Overhead Slotted Conductor Pickup With Self-Aligning Current Collector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle feeding systems for underground applications, such as mines, face challenges due to the limited range of electric vehicles caused by battery capacity limitations and the need for precise alignment of current collectors with slotted electric conductors for effective electric contact.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising elongated slotted elements suspended above the road with electric conductors and a current collector featuring a tracking device with lateral and vertical guiding means, including actuators and guiding wheels, to ensure precise alignment and contact with the conductors, allowing for efficient electric feeding of vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slotted electric conductor system is used for electrical feeding, then safety properties and reduced battery capacity needs are improved, but the current collector must be precisely aligned with the slots which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-aligning features where the collector arm and contact elements automatically position themselves relative to the slotted element through mechanical guidance structures, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms while maintaining precise contact
Solution Approach 2:
Guiding structures act as intermediary elements between the current collector and slotted electric conductor, facilitating automatic alignment through mechanical constraints that guide the contact elements into proper position without requiring complex control systems
2Length of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend vehicle range, then vehicle range is improved, but vehicle weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical energy storage system (batteries) with an external electrical supply system consisting of overhead slotted conductors and current collectors, effectively substituting heavy onboard energy storage with a external power delivery infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The power delivery system transitions from a three-dimensional onboard battery pack to a two-dimensional overhead conductor system, moving the energy storage function from the vehicle to the infrastructure above the roadway
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of current collector with slotted element is required, then electrical contact quality is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collector arm incorporates self-aligning contact elements that automatically position themselves relative to the slotted conductor through mechanical guidance, eliminating the need for manual or complex automated alignment operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic alignment capabilities where the collector arm can laterally displace and adjust its position in real-time to maintain optimal contact with the slotted element, allowing adaptation to positional variations without complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
System for electrically feeding at least one electrically powered vehicle comprising suspended elongated slotted element(s) having electric conductor(s) arranged in slot(s) and current collector(s) co-acting with the slotted element. The current collector(s) comprises contact element(s), collector arm(s) supporting the contact element(s) at its first end and is adapted to connect to a vehicle with its second end, and actuator(s) configured to act on the collector arm(s) to displace the first end contact element towards the slotted element(s). The actuator(s) displaces the first end of the collector arm towards the slotted element(s). The contact element is connected to the collector arm via a tracking device comprising a body part to which said contact element(s) is connected. The tracking device further comprises lateral guiding means configured to co-act with at least one laterally facing portion of the elongated slotted element to guide the tracking device laterally relative elongated slotted element. At least one lateral guiding means is laterally displaceable relative said body part by means of an alignment actuator.