Vertical Side Wall Contact for Weatherproof Electrical Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact devices for electric vehicles suffer from poor and unreliable electrical contact due to accumulation of debris, water, and ice in the road tracks, leading to reduced efficiency and reliability in energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A contact device with a sliding current collector that makes contact with the vertical side wall of the track, combined with a cleansing device using elastic material and high-pressure fluid to efficiently clear debris and water, minimizing contact with the bottom of the track and ensuring reliable electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact surface is located at the bottom part of the track to make contact with the conducting rail, then mechanical contact is established, but electrical contact becomes poor and unreliable due to accumulation of water, ice, and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is moved from the bottom surface (horizontal dimension) to the vertical side wall of the track. This dimensional change allows the contact surface to engage with the vertical side wall portion of the track where water, ice, and debris do not accumulate, thereby maintaining reliable electrical contact while avoiding the harmful effects of weather-related obstructions.
2Reliability
If the current collector is positioned to contact the bottom part of the track, then contact with the conducting rail is achieved, but electrical contact is compromised by environmental contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The current collector's contact surface is repositioned from horizontal bottom contact to vertical side wall contact. This dimensional shift enables the current collector to maintain optimal electrical contact with the conducting rail's vertical side wall, preventing energy loss that would occur through poor contact caused by water, ice, or debris accumulation at the bottom.
3Ease of operation
If the contact device operates in weather-exposed track conditions, then road vehicle propulsion is enabled, but contact reliability deteriorates due to weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The contact device operates by engaging the vertical side wall of the track rather than the bottom surface. This dimensional change allows the vehicle to maintain propulsion capability in all weather conditions while the contact surface remains free from weather-related contaminants such as rainwater, ice, and snow that accumulate at the bottom of the track.
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 solution significantly improves electrical contact reliability and efficiency by reducing the risk of contact with debris and ice, enhancing the stability and longevity of the contact device and energy transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The current collector comprises a sliding contact configured to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with at least a vertical side wall portion of the track
Implementation Method 2
a cleansing device using elastic material and high-pressure fluid to efficiently clear debris and water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A contact device (1) directly or indirectly connectable to a vehicle and adapted to co-act mechanically and electrically with a track (2) comprising an electric conductor (7) put under voltage and located in a road section (6) on which the vehicle is travelling, in order to supply electric voltage to at least one electric motor which propels the vehicle, wherein the contact device (1) is displaceable upwards, downwards and laterally and comprises at least one current collector and at least one cleansing device (4). The current collector (3) comprises a sliding contact (8) configured to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with at least a vertical side wall portion of the track.