Current Collector Sliding Element Click Fastening for Faster Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fastening systems for sliding elements on electrically driven vehicles are time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when changing carbon contact strips, leading to increased costs due to complex screw connections and susceptibility to incorrect installations.
Innovation Solution
A 'click system' with detent means and receptacles is introduced for secure fastening and alignment of sliding elements to the current collector, allowing for a pneumatic connection through continuous through holes, simplifying the process by eliminating the need for separate pneumatic connections and reducing installation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw connections are used for fastening sliding elements to the current collector, then secure mechanical retention is achieved, but the maintenance process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into separate functional elements: a fastening element with detent means for mechanical retention, and a separate pneumatic connection element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates quicker assembly and disassembly during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional screw connection mechanical system is replaced with a detent-based fastening mechanism. The detent means engage with corresponding receptacles to provide secure mechanical retention without requiring threading operations, significantly reducing the time and complexity of fastening and unfastening operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate connections (mechanical and pneumatic) are made for sliding elements, then functional completeness is achieved, but the number of connection steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element and pneumatic connection element are merged into a single integrated component. The detent means and pneumatic connection are combined in one piece, allowing both mechanical retention and pneumatic functionality to be established simultaneously in a single assembly operation, eliminating the need for separate connection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fastening element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical retention through detent engagement and establishes pneumatic connections through integrated ports. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and connection steps required while maintaining complete functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for fastening a sliding element to a current collector or to a rocker mounted thereto, to draw electrical energy from an overhead contact line to an electrically driven vehicle. The device comprises a sliding element, a carrier, a carbon contact piece arranged on the carrier, and a fastening point for fastening the sliding element to the current collector is formed between the sliding element and the current collector. At each fastening point between the sliding element and the current collector, a detent assembly is arranged on the side of the sliding element and, for each detent assembly, a receptacle for the detent assembly is arranged on the side of the current collector. Each detent assembly and the receptacle associated therewith are releasably brought into engagement with each other by inserting and locking the detent assembly in the receptacle.