Current Collector Cable Guide Channel and Rocker Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing current collecting devices for conductor lines are prone to damage, exposure, and inefficient energy transmission due to poorly protected and loosely guided connection cables, leading to potential injury and suboptimal contact with the conductor strand.

Innovation Solution

A current collecting device with a cable guide channel integrated into the rocker arm, featuring a hollow bearing block and coil springs for reliable cable guidance, protection, and automatic resetting mechanisms, ensuring defined and secure cable routing and optimal contact with the conductor strand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the connection cable is led freely through the current collecting device, then the device structure is simple, but the cable is exposed and prone to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcable protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a cable guide channel with integrated cable protection that guides and shields the connection cable throughout its path in the current collecting device. This protective channel prevents the cable from being exposed to external damage while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If the sliding contact is limited only by two end abutments, then the device structure is simple, but the contact position is unstable and not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimiting structureVSAvoidcontact position

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring mechanism that automatically resets the rocker arm to a preferred resting position, ensuring optimal contact with the conductor strand. This feedback mechanism maintains stable contact position without requiring complex limiting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the cable is led in open areas without protection, then the device structure is simple, but the cable risks being damaged or caught from the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable routing structureVSAvoidexternal damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a protective cable guide channel that shields the connection cable from external harmful factors throughout its entire path in the current collecting device, preventing damage and entanglement while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Device complexity

If the cable is continually moved back and forth without defined guidance, then the device structure is simple, but the cable insulation is abraded and the line cores are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable guidance structureVSAvoidcable service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a defined cable guide channel that provides continuous protection and guidance for the connection cable, preventing abrasion of insulation and damage to line cores during repeated movements, thereby extending cable service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides a reliable and efficient energy transmission by protecting the connection cables and ensuring consistent contact with the conductor strand, reducing the risk of damage and improving the operational stability of the current collecting device.

Implementation Method 1

Here, the connection cable arriving from the sliding contact piece can be led through the bearing block of hollow design into the cable channel. Preferably, the bearing block can comprise a hollow, preferably a hollow-cylindrical, connection piece that is inserted into a corresponding, preferably hollow, cylindrical opening of the rocker arm.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10583742B2Current collecting device and conductor line system

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 CONDUCTIX WAMPFLER

AI summary

A current collector for an electrical load that can be moved along a conductor line in a travel direction. The current collector has at least one contact piece, which is supported on a rocking arm to be rotatable about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the travel direction. To bring the contact piece into contact with an electrically conductive conductor strand of the conductor line, the contact piece can be moved toward the conductor strand by the rocking arm. The current collector also includes a connection cable, which connects the contact piece to a connection terminal for the electrical loads in an electrically conductive manner. A conductor line system includes a conductor line and at least one electrical load that can be moved on the conductor line in the longitudinal direction of the conductor line. The conductor line has at least one electrically conductive conductor strand for bringing into sliding contact with at least one contact piece of a current collector.