Current collector system for drawing a current from a conductor line

Abstract

The present invention relates to a current collector system (120), comprising a current collector unit (100) for transmitting current between a rail system (150) having a conductor line (151) and an electrical load (160), wherein the current collector unit (100) has a sliding contact carrier (104) with a sliding contact unit (102), which can be coupled to the conductor line (151) in order to form a sliding contact, wherein the current collector unit (100) can be movably coupled to the rail system (150). Furthermore, the current collector system (120) has an electronics box (130) with an electrical control unit (122). The control unit (122) has a current input (123), which is coupled to the sliding contact unit (102) in order to draw a current from the conductor line (151), and a current output (124), which can be coupled to the load (160).

Description

[0001] Current collector system for drawing current from a conductor rail

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of electrical current collectors. In particular, the present invention relates to a current collector system for drawing current from a conductor rail and to a method for operating the current collector system.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Electrical power transmission systems, especially those with pantographs, are crucial for the efficient and reliable operation of various transportation and industrial applications, particularly in industrial manufacturing facilities. These systems are designed to maintain continuous electrical contact with conductor rails mounted, for example, in the ground, above ground, or laterally, thus ensuring a stable power supply for moving vehicles or machinery.

[0006] Since the quality of contact with a conductor rail of a busbar changes during operation, the current flow drawn from the busbar can also change accordingly, resulting in varying power consumption by a single load. This can lead to malfunctions or reduced performance.

[0007] Description of the invention: It is an object of the present invention to provide a current collector system with which the consumption of electrical power from an electrical transmission system can be controlled.

[0008] This problem is solved by a current collector system for drawing current from a conductor rail and a method for controlling a current collector system according to the independent patent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a current collector system is provided, comprising a current collector unit for current transmission between a rail system with a conductor rail and an electrical load. The current collector unit has a sliding contact carrier with a sliding contact unit that can be coupled to the conductor rail to form a sliding contact. The current collector unit is movable and can be coupled to the rail system. Furthermore, the current collector system comprises an electronics box with an electrical control unit. The control unit has a current input, which is coupled to the sliding contact unit for drawing current from the conductor rail, and a current output, which can be coupled to the load.

[0010] According to an exemplary training course, the control unit is trained to partially divert or loop through the current from the conductor rail for the consumer.

[0011] According to a further aspect, a method for controlling a current collector system described above is provided. This method involves branching off or looping through current from the conductor rail to the consumer via the control unit. The current collector system with the current collector unit is designed to travel along a rail system, which is arranged, for example, on the floor, along a side wall, or along the roof of a production hall.

[0012] The current collector unit is configured to draw electrical current from a conductor, such as a conductor rail of a rail system, and supply it to an electrical load, such as a vehicle motor, a production system in a manufacturing hall, a power supply unit in an electric vehicle, or a transport system in a manufacturing hall. Conductor rails are safe and economical power supply systems for track-guided, mobile loads. Conductor rails can be used in conveyor and transport systems. Copper conductors, for example, serve as the power supply. Furthermore, current can be drawn along the rail system to drive the current collector system.

[0013] The current collector unit can have a base carrier to which the sliding contact carrier is attached. The base carrier has a base support structure to which the components of the current collector unit are attached. Examples of a base carrier are a plate-shaped carrier, a frame, a housing, or a similar structural element.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, the current collector system has a mounting bracket on which the current collector unit (or multiple current collector units) is arranged and to which the electrical load can be attached. The mounting bracket is movably coupled to the rail system. The electronics box is also attached to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket consists, for example, of a stable support or a mounting plate on which one or more current collector units with their base supports can be arranged. The mounting bracket is coupled to the rail system in a force-transmitting manner. The mounting bracket has, for example, rollers or wheels by means of which the mounting bracket can move along the rail system. Furthermore, the mounting bracket can, for example, have a corresponding (electric) drive motor that generates a driving force to propel the current collector system along the rail system.The drive motor can, in particular, power the rollers described above. Furthermore, the current collector system can be driven along the rail system via an inductive drive. A clamping system or terminal box, which, for example, holds the electrical load, is arranged on the mounting bracket. The electrical load, together with the mounting bracket, is thus movable along the rail system.

[0015] The sliding contact unit forms a current collector head configured to establish and maintain sliding electrical contact with a conductor, such as the conductor rail, in order to draw electrical current from the conductor rail. The sliding contact unit can, for example, carry one or more sliding contacts. Examples of sliding contacts include carbon elements (so-called carbon brushes), a metal shoe, or a similar conductive element. Specifically, two current contact elements are provided. These can be positioned on a pivoting rocker to compensate for irregularities along the conductor rail during travel and also to ensure continuous current flow at rail crossings. The sliding contact carrier serves as a support structure for the sliding contact unit. Specifically, the sliding contact carrier is positioned between the base carrier and the conductor rail. A sensor system can be arranged on the sliding contact carrier.

[0016] Electrical connecting cables, particularly for each phase of the conductor rail, can be connected between the individual sliding contact units at the power input of the electronics box. Similarly, at least one electrical connecting cable can be arranged between the power output of the electronics box and the electrical load. Furthermore, several current collector units can be arranged on the mounting bracket, all of which can be electrically connected to the control unit via the power input. Accordingly, the electronics box can loop through, monitor, and / or partially divert the current for several current collector units. The term "loop through" refers to the routing of current from (especially one phase of) the conductor rail to a load. The load then receives the current required for its operation.Due to the current being looped through the control unit, various measurements, as shown below, can be performed. Additionally or alternatively, an additional current can be drawn from a phase of the conductor rail to supply electrical loads within the current collector system.

[0017] The electronics box serves to house and protect various electronic components, circuits, or subsystems, and in particular the control unit. The control unit serves, on the one hand, to loop the electrical current from the conductor rail to the load, specifically through the electronics box, in order to measure the current flow to the load during this looping process. During this looping process, the control unit can, for example, incorporate the other measuring devices described above to monitor and measure current parameters. Furthermore, the control unit can include current-controlling devices, such as a current diverter for diverting or branching off a portion of the current for other electronic loads of the current collector system, such as the current collector unit or other sensor systems. The control unit can, for example,They function as current transformers, converting the current from the conductor rail into the necessary voltage or current for the current collector unit. Furthermore, communication elements, such as signal emitters or antennas, can be arranged in the electronics box.

