Current collector

Abstract

The invention relates to a current collector (10) and to a method for operating a current collector, wherein: the current collector can be arranged on a roof (11) of a rail vehicle and is used to transfer energy from a contact wire (14) of an overhead line (15) to the rail vehicle; the current collector comprises a positioning device (16) having a collector strip (13) arranged thereon; the positioning device has a coupling mechanism (17) which is formed from a base frame (18) for mounting the current collector on the roof, an upper arm (19) on which the collector strip is arranged, a lower arm (20), and a coupling rod (21); the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to the base frame and the upper arm via joints (22, 23, 24, 25) of the coupling mechanism; by means of the positioning device, the collector strip can be moved relative to the contact wire and can be pressed against the contact wire, with a contact force, in a sliding-contact position (12) in order to form a sliding contact; at least one joint (22, 23) on the upper arm is provided with a clamping device (30); and the clamping device force-lockingly connects a coupling rocker (29) of the upper arm to the joint.

Description

[0001] current collector

[0002] The invention relates to a pantograph and a method for operating a pantograph, wherein the pantograph can be arranged on the roof of a rail vehicle and serves to transmit energy from a contact wire of an overhead line to the rail vehicle, wherein the pantograph comprises a positioning device with a contact strip arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device has a coupling mechanism formed from a base frame for arranging the pantograph on the roof, an upper arm on which the contact strip is arranged, a lower arm and a coupling rod, wherein the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to the base frame and the upper arm via joints of the coupling mechanism, wherein the contact strip is movable relative to the contact wire by means of the positioning device and can be pressed against the contact wire with a contact force in a sliding contact position to form a sliding contact.

[0003] Current collectors are regularly used to supply power to rail-bound and non-rail-bound vehicles via a contact wire. These collectors make electrical contact with the contact wire of an overhead line. The current collector has one or more contact strips made of carbon or metal that slide along the contact wire. The contact strip can be moved into a sliding contact position on the contact wire and into a stowed position on the vehicle by means of a positioning device on the current collector. The positioning device can consist of an upper arm and a articulated lower arm connected to it, and may also include a drive mechanism that presses the contact strip against the contact wire, thus applying the necessary contact force to establish a secure sliding contact. The drive mechanism can be designed using an air bellows, tension springs, and / or compression springs.The drive unit can also compensate for movements of the rail vehicle as well as changes in the alignment of the contact wire. Depending on the relative distance between the rail vehicle's path and the contact wire, and the rail vehicle's speed, highly variable forces can act on the contact strip, particularly the upper and lower arms, which can cause them to be subjected to considerable stress.

[0004] Since the height of a contact wire relative to the rail vehicle's track can vary, the contact strip, and thus the upper arm, performs a vertical translational movement, pivoting around a joint formed between the upper and lower arms. During this movement of the contact strip, however, a loss of contact with or lifting of the contact strip from the contact wire must be avoided, as otherwise arcing could occur and the power supply could be briefly interrupted, thereby increasing wear on the contact strip. To maintain a sufficient and constant contact force between the contact strip and the contact wire, it is advantageous for the upper arm to be as dynamically flexible as possible. Therefore, the mass of the upper arm should be low.Forces also act on the upper arm in the direction of travel, for example, due to wind, friction, and acceleration, as well as lateral forces that can result from a zigzag offset of the contact wire and other influences. The stresses caused by the aforementioned forces in the upper arm occur particularly in the area of ​​the connection to the lower arm. In addition to the joint connecting it to the lower arm, the upper arm also has a joint connecting it to a coupling rod, which allows the upper arm to pivot in the desired direction in a controlled manner. The coupling rod and the lower arm are also pivotally mounted to a base frame of the pantograph and, together with the upper arm and the base frame, form a coupling mechanism.

