Telescopic Current Collector for Compact EV Overhead Power Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing current collectors, such as pantographs, are not compact enough to be installed on smaller vehicles like minibuses and private cars, limiting their ability to efficiently draw electrical power from overhead transmission lines for high-speed travel.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic current collector with a telescopically extendable and retractable mast, coupled to a pneumatic assembly and winch assembly, allows for a compact design that can be mounted on small vehicles, enabling engagement and disengagement with overhead transmission lines for power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pantograph is used for high-speed electric vehicle propulsion, then reliable power collection from overhead lines is achieved, but the device is too large and complex for installation on small vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple mast sections within each other in a telescopic arrangement. The mast comprises a first section, second section, and third section where each inner section can slide within the outer section, allowing the structure to compact into a small package when retracted while extending to full height when deployed, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size for small vehicles and sufficient height for power collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mast into multiple telescopic sections rather than using a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows independent movement and control of each section, enabling the mast to extend and retract in stages while maintaining structural integrity and stability during operation, thus achieving both compact storage and operational reliability
2Device complexity
If a telescopic mast is used to reduce device size, then compactness for small vehicles is achieved, but stable contact with overhead lines under varying conditions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control through sensors that detect the position and contact force of the collector head with the overhead line. The control system uses this feedback information to adjust the telescopic mast extension and pneumatic pressure in real-time, maintaining stable contact force despite variations in overhead line height, vehicle speed, and road conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between compact telescopic design and contact stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pneumatic assembly with adjustable pressure to apply controlled force between the collector head and overhead line. The pneumatic system can dynamically adjust the contact force to compensate for variations in mast extension and external conditions, ensuring reliable electrical contact while allowing the telescopic mast to remain compact when retracted
3Productivity
If rapid extension and retraction of the current collector is needed for high-speed vehicles, then power collection efficiency is improved, but mechanical response time of traditional pantographs is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring-based pantograph mechanism with an electrically-driven system combining a winch assembly and pneumatic assembly. The winch motor can rapidly extend the mast by winding the cable, and the pneumatic system can quickly adjust mast section positions, providing much faster response times than mechanical springs, thus enabling rapid deployment and retraction for high-speed vehicles while maintaining power collection efficiency
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 telescopic current collector provides a compact and efficient means to draw electrical power from overhead lines, suitable for small vehicles, reducing the need for large batteries and minimizing recharging time, while maintaining stable contact under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic assembly, configured to regulate air pressure within the mast sections
Implementation Method 2
admitting air at a regulated pressure to a bottom mast section of the mast, resulting in a pressure differential forcing an upward movement of the top mast section
Implementation Method 3
a motor, configured to generate torque to drive a rotation of the winch drum
Data Source
AI summary
Telescopic current collector for delivering power to electric vehicle from overhead transmission line. A telescopically extendable and retractable mast includes plurality of hollow mast sections with collector head coupled to top mast section. Pneumatic assembly selectively regulates air pressure in mast sections. Winch assembly includes rotatable winch drum and winch cable wound around winch drum and coupled to top mast section. In deployment configuration, mast is extended by selectively extending winch cable and selectively increasing pressure in mast sections to propel successive telescopic extension thereof, raising and engaging collector head with contact line of transmission line. In storage configuration, mast is retracted by selectively retracting winch cable and reducing pressure within mast sections, to propel successive telescopic retraction of mast sections, disengaging and pulling down collector head from contact line to enable foldable storage. Cable displacement measurement of winch cable may be used to regulate height of extended mast.