• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    ABSTRACT Mechanism for electrical feeding of road vehicles comprising a contact device (5)adapted to co-act mechanically and electrically with a track (2) comprising an electricconductor put under voltage and located in a road section on which the vehicle (7) istravelling, in order to supply electric voltage to at least one electric motor which propelsthe vehicle (7), wherein the contact device (5) is displaceable vertically and laterally andcomprises at least one current collector (8). The mechanism comprises a bar (10)directly or indirectly attached to the vehicle (7) and arranged substantially horizontal andperpendicular to the driving direction of the vehicle (7) and a sliding device (9) adaptedto be displaced laterally on the bar (10), wherein the current collector (8) is connected tothe sliding device (9) by means of a contact arm (6) which is displaceable vertically. (Fig. 3)
    公开号:SE1350677A1
    申请号:SE1350677
    申请日:2013-06-03
    公开日:2014-12-04
    发明作者:Gunnar Asplund
    申请人:Elways Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL FEEDING OF ROAD VEHICLESThe present invention relates to a contact device mechanism for electricalfeeding of road vehicles, in order to supply electric voltage to at least one electric motorwhich propels the vehicle, wherein the contact device is displaceable vertically andlaterally and comprises at least one current collector. ln a second aspect, the presentinvention relates to a vehicle comprising such a contact device mechanism.
    Technical background of the inventionConcerns about the environmental impact of combustion of fossil fuels have led toan increased interest in electric vehicles, which have several potential benefitscompared to vehicles with conventional internal combustion engines, including: asignificant reduction of urban air pollution, as they do not emit harmful tailpipe pollutantsfrom the on-board source of power at the point of operation; reduced greenhouse gasemissions from the on-board source of power, depending on the fuel and technologyused for electricity generation and/or charging the batteries and reduced dependencyon fossil fuels with increasingly variable supply and fluctuating prices.
    However, there are factors which discourage consumers from making the switch toelectric vehicles. As of 2013, electric vehicles are significantly more expensive thanconventional internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles due to theadditional cost of their lithium-ion battery pack. Another hurdle to overcome is thelimited range of existing electric vehicles due to limitations in battery capacity.
    WO 2010/140964 proposes one solution to the latter problem by feeding electricvehicles while driving. lt discloses a system for electric propulsion of a vehicle along aroad comprising electric conductors in the shape of conducting rails that may be putunder voltage and located in longitudinal tracks or channels in the road. The vehicle isequipped with a current collector which during contact with the conducting rail allows fortransfer of electric current between the conducting rail and the vehicle.
    The stretch of road carrying the conductor conducting rails is divided intoelectrically separated road sections oriented in series, whereby the conducting rails areonly put under voltage when a vehicle with its current collector passes the relevant roadsecüon.ln order for the current collector to make contact with the conducting rails it ismounted on suitable contact device acting as an extension between the vehicle and the2conducting rails. One example of a contact device is given in WO 2011/123046, whichis incorporated herein by reference. The contact device is adapted to co-actmechanically and electrically with an electric conductor put under voltage and located ina road section on which the vehicle is travelling, in order to supply electric voltage to theat least one electric motor which thereby propels the vehicle. The contact devicecomprises a longitudinal arm, rotatable about two perpendicular rotational axes, whichis attached to the underside of a vehicle and may be moved horizontally and/or loweredtowards the track.
    One drawback with the contact device proposed by the prior art is that thelongitudinal arm requires significant free space underneath the vehicle. Moreover, theoverall size and elongated shape make the longitudinal arm difficult to move rapidly,which may be necessary e.g. when the vehicle changes position on the road, orreaches road sections without a track with conducting rails.
    Another disadvantage is that the lateral displacement of the arm changes theangle of the current collector in relation to the track, requiring that the current collector isattached to the current collector in a rotatable manner about two axes, similar to howthe arm is attached to the vehicle. This leads to further complexity in the design of thecontact device according to the prior art.
    Therefore, there is a need to develop improved contact device mechanisms whichfacilitate displacement of contact devices.
