Positioning unit and contacting method

Abstract

The invention relates to a positioning unit for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically driven vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the positioning unit is designed to be arrangeable on a vehicle roof, and a contact apparatus of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact apparatus of the charging station and can be electrically contacted thereto in a contact position, wherein in order to position the contact apparatus, the positioning unit has a lifting-rod apparatus which is connected to a lifting device and comprises at least one lifting rod, wherein the lifting rod can be pivoted by means of the lifting device, and the lifting-rod apparatus has a first joint device at a first end and a second joint device at a second end, and wherein the contact apparatus is always positioned in a vertical contact position by means of the first joint device and the second joint device during the actuation of the positioning unit.

Description

[0001] November 1, 2024

[0002] Schunk Transit Systems GmbH G / SBI-078-WO 35435 Wettenberg Scu / Kaf / saa

[0003] Positioning unit and contacting method

[0004] The invention relates to a positioning unit for electrically powered vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically powered vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the positioning unit is designed to be arranged on a vehicle roof, and a contact device of the positioning unit is movable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and can be electrically contacted with it in a contact position.

[0005] Such positioning units and methods are known from the prior art and are regularly used in electrically powered vehicles that, for example, travel between stops. These can be electric buses, but also other vehicles, such as trains or trams, that are not permanently connected to an overhead line or similar structure. In these vehicles, an electrical energy storage device is recharged at a charging station when the journey is interrupted at a stop. The vehicle is electrically connected to the charging station at the stop, allowing the energy storage device to be charged sufficiently for the vehicle to reach the next stop equipped with a charging station. It is also possible to supply the vehicle with electrical energy in this way outside of operating hours.

[0006] To establish an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charging station, a positioning unit is used, which can be mounted on the vehicle roof and connects a contact device on the vehicle to a charging contact device on the charging station located above the vehicle. The contact surfaces of the contact device are then moved towards the charging contact surfaces above the vehicle roof, establishing an electrical connection between the contact surfaces of the contact device and the charging contact surfaces.

[0007] A key aspect of combining a contact device and a charging contact device is that the contact device can be positioned relatively precisely on the charging contact device and pressed against the charging contact surfaces with sufficient contact force to establish a reliable electrical connection. A comparable positioning unit is available, for example, from...

[0008] WO 2015 / 018887 is known. A disadvantage of the known positioning units is that they can only make contact with the charging contact device at a defined height. When the contact device is lifted with an articulated arm, it is brought into a vertical position, but the vertical position required for contact is only reached at the intended contact position or height. Charging contact devices at bus stops must therefore always have a substantially uniform height above the roadway, or the respective positioning unit on a vehicle must be aligned with the height of the vehicle or the height of the charging contact devices.A flexible arrangement of charging contact devices along a roadway, for example under bridges or on masts, is no longer readily possible, as the height of the charging contact device above the roadway is then determined by the structure in question. To address this problem, positioning units are known from the prior art. These units are equipped with multiple drives and joints to align the contact head relative to the charging contact device, particularly to bring it into a vertical contact position. However, due to their complex design, these positioning units are expensive to manufacture and operate, and are also prone to failure and require maintenance.A further disadvantage is that the contact device must always be readjusted or recalibrated by controlling the drives and depending on the position of the articulated arms relative to the mounting frame or the roof of a vehicle. It is also a disadvantage that the height of the positioning unit can make it impossible to drive under structures, thus significantly limiting the operating range of a vehicle with such a positioning unit. A further limitation of the operating range of a vehicle with a positioning unit of this type can be attributed to the overall length of the positioning unit, and it is desirable to minimize this length as much as possible. Furthermore, it is desirable to make a positioning unit as inconspicuous as possible to the users of the vehicle in question. It is therefore also known to install cladding parts on a vehicle roof to conceal positioning units.to integrate it into a vehicle in such a way that the vehicle's design remains appealing to users. Here, too, it is advantageous if the overall length of the positioning unit is minimized.

