Railway Vehicle Stationary Recharging System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stationary charging systems for railway vehicles are not compatible with varying vehicle lengths and lack operational redundancy in case of failures on charging pads or onboard capture elements, requiring multiple charging pads and complicating efficient energy storage and recharging processes.

Innovation Solution

A railway vehicle design featuring a stationary recharging system with symmetrically arranged capture elements on multiple bodies, allowing cooperation with the same charging studs regardless of direction and ensuring operational redundancy, along with a dynamic recharging system incorporating pantographs and redundant charging pads for enhanced energy storage and recharging capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different charging pads are provided in two directions of traffic for various vehicle lengths, then compatibility with different vehicle lengths is improved, but the length and complexity of charging infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different vehicle lengthsVSAvoidlength of charging infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning both stationary capture elements symmetrically on the vehicle but designing the charging pad layout asymmetrically relative to the vehicle direction. The charging pads are arranged such that they can serve both directions of traffic without requiring symmetric duplication, thereby reducing infrastructure length while maintaining adaptability to different vehicle lengths (30m and 40m).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The charging infrastructure is designed with multi-functionality where a single set of charging pads serves multiple purposes: accommodating different vehicle lengths (30m and 40m), supporting both directions of traffic, and providing operational redundancy. This universal design eliminates the need for separate charging pads for each scenario, reducing overall infrastructure length.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If different charging pads are provided in two directions of traffic, then compatibility with different vehicle lengths is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different vehicle lengthsVSAvoidcomplexity of charging infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple charging pads into a single integrated charging infrastructure. By combining the charging capabilities for both directions of traffic and different vehicle lengths into one unified system with symmetric capture elements, the design reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability. The symmetric arrangement allows the same charging pad configuration to serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Length of stationary object

If single charging pad is used, then infrastructure length is reduced, but operational redundancy is lost in case of failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelength of charging infrastructureVSAvoidoperational redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging infrastructure is segmented into multiple independent charging pads that can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operational redundancy - if one pad fails, others can continue servicing vehicles. The symmetric capture elements are positioned to work with individual pads, enabling selective use of functional pads while reducing overall infrastructure length compared to traditional redundant designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If symmetric capture elements are arranged for both directions, then operational redundancy is improved, but the number of capture elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational redundancyVSAvoidnumber of capture elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing capture elements on the ground and having vehicles pass over them, the patent inverts the arrangement by mounting capture elements on the vehicle itself. This allows the same symmetric capture elements to cooperate with charging pads regardless of vehicle direction, providing operational redundancy without increasing the number of capture elements. The inversion enables one set of elements to serve multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 energy storage and recharging across different vehicle lengths, ensures operational redundancy, and reduces the length and complexity of charging infrastructure, allowing for seamless recharging regardless of vehicle orientation and direction, thus improving operational reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the stationary recharging system comprises, for each carrier body (16), a stationary collection element (24) equipping this carrier body (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3587211B1Railway vehicle with stationary recharging system
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3587211B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The rail vehicle (10) comprises a plurality of aligned carriages (14, 16, 18, 20), each carriage comprising a central suspended carriage (14) and two carrier carriages (16) arranged on either side of and adjacent to the central suspended carriage (14). The rail vehicle (10) includes a stationary conduction charging system (22). For each carrier carriage (16), the stationary charging system (22) includes a stationary charging element (24) fitted to that carrier carriage (16).