Pre-fabricated Track Module for Inductive Power Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track systems for track-bound vehicles, particularly in historic city areas, face challenges with overhead lines causing safety issues and conductor rails posing safety risks, while inductive charging systems require large energy storage and may leave vehicles without power if not continuously charged.
Innovation Solution
A pre-fabricated track module system that includes a support element for conductor wires, an electrically conductive shield, and a housing for power supply, allowing for continuous energy transfer through electromagnetic fields without physical contact, with the ability to be pre-fabricated and quickly assembled to minimize construction time and meet EMC standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inductive charging coils are placed at selected locations along the roadway, then energy can be transferred to the vehicle, but the energy storage on board the vehicle needs a large storage capacity and the vehicle might run out of energy if it does not reach the next coil in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous inductive energy transfer by placing transmitting coils continuously along the track rather than at discrete locations. This allows the vehicle to receive energy continuously during motion, eliminating the need for large onboard energy storage and ensuring the vehicle never runs out of power between charging points.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitting coils are pre-installed along the entire track path before vehicle operation begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that energy transfer infrastructure is already in place and continuously available, eliminating the need for vehicles to locate or activate charging points during operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electromagnetic fields are used to transfer energy inductively, then continuous energy transfer is achieved, but electromagnetic fields may interfere with other technical devices and people and animals should not be subjected to electromagnetic fields permanently
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses alternating current to generate time-varying electromagnetic fields that induce current in the vehicle's receiving coil. By operating at specific frequencies and using alternating polarity, the system achieves continuous energy transfer while the electromagnetic fields are present only during normal operation, not permanently, reducing exposure concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic coupling field as an intermediary between the power source and the vehicle. Energy is transferred through this electromagnetic field without direct electrical contact, allowing continuous power transfer while the field acts as a controlled mediator that can be switched on and off, limiting exposure to when it is actually needed.
3Productivity
If track modules are pre-fabricated with conductor arrangements, then construction work time is reduced, but the complexity of pre-fabrication and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The track system is divided into standardized modular sections, each containing pre-installed conductor arrangements. These modules can be manufactured off-site with consistent specifications and then quickly assembled on the track, reducing on-site construction time while the standardization mitigates the complexity through repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductor arrangements are pre-installed in the track modules during manufacturing before the modules are installed on the track. This preliminary preparation of electrical connections in a controlled factory environment reduces the complexity and time of on-site installation, as the modules arrive ready-to-install with all electrical components pre-positioned.
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 continuous energy transfer to vehicles while reducing construction time and ensuring compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards, eliminating safety risks associated with overhead lines and conductor rails.
Implementation Method 1
The conductor arrangement carries an alternating current which generates a corresponding alternating electromagnetic field and the electromagnetic field is used to transfer the electrical energy to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an electrically conductive shield for shielding the alternating electromagnetic field, wherein the shield extends along a plane below the spaces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to the building of a track for track bound vehicles, in particular for light rail vehicles, (a) A support element (304) for supporting an electric conductor arrangement, which is adapted to produce an alternating electromagnetic field and - thereby - to transfer electromagnetic energy vehicle on the track, wherein the support element (304) confines spaces (315, 317) for receiving lines and/or wires of the conductor arrangement; (b) an electrically conductive shield (355) for shielding the alternating electromagnetic field, wherein the shield (355) extends along a plane below the spaces, and; (c) a housing (21) for receiving a power supply device (31) for supplying electric power to the conductor arrangement, form a pre-fabricated track module.