Segmented Track Conductor for Inductive Vehicle Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring electric energy to track-bound vehicles, such as trams, face challenges in providing continuous energy supply while meeting electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements and avoiding safety hazards, particularly in historic city areas where overhead lines are undesirable and conductor rails pose safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A system using an electric conductor arrangement along the track that produces an alternating current electromagnetic field, with segments switched on and off as needed to ensure continuous energy transfer, reducing losses and adhering to EMC standards by minimizing unnecessary electromagnetic fields. The conductor arrangement is buried or placed under the track, eliminating contact risks and wear on current collectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If overhead lines are used to supply electric energy to track-bound vehicles, then continuous energy transfer is achieved, but aesthetic appearance and safety are compromised in historic city areas
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful overhead lines are extracted and replaced by an alternative energy transfer method using a third rail system with insulated carriers, eliminating the visual and safety hazards while maintaining continuous energy supply to the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
An insulated carrier (intermediary component) is introduced between the third rail and the current collector, providing electrical isolation and improving safety while enabling continuous energy transfer without direct contact between conductive parts
2Reliability
If conductor rails are used for energy transfer, then continuous power supply is achieved, but safety problems arise due to exposed conductive parts
Solution Approach 1:
An insulated carrier serves as an intermediary between the third rail and current collector, providing electrical isolation that maintains continuous power supply while eliminating direct exposure of conductive parts to reduce safety hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The insulated carrier is designed as an insulated cover or shell that encloses the third rail, providing continuous electrical isolation while allowing the current collector to slide along the insulated surface for continuous energy transfer
3Reliability
If electromagnetic fields are continuously produced for inductive energy transfer, then energy is transferred to the vehicle, but electromagnetic compatibility requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous electromagnetic field production, the system uses periodic or segmented activation of conductor sections, transferring energy only when and where needed, thereby reducing overall electromagnetic interference while maintaining effective energy transfer to the moving vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor arrangement is divided into multiple sections that can be independently activated, allowing electromagnetic fields to be produced only in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle, reducing overall EMF exposure while maintaining continuous energy transfer capability
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conductor sections are activated only when vehicle is present, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but continuous energy supply may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor sections are pre-configured and positioned along the track route, allowing immediate activation when the vehicle approaches, ensuring seamless energy transfer without interruption while minimizing the duration and area of electromagnetic field exposure
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple conductor sections are arranged in sequence along the track, ensuring that as one section deactivates, the next section is already active or ready to activate, maintaining continuous energy supply to the moving vehicle while limiting electromagnetic interference to localized areas
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 system enables efficient, continuous, and safe transfer of electric energy to vehicles while minimizing electromagnetic interference and safety risks, ensuring reliable operation and compliance with EMC limits.
Implementation Method 1
an electric conductor arrangement for producing an electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle, the electric conductor arrangement comprises at least two lines, wherein each line is adapted to carry a different one of phases of an alternating electric current
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for transferring electric energy to a vehicle (81; 92), in particular to a track bound vehicle such as a light rail vehicle, wherein the system comprises an electric conductor arrangement (12) for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for thereby transferring the energy to the vehicle (81; 92), the electric conductor arrangement (12) comprises at least two lines (1, 2, 3), wherein each line (1, 2, 3) is adapted to carry a different one of phases of an alternating electric current, the conductor arrangement comprises a plurality of segments (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5), wherein each segment (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) extends along a different section of the path of travel of the vehicle, each segment (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) comprises sections of the at least two lines and each segment (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) can be switched on and off separately of the other segments.