[0009] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a positioning unit and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically powered vehicle and a stationary charging station, enabling flexible use of the vehicle with a short overall length and a simple, reliable, and low-maintenance design. Furthermore, the invention aims to enable simple and cost-effective alignment of the contact device, particularly into a vertical position, regardless of its height above the vehicle's roof. Finally, the positioning unit should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0010] This problem is solved by a positioning unit having the features of claim 1, a fast charging system having the features of claim 13 and a method having the features of claim 14.

[0011] The positioning unit according to the invention for electrically powered vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, serves to form an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the positioning unit is designed to be mounted on a vehicle roof. A contact device of the positioning unit is movable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and can be electrically contacted with it in a contact position. The positioning unit for positioning the contact device has a lifting device and a lifting rod device connected to the lifting device, wherein at least one lifting rod of the lifting rod device is pivotable by means of the lifting device. The lifting rod device has at least one lifting rod, preferably several lifting rods arranged parallel to one another.For positioning the contact device, the lifting rod assembly has a first joint at one end and a second joint at the other. The first end of the lifting rod assembly can be formed by a first joint and the second end by a second joint. The lifting rod assembly is designed such that, by means of the first and second joints, the contact device is always positioned in a vertical contact position during actuation of the positioning unit. The lifting rod of the lifting rod assembly is preferably pivotable about a joint axis formed by the second joint by means of the lifting mechanism.

[0012] Within the scope of the invention, the actuation of the positioning unit relates to any movement performed by a component, for example, the lifting device, the lifting rod assembly, or the contact device. In particular, actuation of the positioning unit within the scope of the invention is the pivoting of the lifting rod by means of the lifting device about a pivot axis of an articulating device.

[0013] The first joint is preferably arranged at a distal end of the lifting rod assembly, and the second joint is preferably arranged at a proximal end of the lifting rod assembly. The term "distal end of the lifting rod assembly" refers to the end of the lifting rod assembly that is located further away from the lifting device, particularly from the connection point between the lifting device and the lifting rod, compared to the other end of the lifting rod assembly. Accordingly, the term "proximal end of the lifting rod assembly" refers to the end of the lifting rod assembly that is located closer to the lifting device, particularly to the connection point between the lifting device and the lifting rod, compared to the other end of the lifting rod assembly. Furthermore, the contact device is arranged on the first joint, and the second joint can be connected, preferably rigidly, to the mounting frame of the positioning unit.A movement of the contact device relative to a charging contact device of a charging station arranged above the contact device is effected by the lifting device, whereby at least one drive for driving the lifting device may be provided. Within the scope of the invention, the term "lifting rod" refers to a rod with free ends on which a joint device may be arranged.

[0014] The contact device can have a number of contacts that connect to charging contacts of the charging contact device to establish an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station. It is essential that the contact device is in a vertical position in the contact position for this contact to occur. This is ensured in a particularly simple manner within the scope of the invention, since the interaction between the lifting rod and the joint mechanisms guarantees a vertical alignment and thus a vertical contact position in every pivot position of the positioning unit. Within the scope of the invention, a pivot position can be any position into which the contact head can be pivoted relative to the roof of a vehicle on which the positioning unit is mounted, by means of the lifting device.Preferably, the swivel angle, which essentially determines the swivel position, is between 0 and 90 degrees. In particular, because the first and second joint devices are each arranged at one end of the lifting rod device, especially at one end of a lifting rod, and the contact device is connected to the lifting rod device via a first joint device, and the lifting rod is in turn pivotable via a second joint device and the lifting device, especially about a joint axis formed by the second joint device, it becomes possible to hold the contact device in the vertical contact position regardless of its height above the vehicle roof. The lifting rod device of the positioning unit according to the invention enables the raising and lowering of the contact device, its lateral adjustment, and also serves as a support structure for the contact device.This allows for simple positional adjustment of the contact device without additional articulated arms and complex drive systems, and also reduces the overall length of the current collector. Furthermore, the positioning unit according to the invention provides a comparatively large range within which the contact device can be moved into a contact position. This allows the positioning unit to be flexibly arranged on different vehicle types with varying overall heights and also to flexibly establish an electrically conductive connection to different charging stations, regardless of the mounting height of a charging contact device.

