Trolleybus Current Collector Ridge for High-Current Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trolleybuses equipped with traction batteries face challenges in transferring increased charging currents due to limited capacity between the overhead wire and carbon insert, leading to local overheating and potential wire breakage, especially when stationary or moving.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a flat member with an axially-disposed ridge that allows electric current transfer between the shoe body edges and the flat member, bypassing the carbon insert, enabling metal-to-metal contact and reducing wear, while allowing current transfer during both stationary and moving conditions, and providing a separate power supply option.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If current transfer is increased through the carbon insert and overhead wire contact, then charging capacity is improved, but local overheating and wire breakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The flat member acts as an intermediary element between the overhead wire and the shoe body edges. It distributes the charging current over a larger area through multiple contact points with the shoe body edges, preventing concentration of current and heat at a single carbon insert contact point. This mediator structure enables high power transfer while controlling temperature rise.
2Productivity
If current transfer capacity is increased, then battery recharging capability is improved, but the carbon insert wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional carbon insert mechanical contact system with a metal-to-metal contact system between the flat member and shoe body edges. This substitution eliminates carbon insert wear while maintaining or improving current transfer capacity, as metal contacts have higher durability and conductive properties.
3Power
If the contact area between overhead wire and carbon insert is increased, then current transfer capacity is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flat member is segmented into multiple contact zones that interface with the shoe body edges at different positions. This segmentation distributes the current transfer function across multiple simple contact points rather than requiring a single complex high-capacity contact interface, thereby achieving high power capacity without increasing overall device complexity.
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
Enhances electric current transfer capacity, prevents carbon insert wear, and mitigates overheating risks, ensuring reliable recharging of traction batteries without risking overhead wire disconnection or damage from weather elements.
Implementation Method 1
The edges of the shoe body are pressed against the flat member from below by a force exerted by springs on the trolley pole
Implementation Method 2
Thanks to the metal-to-metal contact between the shoe body edges and the flat member, the carbon insert is not exposed to wear
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for transfer of increased current to trolleybus, particularly for recharging traction batteries. An overhead wire is provided with a flat member (1), from which an axially-disposed ridge (11) protrudes downwards and is aligned with the direction of the overhead wire. The bottom of the flat member (1) is provided for contact with edges (22) of a shoe body (21) in a trolley head (2) on a trolley pole. The distance (a) between the flat member (1) and the bottom of the groove in the carbon insert (23) is greater than the height (b) of the axially-disposed ridge (11) above the flat member (1).