    Summary of the inventionThe purpose of the present invention is to provide improved contact devicemechanisms which facilitate displacement of contact devices.
    This is achieved by a mechanism according to claim 1.
    According to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism for electricalfeeding of road vehicles comprising a contact device adapted to co-act mechanicallyand electrically with a track comprising an electric conductor put under voltage andlocated in a road section on which the vehicle is travelling. This in order to supplyelectric voltage to at least one electric motor which propels the vehicle, eithersupplementing or replacing the propulsion provided by the existing vehicle engine asthe vehicle travels on a an electrified road section, e.g. by the system of WO2010/140964, which is incorporated herein by reference. The contact device is3displaceable vertically and laterally and comprises at least one current collector,preferably in the shape of a sliding contact.
    Such a mechanism is described e.g. in WO 2011/123046, WO 2011/123048,which are incorporated herein by reference. The mechanism is adapted to sense thepresence of an electrified road section and will only then bring the contact means intomechanical and electric contact with the electric conductors, as described in WO2011/123052, which is also incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, themechanism may be connected to an add-on motor assembly which in turn is connectedto the vehicle, as described in international application PCT/SE2013/050245,incorporated herein by reference.
    The mechanism further comprises a bar directly or indirectly attached to thevehicle and arranged substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the driving directionof the vehicle and a sliding device adapted to be displaced laterally on the sliding bar,wherein the current collector is connected to the sliding device by means of a contactarm which is displaceable vertically. ln the case of an add-on motor assembly, the barmay be attached thereon, hence the indirect attachment to the vehicle.ln the context of the present application, the term sliding device should beinterpreted as a device which may be displaced on the bar, but not necessarily by asliding motion. lnstead any type of suitable translational motion along the bar isforeseen.
    As rapid lateral displacement of the vehicle is sometimes necessary, this requiresan equally fast lateral displacement of the mechanism carrying the contact device inorder to remain in contact with the track and electrical conductor(s). The presentinvention proposes to mount the displacement mechanism on a substantiallyhorizontally arranged bar which is attached or connected to a vehicle perpendicular tothe vehicle's driving direction. By providing a laterally displaceable device on the barand connected to the contact arm, it is possible to reduce the length of the contact arm,since the contact arm will only be required to be moved vertically, towards and awayfrom the track. Hence, a robust, compact and simple design is achieved which may berapidly displaced along the width of the vehicle, as well as in the vertical directiontowards or away from the track.ln a preferred embodiment, the length of the bar is substantially equal to the widthof the vehicle and the sliding device is configured to be displaced along substantially the4whole width of the vehicle. This will ensure that the current collector can reach the trackin any position underneath the vehicle.ln an advantageous embodiment, the mechanism further comprises means forlateral displacement of the sliding device on the bar. Preferably, the lateral displacementmeans comprises an electric motor, a hydraulic pump and/or a pneumatic pump. Theelectric motor may actuate the sliding device directly or indirectly via a wire which mayor may not be guided inside a flexible tube. Other suitable means for displacing thesliding device in the lateral direction, such as a gear system, rack and pinion or a linearactuator may also be considered.ln an alternative embodiment, the mechanism further comprises means for verticaldisplacement of the contact arm. Preferably, the vertical displacement means comprisesan electric motor, a hydraulic pump and/or a pneumatic pump. The electric motor mayactuate the contact arm directly or indirectly via a wire which may or may not be guidedinside a flexible tube. Other suitable means for displacing the contact arm in the verticaldirection, such as a gear system, rack and pinion or a linear actuator may also beconsidered.ln a further preferred embodiment, the contact arm is flexible in the axial directionand adapted to be pressed against the track. Preferably, the contact arm is arrangedvertically such that the current collector is located substantially directly underneath thesliding device. This allows for even further reduction of the length of the contact arm andfacilitates control of the movements thereof. By making the contact arm flexible, it maybe configured to dampen or compensate for vibrations, shocks and/or movements in thevertical direction caused by e.g. uneven road surface. Hence, the mechanism andcontact device will be able to withstand such loads without risking damage.ln an advantageous embodiment, the bar is configured to be integrated into abumper of the vehicle. Hence a compact and aesthetically pleasing design is achievedwhich does not considerably alter the appearance and dimensions of the vehicle.ln a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprisingat least one mechanism according to any of the preceding embodiments.