[0015] A receiving device for the contact device can be arranged at the first end of the lifting rod assembly. The receiving device serves to connect the first joint assembly to the contact device. The contact device can be attached to the receiving device by means of a detachable connection, so that replacement, repair, and / or maintenance of the contact device is easily possible, since the contact device is removable due to the detachable connection.

[0016] The first and second joints of the lifting rod assembly can each comprise at least one universal joint. Preferably, a universal joint is arranged at each end of each of the lifting rods of the lifting rod assembly. The interaction of the universal joints with the lifting device and the lifting rod enables a particularly reliable and constant alignment of the contact device in the vertical contact position when the positioning unit is actuated, especially when lifting the lifting rod assembly by means of the lifting device. Preferably, the universal joints have a maximum articulation angle of ±35 degrees and thus a total articulation angle of 70 degrees. If several universal joints are arranged at a first end of the lifting rod assembly, the universal joints are preferably arranged such that the articulation axes of the universal joints run parallel to each other.If several universal joints are arranged at the second end of the lifting rod device, the universal joints are arranged such that their joint axes run parallel to each other. It is known that the joint axis of a universal joint can also be referred to as the buckling axis.

[0017] The lifting rod device can have at least two lifting rods, which are preferably arranged parallel to each other. Preferably, the lifting rod device comprises two or three lifting rods. A joint, preferably a universal joint, can be arranged at each end of the lifting rods. Via the joints, a first end of the lifting rod can be connected to the contact device, and a second end of the lifting rod can be connected to a mounting frame via the second joint. This results in positive guidance of the contact device by means of the lifting rod device, so that the contact device is always aligned with respect to at least two axes and is always positioned in a vertical contact position during actuation of the positioning unit.

[0018] The positioning unit can include a mounting frame for attaching it to the roof of a vehicle, with the lifting device being arranged on the mounting frame. The mounting frame can, for example, incorporate a fixed bearing or a pivot bearing for the lifting device. Attachment to the roof of a vehicle can be particularly simple, for example, by incorporating defined mounting points, the number of which is as low as possible while meeting requirements. A preferred method of attachment involves damping elements that reduce vibrations and / or vehicle movements to minimize wear on the positioning unit and enable the most accurate and vibration-independent positioning of the contact device. The mounting frame can have a double-T structure, an X-structure, or a skeletal structure.The X-structure and the skeletal structure can be lighter in terms of weight than the double-T structure, although the double-T structure can provide greater stability.

[0019] An articulating element, preferably the second articulating element, can be attached to an adapter plate that is rigidly connected to the mounting frame and / or the vehicle roof, so that the lifting rod is pivotably arranged on the mounting frame and / or the vehicle roof. The adapter plate serves to fix the articulating element so that the lifting rod can pivot about the articulation axis formed by the articulating element. Preferably, the second articulating elements of each lifting rod are fixed to a common adapter plate. In other words, the proximal articulating elements of the positioning unit can be fixed to a common, one-piece adapter plate.

[0020] By means of the lifting rod device and / or the lifting mechanism, the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact device in the vertical and horizontal directions and brought into the contact position. In particular, the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact device in the vertical and horizontal directions by means of the lifting rod device and the lifting mechanism. If the at least one lifting rod of the lifting rod device is pivoted relative to a vehicle roof by means of the lifting mechanism, the contact device can be moved in a radius or circular path around a pivot axis, preferably formed by the second pivot device, which causes a horizontal and vertical displacement of the contact device. At all times, the contact device is positioned or held in the vertical contact position required for contacting.Therefore, it is also advantageous if the charging contact device is designed so that it can be contacted by the contact device at various points in the horizontal direction. For example, the positioning unit can be mounted on a vehicle roof in such a way that the movement in the horizontal direction follows one of the vehicle's directions of travel.

[0021] The positioning unit can have at least one lifting drive to generate a lifting force acting on the lifting rod assembly. The lifting force generated by the lifting drive acts on the lifting rod assembly in such a way that the lifting rod of the lifting rod assembly can be pivoted about a pivot axis, thus raising the contact device. The lifting drive can be electrically, pneumatically, or electro-pneumatically driven. Preferably, the lifting drive can be designed as a linear drive. If the lifting rod assembly has several lifting rods, each lifting rod can be assigned to a separate lifting drive. The lifting drives can be freely movable, in particular suspended from the mounting frame. According to a preferred embodiment, an electric linear drive is used to generate a lifting force acting on the lifting rod assembly.

