Sensor-Guided Current Collector Force Control to Reduce Sliding Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current collectors for rail vehicles experience wear and maintenance challenges due to mechanical stress and vibrations when interacting with conductor rails, leading to inefficient energy transfer and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A current collector system equipped with a contact pressing device featuring a rotatable rocker unit and a measuring unit with sensors to monitor and adjust the contact pressing force, allowing for real-time data processing to determine the operating state and optimize maintenance schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sliding piece is pressed against the conductor rail with high contact pressing force, then the electrical contact quality is improved, but the wear of the sliding piece and mechanical stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoidwear of sliding piece
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic contact pressing force adjustment system that continuously adapts the pressing force based on real-time monitoring of sliding piece position, velocity, and operational conditions. The control unit modifies the contact pressing force dynamically rather than maintaining a constant high force, thereby ensuring adequate electrical contact while reducing excessive mechanical stress and wear on the sliding piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of contact pressing force from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is continuously adjusted based on monitored conditions. The control unit receives data from sensors about the sliding piece's state and conductor rail conditions, then modifies the contact pressing force parameter accordingly to optimize the balance between electrical contact quality and wear prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the sliding piece is pressed harder against the conductor rail, then the energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the maintenance effort and replacement frequency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor the sliding piece's position, velocity, and contact conditions, and this information is fed back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the contact pressing force based on this feedback to maintain optimal energy transfer efficiency while preventing excessive wear that would increase maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the contact pressing force based on real-time operational conditions rather than maintaining a constantly high force. This dynamic adaptation ensures sufficient energy transfer efficiency while reducing mechanical stress and extending the service life of the sliding piece, thereby decreasing maintenance effort and replacement frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the sliding piece is made more durable to resist wear, then the service life is extended, but the initial cost and complexity of the current collector increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice life of sliding pieceVSAvoidcomplexity of current collector
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automated monitoring and control, where sensors and a control unit continuously adjust the contact pressing force without human intervention. This self-regulating mechanism extends the service life of the sliding piece by preventing excessive wear while avoiding the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms or overly durable (and expensive) sliding piece materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely mechanical wear-resistant designs with a controlled system that uses sensors and electronic control to manage contact conditions. Instead of relying on mechanically complex or material-intensive solutions to extend service life, the system uses electronic monitoring and active control of contact pressing force to achieve the same goal with reduced overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the contact pressing force is increased to prevent sliding piece lift-off, then the electrical arc formation is reduced, but the mechanical stress and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical arc formationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the contact pressing force from a fixed high value to a dynamically adjusted parameter. The control unit monitors the sliding piece's position and velocity, and adjusts the contact pressing force parameter in real-time to maintain sufficient contact and prevent electrical arc formation only when necessary, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while still preventing harmful arcs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of contact pressing force that adapts to changing operational conditions. Rather than maintaining a constantly high force that increases energy consumption, the system dynamically modifies the force level to match the actual need for contact stability, preventing electrical arcs during critical moments while reducing energy waste during periods when lower force is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system enhances the operational efficiency and reduces maintenance costs by continuously monitoring the current collector and conductor rail conditions, preventing wear and improving energy transfer quality.

Implementation Method 1

a contact pressing force acting on the sliding piece which is disposed on the rocker being generated by means of a rocker unit having a pivotable rocker and by means of a spring device of the contact pressing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a rocker unit having a pivotable rocker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS20240140204A1Current collector and method for operating
Publication Date: 2024.05.02 SCHUNK TRANSIT SYST GMBH
  • US20240140204A1 patent drawing
  • US20240140204A1 patent drawing
  • US20240140204A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for operating a current collector and a current collector are provided for transferring energy from a conductor rail to a rail vehicle. The current collector includes a contact pressing device having a sliding piece which forms a sliding contact surface. A contact pressing force acts on the sliding piece, as the sliding piece is moved relative to the conductor rail. The current collector further includes a measuring unit having a measuring device, at least one sensor of a sensing device of the measuring device being disposed on the contact pressing device and/or adjacent to the contact pressing device. A measured value of the contact pressing device is registered by means of the sensing device. The measured value is processed by a processing unit of the measuring device and a parameter describing an operating state of the current collector and/or the conductor rail is determined.