[0018] The present invention provides, in particular, a current collector system which, due to the control unit in the electronics box, enables the monitoring of the current drawn from the conductor rail and simultaneously or alternatively diverts a partial current for electronic current collectors of the current collector system. Thus, quality monitoring can be provided while simultaneously eliminating the need for additional energy sources, for example, for the electrical supply of the current collectors of the current collector system. The current collector system according to the invention therefore provides a comprehensive, integrated system for drawing electrical current from the conductor rail and simultaneously performing qualitative monitoring of the current flow to the consumer without requiring additional, particularly external, auxiliary systems.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes a measuring device configured to measure the current of at least one branched current from a phase of the conductor rail to the consumer. According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes a measuring device configured to measure the voltage of at least one branched current from a phase of the conductor rail to the consumer.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment, the measuring device is configured to measure the phase angle of a branched current from a phase of the conductor rail to the consumer.

[0021] In particular, the measuring device is configured to determine the current (i.e., the current intensity, voltage, and / or electrical power), especially of a current tapped from an electrical phase of the conductor rail. The measuring device may, for example, include a Hall sensor configured to measure current without contact. The Hall sensor may, for example, be mounted or integrated on a power board as described below, or be placed as a component within the electronics box.

[0022] Using the measuring device for measuring the current between the conductor rail and the load, the power consumption, power peaks, and the current draw from the conductor rail can be determined, for example. This allows for the detection of contactless points between the conductor rail and the sliding contact unit. For instance, poorly joined rails can cause high-resistance rail joints, which can thus be identified.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment, the measuring device is configured to determine active power, apparent power, and / or reactive power based on the measured current, voltage, and phase angle. Apparent power is a calculated quantity that must be considered with regard to the losses and stress on the components of a power supply system when an electrical load is supplied with electrical power.

[0024] Power is supplied. Apparent power does not necessarily correspond to the power transferred by the consumer in the form of thermal, mechanical, or other energy. Apparent power S is defined by the RMS values ​​of electric current I and electric voltage U and is composed of the actual active power P and an additional reactive power Qtot:

[0025] Potential deviations from the total current (O-sum current) allow the measuring device to detect fault currents. Furthermore, current measurement, particularly using a Hall sensor, can be implemented without the need for complex coil installations, especially without Rogowski coils.

[0026] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit has a power board on which the measuring device is mounted. The power board is a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to serve as a mounting platform for various electronic components (microchips, in particular for current monitoring, current control, and / or current conversion) and associated electronic circuits. The power board is connected to the current input and output to route the current from the conductor to the load and to control and monitor it accordingly. By installing the power board in the electronics box and arranging the measuring device on the power board, electronic measuring components can be mounted directly on the power board and do not need to be connected separately to the respective cables of the individual phases.In particular, multiple current collector units can be connected to a power board via the current input. This allows the current of several current collector units to be monitored with a single measuring device on the power board.

[0027] According to another exemplary embodiment, a cable clamp is provided on the power board, wherein the cable clamp is coupled to the power input. A connecting cable of a phase of a current collector unit, particularly detachably, for example via a plug connection, can be coupled to each cable clamp. Accordingly, a plurality of phases from one or more current collector units can be coupled to the power board via the cable clamp using corresponding connecting cables.

[0028] According to another exemplary embodiment, the measuring device includes a Hall sensor, in particular a Hall effect-based current sensor, which is arranged on the power board. The current magnitude can thus be determined with low loss via the magnetic field strength surrounding the current conductor using Hall sensors.

[0029] For example, one phase and another phase, or the protective earth (PE) of the conductor rail, can be connected to the power board, allowing a high-impedance voltage tap to be made between the phase and PE. Each phase can be supplied by a separate current collector unit of the current collector system. Due to the phase-accurate and high sampling rate of the Hall sensor, apparent power, active power, and reactive power can be precisely calculated and monitored accordingly. Additionally, fault currents can be detected by evaluating the total current. In particular, the current from three phase currents, which are drawn from the conductor rail phases by the current collector unit or corresponding current collector units, can be connected to the power board and thus linked to the measuring device.When tapping into three phases of the conductor rail, the Hall sensor can measure the current flowing from the conductor rail to the load, even without the protective earth (PE) phase. For example, it can detect whether the sum of the three phase currents is zero, as a deviation from zero indicates a fault current.

[0030] According to another exemplary embodiment, the current collector system includes an electrical consumer unit, wherein the control unit is configured to divert at least part of the current from the conductor rail to the electrical consumer unit. The electrical consumer unit of the current collector system refers to all electronic current-consuming components, such as the measuring device mentioned above, sensor devices, or, for example, a drive system (electric motor) for driving the current collector system along the rail system. Due to the diversion of part of the electrical current from the conductor rail, additional energy sources, such as batteries, can be dispensed with.

[0031] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes a voltage converter configured to convert the voltage of the current from the conductor rail to a load voltage for the electrical load unit. For example, a high voltage, such as 400V, can be tapped between two phases via the connecting cables and converted to 24V by means of the voltage converter or a switched-mode power supply. The 24V voltage can then be used to power the current collector system, thus supplying energy to the electrical load unit, such as the control unit. Therefore, no additional external power supply is required.

[0032] Alternatively, power, for example 24 V voltage, can also be drawn from the consumer connected to the electronics box via a connecting cable.

[0033] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes a position detection system for determining the position of the current collector system along the conductor rail. As shown below, the position detection system includes position sensors with which the exact position of the current collector system relative to the rail system can be determined. Components of the position detection system can be arranged in the power board. Furthermore, components of the current collector system can form separate electronic components within the electronics box or be arranged outside the electronics box, for example, by mounting them on the electronics box or on the mounting bracket.

[0034] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit is configured to measure a specific motion configuration of the current collector system at an assigned position of the current collector system along the conductor rail. Based on the measured specific motion configurations at the assigned positions, the position detection system provides a motion pattern of the current collector system along the conductor rail.

