Vehicle Power Contact Switching for Bidirectional Charging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle power transfer systems are limited by requiring precise alignment between vehicles and off-board power supply systems, such as pantographs, which can be challenging for operators, especially in rail vehicles, due to the need for precise orientation and positioning, leading to difficulties in power transfer efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle power supply system with multiple contacts that can receive electrical power from an off-board system in both forward and reverse orientations, utilizing switch devices and a controller to adjust the role configuration of contacts for proper power transfer, ensuring alignment independence and increased positional tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the vehicle contacts and off-board pantograph contacts are made about two feet in length, then the contact alignment precision is improved, but the stopping precision requirement becomes more stringent and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between first and second role configurations based on the detected vehicle orientation. The controller activates different switch devices to reconfigure which contacts serve as power contacts versus auxiliary contacts, allowing the system to adapt to changing operational conditions without requiring precise manual positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the functional parameters of the contacts by switching their roles. When vehicle orientation changes, the controller detects this and reconfigures the contact assignments, effectively changing the electrical connection parameters to match the new orientation and maintain proper power transfer
2Reliability
If the vehicle operator is required to stop the vehicle precisely to align contacts, then the power transfer reliability is improved, but the operational complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment through automatic orientation detection and role configuration switching. The controller automatically detects vehicle orientation and reconfigures the contact roles without requiring operator intervention for precise positioning, making the system self-adjusting to maintain reliable power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors vehicle orientation and uses this feedback to determine when to switch between first and second role configurations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the contacts are always properly aligned for power transfer regardless of vehicle orientation changes
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple off-board power supply systems are installed to serve both orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single off-board power supply system serves both vehicle orientations by implementing role configuration switching. The same physical contacts can function as power contacts in one orientation and be reconfigured as auxiliary contacts in the opposite orientation, allowing one system to universally handle bidirectional power transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures contact roles based on detected vehicle orientation. When the vehicle approaches in the opposite orientation, the controller switches the role configuration, effectively making the single off-board system adaptable to multiple operational scenarios without requiring duplicate infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle power supply system and method may include plural vehicle contacts extending along a vehicle. At least three of the vehicle contacts may be power contacts that receive different phases of three-phase alternating current electrical power from an off-board power supply system to power the vehicle. A first power contact of the power contacts may receive a first phase of the three-phase alternating current and a second power contact of the power contacts may receive a second phase of the three-phase alternating current while the vehicle has a first orientation relative to the off-board power supply system. The first power contact may receive the second phase and the second power contact may receive the first phase while the vehicle has a second orientation relative to the off-board power supply system.