[0022] The lifting device can include a spring assembly that interacts with the lifting drive. Preferably, the spring assembly comprises a gas spring. The spring assembly can assist the lifting drive, thus reducing the lifting force generated by the lifting drive. Furthermore, the spring assembly can align, and in particular center, the lifting rod assembly. Preferably, the spring assembly can center the lifting rod assembly when it is moved into its rest position, so that each contacting operation can be performed from a defined position of the lifting rod assembly. Advantageously, the spring assembly can center the lifting rod assembly relative to the mounting frame when it is moved into its rest position. Preferably, the spring assembly is designed such that the lifting drive is assisted by the spring assembly in at least one direction when the lifting rod assembly is raised or lowered.In other words, the lifting mechanism can be assisted by the spring assembly when pivoting or lifting towards the charging contact device or when pivoting or lowering towards the vehicle roof. The spring assembly can be connected at one end to a lifting rod and at the other end to the mounting frame. If multiple lifting rods are included, each lifting rod can be assigned a spring assembly, so that each lifting rod can be connected to a separate spring assembly. The lifting mechanism can have two intersecting spring assemblies, with each spring assembly assigned to a lifting rod. For example, it can be provided that the spring assembly or...In the event of a failure of the lifting drive, the spring devices slowly lower the lifting rod device with the contact device attached to it into the rest position in order to prevent any faulty contact or damage to the positioning unit.

[0023] The spring mechanism can advantageously increase the contact force between the contact surfaces of the contact device and the charging contacts of the charging contact device. This makes it possible to maintain a consistently high contact force on the charging contact surfaces, regardless of the height of the charging contact surfaces or the charging contact device above the road surface, or regardless of the relative distance between the charging contact surfaces and the contact device in any given contact position. Changes in height, for example due to vehicle loading, then do not significantly alter the contact force, thus ensuring particularly reliable contact.

[0024] In its rest position, the positioning unit can have at least one lifting rod positioned horizontally. In this rest position, the positioning unit can be arranged on a vehicle roof in a particularly space-saving manner, with the contact device remaining in a vertical contact position. This allows for space-saving storage of the positioning unit, especially the contact device, on the vehicle roof when not in use. Furthermore, it ensures quick contact with a charging contact device, as there is no need to unfold or pivot the contact device, since it is always held in a vertical contact position. Thus, quick and easy contact can be established from the rest position.

[0025] The contact device can have a contact element carrier with contact elements, wherein the contact elements in the contact position can be electrically contacted with charging contact elements of the charging contact device to form contact pairs. The contact element carrier can be designed such that the contact elements are arranged on a top surface of the contact element carrier in the vertical contact position of the contact device. The charging contact elements can, for example, be designed as conductor strips arranged on a roof-shaped charging contact element carrier of the charging contact device.

[0026] The contact device can be connected to a cable leading to the vehicle by means of at least one plug connection, the cable being routed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lifting rod. Preferably, the contact device can be connected to a cable leading to the vehicle by means of at least one plug connection accessible from outside the contact device. The cable can, for example, be a control cable, heating cable, or electrical cable to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the charging station. At least one electrical cable is connected to the contact device by means of a plug connection, preferably accessible from outside the contact device. The provision of plug connections accessible from outside the contact device ensures easy access to the contact device and the cables connected to it, particularly for repair and maintenance purposes.Furthermore, the plug connections allow for easy replacement of the contact device, so that the positioning unit can be adapted to different charging stations by replacing the contact device.

[0027] The fast-charging system according to the invention comprises a charging contact device and a positioning unit according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the fast-charging system are described in the features of the dependent claims referring back to claim 1.

