Movable Aerial Power Assembly for Ground Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerial electricity-supplying systems pose safety risks and obstacles due to their fixed nature, as they can be hazardous to individuals and obstructive to taller vehicles, and they lack efficient mechanisms for powering electric vehicles without complex pantograph systems.
Innovation Solution
A movable or deformable aerial assembly with friction members that automatically power on when a vehicle approaches and power off when it leaves, using a pivoting mechanism and elastic links to ensure safe and efficient electrical contact, and can be deflected to clear taller vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed aerial electricity-supplying means are used, then power supply is reliable, but safety risk increases and access for emergency services is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the aerial electricity-supplying assembly movable rather than fixed. The assembly can be displaced horizontally along the vehicle's path and vertically to raise or lower the friction members. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliable power supply contact while reducing safety risks by moving away from fixed positions that could hazardously contact persons or obstruct emergency services.
2Reliability
If high aerial assemblies are positioned above the road, then power supply is reliable, but passage of taller vehicles is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling vertical movement of the friction members through a lifting mechanism. This allows the assembly to adapt its height dynamically - raising friction members to contact the roof of a vehicle needing power supply, and lowering them to clear the passage of taller vehicles, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable contact and accommodating different vehicle heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses friction members as an intermediary contact mechanism between the aerial assembly and the vehicle roof. These friction members can be positioned at variable heights and maintain reliable electrical contact through friction rather than rigid connection, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle heights while maintaining power supply reliability.
3Reliability
If complex pantograph systems are installed on vehicles, then power collection is reliable, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity from the vehicle side and relocates it to the infrastructure side. Instead of equipping vehicles with complex pantograph systems, the invention places the movable aerial assembly with friction members on the infrastructure, which then contacts the simple upper collecting structure already present on the vehicle. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable power collection while dramatically reducing vehicle-mounted device complexity and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses friction members that replicate the contact function of traditional pantograph systems but with simpler mechanics. The friction members press against the vehicle's upper collecting structure to establish electrical contact, providing reliable power collection without requiring the complex articulated mechanisms of traditional pantographs on the vehicle itself.
4Ease of operation
If friction members are always powered on, then power supply is available, but safety risk increases when vehicle is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the power supply to friction members based on the presence or absence of a vehicle. The friction members are powered on only during the period when a vehicle is present and needs power supply, and powered off when no vehicle is present. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining power supply availability when needed while eliminating safety risks when the vehicle is absent.
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 enhances safety by ensuring electrical contacts are only active during vehicle presence, reducing accident risks, and allows for easy deflection to accommodate taller vehicles, providing a reliable and space-efficient power transfer mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
by the sliding contact of at least one of the pole pieces functioning as friction members with the upper linear conductive part of the roof structure that the electrical power is input to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an elastic link connected to the movable part and the fixed part, the elastic link storing a mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly for a ground vehicle moving along a lane of a road comprises an elevated support, an arm extending transversely across the lane of the road, and a movable portion upon the arm which is moved from a lowered unpowered rest position to a raised powered rest position when a ground vehicle engages the movable portion of the arm. Electrical contacts are spaced from each other so as not to conduct electricity when the movable portion of the arm is disposed at the lowered position and are disposed in contact with each other when the movable portion of the arm is disposed at the raised position.