Laterally Grooved Rail Element for Shallow Road Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for electric vehicle propulsion via road-integrated rail elements face challenges due to the need for deep road channels, which weaken the road and are impractical on bridges or joints, requiring a solution to reduce the rail element's height and maintain effective power transfer.
Innovation Solution
The rail element features laterally directed grooves with electric conductors, allowing for reduced height and installation without deep road channels, with optional resilient or metallic upper parts and drainage through channels, and a current collector with cleansing means for efficient power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rail element is designed with vertically directed grooves to protect electric conductors, then the conductors are protected from contact, but the rail element requires deep road channels that weaken the road structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of grooves from vertical to lateral (horizontal) direction. The grooves now extend laterally from the top surface of the rail element rather than vertically downward, allowing conductors to be protected at a shallow installation depth without requiring deep road channels that would compromise road or bridge structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of protecting conductors by extending grooves downward into the road (vertical protection), the patent inverts the approach by extending grooves laterally from the top surface. This inversion allows the same protective function to be achieved without the harmful side effect of deep channel routing.
2Reliability
If deep channels are routed in the road to accommodate rail elements, then the rail elements can be installed with proper conductor protection, but the road structure is weakened and installation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for deep vertical channels by changing the groove orientation to lateral. This allows rail elements to be installed in shallow recesses or even on the surface, dramatically simplifying the manufacturing and installation process while maintaining conductor protection through the lateral groove structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail element is designed as a modular component with integrated lateral grooves, allowing it to be manufactured separately and installed without complex road routing operations. This segmentation of the protection function into the rail element itself rather than the road structure simplifies both manufacturing and installation.
3Strength
If the rail element height is reduced to avoid deep road channels, then road structure is preserved, but conductor protection from dirt and water may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both shallow installation and effective protection by extending grooves laterally from the top surface rather than vertically downward. This lateral extension creates an effective barrier against dirt and water at the surface level without requiring deep vertical channels, thus protecting conductors while preserving road structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral groove structure acts as a surface-level protective barrier (similar to a thin film or shell) that effectively shields conductors from contaminants without requiring thick or deep structural elements, enabling shallow installation while maintaining protection reliability.
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
This design reduces the overall height of the rail element, allows for installation without damaging the road, enhances drainage, and provides secure and efficient electric power transfer to electric vehicles, including on bridges and joints, while protecting conductors from dirt and water.
Implementation Method 1
the upper part is made at least partly from a resilient material
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Rail element (1) adapted to co-act with a current collector of an electrically propellable road vehicle for supplying electric power to said vehicle. The rail element is adapted to extend along a road section (3) on which the vehicle is travelling, wherein said rail element is adapted to be located on, or to be partly recessed in, a road surface (4) of said road section. At least one groove (5a, 5b) is formed at least partly by said rail element at a side (6a, 6b) thereof with its opening (7a, 7b) facing in a lateral direction (L1, L2) relative a lengthwise direction of the rail element. At least one electric conductor (8a, 8b) is arranged in at least one groove, said electric conductor extending along the lengthwise direction of said rail element and being adapted to be put under voltage for supplying said electric power.