[0035] In this context, a motion configuration refers in particular to the entirety of the recorded motion parameters of the current collector system, for example, a tilting arm of the current collector unit. These parameters can include, for instance, the swivel angle, the deflection, the speed or acceleration of the tilting arm, as well as the measured spring force of the contact spring. The recording and evaluation of these specific motion configurations preferably takes place continuously during the operation of the current collector system, so that a characteristic motion pattern is generated at every position along the conductor rail.

[0036] The movement pattern represents a temporal and / or spatial sequence of such movement configurations at a position along the conductor rail and thus constitutes a kind of fingerprint of the system's movement along the conductor rail. Communication and interaction between the components, in particular between the sensors on the tilting arm, the control unit in the electronics box, and any other evaluation units, takes place via suitable electrical or wireless communication means, such as bus systems, serial interfaces, or radio modules, so that the acquired sensor data can be transmitted to the control unit in real time and processed there.

[0037] The control unit is configured to analyze incoming sensor data, extract specific motion configurations, and generate a motion pattern. This motion pattern can then be used to determine the position of the current collector system or other current collector systems along the conductor rail by comparing it to previously known reference patterns or those determined through machine learning. One advantage of this approach is that position determination no longer relies on external position sensors or markers, but is based on the system's internal motion data, enabling a sensor-reduced and therefore more cost-effective solution.Furthermore, the provided motion pattern can be used to detect irregularities in ferry operation at an early stage, such as wear of the sliding contacts, incorrect contact forces, or malfunctions in the rail system, and to initiate appropriate maintenance measures. The provision of the motion pattern also allows for adaptive control of the pantograph system, for example, by automatically adjusting the contact force or travel speed depending on detected patterns. Overall, the provision of a motion pattern based on specific motion configurations contributes to increased operational reliability, improved maintenance planning, and more flexible integration of the pantograph system into different rail systems.

[0038] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system, comprising a motion pattern model, provides at least one motion pattern with specific motion configurations of a model current collector system at assigned positions along the conductor rail. The position detection system is configured to measure motion configurations of the current collector system such that, by comparing these with specific motion configurations of the model current collector system and the measured motion configurations, the position of the current collector system along the conductor rail can be determined.

[0039] The motion pattern model comprises datasets from a multitude of previously determined motion pattern models, which were determined, for example, using the embodiment described above. The motion pattern model is, in particular, a predictive model generated by machine learning, especially artificial intelligence, which correlates characteristic motion sequences—for example, of the pantograph arm's tilting movement or specific vibrations of the pantograph system at certain positions along the conductor rail—with known position data. During an initial training phase, reference pantograph systems equipped with position sensors are used to record the motion sequences, e.g., of the tilting arm, synchronously with the respective vehicle positions. These data pairs serve as the basis for training the motion pattern model.

[0040] After completing the training phase, the learned motion pattern model can be applied to current collector systems that lack their own position sensors. In these cases, position determination is based solely on the measured motion configurations of the tilting arm. These motion configurations include measurements such as swivel angles, deflections, accelerations, and spring forces, which are continuously recorded by appropriate sensors—for example, rotary angle sensors, spring force sensors, or acceleration sensors. The position detection system communicates internally with the sensors, processes their signals, and compares the current measurements with the reference patterns stored in the motion pattern model. This comparison determines the current position of the current collector system along the conductor rail without requiring direct position measurement by external sensors.One advantage of this communication mechanism between sensors, control unit, and motion pattern model is the reduction in hardware required for position determination, as expensive or maintenance-intensive position sensors are no longer needed. A further advantage is the ability to continue position determination based on remaining motion data even if individual sensors fail or malfunction, thus increasing the system's reliability. Furthermore, the system can be flexibly adapted to different rail systems and operating conditions, as the motion pattern model can be retrained to suit new environments.The interaction between the components takes place via standardized electrical and data processing interfaces within the control unit, ensuring efficient and reliable communication between sensors, evaluation algorithms and the control of the current collector system.

[0041] According to another exemplary embodiment, the model current collector system forms a learning-based model which can be trained on a plurality of specific movement patterns of model current collector systems with specific movement configurations at predetermined positions along the conductor rail.

[0042] In this context, a learning-based model is understood to be a system that uses machine learning or artificial intelligence methods to generate a predictive model from a large number of acquired data pairs—consisting of movement data from the pantograph system and associated position data. This control unit is equipped with a suitable data processing unit that records and preprocesses the sensor data and forwards it to the learning-based model in an appropriate format. During the training phase, the movement data from model pantograph systems equipped with additional position sensors are synchronously correlated with the exact position data along the conductor rail and stored. The learning-based model is then trained with this data so that it can assign characteristic movement patterns to specific positions.After training, the model can be transferred to pantograph systems that do not have their own position sensors. Position determination is then based solely on the recorded motion data, with the model deriving the most probable position along the conductor rail from the current sensor data. An advantage of this design is that it enables a sensor-reduced and therefore cost-effective position determination, since no complex or expensive position sensors are required after the training phase.

[0043] According to another exemplary embodiment, the sliding contact carrier has a receiving foot and a tilting arm which is pivotably attached to the receiving foot about a pivot axis, with the sliding contact unit being attached to the tilting arm.

[0044] The mounting base forms a mounting foot or base fastening structure that is attached to the base support and configured to accommodate the movable tilting arm. In addition to a tilting arm configuration, a connecting arm can also be provided, which is movably arranged translationally between the conductor rail and the mounting base, for example, by means of a suitable rail or guide mechanism. Furthermore, the connecting arm can be pivotally attached to the mounting base as a tilting arm, as described in more detail below. The connecting arm or tilting arm can be moved, for example, by means of an electric actuator or a mechanical, particularly spring-driven, drive to generate the appropriate contact pressure between the sliding contacts and the conductor rail or to set a desired position.

