connected to the operating computer via signal lines (not shown in Fig. 1).

[0066] The drive spring 17 is coupled to the contact device 1 via the winch 15 and the conveyor 16. When the contact device 1 is lowered, the drive spring 17 is tensioned. In a lowered first state of the contact device 1, the drive spring 17 has greater tensioning energy than in a second state of the contact device 1 raised above the lowered first state of the contact device 1. By converting the tensioning energy of the drive spring 17, the contact device 1 can therefore be raised from the lowered first state of the contact device 1 and guided into a retracted position close to the holding device 6. The contact device 1 can therefore be retrieved automatically by means of the drive spring 17 (for example when the motor 13 is without power due to a power failure).

[0067] For a lifting operation of the contact device 1 by means of the drive spring 17 from the lowered first state of the contact device 1, the contact device 1 can be lifted by means of the tensioning energy of the drive spring 17 in the lowered first state of the contact device 1, overcoming the weight forces of the contact device 1, the guide device 2 and the conveyor 16, and overcoming a breakaway torque and / or a breakaway force of the drive 3. The drive spring 17 is dimensioned such that it can generate a sufficient spring torque.

[0068] In the fully lowered state of the contact device 1, first contact rails of the contact device 1 (not shown in Fig. 1) contact second contact rails of the docking device 4 (also not shown in Fig. 1), and the contact device 1 is supported on the docking device 4.

[0069] The first contact rails and the second contact rails are designed as electrical conductors and are aligned at right angles to each other. The first contact rails and the second contact rails can mechanically contact each other in a crossed alignment.

[0070] Upon contact between the first contact rails and the second contact rails, an electrically conductive connection is formed. The docking device 4 is thus designed to be mechanically and electrically compatible with the power supply device.

[0071] Supply lines of the power supply device (not shown in Fig. 1) are connected to the guide device 2 and to the contact device 1.

[0072] The supply lines are electrically connected to the first contact rails of the contact device 1 and, via the holding device 6 and electrical connections of the vehicle depot, to the electricity network.

[0073] In Fig. 2 diagrams are shown, wherein a first diagram 19 discloses a spring torque curve 22 of a drive spring 17, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1, wherein a second diagram 20 discloses a conveying force curve 23 of a conveying means 16 of a drive 3, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1, and wherein a third diagram 21 discloses a drive torque curve 24 of a motor 13 of the drive 3.

[0074] In addition, the first diagram 19 shows a winding radius profile 25 of the conveyor 16 on a winch 15 of the drive 3 and the second diagram 20 shows a contact force profile 26 between a contact device 1, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1, and a docking device 4 of a vehicle, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1. The first diagram 19, the second diagram 20 and the third diagram 21 show a working area 27 of that exemplary first embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1.

[0075] A rotation angle of the drive 3 during a lowering process of the contact device 1 is plotted on a first x-axis 28 of the first diagram 19, a second x-axis 29 of the second diagram 20 and a third x-axis 30 of the third diagram 21.

[0076] A spring torque of the mainspring 17 and a winding radius of the winch 15 are plotted on a first y-axis 31 of the first diagram 19, which increase linearly with increasing angle of rotation. The spring torque, which increases with the angle of rotation, causes the contact device 1 to be raised and retrieved from a lowered state of the contact device 1 by means of tensioning energy of the mainspring 17.

[0077] A conveying force of the conveying means 16 and a contact force between the contact device 1 of the power supply device and the docking device 4 of the vehicle are plotted on a second y-axis 32 of the second diagram 20. The conveying force is initially constant with increasing angle of rotation and decreases when the contact device 1 is placed on the docking device 4, with the contact force increasing.

[0078] A drive torque of the motor 13 is plotted on a third y-axis 33 of the third diagram 21, which is initially constant with increasing angle of rotation, increases as the contact device 1 is placed on the docking device 4, and briefly reaches a level similar to the spring torque when the contact device 1 is placed on the docking device 4. Fig. 3 shows a side view of an exemplary second embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, which is connected to an exemplary second embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention.

[0079] The power supply device can be docked to an exemplary second embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0080] The exemplary second embodiments of a power supply device according to the invention, a power supply device according to the invention, and a vehicle according to the invention shown in Fig. 3 are similar to the first embodiments of a power supply device according to the invention, a power supply device according to the invention, and a vehicle according to the invention shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, some of the same reference numerals are used in Fig. 3 as in Fig. 1.

[0081] In contrast to Fig. 1, in the exemplary second embodiment of a power supply device according to the invention, a drive 3 of the power supply device is mounted on a contact device 1 of the power supply device and connected to the contact device 1, wherein a conveyor means 16 of the drive 3 designed as a cable is articulatedly coupled to a holding device 6 of the power supply device.

[0082] The drive 3 designed as a cable pull is designed as a motorized winch drive with a winch 15 for the conveying means 16, wherein the winch 15 has a diameter decreasing in the direction of a winch longitudinal axis 18 and towards a part of the conveying means 16 which is coupled to the holding device 6.

[0083] The drive 3 further comprises a motor 13, a gear 14 and a mainspring 17 and is designed with regard to functional principles and its components as described in connection with Fig. 1.

