Electropneumatic Current Collector Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collector systems face challenges in maintaining a precise and adaptable pressing force on overhead lines, leading to contact interruptions, mechanical misalignment, and potential damage due to insufficient or excessive force, especially during high-speed operations and stationary states with varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically or hydraulically controlled device that adjusts the pressing force by combining basic and additional pressures through open-loop or closed-loop control, using a basic control circuit, additional control circuit, and working pressure control circuit to ensure precise and adaptable force application, with features like pressure sensors and regulating valves for accurate pressure management and safety monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing force is increased to prevent contact interruptions, then contact reliability is improved, but the overhead line is raised excessively and mechanical positioning cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force is made dynamically adjustable through electropneumatic control, allowing the system to adapt the force level according to operating conditions. The control device can vary the pressing force between minimum and maximum values, preventing both contact interruptions and excessive overhead line raising by matching the force to actual operational needs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pressing force is decreased to avoid mechanical damage, then overhead line damage is reduced, but contact interruptions and arcs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor contact conditions and overhead line position, automatically adjusting the pressing force to maintain optimal contact without causing damage. This closed-loop control ensures the pressing force is sufficient to prevent arcs and interruptions while remaining below the threshold that would raise the overhead line excessively.
3Device complexity
If a fixed pressing force is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different operating situations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs electropneumatic control technology to achieve adaptable pressing force regulation. By using pneumatic actuators controlled by an electropneumatic device, the system can smoothly vary the pressing force in response to different operating conditions such as vehicle speed, current collector type, and overhead line configuration, without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 enables precise actuation of pressing forces, improving driving safety and reducing the risk of overheating and damage by maintaining optimal contact pressure across different operating conditions, enhancing control accuracy and reducing hysteresis.
Implementation Method 1
the device is activated pneumatically or hydraulically. In this context, e.g. air or oil can be used as pressure media
Implementation Method 2
during the lifting or lowering of the current collector, the pressure of the media is in equilibrium with the force of gravity (weight) of the current collector
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling and regulating a required pressing force from a current collector of a vehicle on an overhead line, a method for using such a device and a vehicle having at least one such device, wherein the device has a base control circuit, an additional control circuit and a working pressure control circuit. The base control circuit has a base control circuit adjustment device for adjusting a base pressure from a provided power pressure and the additional control circuit has a control device for adjusting an additional pressure from a provided power pressure, wherein the base pressure and the additional pressure act together to form a working pressure and to provide the required pressing force.