    Brief description of the drawingsFig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a road section having tracks comprisingelectrical conductors.
    Fig. 2 illustrates a front view and view from above of a vehicle having a contactdevice mechanism according to the prior art.
    Fig. 3 illustrates a front view and view from above of a vehicle having a contactdevice mechanism according to the present invention.
    Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of a vehicle having a contact device mechanismaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.
    Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of a vehicle having a contact device mechanismaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.
    Detailed description of the inventionPreferred embodiments of a contact device according to the present invention willnow be described with reference to the attached drawings. The invention should not beconsidered to be limited to the embodiments shown in the attached drawings, but maybe varied within the scope of the claims.
    Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a road section 1 having tracks 2 locatedtherein adjacent the road surface. The tracks 2 comprise at least one electricalconductor, preferably two, which may be electrically insulated in all directions exceptupwards towards the road surface. ln Fig. 1 two parallel tracks 2 are shown, but roadsections 1 having more than two tracks 2 comprising electrical conductors, e.g. one foreach driving lane of the road section 1, are also contemplated. Also shown in Fig. 1 arelow and high voltage cables 3, 4 for supplying electric voltage to the electricalconductors.ln Fig. 2 a mechanism for a contact device 5 according to the prior art, asdisclosed in WO 2011/123046, is illustrated in a front view and view from above. Thecontact device 5 is mounted on an elongate arm 6 which in turn is attached in arotatable manner to the underside of a vehicle 7. At the opposite end of the arm, acurrent collector is attached and configured to be brought into mechanical and electricalcontact with the electrical conductors in the track 2 located in a road section 1 on whichthe vehicle 7 is traveling. Upon electrical contact with the conductors, the currentcollector feeds an electric motor which propels the vehicle 7.ln order to be brought into contact with the track 2, the elongate arm 6 comprisingthe contact device 5 may be moved laterally through rotation about a rotational axisperpendicular to the underside of the vehicle 7, and thus to the plane of the road section1, as shown by the arrow a in Fig. 2. Additionally, the contact device 5 may be lowered6towards or raised away from the track 2 through rotation of the arm 6 about a horizontalaxis of rotation perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The disadvantages of theelongate arm 6 are that it requires considerable free space underneath the vehicle 7and that it is difficult to move quickly. Moreover, the lateral displacement of the arm 6changes the angle of the current collector in relation to the track 2, requiring that thecurrent collector 8 of the contact device is attached to the arm 6 in a rotatable manner,similar to how the arm 6 is attached to the vehicle 7. This leads to further complexity inthe design of the contact device 5 according to the prior art.
    Shown in Fig. 3 is a contact device 5 and mechanism according to the presentinvention. The mechanism comprises a sliding device 9 which is configured to bedisplaced along a bar 10 attached to the vehicle 7 and arranged substantially horizontaland perpendicuiar to the driving direction of the vehicle 7, as illustrated by the dashedarrow b in Fig. 3. Advantageously, the bar 10 may be incorporated into the front or rearbumper of the vehicle 7 to achieve a compact design which does not substantially alterthe appearance and/or physical dimensions of the vehicle 7. Naturally, the bar 10 maybe attached or fastened to the vehicle 7 in any suitable manner which allows lateraldisplacement of the sliding device 9 along the bar 10. Also, in the case of an add-onmotor assembly according to PCT/SE2013/050245, the bar 10 may be attached to theadd-on motor assembly (not shown), which in turn is connected to the vehicle 7.