[0005] In such pantographs, at least the upper arm is made of aluminum for weight reduction. Particularly in the area of ​​the articulated connections with the lower arm and the connecting rod, bearing blocks, struts, and components reinforcing the upper arm are welded to it. A pantograph with such an upper arm is known, for example, from EP 2 910 399 B1. While it is advantageous that an upper arm made of an aluminum alloy has good electrical conductivity, its manufacture is comparatively complex. When welding aluminum components of the upper arm, these are heated to high temperatures in the area of ​​the welds, which reduces the component's strength in this area due to changes in the microstructure. Heat treatment is necessary after welding. Irregularities in the execution of a weld joint can also negatively affect the strength.Since semi-finished products are regularly used to manufacture upper arms, sufficiently large, available cross-sections are always selected for the upper arm's construction. The remaining structure of the upper arm must therefore be designed with regard to its strength after the connection to the lower arm. Due to the aforementioned design requirements, reduced strength resulting from welding, processing tolerances, and the selection of a sufficiently dimensioned semi-finished product, the upper arm is regularly over-dimensioned in the area adjacent to the connection to the lower arm. This significantly increases the weight of the upper arm. The present invention therefore aims to propose a current collector and a method for operating a current collector that enables improved operation.

[0006] This problem is solved by a current collector having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 18.

[0007] The pantograph according to the invention can be arranged on the roof of a rail vehicle and serves to transmit energy from a contact wire of an overhead line to the rail vehicle, wherein the pantograph comprises a positioning device with a contact strip arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device has a coupling mechanism which is formed from a base frame for arranging the pantograph on the roof, an upper arm on which the contact strip is arranged, a lower arm and a coupling rod, wherein the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to the base frame and the upper arm via joints of the coupling mechanism, wherein the contact strip is movable relative to the contact wire by means of the positioning device and can be pressed against the contact wire with the contact force in a sliding contact position to form a sliding contact, wherein at least one joint on the upper arm is designed with a clamping device.wherein the clamping device connects a coupling rocker arm of the upper arm to the joint in a force-fit manner.

[0008] According to the invention, the upper arm, the lower arm, the connecting rod, and the base frame form a coupling mechanism. The lower arm is connected to the upper arm by a first joint, the connecting rod to the upper arm by a second joint, the lower arm to the base frame by a third joint, and the connecting rod to the base frame by a fourth joint. The joints are preferably pivot joints. Other types of joints that ensure the positioning device's function are also acceptable. By pivoting the lower arm about its corresponding joint on the base frame, the upper arm is raised or lowered, since the upper arm is coupled to the base frame via the connecting rod. This causes the sliding bar arranged on the upper arm to be raised or lowered in a vertical direction, essentially by translation.The contact strip can thus be pressed against the contact wire by the contact force in the sliding contact position. The upper arm has a clamping device that is positively connected to a coupling arm of the upper arm. A coupling arm, in this context, refers to the part of the upper arm that connects the contact strip or its suspension to the joints of the coupling mechanism associated with the upper arm.

[0009] Because the joint is attached to the coupling arm by means of the clamping device, a welded connection between the joint / bearing block and the coupling arm is unnecessary. As it turns out, the connection between the coupling arm and joint can then be made significantly more material-efficient, since there is no need to consider the reduction in strength and manufacturing tolerances on the coupling arm that would be present with a welded connection. This makes it possible to design the upper arm with a lower mass, thus enabling more dynamic movement of the upper arm during operation. Furthermore, it has also been found that the manufacturing effort for the upper arm can be reduced, since the clamping connection is simpler than a welded connection. Overall, this also reduces the manufacturing costs of the pantograph.

[0010] The coupling mechanism can be a four-link coupling mechanism. This four-link coupling mechanism can then have four joints or pivot joints. A first and second joint can be located on the upper arm, and a third and fourth joint on the base frame. The lower arm and the coupling rod can connect the respective joints on the upper arm and the base frame either parallel to each other or at an acute angle to each other. The respective ends of the lower arm and the coupling rod then engage with the respective joints.

[0011] The forearm or coupling rod can be connected to the coupling arm at a proximal end. Preferably, the coupling rod is connected to the proximal end of the coupling arm via a joint. The forearm can also be connected to the coupling arm via a joint, but this joint is then located away from the proximal end of the coupling arm. The forearm can also have a cross-section larger than that of the coupling rod, allowing higher forces to be transmitted via the forearm.

[0012] The clamping device can be detachably connected to the coupling arm. This allows the upper arm to be disassembled if necessary, enabling the replacement of worn or damaged components without having to replace the entire upper arm. The interchangeable coupling arm also facilitates the simpler, modular production of pantographs for different distances between the contact wire and the roof of a rail vehicle. This allows upper arms of varying lengths to be connected to the clamping device. Furthermore, it makes it possible to adapt an existing pantograph in operation to a larger or smaller distance between the contact wire and the roof of the rail vehicle simply by replacing the coupling arm.

