Rocker Current Collector with Spring Contact and Nested Cable Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing current collecting devices for conductor lines are expensive, prone to damage, and lack reliable guiding and energy transmission, with exposed lines risking injury and poor contact leading to inefficient energy transfer and frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A current collecting device featuring a rocker with spring arms that ensure optimal and even contact with the conductor strand, using a combination of sliding surfaces and spring mechanisms to maintain consistent contact and prevent wear, with a design that allows for easy installation and maintenance, and protected cable routing to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate arms with individual coil springs are used, then contact reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate arms into a single rocker arm structure that can accommodate multiple sliding contact pieces. Instead of using two independent coil springs, a single coil spring is positioned to simultaneously actuate both sliding contact pieces through the rocker arm mechanism, thereby reducing component count while maintaining contact reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rocker arm serves multiple functions: it supports multiple sliding contact pieces, provides mechanical advantage for contact pressure, and enables simultaneous actuation of all contacts through a single spring. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms for each contact piece
2Device complexity
If exposed line routing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The connection lines are routed through hollow cylindrical cable guides that are nested within the rocker arm structure. The cable guides are positioned inside the rocker arm's internal cavities, protecting the lines from external damage while maintaining a compact design without adding significant structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Hollow cylindrical cable guides serve as intermediary structures that protect the connection lines between sliding contact pieces and the connection clamp. These guides act as protective channels that prevent direct exposure of the lines to external hazards while allowing the lines to move with the rocker arm
3Reliability
If multiple sliding contact ring arrangements are used, then contact reliability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sliding contact functions into a single rocker arm structure that holds multiple sliding contact pieces. Instead of using separate sliding contact ring arrangements, the rocker arm integrates all contact pieces in one location, eliminating the need for multiple independent contact ring assemblies
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 provides reliable energy transmission, reduces maintenance intervals, and minimizes the risk of damage to the current collecting device and insulation, ensuring efficient and safe operation by maintaining consistent contact and protecting the electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring arm (48) which, in the case of deflection of the rocker (29) from a resting position, is untensioned and pushes the rocker (29) back towards the resting position
Implementation Method 2
two sliding contact pieces (33, 33)'), which are arranged on the rocker (29) in such a manner that they can be moved with the rocker (29)
Data Source
AI summary
A current collecting device for an electrical load that can travel in a direction of travel along a conductor line, with at least two sliding contact pieces arranged on a rocker one after another in the direction of travel. The rocker is mounted on a rocker arm about a rotation axis extending perpendicularly to the travel direction, through which rocker arm the rocker can be moved towards a conductor for contact of the sliding contact pieces with an electrically conductive conductor strand of the conductor line. A conductor line system includes such a conductor line and at least one such electrical load. The current collecting device and conductor line system provide a reliable guiding of the current collecting device contact in the conductor strand of the conductor line, as well as reliable energy transmission.