[0028] In the inventive method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically powered vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, and a stationary charging station with a positioning unit, a contact device of the positioning unit is moved relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and electrically contacted with it in a contact position. The positioning of the contact device is effected by means of a lifting rod device having at least one lifting rod and a lifting device of the positioning unit. For positioning the contact device, the at least one lifting rod can be pivoted by means of the lifting device, whereby the contact device can be raised or lowered.In this process, the contact device can always be positioned in a vertical contact position during actuation of the positioning unit by means of a first joint assembly and a second joint assembly of the lifting rod device. The lifting rod of the lifting rod device is preferably pivotable about a joint axis formed by the second joint assembly by means of the lifting device. The method can preferably be implemented with a positioning unit according to the invention as described above. For further advantages of the method according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the positioning unit according to the invention. Further advantageous embodiments of the method will become apparent from the descriptions of features in the dependent claims referring back to claim 1.

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] They show:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a positioning unit in a contact position in a perspective view;

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the positioning unit in a perspective side view in a rest position;

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a section of a positioning unit in perspective view.

[0034] A combined view of Figures 1 to 3 shows a positioning unit 10, which is mounted on the roof of a vehicle (not shown), in particular an electric bus. The positioning unit 10 comprises a contact device 11 for establishing electrical contact with a charging contact device (not shown) of a charging station. The charging contact device is suspended above the vehicle roof and the contact device 11 by means of a suspension device (not shown) in the area of ​​a vehicle stop. The positioning unit 10 further comprises a lifting rod device 13 and a lifting mechanism 12 for pivoting the lifting rods 14. The lifting mechanism 12 comprises the lifting drive 22. The lifting drive 22 serves to generate a lifting force acting on the lifting rods 14 in order to pivot the lifting rods 14 about the pivot axis 24.The lifting device 12 can further comprise a spring assembly 25, which in this case includes a gas spring. The spring assembly 25 can assist the lifting drive 22 by reducing the force required to pivot the lifting rods 14 in at least one direction. The lifting rods 14 each have a joint assembly 16, 18 at their ends 15, 17. The first joint assembly 16 is arranged at the first end 15 of each lifting rod 14, the first end 15 being the distal end of the lifting rod, that is, the end of the lifting rod that is closer to the contact device 11. The second articulation device 18 of each of the two lifting rods 14 is arranged at the second end 17, wherein the second end 17 is the proximal end of the lifting rod 14, that is, the end that is closer to the lifting device 12 and forms the articulation axis 24. The articulation devices 16, 18 each comprise a universal joint 19.The universal joint 19 arranged at the first end 15 of the lifting rod assembly 13 is connected to a receiving device 20 on which the contact device 11 is arranged. The universal joint 19 arranged at each of the second ends 17 of the lifting rod 14 is connected to the mounting frame 21 via an adapter plate 23, which is shown only in Figures 1 and 3. The universal joints 19 arranged at the ends 17 of the lifting rods 14 are fixed to the adapter plate 23 in a displacement- and rotation-resistant manner. This, in combination with the universal joints 19 arranged at the ends 15 of the lifting rods 14, allows for continuous alignment of the contact device 11 in two axes within a positive guidance system.

[0035] The positioning unit 10 further comprises a mounting frame 21 for attaching the positioning unit 10 to the vehicle roof via damping elements (not shown). The adapter plate 23 is rigidly connected to the mounting frame 21. The cables 28 serve to establish an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charging station and run from the vehicle roof along the lifting rod 14 to the contact device 11, where they can be connected by means of plug connectors. For easy access, the plug connectors are accessible from outside the contact device 11. Because the cable routing can be kept relatively simple, especially compared to similar positioning units, the formation of loops in the cables 28 and thus damage to the cables 28 can be avoided.

[0036] The contact device 1 1 is formed at least from a contact element carrier 26 with contact elements 27 spring-mounted thereon. The contact elements 27 are located on a top surface 30 of the contact element carrier 26. The contact elements 27 are connected via flexible lines 28 to a terminal box arranged on the vehicle. It is also conceivable that the contact elements 27 are connected via the lines 28 to a terminal box arranged on the mounting frame 21.