[0013] The clamping device can form a bearing block for the joint. The bearing block can be formed, for example, by a bearing bore or a bearing bolt. The bearing block can be integrally formed with the clamping device or attached to it, for example, by screws. The joint then incorporates the clamping device.

[0014] At least one further joint can be formed on the upper arm with the clamping device, whereby the clamping device can forcefully connect the coupling arm of the upper arm to the further joint. The further or second joint is then arranged together with the joint or first joint on the upper arm, and both joints together feature the clamping device. This makes it possible to forcefully connect the coupling arm of the upper arm to both joints. The clamping device can then extend between the two joints and run at least partially along the upper arm.

[0015] The clamping device can consist of a first clamping element and a second clamping element, which can be spaced apart from each other along the coupling arm. In principle, however, it is also possible for the clamping device to have only one clamping element, which is formed in a section between the joints on the upper arm. By using two clamping elements, material can be saved and the weight of the coupling mechanism further reduced. The first joint can then be located on the first clamping element and the second joint on the second clamping element. The upper arm can thus be connected to the respective joints on the coupling rod and the lower arm solely via the clamping elements. In this area, the upper arm can then be free of any welded joints. This makes it possible to easily replace the coupling arm of the upper arm.Furthermore, the manufacturing quality of the upper arm can be significantly improved, as clamp connections can be produced with higher accuracy and reliability than welded connections. Since there is no material weakening due to welding on the coupling arm, the coupling arm and the upper arm as a whole, in the area of ​​the connection to the lower arm and the coupling rod, can be dimensioned with less material and manufactured with a lower mass.

[0016] Advantageously, the distance between the first and second clamping elements along the coupling arm can be adjustable. This allows the angle of the upper arm relative to the lower arm in the sliding contact position to be changed. This enables the pantograph to be adapted to different distances or heights of the contact wire to the rail vehicle. Fine-tuning of this distance is thus easily achieved. Alternatively or additionally, the length of the lower arm can also be adjustable, allowing for height adjustment over an even wider range.

[0017] The first clamping element can be connected to the second clamping element via at least one strut. The strut can be designed as a tension anchor if it runs between the clamping elements above the coupling arm. Alternatively, the strut can also be designed as a compression strut if it runs between the clamping elements below the coupling arm. The strut can then reinforce the area of ​​the upper arm between the joints to such an extent that the coupling arm itself does not require reinforcement. If the coupling arm is formed, for example, from two profile bars, two or more struts can also be provided.

[0018] The clamping device can form a receptacle for a profile bar of the coupling arm, at least partially, and surround the profile bar at least partially around its outer circumference. The profile bar can be a solid or hollow profile, for example, made of an aluminum alloy. In particular, the profile bar can have a round cross-section. A profile bar designed in the manner of an aluminum tube can then be simply inserted or plugged into a round receptacle of the clamping device, which is designed in the manner of a bore, and clamped around its outer circumference. Furthermore, the receptacles can have a radius, trumpet-shaped or conical shape at their openings or bore edges in the axial direction relative to the profile bar. This avoids a sharp edge on the receptacle that could bear against the profile bar and cause force peaks there during bending or vibration of the profile bar.

[0019] The clamping device can be designed with at least one one-piece or one two-piece clamp, and a clamping force can be applied to the profile bar by means of the screws connecting the clamp. If the coupling arm is formed by two profile bars, the clamping device can also be designed with two clamps, one for each profile bar. The clamps can be designed in the form of pipe clamps and are then simply attached to the clamping device. The clamps can be relatively wide relative to the longitudinal direction of the coupling arm or the respective profile bar, so that a large contact area is formed between an inner surface of the clamp and an outer surface of the profile bar. This prevents localized force peaks and thus potential damage to the connection between the profile bar and the clamping device.

[0020] At least one bolt can engage the profile bar at the clamping device, creating a positive connection between the profile bar and the clamping mechanism. This ensures that the profile bar cannot shift on the clamping device or become unintentionally detached due to vibrations or similar factors. The bolt can, for example, be inserted into a bore that partially penetrates the clamping device and the profile bar. The bolt can be designed as a dowel pin, locking pin, or similar component.