[0045] The tilting or pivoting arm is configured to allow the sliding contact unit to rotate or tilt relative to the mounting base about a pivot axis, thereby generating a corresponding contact pressure between the sliding contacts and the conductor rail. The pivot axis is specifically designed perpendicular to the direction of travel of the current collector unit along the rail system. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the position detection system includes a rotation angle sensor configured to measure the rotation angle of the tilting arm relative to the mounting base, and in particular to measure the change in the pivot angle over time. The pivot angle, and especially its change over time, is indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system at a corresponding position along the conductor rail.

[0046] The term rotary angle sensor refers to a sensor element that continuously or discretely measures the relative angle between two mechanically connected components – the tilting arm and the mounting base. The tilting arm is designed as a pivoting arm that carries the sliding contact unit and is mounted on the mounting base around a pivot axis. The mounting base provides the mechanical base to which the tilting arm is attached and is typically located on the base support or mounting bracket.

[0047] Communication between the rotation angle sensor and the electrical control unit preferably occurs via an electrical connection, such as signal lines, which transmit the acquired sensor data to the control unit. The control unit can then evaluate this data to determine the current movement configuration of the current collector system at a specific position along the conductor rail. Measuring the swivel angle, and in particular its change over time, provides characteristic movement patterns that can be correlated with known position data. This makes it possible to train a predictive model using a machine learning method, especially an AI model, which determines the position of the current collector system solely based on the tilting arm movement.One advantage of this design is that additional, costly position sensors on the vehicle can be dispensed with, since the position is determined by evaluating the mechanical movement data of the tilting arm.

[0048] The rotary angle sensor can, for example, be designed as an inductive sensor with an excitation coil and a metallic reference element. The change in the magnetic field, depending on the relative position of the reference element to the sensor, induces a proportional voltage in the receiver coils, which serves as a measure of the current swivel angle. Integrating the sensor system, particularly the rotary angle sensor, within the installation space of the tilting arm or in the mounting base offers the advantage of short cable runs and low dynamic stress on the electrical connections, thus increasing the system's reliability and service life. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of the swivel angle enables the detection of irregularities such as wear of the sliding contacts, material fatigue of the clamping spring, or improperly installed rail transitions, as these events cause characteristic changes in the tilting arm's movement profile.

[0049] According to another exemplary embodiment, the current collector unit has a pressure spring which is arranged between the base carrier and the sliding contact carrier, wherein the pressure spring generates a pressure force to press the sliding contact carrier against the conductor rail.

[0050] The contact spring is an elastic element, such as a coil spring, leaf spring, or torsion spring, designed to exert a defined spring force on the sliding contact carrier. The base carrier serves as a structural element to which the mechanical components of the current collector unit are attached, while the sliding contact carrier holds the sliding contacts that establish electrical contact with the conductor rail. The positioning of the contact spring between these two components ensures that the sliding contacts are pressed against the conductor rail with a constant, predetermined force, thus guaranteeing stable electrical contact even in the presence of mechanical tolerances, vibrations, or unevenness in the rail system.The integration of the contact spring also enables automatic compensation for tolerances and wear during operation, as the spring force continues to ensure sufficient contact pressure even if the height of the sliding contacts decreases due to wear. In conjunction with other sensors integrated into the system, such as a spring force sensor for monitoring the actual contact force, the control unit can react to changes in spring behavior or anomalies, such as material fatigue or spring breakage, and initiate appropriate maintenance measures or adjust the operation.

[0051] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system includes a spring force sensor configured to measure the spring force of the contact spring, in particular the change in spring force over time. The spring force, especially its change over time, is indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system at a corresponding position of the current collector system along the conductor rail.

[0052] The contact spring, typically a compression, tension, or torsion spring, provides the necessary contact pressure of the sliding contacts against the conductor rail. The resulting spring force depends directly on the relative position and movement of the tilting arm, as well as on external influences such as unevenness or wear of the sliding contacts. The spring force sensor, which can be a load cell, force-resistance sensor, or pressure sensor, for example, is mechanically coupled to the contact spring and continuously measures the applied force. In particular, it also detects dynamic changes in this force, such as those caused by crossing rail transitions, spring fatigue, or wear on the sliding contacts. The change in spring force over time produces characteristic patterns that can be correlated with specific positions or events along the conductor rail.This data is acquired by the electrical control unit and can either be directly evaluated for position determination or used as input data for an AI-based predictive model that has been previously trained using correlated motion and position data. Integrating the spring force sensor into the position detection system creates a communication mechanism in which mechanical changes in the pantograph system are converted into electrical measurement signals and fed to the control unit for further processing. An advantage of this design lies in improved monitoring and diagnostic capabilities of the pantograph system, as not only the absolute position but also abnormal operating conditions such as spring breakage, material fatigue, or faulty installation can be detected early.Furthermore, the detection of the temporal change in spring force enables high-resolution detection of motion events, which can be used for AI-based position determination, thus eliminating the need for additional position sensors and providing a cost-effective, robust and low-maintenance solution for position monitoring in rail systems.

[0053] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system includes an acceleration sensor for determining vibrations during movement of the current collector system along the rail system, wherein the vibrations, in particular their change over time, are indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system at an associated position of the current collector system along the conductor rail. The acceleration sensor is an electronic component that detects linear or three-dimensional accelerations as well as vibrations and converts them into electrical signals, these signals enabling conclusions to be drawn about the dynamics and movement behavior of the current collector unit.Communication between the accelerometer and the electrical control unit typically occurs via an electrical interface, for example, using analog or digital signal transmission, allowing the acquired sensor data to be transmitted to the control unit continuously or event-driven. The control unit is designed to analyze this sensor data and compare it with stored or learned motion patterns, whereby the signal waveforms caused by vibrations, in particular, exhibit characteristic patterns for specific positions or transitions within the rail system. An advantage of this design is that the system is able to determine the position, or at least the motion configuration, of the pantograph system solely based on the detected vibrations and their temporal changes, without the need for complex external position sensors such as optical markers.

