Granular Elastomer Track Support for Wet-Road Vehicle Traction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical power supply devices for land vehicles face issues with skidding due to a significant difference in the coefficient of friction between the road surface and the power supply device, particularly during rainy conditions, where the lubricating effect of water further reduces friction, increasing the risk of vehicles skidding at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A support for electrical conductor segments made of elastomeric material with a layer of granular material incorporated into the upper surface, providing roughness and a coefficient of friction closer to the road surface, comprising particles with a hardness greater than the elastomeric material, and featuring grooves for conductor segments, ensuring the support is flush with the road surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grooves or reliefs are created on the elastomer support surface to reduce friction difference, then the friction coefficient is reduced in dry weather, but in rainy conditions the lubricating effect of water lowers the friction coefficient too much, increasing skidding risk
Solution Approach 1:
The support combines elastomeric material with granular material (mineral aggregates, metal particles, or ceramic beads) to create a composite surface structure. This composite material provides both the flexibility of elastomer and the high friction characteristics of granular particles, maintaining reliable traction in both dry and wet conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular material is incorporated specifically into the upper surface layer of the support, creating a localized rough texture only where vehicles make contact. The bulk elastomeric material remains smooth and flexible, while the surface layer provides enhanced friction through its granular composition with particles having maximum dimensions between 1-10 mm.
2Reliability
If the support surface is made smooth to ensure electrical insulation, then electrical safety is improved, but the friction coefficient becomes too low causing vehicles to skid, especially in rain
Solution Approach 1:
The support combines elastomeric material with granular material (mineral aggregates, metal particles, or ceramic beads) to create a composite surface structure. This composite material provides both the flexibility of elastomer and the high friction characteristics of granular particles, maintaining reliable traction in both dry and wet conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The granular material is incorporated specifically into the upper surface layer of the support, creating a localized rough texture only where vehicles make contact. The bulk elastomeric material remains smooth and flexible, while the surface layer provides enhanced friction through its granular composition with particles having maximum dimensions between 1-10 mm.
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 effectively reduces the risk of skidding for vehicles traveling over the electrical power supply device, maintaining a coefficient of friction close to the road surface even in wet conditions, and ensures electrical insulation and efficient energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The difference in friction coefficient between the road surface and the power supply device, particularly the support, is likely to cause skidding when vehicles are traveling at high speed
Implementation Method 2
The support is formed from an elastomeric material which provides electrical insulation to the electrical conductor segment(s)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically conductive track support (30) for a ground-based power supply device (14) for a land vehicle (100), said support comprising: a substantially flat upper surface (38), a groove (42, 44, 46) formed in said upper surface and extending in a longitudinal direction; and a surface (40) for attachment to a road surface (10), substantially opposite the upper surface. The support further comprises: a body (50) formed of an elastomeric material; and a layer (52) of a granular material, incorporated into the elastomeric material at the level of the upper surface (38) of the support, so as to impart a roughness to said upper surface.