[0021] The coupling arm can be formed by at least two profile bars which, together with the clamping device and a connecting bar that joins the profile bars at a distal end of the coupling arm, form a frame. The profile bars can be hollow profiles, preferably with a round cross-section, made of an aluminum alloy. The connecting bar can also be made of such a hollow profile. The profile bars can run parallel to each other at least partially and / or at an acute angle relative to each other at least partially. At the distal end of the coupling arm, the profile bars can then be connected to each other by the connecting bar. For example, a through-hole can be formed at the distal end of each profile bar through which the connecting bar is inserted or passes.When the profile bars are connected at a proximal end of the coupling arm by means of the clamping device, the coupling arm forms a frame structure. This frame structure can include further reinforcing struts that connect the profile bars. This can, for example, reduce or prevent unwanted vibrations.

[0022] The clamping device can connect the profile bars at a proximal end of the coupling arm. The clamping device can also have two clamping elements, at least one of which can be arranged at the proximal end of the coupling bar. The respective clamping elements can be designed such that each clamping element can clamp or force-fit the two profile bars.

[0023] The positioning device can include a drive unit and / or a spring unit by means of which the contact force on the contact strip can be generated. The drive unit can be a pneumatically driven bellows or piston, or an electric motor. Depending on the mechanical coupling, the spring unit can be a tension spring or a compression spring. The drive unit can extend the contact strip into a sliding contact position on the contact wire or retract it into a storage position on the roof of the vehicle. When the contact strip is in contact with the contact wire, the spring unit or the drive unit can apply a contact force to the contact strip against the contact wire and compensate for any changes in the height of the contact wire relative to the roof of the vehicle.

[0024] A rocker arm can be arranged at a distal end of the coupling arm by means of a pivot joint, the rocker arm being able to hold at least one contact strip, preferably two contact strips. The rocker arm is then rotatably attached to the free distal upper end of the coupling arm within certain limits. If a connecting rod is provided at the distal end of the coupling arm, the rocker arm can be rotatably arranged on the connecting rod. The connecting rod can then form the pivot joint. If two contact strips are arranged on the rocker arm, the pivot joint can allow the contact strips to pivot transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle, so that both contact strips can always be in contact with the contact wire.

[0025] The upper arm can include a guide rod that connects the rocker arm to the lower arm or the coupling rod. The guide rod can be designed such that, when the contact strips are extended or retracted between a storage position and a contact position, the rocker arm always positions the contact strips in a horizontal position, relatively transverse to the direction of travel.

[0026] In the inventive method for operating a pantograph, the pantograph is arranged on the roof of a rail vehicle and energy is transferred from a contact wire of an overhead line to the rail vehicle, wherein the pantograph comprises a positioning device with a contact strip arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device has a coupling mechanism which is formed from a base frame for arranging the pantograph on the roof, an upper arm on which the contact strip is arranged, a lower arm and a coupling rod, wherein the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to a base frame and the upper arm via joints of the coupling mechanism, wherein the contact strip is moved relative to the contact wire by means of the positioning device and is pressed against the contact wire with a contact force in a sliding contact position to form a sliding contact.wherein at least one joint on the upper arm is formed with a clamping device, wherein a coupling rocker arm of the upper arm is force-fitted to the joint by means of the clamping device. For the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the current collector according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the descriptions of features in the dependent claims relating to device claim 1. A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] They show:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pantograph;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the pantograph from Fig. 1;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the pantograph from Fig. 2;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the pantograph from Fig. 1.

[0032] A comparison of Figures 1 to 4 shows a pantograph 10 for mounting on the roof 1 1 of a rail vehicle (not shown in detail). The pantograph 10 is shown here in a sliding contact position 12, in which the contact strips 13 of the pantograph 10 are in contact with a contact wire 14 of an overhead line 15. The contact wire 14 is positioned a height H away from the roof 1 1. In a storage position (not shown here), the contact strips 13 are lowered closer to the roof 1 1.

[0033] The current collector 10 has a positioning device 16 for moving the contact strips 13 from the storage position to the sliding contact position 12 and back. The positioning device 16 has a coupling mechanism 17, which is formed from a base frame 18, an upper arm 19, a lower arm 20 and a coupling rod 21. The lower arm 20 and the coupling rod 21 are each connected to the base frame 18 and the upper arm 19 via joints 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the coupling mechanism 17.

[0034] The base frame 18 is connected to the roof 11 via support insulators 26. A bellows 27 of a drive unit 28 for the pantograph is also arranged on the base frame 18. The drive unit 28 can exert a contact force on the contact strips 13 against the contact wire 13 and actuate the contact strips 13, i.e., extend and retract them. Furthermore, the lower arm 20 is mounted on the base frame 18 at the joint 24, and the coupling rod 21 is mounted at the joint 25.