[0054] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system includes an optical sensor, for example a camera, for capturing image data, whereby the position of the current collector system along the conductor rail can be determined by means of image analysis of the image data. The position detection system itself can include a corresponding control unit that processes the image data and determines the position of the current collector system along the rail system based on image analysis methods, such as contrast analysis, and / or a comparison with reference images from a database. Alternatively, the position detection system can include a data transmission unit that transmits the image data, particularly wirelessly, to an external control unit, for example a server computer, in order to determine the position based on the captured image data.

[0055] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system is configured to detect at least one marker element along the rail system by means of the optical sensor, wherein the marker element contains information regarding the position of the current collector system along the conductor rail. The marker element can, for example, contain specific route information indicative of the location of the marker element on the rail system. For instance, the marker element can have a QR code or barcode in which the route information is stored. Furthermore, other geometric symbols containing specific route information can be depicted on the marker element. Thus, the optical sensor can determine the current position of the current collector system.The optical sensor can, for example, be mounted at a distance from the electronics box, such as on the mounting bracket or directly on the electronics box itself.

[0056] According to another exemplary embodiment, the position detection system includes a magnetic sensor for measuring specific magnetic fields along the conductor rail, whereby the position of the current collector system along the conductor rail can be determined based on the measured specific magnetic field. The specific magnetic field can be generated, in particular, by means of magnetic elements and / or magnetic strips along the rail system. The individual magnetic elements can be arranged at a predetermined distance along the rail system. Each magnetic element can generate a specific magnetic field, which is detected by the magnetic sensor (for example, a Hall sensor) of the position detection system. The specific magnetic field is thus indicative of a particular position along the rail system.The magnetic element can be, for example, a passive magnetic element or an active magnetic element (e.g., comprising controllable coils) to generate the specific magnetic field. Furthermore, a magnetic strip can be arranged along the rail system. This magnetic strip can, for example, comprise a multitude of magnetic elements arranged along the rail system, perhaps with a specific pole sequence (north, south). The magnetic strip can also include controllable coils to variably adjust the specific magnetic field. Based on the measured magnetic fields during the movement of the current collector system, the magnetic sensor can detect an absolute position along the rail system. Thus, a non-contact position detection system can be provided.

[0057] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes an acceleration sensor for determining vibrations during movement of the current collector system along the rail system. The acceleration sensor is configured to determine the acceleration and deceleration of the current collector system relative to the rail system. Accordingly, vibrations caused by movement along the rail system can also be measured.

[0058] The accelerometer can be located in the electronics box. Alternatively, the accelerometer can be integrated into the power board. The accelerometer can, for example, incorporate a piezoelectric element or be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) element.

[0059] Furthermore, several acceleration sensors can be arranged on the pantograph system. For example, one acceleration sensor can be located in the electronics box and another in the pantograph unit. This allows vibrations to be detected throughout the entire pantograph system, particularly vibrations between the pantograph units and the electronics box. This enables detailed monitoring of the condition of the rail system, especially at level crossings.

[0060] According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit includes an environmental sensor for determining the environment surrounding the current collector system. In exemplary embodiments, the environmental sensor is a temperature sensor for determining the temperature in the vicinity of the current collector system and / or a humidity sensor for determining the humidity in the vicinity of the current collector system. This allows the environmental influences during the operation of the current collector system to be investigated in order to draw conclusions about wear on the one hand and / or damage to the current collector system or the rail system on the other. The environmental sensors can also be arranged as an integrated component in the power board.Determining environmental influences using the environmental sensor in the current collector system can also provide insights into the environment during the processing of the consumer connected to the current collector unit. For example, quality parameters can be determined during the manufacturing of the electrical consumer and used accordingly for documenting the consumer's manufacturing parameters.

[0061] According to another exemplary embodiment, the environmental sensor includes a thermal imaging camera configured to determine the temperature profile of the rail system. This temperature profile can then be displayed in a heat map, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the condition of the rail system and / or the conductor rail. Areas with unusually high friction during passage of the current collector system result in higher temperatures, indicating damage or reduced quality of the rail system. Similarly, sparks or current spikes during current collection from the conductor rail can lead to elevated temperatures, which can be detected with the thermal imaging camera. This allows for the rapid identification of damage and / or the need for consultation.

[0062] It should be noted that the embodiments described here represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. It is possible to combine the features of individual embodiments in a suitable manner, so that a multitude of different embodiments are considered to be obviously disclosed to the person skilled in the art with regard to the embodiments explicitly described here. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described by apparatus claims and other embodiments by method claims. However, it will become immediately clear to the person skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, any combination of features belonging to different types of subject matter is also possible.

[0063] Brief description of the drawings

[0064] For further explanation and better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a current collector system on a rail system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a power board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a magnetic sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Detailed of example

[0068] Identical or similar components in different figures are identified by the same reference numbers. The representations in the figures are schematic.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows a current collector system 120 with a current collector unit 100 for current transmission between a rail system 150 with conductor rail 151 and an electrical load 160. The current collector unit 100 has a sliding contact carrier 104 with a sliding contact unit 102, which can be coupled to the conductor rail 151 to form a sliding contact. Furthermore, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, the current collector system 120 can have a mounting bracket 121 on which the current collector unit 100 is arranged and on which the electrical load 160 can be attached, the mounting bracket 121 being movably coupled to the rail system 150, and an electronics box 130 with an electrical control unit 122.The electronics box 130 is attached to the mounting bracket 121, with the control unit 122 having a current input 123, which is coupled to the sliding contact unit 102 for drawing current from the conductor rail 151, and a current output 124, which can be coupled to the load 160. The control unit 122 is configured to partially divert or loop through the current from the conductor rail 151 for the load 160.

[0070] The current collector unit 100 is designed to travel along a rail system 150, which is arranged, for example, on the floor, along a side wall, or along the roof of a production hall. The current collector unit 100 is configured to draw electrical current from a conductor, such as a conductor rail 151 of a rail system 150, and supply the current to an electrical load 160, such as a motor of a vehicle or a production system in a production hall, a power supply unit in an electric vehicle, or a transport system in a production hall.

