Charging Contact Surface Inspection to Prevent Arc Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for detecting deterioration in contact surfaces of electrical energy supply systems for vehicles, such as trams, do not effectively prevent the use of damaged charging interfaces, which can lead to electrical arcs and potential fires during high-current charging operations.
Innovation Solution
A detection device equipped with image sensors and an image processing module on board the vehicle, capable of capturing images of the contact surface and transmitting information about any degradation to a vehicle control and monitoring system, which can then select a non-degraded charging point or activate a cleaning system to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current detection solutions are used, then detection capability is provided, but intervention before charging cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is positioned upstream of the charging point to perform detection before the charging operation occurs. This allows the system to identify degradation issues in advance and prevent charging at degraded contact surfaces, thereby improving safety without causing time loss during the charging process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical detection device serves as an intermediary between the charging infrastructure and the vehicle's energy storage system. This intermediary detects contact surface conditions and communicates them to the control system, enabling informed decisions about whether to proceed with charging, thus improving reliability without direct interference with the charging operation.
2Reliability
If manual inspection methods are used, then detection is possible, but automated prevention cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device provides continuous feedback about contact surface conditions to the vehicle's control system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically monitor degradation, assess charging safety, and make real-time decisions about charge point selection, thereby achieving automated prevention of electrical arcs and fires.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's control system automatically processes detection data and selects appropriate charging points without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring contact surface conditions and making charging decisions, thereby achieving both high automation and improved reliability.
3Measurement precision
If detection is performed after charging, then damage can be identified, but prevention of damage cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is positioned upstream of the charging point to perform detection before the charging operation occurs. This allows the system to identify degradation issues in advance and prevent charging at degraded contact surfaces, thereby improving safety without causing time loss during the charging process itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution anticipates and prevents degradation by detecting contact surface issues before charging, ensuring safe and efficient recharging operations, reducing the risk of electrical damage and fires, and improving maintenance by identifying the need for repairs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one image sensor configured to capture images of said contact surface
Implementation Method 2
an image processing module configured to detect, by processing the image(s) obtained by said at least one sensor, the presence or absence of at least one degradation of said contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for detecting degradation (18) of a contact surface of a charging point (16) of an electrical power supply system also comprising a power supply infrastructure for each charging point, at least one sensing element (P1, P2) carried by the vehicle (10) and connected to an energy storage element of the vehicle, each sensing element and each charging point (16) cooperating to transmit a charging current to said energy storage element, the detection device (20), suitable for being carried and located at one end of the vehicle, comprising: - at least one image sensor (22) configured to capture images of said contact surface; - an image processing module (26) configured to detect, by processing the image(s) obtained by said at least one sensor, the presence or absence of at least one degradation of said contact surface.