Insulated Rail Structure for Continuous Electric Vehicle Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for electrically propellable vehicles struggle to efficiently manage power distribution across elongated road sections with mutually insulated conductor strips, requiring vehicle adaptations and precise length matching, which limits continuous energy supply and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A rail structure with parallel tracks, each track having a voltage-carryable conductor surface supported by insulating layers, connected to external power sources, allowing vehicles to use onboard motors and control circuits to manage power from multiple sources, including batteries and external power stations, with contact collectors that adjust position dynamically for optimal energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductor strips are mutually insulated across road sections, then power distribution control is improved, but continuous energy supply is limited due to length matching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution controlVSAvoidcontinuous energy supply
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism that bridges insulated conductor strips across road sections. This coupling device maintains electrical continuity while respecting the insulation boundaries, allowing power to flow continuously without requiring precise length matching of individual sections. The intermediary element resolves the contradiction by providing a controlled pathway through the insulation barriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the power distribution into controlled sections with insulation barriers, yet maintains overall continuity through selective coupling. This segmentation allows independent control of power distribution to different road sections while the coupling mechanism ensures continuous energy supply to the vehicle as it moves across sections, resolving the contradiction between controlled distribution and continuous supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If road sections require precise length matching, then power transfer precision is improved, but system flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer precisionVSAvoidsystem flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic coupling mechanisms that can adapt to varying road section lengths and configurations. Rather than requiring fixed, precisely matched sections, the system uses adjustable coupling devices that maintain proper electrical connection regardless of section length variations, thereby achieving power transfer precision without sacrificing system flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows parameters such as coupling position, contact pressure, and electrical impedance to be dynamically adjusted to optimize power transfer across road sections of varying lengths. This parameter adjustment capability enables precise power transfer while accommodating flexible road section designs without strict length matching requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple power sources are integrated, then energy supply reliability is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy supply reliabilityVSAvoidpower management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power management system that can handle multiple power sources (onboard batteries, external power stations, and track-based power) through a single integrated control architecture. This multi-functional system automatically selects and manages appropriate power sources based on vehicle needs and available infrastructure, improving energy supply reliability while keeping the control system manageable through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables continuous energy supply to vehicles without length matching requirements, enhancing flexibility and efficiency by using external power sources and onboard power management, ensuring seamless power transfer across varying road sections.

Implementation Method 1

the rail structure is provided with an electrically insulating layer which supports the voltage-carryable conductor surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a contact collector for transferring electrical energy from the conductor surface to a power system of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2552731B1A system adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (rail structure)
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 ELWAYS AB
  • EP2552731B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2552731B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~4
  • EP2552731B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

This invention concerns a rail structure (70, 71, 72, 73) in a vehicle-related system (S) for driving an electric and by one or more batteries conveyable vehicle (1) along a stretch of a track in a roadway section (2a1) and related to a roadway, comprising (a'') by one or more individual electric motors (5) drivable vehicles (1), and ''b'' a plurality of roadway sections (2a1, 2a) which may subdivide the stretch of roadway. Said tracks (51, 52) are in a cross section oriented in parallel in a rail structure (70), said rail structure (70) having external, of metal made,wall sections (71, 72) and a partition (73) separating the external wall sections. A first conductor surface (), which may be subjected to voltage,is allotted a lower portion for a first track (51). A second conductor surface (4b), which maybe subjected to voltage,is allotted a lower portion for a second track (52).