[0071] The current collector unit 100 has a base carrier 101 to which the sliding contact carrier 104 is attached. The base carrier 101 has a base support structure to which the components of the current collector unit 100 are attached. The mounting bracket 121 consists, for example, of a stable support or a mounting plate to which one or a plurality of current collector units 100 with their base carriers 101 can be arranged. The mounting bracket 121 is coupled to the rail system 150 in a force-transmitting manner. The mounting bracket 121 has, for example, rollers or wheels by means of which the mounting bracket 121 can move along the rail system 150. Furthermore, the mounting bracket 121 can, for example, have a corresponding (electric) drive motor which generates a drive force to drive the current collector system 120 along the rail system 150. In this respect, the drive motor can, in particular, drive the rollers described above.A clamping system or terminal box is arranged on the mounting bracket 121, which, for example, supports the electrical load 160. The electrical load 160, together with the mounting bracket 121, is thus arranged to be movable along the rail system 150. The mounting bracket 121 can also consist of several detachable units. For example, one unit of the mounting bracket 121 can support the current collector system 120 or the electronics box 130 and the current collector units 100, while another unit (e.g., designed as a mounting plate) supports the electrical load 160, the rollers, and the drive motor.

[0072] The sliding contact unit 102 forms a current collector head configured to establish and maintain a sliding electrical contact with a conductor, e.g., the conductor rail 151, in order to collect electrical current from the conductor rail 151. The sliding contact unit 102 can, for example, carry one or more sliding contacts 103.

[0073] In particular, two electrical contact elements 103 are provided. These can be placed on a pivoting rocker 112 to compensate for unevenness along the conductor rail 151 during operation. The rocker 112 is pre-tensioned with a rocker spring 113 to compensate for unevenness.

[0074] The current collector unit 100 has a clamping spring 111, which is arranged between the base support 101 and a tilting arm 106, the clamping spring 111 serving to press the sliding contact carrier 104 against the conductor rail 151. The clamping spring 111 is arranged between the tilting arm 106 and a mounting foot 105, to which the tilting arm 106 is pivotably attached. The clamping spring 111 generates the necessary clamping pressure of the sliding contact unit 102 against the conductor rail 151.

[0075] The sliding contact carrier 104 serves as a support structure for the sliding contact unit 102. Specifically, the sliding contact carrier 104 is positioned between the base carrier 101 and the conductor rail 151. The sensor system can be arranged on the sliding contact carrier 104. Electrical connection cables, particularly for each phase of the conductor rail 151, can be connected between the individual sliding contact units 102 at the current input 123 of the electronics box 130. Similarly, at least one electrical connection cable can be arranged between the current output 124 of the electronics box 130 and the electrical load 160. Furthermore, several current collector units 100 can be arranged on the mounting carrier 121, all of which can be electrically connected to the control unit 122 via the current input 123. Accordingly, the electronics box 130 can loop through, monitor, and / or partially divert the current for several current collector units 100.

[0076] The electronics box 130 serves to house and protect various electronic components, circuits, or subsystems, and in particular the control unit 122. The control unit 122 serves, on the one hand, to loop through the electrical current from the conductor rail 151 to the load 160, particularly through the electronics box 130. During this loop-through, the control unit 122 can, for example, include the further measuring device 125 described above, in order to monitor and measure current parameters in particular.

[0077] A connecting line 131 can be provided from the sliding contact carrier to the electronics box 130 for the power supply. The connecting line 131 can, for example, connect one or more phases of the sliding line 151 to the current input 123 of the control unit 122 in the electronics box 130. Similarly, a connecting line 161 can be connected to the current output 124 of the control unit 122 to supply the corresponding current to the load 160. The connecting lines 131 and 161 are specifically connected to a power board 126 of the electronics box 130. The control unit 122 has a measuring device 125, which is configured to measure the current power between the sliding line 151 and the load 160. Specifically, the measuring device 125 is configured to measure the current power (i.e., the current intensity, voltage, and / or electrical power), particularly in an electrical phase of the sliding line 151.The measuring device 125 can, for example, include a Hall sensor configured to measure current without contact. The Hall sensor can, for example, be arranged or integrated on a power board 126 as described below, or be arranged as a component in the electronics box 130. The measuring device 125 is configured, in particular, to determine active power, apparent power, and / or reactive power based on the measured current, voltage, and phase angle.

[0078] The control unit 122 has a power board 126 on which the measuring device 125 is mounted. The power board 126 is connected to the current input 123 and the current output 124 to loop through the current from the conductor rail 151 to the load 160 and to control and monitor it accordingly. In particular, several current collector units 100 can be connected to one power board 126 via the current input 123. Thus, the current of several current collector units 100 can be monitored with one measuring device 125 on a power board 126.

[0079] The measuring device 125 includes a Hall sensor 127, which is arranged on the power board 126. For example, one phase and another phase or the protective earth (PE) can be connected to the power board 126, so that a high-impedance voltage tap can be made between the phase and PE. The current collector system 120 includes an electrical consumer unit, wherein the control unit 122 is configured to divert the current from the conductor rail 151, at least partially, to the electrical consumer unit. The electrical consumer unit of the current collector system 120 refers to all electronic power-consuming components, such as the measuring device 125 mentioned above, sensor devices, or, for example, a drive system (electric motor) for driving the current collector system 120 along the rail system 150.The control unit 122 is configured to control a current transfer between the conductor rail 151 and the electrical consumer unit, a transistor, a capacitor or an integrated circuit.

[0080] The control unit 122 has a voltage converter 128, which is designed to convert the voltage of the current from the conductor rail 151 to a consumer voltage for the electrical consumer unit.

[0081] The control unit 122 also includes a position detection system for determining the position of the current collector system 120 along the conductor rail 151. Components of the position detection system can be arranged in the power board 126. Furthermore, components of the current collector system 120 can form separate electronic components in the electronics box 130 or be arranged outside the electronics box 130, for example, by mounting them on the electronics box 130 or on the mounting bracket 121.