[0035] The upper arm 19 is formed by a coupling arm 29, which is connected via a clamping device 30 to the coupling rod 21 via a joint 22 and to the lower arm 20 via a joint 23. At a distal end 31 of the coupling arm 29, a rocker 33 is arranged on a pivot joint 32, the rocker 33 holding the two friction strips 13. The joint 22 is positioned at a proximal end 34 of the coupling arm 29, and the joint 23 is positioned at a distance A from the joint 22 along a longitudinal direction of the coupling arm 29, thus forming the four-part coupling mechanism 17. The joints 22 and 23 are also formed with the clamping device 30.

[0036] The coupling arm 29 is formed with two profile bars 35, with a connecting bar 36 at the distal end 31 connecting the two profile bars 35 and forming the pivot joint 32 for the rocker arm 33. At the proximal end 34, the profile bars 35 are essentially parallel and clamped by means of the clamping device 30. Furthermore, the profile bars 35 are connected to each other at approximately half their length by means of a connecting element 37. The upper arm 19 also includes a guide rod 38, which connects the rocker arm 33 to the lower arm 20 and positions the rocker arm 33 essentially in a horizontal position, independent of its position on the contact wire 14.

[0037] As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the clamping device 30 is formed from two clamping elements 39 and 40. The clamping elements 39 and 40 are arranged on the coupling arm 29 at a distance A from each other, relative to the joints 22 and 23. The clamping element 39 forms a bearing block 41 for the joint 22 for connection with the coupling rod 21, and the clamping element 40 forms a bearing block 42 for the joint 23 for connection with the lower arm 20. The clamping elements 39 and 40 are rigidly connected to each other by two struts 43. The struts 43 form compression bars 44, which run below the profile bars 35. The clamping element 39 forms two receptacles 45 for the profile bars 35. The receptacles 45 are designed here with a clamp 46 which surrounds the respective profile bar 35 and exerts a clamping force on the profile bar 35 by means of screws 47, such that the profile bar 35 is fixed firmly in a force-fit manner.To secure the profile bar 35, a bolt 48 is provided at the receptacle 45, which penetrates the clamp 46 and the profile bar 35.

[0038] The clamping element 40 also connects the two profile bars 35 and is designed with two receptacles 49 for the profile bars 35. Each receptacle 49 is also designed with a clamp 50, which is a two-part clamp. Screws 51 are also used to clamp the profile bars 35. In addition, bolts 52 are provided for supplementary positive locking of the receptacle 49 and the profile bar 35. Furthermore, a connecting strut 53 of the clamping element 40 is arranged between the clamps 50 and is connected to the clamps 50 by means of screws 54.

[0039] When the pantograph 10 is in operation, the drive unit 28 exerts a contact force on the contact strips 13 against the contact wire 14. As the vehicle (not shown) moves along the contact wire 14, its height H changes continuously. This exerts a dynamic, vertical force on the rocker arm 33, which the drive unit 28 maintains as constant a contact force as possible. The upper arm 19 is moved about the joint 23 on the lower arm 20 by the vertical movement of the rocker arm 33. The force acting on the upper arm 19 via the rocker arm 33 is transmitted to the lower arm 20 and the coupling rod 21. Due to the clamping device 30, a reinforced section at the proximal end 34 of the coupling arm 29 for force transmission is no longer necessary, as the profile bars 35 are not weakened in strength by the clamping connection.The upper arm 19 and its connection to the lower arm 20 and the coupling rod 21 can thus be designed to be lighter overall, allowing for more dynamic movement of the contact strips 13 on the contact wire 14 with a comparatively lower contact force. Furthermore, the clamping device 30 makes it possible to remove or replace the profile bars 35 at the clamping device and, if necessary, to reposition them in order to adapt the coupling arm 29 or the upper arm 19 to different heights H.