[0084] In a lowered first state of the contact device 1, the conveyor means 16 is connected to the winch 15 in a first diameter range of the winch 15, and in a second state of the contact device 1, raised above the lowered first state of the contact device 1, the conveyor means 16 is connected to the winch 15 in a second diameter range of the winch 15. A first minimum diameter of the winch 15 in the first diameter range is greater than a second minimum diameter of the winch 15 in the second diameter range.

[0085] List of names

[0086] 1 contact device

[0087] 2 Guide device

[0088] 3 Drive

[0089] 4 Docking device

[0090] 5 Roof

[0091] 6 Holding device

[0092] 7 First scissor lever

[0093] 8 Second scissor lever

[0094] 9 Third scissor lever

[0095] 10 Fourth scissor lever

[0096] 11 Fifth scissor lever

[0097] 12 Sixth scissor lever

[0098] 13 Engine

[0099] 14 gearboxes

[0100] 15 winds

[0101] 16 funding

[0102] 17 Mainspring

[0103] 18 Winch longitudinal axis

[0104] 19 First diagram

[0105] 20 Second diagram

[0106] 21 Third diagram

[0107] 22 Spring torque curve

[0108] 23 Conveying force curve

[0109] 24 Drive torque curve

[0110] 25 winding radius course

[0111] 26 Contact force curve

[0112] 27 Work area

[0113] 28 First x-axis

[0114] 29 Second x-axis

[0115] 30 Third x-axis

[0116] 31 First y-axis

[0117] 32 Second y-axis

[0118] 33 Third y-axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Power supply device for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle such as an electric bus or an electric truck or for a rail vehicle, with a contact device (1) which can be lowered towards the vehicle to form an electrical contact between the contact device (1) and a vehicle, and with a drive (3) which has a conveyor (16), wherein for a movement of the contact device (1) either the drive (3) is connectable to a power supply device and the conveyor (16) is coupled to the contact device (1) or the drive (3) is connected to the contact device (1) and the conveyor (16) can be coupled to the power supply device, characterized in that the drive (3) is a mainspring (17) which is coupled to the contact device (1) via the conveying means (16), wherein for a lifting operation of the contact device (1), the drive spring (17) has a greater tensioning energy in a lowered first state of the contact device (1) than in a second state of the contact device (1) raised above the lowered first state of the contact device (1).

2. Power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that for the lifting process of the contact device (1) from the lowered first state of the contact device (1), the contact device (1) can be lifted by means of the tensioning energy of the drive spring (17) in the lowered first state of the contact device (1) while overcoming weight forces of at least the contact device (1) and the drive (3) and while overcoming a breakaway torque and / or a breakaway force of the drive (3).

3. Power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact device (1) and the drive (3) an inverted current collector is formed.

4. Power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive spring (17) is designed as a torsion spring, a strip spring or a spiral spring.

5. Power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a guide device (2) the power supply device is coupled to the contact device (1) for stabilizing the movement of the contact device (1) and is connectable to the power supply device.

6. Power supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide device (2) is articulatedly coupled to the contact device (1).

7. Power supply device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the guide device (2) can be connected in an articulated manner to the power supply device.

8. Power supply device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the guide device (2) has a plurality of scissor levers.

9. Power supply device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide device (2) has at least four scissor levers, preferably six scissor levers.

10. Power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the conveying means (16) is articulatedly coupled to the contact device (1) or can be articulatedly coupled to the power supply device.

11. Power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive (3) is designed as Winch drive is designed with a winch (15) for the conveying means (16), wherein the conveying means (16) is connected to the winch (15) in a first diameter range of the winch (15) in the lowered first state of the contact device (1), and the conveying means (16) is connected to the winch (15) in a second diameter range of the winch (15) in the second state of the contact device (1) raised above the lowered first state of the contact device (1), wherein a first minimum diameter of the winch (15) in the first diameter range is greater than a second minimum diameter of the winch (15) in the second diameter range.

12. Power supply device according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive (3) has a motor (13) and a gear (14), wherein the conveying means (16) of the drive (3) is guided by means of the winch (15) of the drive (3), can be wound onto the winch (15) and can be unwound from the winch (15), and wherein for the transmission of torque from the motor (13) via the gear (14) to the winch (15), the motor (13) is coupled to the gear (14) and the gear (14) is coupled to the winch (15).

13. Power supply device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the mainspring (17) is connected to the winch (15) to form a mechanical parallel circuit.

14. Power supply device with at least one power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 13 and with a holding device (6), characterized in that a vehicle can be arranged below the holding device (6) and the contact device (1) of the at least one power supply device is connected to the holding device (6) so that it can be lowered towards the vehicle. 15 . A vehicle which can be supplied with electrical power by means of a power supply device according to one of claims 1 to 13 and which can be arranged below a power supply device according to claim 14, having at least one docking device ( 4 ), characterized in that the at least one Docking device ( 4 ) is designed to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with the power supply device , wherein the at least one docking device ( 4 ) is designed to be mechanically and electrically compatible with the power supply device .

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