[0082] A sensor system can be provided for position detection along the conductor rail 151. For example, the sensor system includes a rotary angle sensor integrated into the mounting base 105 and / or the tilting arm 106. The rotary angle sensor is configured to measure the swivel angle of the tilting arm 106 relative to the mounting base 105. The swivel angle is measured continuously during the movement of the current collector system 120 along the conductor rail 151. Characteristic changes in the swivel angle, in particular its change over time, are recorded as specific motion configurations and are indicative of the respective position of the current collector system 120 along the conductor rail 151. In the control unit 122, the sensor data are acquired, processed, and used to determine the position along the conductor rail 151.The control unit 122 is equipped with a position detection system that evaluates the sensor data and determines the current position of the pantograph system 120 along the conductor rail 151 using a previously trained movement pattern model.

[0083] The position determination method is based on recording characteristic movement patterns of the tilting arm 106 at known positions along the conductor rail 151 during an initialization phase and correlating them with the respective position data. An AI-based model is trained with this data. During operation, the current sensor data is compared with the movement pattern model to determine the current position of the pantograph system 120 along the conductor rail 151 without additional external position sensors.

[0084] The position detection system includes an optical sensor 108 for acquiring image data, whereby the position of the pantograph system 120 along the conductor rail 151 can be determined by means of image analysis of the image data. The position detection system itself can include a corresponding control unit that processes the image data and determines the position of the pantograph system 120 along the rail system 150 based on image analysis methods, such as contrast analysis, and / or a comparison with reference images from a database. Furthermore, a marker element 152 is arranged on the rail system 150. The marker element 152 can be detected along the rail system 150 by means of the optical sensor 108, and the marker element 152 contains information regarding the position of the pantograph system 120 along the conductor rail 151.The marker element 152 can, for example, contain certain route information which is indicative of the location of the placement of the marker element on the rail system 150.

[0085] The control unit 122 further includes an acceleration sensor 110 for determining vibrations during movement of the pantograph system 120 along the rail system 150. The acceleration sensor 110 is configured to determine acceleration and deceleration of the pantograph system 120 relative to the rail system 150. The acceleration sensor 110 can be located in the electronics box 130.

[0086] Furthermore, several acceleration sensors 110 can be arranged on the pantograph system 120. For example, one acceleration sensor 110 can be located in the electronics box 130 and another acceleration sensor 110 in the pantograph unit 100. This allows vibrations to be detected on the entire pantograph system 120, in particular vibrations between the pantograph units 100 on the one hand and the electronics box 130 on the other. This allows the condition of the rail system 150, especially at the rail transitions, to be monitored in detail.

[0087] The control unit 122 also includes an environmental sensor for determining the environment surrounding the current collector system 120. In exemplary embodiments, the environmental sensor is a temperature sensor for determining the temperature in the vicinity of the current collector system 120 and / or a humidity sensor for determining the humidity in the vicinity of the current collector system 120. This allows the environmental influences during the operation of the current collector system 120 to be investigated in order to draw conclusions about wear on the one hand and / or damage to the current collector system 120 or the rail system 150 on the other. The environmental sensors can also be arranged as an integrated component in the power board 126. Determining the environmental influences using the environmental sensor in the current collector system 120 can also provide insights into the environment during the operation of the consumer 160, which is coupled to the current collector unit 100.

[0088] The environmental sensor has a thermal imaging camera 132, which is configured to determine the temperature profile of the rail system 150. Accordingly, the temperature profile of the rail system 150 can be displayed in a heat map in order to draw conclusions about the condition of the rail system 150 and / or the conductor rail 151.

[0089] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a power board 126 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Cable terminals 201 are provided on the power board 126, the cable terminals 201 being connected to the power input 123. A connecting cable 131 of a phase of a current collector unit 100 can be connected to each cable terminal 201, in particular detachably, for example via a plug connection.

[0091] Components of the control unit 122, such as the measuring device 125, the position monitoring system, or the accelerometer 110, can be arranged on the power board 126 using appropriate microchips 202. The power board 126 is a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to serve as a mounting platform for various electronic components (microchips 202, in particular for current monitoring, current control, and / or current conversion) and associated electronic circuits. The power board 126 is connected to the current input 123 and the current output 124 to route the current from the conductor rail 151 to the load 160 and to control and monitor it accordingly. In particular, several current collector units 100 can be connected to the power board 126 via the current input 123.Alternatively, electronic components relating to current measurement, i.e. the measuring device, and / or the other sensor units can be arranged on a sensor board separate from the power board 126.

[0092] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a magnetic sensor 109 of the position detection system. The magnetic sensor 109 can measure specific magnetic fields along the conductor rail 151, and the position of the current collector system 120 along the conductor rail 151 can be determined based on the measured specific magnetic field. The specific magnetic field can be generated by the magnetic tape 301 shown, which is arranged on the rail system 150. The magnetic tape 301 can generate a specific magnetic field that is detected by the magnetic sensor (for example, a Hall sensor 127) of the position detection system. The specific magnetic field is thus indicative of a specific position along the rail system 150. The magnetic tape 301 can, for example, have a plurality of magnetic elements arranged along the rail system 150, for example, having a specific sequence of poles (north, south).The magnetic tape 301 can also have controllable coils to variably adjust a specific magnetic field. Based on the measured magnetic fields during the movement of the current collector system 120, the magnetic sensor 109 can detect an absolute position along the rail system 150.

[0093] It should also be noted that "comprehensive" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude.

[0094] Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

[0095] List of reference symbols:

[0096] 100 current collector unit 130 electronics box

[0097] 101 Base carrier 131 Connecting cable Electronic box

[0098] 102 Sliding contact unit 132 Thermal imaging camera

[0099] 103 Sliding contact

[0100] 104 sliding contact carriers 150 rail system

[0101] 105 Mounting foot 151 Conductor line

[0102] 106 Tilting arm 152 Marker element

[0103] 107 Connecting line 160 Electrical consumer

[0104] Current collector unit 161 connecting cable with

[0105] 108 optical sensor consumer

[0106] 109 Magnetic sensor

[0107] 110 Accelerometer 201 Cable clamp

[0108] 111 Pressure spring 202 Microchip

[0109] 112 rocker

[0110] 113 rocker spring 301 magnetic tape

[0111] 120 current collector system

[0112] 121 Mounting brackets

[0113] 122 Control unit

[0114] 123 Power input

[0115] 124 power output

[0116] 125 Measuring device

[0117] 126 Power board

[0118] 127 Hall Sensor

[0119] 128 voltage converters

Claims

Patent claims 1. Current collector system (120) comprising a current collector unit (100) for current transmission between a rail system (150) with conductor rail (151) and an electrical consumer (160), wherein the current collector unit (100) has a sliding contact carrier (104) with a sliding contact unit (102) which can be coupled to form a sliding contact with the conductor rail (151), wherein the current collector unit (100) is movable to the rail system (150) can be coupled to an electronics box (130) with an electrical control unit (122), wherein the control unit (122) has a current input (123) which is connected to the sliding contact unit (102) for drawing a current from the sliding line (151) is coupled, and has a current output (124) which can be coupled to the consumer (160).