    Since the sliding device 9 is not restricted to a fixed lateral position in relation tothe vehicle 7, lateral displacement means for the contact device 5 may be separatedfrom vertical displacement means for the contact device 5. This allows for more rapidand controllable displacement of the contact device 5. Another advantage compared tothe prior art is that a contact arm 6 connecting the sliding device 9 and the currentcollector 8 may be made much shorter, which further increases possible displacementspeed and facilitates control of the contact device 5.
    The means for lateral and vertical displacement of the sliding device 9 and thecontact arm 6, respectively, may be any of an electric motor, a hydraulic pump and/or apneumatic pump. The electric motor may actuate the sliding device 9 or contact arm 6directly or indirectly via a wire which may or may not be guided inside a flexible tube forprotection. Other suitable means for displacing the sliding device 9 or contact arm 6 inthe lateral or vertical directions, respectively, may also be considered, such as a gearsystem, rack and pinion a linear actuator or any combination of the above.7Preferably, the bar 10 has a length which is substantially equal to the width of thevehicle 7, such that the sliding device 9 may be displaced along the whole width of thevehicle 7 in order to reach the track 2 in the road section 1.
    Fig. 4 illustrates the contact device mechanism in a side view, wherein thereduced length of the contact arm 6 is visualised. The current collector 8 may bebrought into mechanical and electrical contact with the track 2 through lowering of thecontact arm 6 as illustrated by dashed arrow c in Fig. 4. The significantly shorter contactarm 6 of the present invention requires less space and may be moved faster and withincreased control than the prior art. Also, since the contact arm 6 is only moved in avertical plane parallel to the driving direction of the vehicle 7, the current collector 8does not require additional longitudinal alignment in relation to the track 2, as is thecase with the prior art.
    Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a contact device mechanism accordingto the present invention. ln this embodiment, the contact arm 6 is flexible in the axialdirection, i.e. along a longitudinal extension thereof. This enables the contact arm 6 tobe arranged vertically, substantially directly underneath the sliding device 9. The flexiblenature of the contact arm 6 allows it to dampen or compensate for vibrations or shocksexperienced by the contact device 5, e.g. when the current collector 8 encounter objectsor obstacles in the track 2 or when the vehicle 7 travels on an uneven road surfacecausing movement in the vertical direction. The advantage of this is an even morecompact design which does not substantially protrude from the vehicle 7.ln this embodiment, the vertical displacement is made even simpler in that thecurrent collector 8 and contact arm 6 may be lowered and raised without rotation of thecontact arm 6 in the vertical plane parallel to the driving direction of the vehicle 7, asillustrated by dashed arrow d in Fig. 5.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [1] 1. Mechanism for electrical feeding of road vehicles (7) comprising a contactdevice (5) adapted to co-act mechanically and electrically with a track (2) comprising anelectric conductor put under voltage and located in a road section on which the vehicle(7) is travelling, in order to supply electric voltage to at least one electric motor whichpropels the vehicle (7), wherein the contact device (5) is displaceable vertically andlaterally and comprises at least one current collector (8), characterised in thatmechanism comprises a bar (10) directly or indirectly attached to the vehicle (7) andarranged substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the driving direction of the vehicle(7) and a sliding device (9) adapted to be displaced laterally on the bar (10), wherein thecurrent collector (8) is connected to the sliding device (9) by means of a contact arm (6) which is displaceable vertically.
    [2] 2. Mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the length of the bar (10) issubstantially equal to the width of the vehicle (7) and the sliding device (9) is configuredto be displaced along substantially the whole width of the vehicle (7).
    [3] 3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for lateral displacement of the sliding device (9) on the bar (10).
    [4] 4. Mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the lateral displacement meanscomprises an electric motor, a hydraulic pump and/or a pneumatic pump.
    [5] 5. Mechanism according to any preceding claim, further comprising means forvertical displacement of the contact arm (6).
    [6] 6. Mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the vertical displacement meanscomprises an electric motor, a hydraulic pump and/or a pneumatic pump.
    [7] 7. Mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the contact arm (6) isflexible in the axial direction thereof and adapted to be pressed against the track (2).