[0037] A charging contact device is contacted with the contact device 11 starting from the rest position of the lifting rod device 13 shown in Fig. 2. For contacting, the lifting rod device 13 is raised by pivoting it using the lifting device 12, whereby the contact device 11 always remains aligned in the vertical contact position by means of the joint devices 16, 18. The contact device 11 can thus move to a multitude of possible positions within a relatively large working range of the positioning unit 10 in order to reach the required contact position, in which an electrical contact with the charging contact device can be established in every case, depending on the position of the charging contact device to be approached. Likewise, the positioning unit 10 according to the invention ensures that the positioning unit 10 has a comparatively low overall height B in its rest position.

[0038] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the lifting drive 22 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is designed as an electric linear drive. In contrast, the positioning unit 10 shown in Figure 1 has a pneumatic lifting drive 22. Otherwise, the positioning unit of the embodiment according to Figure 3 corresponds to that of Figure 1, and therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the corresponding description. The detail shown in Figure 3 shows that the lifting device 12 can have two intersecting spring assemblies 25, each spring assembly 25 being assigned to a lifting rod 14.

[0039] Each spring assembly is connected at one end to a lifting rod 14 and at the other end to the retaining frame 21.

Claims

November 1, 2024 Schunk Transit Systems GmbH G / SBI-078-WO 35435 Wettenberg Scu / Kaf Patent claims 1. Positioning unit (10) for electrically powered vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the positioning unit (10) is designed to be arranged on a vehicle roof, wherein a contact device (11) of the positioning unit (10) is movable relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and can be electrically contacted with it in a contact position, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) has a lifting rod device (13) connected to a lifting device (12), comprising at least one lifting rod (14), wherein the lifting rod (14) is pivotable by means of the lifting device (12) and the lifting rod device (13) has a first joint device (16) at a first end (15) and a second joint device (18) at a second end (17).and wherein, by means of the first joint device (16) and the second joint device (18), the contact device (11) is always positioned in a vertical contact position during the actuation of the positioning unit (10).

2. Positioning unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a receiving device (20) for receiving the contact device (11) is arranged at the first end (15) of the lifting rod device (13), 3. Positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first joint assembly (16) and the second joint assembly (18) comprise a universal joint (19).

4. Positioning unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lifting rod device (13) has at least two lifting rods (14) arranged parallel to each other.

5. Positioning unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the positioning unit (10) comprises a retaining frame (21) for attaching the positioning unit (10) to a roof of a vehicle, wherein the lifting device (12) is arranged on the retaining frame (21).

6. Positioning unit according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second joint device (18) is arranged on an adapter plate (23), wherein the adapter plate (23) is rigidly connected to the retaining frame (21) and / or the vehicle roof.

7. Positioning unit according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that , that by means of the lifting rod device (13) and / or the lifting device (12) the contact device (11) can be positioned relative to the charging contact device in a vertical and horizontal direction and brought into the contact position.

8. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting device (12) has a lifting drive (22) for generating a lifting force acting on the lifting rod device (13).

9. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting device (12) has a spring device (25) cooperating with the lifting drive (22), which preferably comprises a gas spring.

10. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one lifting rod (14) is positioned horizontally in a rest position.

11. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact device (11) has a contact element carrier (26) with contact elements (27), wherein the contact elements (27) in the contact position can be electrically contacted with charging contact elements of the charging contact device to form contact pairs.

12. Positioning unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact device (11) is connected to a line (28) leading to the vehicle by means of at least one plug connection, preferably accessible from outside the contact device (11), wherein the line (28) is guided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lifting rod (14).

13. Fast charging system with a charging contact device and a positioning unit (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for forming an electrically conductive connection between an electrically powered vehicle, in particular an electric bus or the like, and a stationary charging station with a positioning unit (10), wherein a contact device (11) of the positioning unit (10) is moved relative to a charging contact device of the charging station and is electrically contacted with it in a contact position, characterized in that the contact device (11) is positioned by means of a lifting rod device (13) having at least one lifting rod (14) and a lifting device (12) of the positioning unit (10), wherein the at least one lifting rod (14) is pivoted by means of the lifting device (12) for positioning the contact device (11).and wherein, by means of a first joint device (16) and a second joint device (18) of the lifting rod device (13), the contact device (11) is always positioned in a vertical contact position during the actuation of the positioning unit (10).

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