2. Current collector system (120) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to partially divert or loop through the current of the conductor rail (151) for the consumer (160).

3. Current collector system (120) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (122) has a measuring device (125) which is configured to measure a current of at least one branched current of a phase of the conductor rail (151) to the consumer (160).

4. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (122) has a measuring device (125) which is configured to measure a voltage of at least one branched current of a phase of the conductor rail (151) to the consumer (160).

5. Current collector system (120) according to claim 4, wherein the measuring device (125) is configured to measure a phase angle of a branched current from at least one phase of the conductor rail (151) to the consumer (160).

6. Current collector system (120) according to claims 3, 4 and 5, wherein the measuring device (125) is configured to determine active power, apparent power and / or reactive power based on the measured current, voltage and phase angle.

7. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (122) has a power board (126) on which the measuring device (125) is formed.

8. Current collector system (120) according to claim 7, wherein a cable clamp (201) is formed on the power board (126), wherein the cable clamp (201) is coupled to the current input (123).

9. Current collector system (120) according to claim 8, wherein the measuring device (125) comprises a Hall sensor (127), in particular a Hall effect-based current sensor, which is arranged on the power board (126).

10. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an electrical consumer unit, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to at least partially divert the current from the conductor rail (151) to the electrical consumer unit.

11. Current collector system (120) according to claim 10, wherein the control unit (122) has a voltage converter (128) which is configured to convert a voltage of the current from the conductor rail (151) to a consumer voltage for the electrical consumer unit.

12. Current collector system (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit (122) has a position detection system for determining a position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151).

13. Current collector system (120) according to claim 12, wherein the control unit (122) is configured to measure a specific movement configuration of the current collector system (120) at an associated position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151), wherein the position detection system provides a movement pattern of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151) based on the measured specific movement configurations at the associated positions.

14. Current collector system (120) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the position detection system, comprising a motion pattern model, provides at least one motion pattern with specific motion configurations of a model current collector system at associated positions along the conductor rail (151), wherein the position detection system is configured to measure motion configurations of the current collector system (120) such that, by comparison with specific motion configurations of the model current collector system and the measured Movement configurations allow a position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail to be determined.

15. Current collector system (120) according to claim 14, wherein the model current collector system forms a learning-based model which can be trained on a plurality of specific movement patterns of model current collector systems with specific movement configurations at predetermined positions along the conductor rail.

16. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the sliding contact carrier (104) has a receiving foot (105) and a tilting arm (106) which is pivotably attached to the receiving foot (105) about a pivot axis (107), wherein the sliding contact unit (102) is attached to the tilting arm (106).

17. Current collector system (120) according to claim 16, wherein the position detection system has a rotation angle sensor which is configured to measure a rotation angle of the tilting arm (106) relative to the receiving foot (105), in particular to measure the change over time of the swivel angle, wherein the swivel angle, in particular its change over time, is indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system (120) at an associated position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151).

18. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 12 to 17, further comprising wherein the current collector unit (100) has a contact spring (111) which is arranged between a base carrier (101) and the sliding contact carrier (104), wherein the pressure spring (111) generates a pressure force to press the sliding contact carrier (104) against the sliding line (151).

19. Current collector system (120) according to claim 18, wherein the position detection system has a spring force sensor configured to measure the spring force of the contact spring (111), in particular the change over time of the spring force, wherein the spring force, in particular its change over time, is indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system (120) at an associated position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151).

20. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the position detection system has an acceleration sensor (110) for determining vibrations during a movement of the current collector system (120) along the rail system (150), wherein the vibrations, in particular their change over time, are indicative of a specific movement configuration of the current collector system (120) at an associated position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151).

21. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the position detection system has an optical sensor (108) for recording image data, wherein the position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151) can be determined by means of image analysis of the image data.

22. Current collector system (120) according to claim 21, wherein the position detection system is configured to detect at least one marker element (152) along the rail system (150) by means of the optical sensor (108), wherein the marker element (152) has information regarding the position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151).

23. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the position detection system has a magnetic sensor (109) for measuring specific magnetic fields along the conductor rail (151), wherein the position of the current collector system (120) along the conductor rail (151) can be determined based on the measured specific magnetic field, wherein the specific magnetic field can be generated in particular by means of magnetic elements and / or magnetic tapes along the rail system (150).

24. Current collector system (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the control unit (122) has an acceleration sensor (110) for determining vibrations during a movement of the current collector system (120) along the rail system (150).

25. Current collector system (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the control unit (122) has an environmental sensor for determining the environment around the current collector system (120).

26. Current collector system (120) according to claim 25, wherein the environmental sensor has a temperature sensor for determining the temperature in the environment of the current collector system (120).

27. Current collector system (120) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the environmental sensor includes a humidity sensor for determining the humidity in the vicinity of the current collector system (120).

28. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a thermal imaging camera (132) which is configured to determine a temperature profile of the rail system (150).

29. Current collector system (120) according to one of claims 1 to 28, further comprising a mounting bracket (121) on which the current collector unit (100) is arranged and on which the electrical consumer (160) can be attached, wherein the mounting bracket (121) is movably coupleable to the rail system (150), wherein the electronics box (130) is attached to the mounting bracket (121), 30. Method for controlling a current collector system (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 29, comprising the method Branching off or looping through current from the conductor rail (151) for the consumer (160) by means of the control unit (122).

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