    [8] 8. Mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the contact arm (6) is arranged vertically. 9
    [9] 9. Mechanism according to any preceding claim, wherein the bar (10) is configured to be integrated into a bumper of the vehicle (7).
    [10] 10. Vehicle (7) comprising at least one mechanism according to any preceding claim.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US9868365B2|2018-01-16|Ground level power supply system for a non-guided vehicle
    AU2017268663B2|2019-01-31|Vehicle Charging Connectors
    CA2837923C|2018-05-22|Ice breaking pantograph
    JP5336491B2|2013-11-06|Vehicle guidance and ground-based electrical energy capture device, and urban traffic vehicles equipped with such a device
    US20170264065A1|2017-09-14|Sliding-contact power supply system and three-dimensional circulating garage having the same
    SE537192C2|2015-03-03|Mechanism for electrical supply of road vehicles
    WO2013141782A3|2014-04-10|Add-on motor assembly
    US10052959B2|2018-08-21|Weatherproof track and contact for electrical feeding of road vehicles
    SE1550505A1|2016-10-28|System and method for electrical feeding of a vehicle
    CN101580028B|2010-12-29|Double-pole type segregated rotation power-receiving type trolley-pole in transverse and lateral direction
    CN104024028A|2014-09-03|Electric power supply assembly with assisted establishment of electrical contact with a power-collecting track carried by an electrically powered vehicle
    JP6918755B2|2021-08-11|Parking device
    JP6973748B2|2021-12-01|pantograph
    ES2677073B1|2019-05-07|Land vehicle
    US1428133A|1922-09-05|Current collector for railway vehicles
    CN110696636A|2020-01-17|Side contact type running power supply and charging device for electric automobile
    US409752A|1889-08-27|System of electrical distribution for railways
    US617708A|1899-01-17|barkley
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP3003771A2|2016-04-13|
    WO2014196912A3|2015-02-19|
    SE537192C2|2015-03-03|
    WO2014196912A2|2014-12-11|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US4129203A|1977-06-13|1978-12-12|Nelson Berman|Roadway vehicle|
    JPS5820814B2|1978-09-07|1983-04-25|Nissan Motor|
    DE3245601C2|1982-12-09|1986-11-27|Wampfler Gmbh, 7858 Weil|Device for tapping electricity for a vehicle|
    KR100884188B1|2005-07-01|2009-02-17|옥은호|A road with underground electronic power supply rail and electric vehicle equipped with current collector|
    DE102006006155A1|2006-01-26|2007-08-02|Joachim Dengler|Conductor rail system for electric road vehicles, comprises conductor rails are mounted electrically insulated in interior of rail housing open in cross section and surrounded all sides|
    KR100940240B1|2008-09-02|2010-02-04|한국과학기술원|Transportation system using electric vehicle|
    KR100944188B1|2008-12-29|2010-02-25|한국과학기술원|Electric vehicle system|
    SE535136C2|2009-06-03|2012-04-24|Elways Ab|A system adapted for an electrically propulsive vehicle|
    SE1000329A1|2010-04-01|2011-03-22|Elways Ab|One or more electrically propulsive, vehicle-adapted system |
    SE533980C2|2010-04-01|2011-03-22|Elways Ab|A system adapted for one or more electric propulsion vehicles. |
    SE534508C2|2010-04-01|2011-09-13|Elways Ab|A vehicle-adapted system for one or more electrically propulsive vehicles |
    SE1250258A1|2012-03-19|2013-09-20|Elways Ab|Additional motor unit|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1350677A|SE537192C2|2013-06-03|2013-06-03|Mechanism for electrical supply of road vehicles|SE1350677A| SE537192C2|2013-06-03|2013-06-03|Mechanism for electrical supply of road vehicles|
    PCT/SE2014/050644| WO2014196912A2|2013-06-03|2014-05-27|Mechanism for electrical feeding of road vehicles|
    EP14733741.4A| EP3003771A2|2013-06-03|2014-05-27|Mechanism for electrical feeding of road vehicles|
    [返回顶部]