[0040] Reference symbol list

[0041] Current collector roof

[0042] Slip contact strip, contact strip, contact wire, overhead line

[0043] Positioning device, coupling gear, base frame, upper arm, lower arm, coupling rod, joint, joint, joint, joint, support insulator, bellows

[0044] Drive unit, coupling, swing arm, clamping device, distal end, pivot joint, rocker arm, proximal end, profile, rod, connecting rod, connecting element, guide rod, clamping element, clamping element, bearing block, bearing block, strut, compression rod, mount, clamp, screw, bolt, mount, clamp, screw, bolt, connecting strut, screw

Claims

Patent claims 1. Current collector (10), wherein the current collector can be arranged on a roof (11) of a rail vehicle and serves for the transmission of energy from a contact wire (14) of an overhead line (15) to the rail vehicle, wherein the current collector comprises a positioning device (16) with a contact strip (13) arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device has a coupling mechanism (17) which is formed from a base frame (18) for arranging the current collector on the roof, an upper arm (19) on which the contact strip is arranged, a lower arm (20) and a coupling rod (21), wherein the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to the base frame and the upper arm via joints (22, 23, 24, 25) of the coupling mechanism, wherein the contact strip is movable relative to the contact wire by means of the positioning device and can be pressed against the contact wire with a contact force in a sliding contact position (12) to form a sliding contact.characterized in that at least one joint (22, 23) on the upper arm is formed with a clamping device (30), wherein the clamping device, a coupling rocker arm (29) of the upper arm connects to the joint in a force-fit manner.

2. Current collector according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (17) is a four-part coupling mechanism.

3. Current collector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower arm (20) or the coupling rod (21) is connected to the coupling arm at a proximal end (34) of the coupling arm (29).

4. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) is detachably connected to the coupling arm (29).

5. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) forms a bearing block (41, 42) of the joint (22, 23).

6. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further joint (22; 23) is formed on the upper arm (19) with the clamping device (30), wherein the clamping device connects the coupling rocker (29) of the upper arm to the further joint in a force-fit manner.

7. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) is formed from a first clamping element (39) and a second clamping element (40), wherein the first clamping element and the second clamping element are arranged spaced apart from each other along the coupling arm (29).

8. Current collector according to claim 7, characterized in that a distance (A) between the first clamping element (39) and the second clamping element (40) along the coupling arm (29) is adjustable.

9. Current collector according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first clamping element (39) is connected to the second clamping element (40) via at least one strut (43).

10. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (30) forms at least sectionally a receptacle (45, 49) for a profile bar (35) of the coupling arm (29), and at least partially surrounds the profile bar on its outer circumference.

11. Current collector according to claim 10, characterized in that the clamping device (30) is designed with at least one one-piece or one two-piece clamp (46, 50) and a clamping force is applied to the profile bar (35) by means of screws (47, 51) connecting the clamp.

12. Current collector according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one bolt (48, 52) engages in the profile bar (35) at the receptacle (45, 49) and connects the profile bar to the clamping device (30) in a form-fitting manner.

13. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling arm (29) is formed by at least two profile bars (35) which together with the clamping device (30) and a connecting bar (36) which connects the profile bars at a distal end (31) of the coupling arm form a frame structure.

14. Current collector according to claim 13, characterized in that the clamping device (30) connects the profile bars (35) at a proximal end (34) of the coupling arm (29).

15. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device (16) has a drive device (28) and / or a spring device by means of which the contact force on the contact strip (13) can be formed.

16. Current collector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rocker arm (33) is arranged at a distal end of the coupling rocker arm (29) by means of a pivot joint (32), wherein the rocker arm holds the at least one contact strip (13), preferably two contact strips.

17. Current collector according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper arm (19) comprises a guide rod (38) which connects the rocker arm (33) to the lower arm (20) or the coupling rod (21).

18. Method for operating a pantograph (10), wherein the pantograph is arranged on a roof (11) of a rail vehicle and energy is transferred from a contact wire (14) of an overhead line (15) to the rail vehicle, wherein the pantograph comprises a positioning device (16) with a contact strip (13) arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device has a coupling mechanism (17) which is formed from a base frame (18) for arranging the pantograph on the roof, an upper arm (19) on which the contact strip is arranged, a lower arm (20) and a coupling rod (21), wherein the lower arm and the coupling rod are each connected to the base frame and the upper arm via joints (22, 23, 24, 25) of the coupling mechanism, wherein the contact strip is moved relative to the contact wire by means of the positioning device and is pressed against the contact wire with a contact force in a sliding contact position (12) to form a sliding contact.characterized in that at least one joint (22, 23) on the upper arm is formed with a clamping device (30), wherein a coupling rocker arm (29) of the upper arm is force-fitted to the joint by means of the clamping device.

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