Pivoting Arm Contact Means for Adaptive Power Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for electrically propellable vehicles lack efficient methods to adapt to varying energy requirements and roadway configurations, requiring standardized road section lengths and complex vehicle adaptations for power management.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a plurality of roadway sections with elongated tracks or slots containing voltage-supplied conductors, connected to external power sources, and a vehicle with a control circuit and pivotally arranged contact means to manage power from multiple sources, including internal batteries, a diesel generator, and external power, allowing for continuous energy supply and adaptive contact with roadway conductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If standardized road section lengths are used, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to varying energy requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to varying energy requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contact means is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to change its position and configuration based on real-time energy requirements and roadway conditions. The arm can pivot and the contact surfaces can be adjusted to optimize power collection from conductors at different positions, enabling the system to adapt to varying energy demands without requiring standardized road sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex vehicle adaptations are made for power management, then adaptability to varying energy requirements is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying energy requirementsVSAvoidvehicle complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is equipped with a multi-functional power management system that can operate with multiple power sources (batteries, diesel generator, and external power from roadway conductors). The contact means serves multiple functions: collecting power from conductors, sensing conductor position, and adjusting contact pressure. This universal design allows the vehicle to adapt to varying energy requirements without adding excessive complexity, as a single integrated system handles multiple tasks.

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

3Device complexity

If fixed contact means are used, then device simplicity is improved, but ability to adapt to varying roadway configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact means simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to roadway configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The contact means is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing it to change its position and configuration based on real-time energy requirements and roadway conditions. The arm can pivot and the contact surfaces can be adjusted to optimize power collection from conductors at different positions, enabling the system to adapt to varying energy demands without requiring standardized road sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient and adaptive energy management for electric vehicles, allowing them to operate seamlessly over varying roadway sections without requiring standardized road lengths, ensuring continuous power supply and efficient energy utilization.

Implementation Method 1

one or more, over an individual electric motor or a plurality of motors, propellable vehicles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

coordinated to vehicle-related control equipment or arrangements for creating an adaptation of the contact means at least to offer mechanical and electrical contact to said conductor or strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2552728B1A system adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (arm-shaped contact means)
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 ELWAYS AB
  • EP2552728B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2552728B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~4
  • EP2552728B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Contact means (4) related to a vehicle are adapted to comprise an elongated arm (50), one end portion (50a) of which is rotatably attached to the underside (bottom)of the vehicle (1) and the other end portion (50b) of which is adapted to support said contact means (4). One or more sensors (151a, 151b) are disposed at the vehicle (1) and are intended to be able to sense the presence of and the orientation of a track or groove (51) and transfer sensed information to a power control circuit(100), which is adapted to comprise a control circuit (100b), which when sensing the existence of and a sensed orientation of at rack or groove (51), within a covered and restricted area, is to be adapted to actuate means (7) adapted to a sidewise movement and/or a lowering (or raising) movement at the contact means (4).