A current collector for a multi-pole contact line system has a lower arm that is pivotally mounted on a base and at least two upper arms that are pivotally mounted on an end of the lower arm opposite the base. The current collector also has at least two contact assemblies that are arranged on the respective upper arms and are associated with separate different poles of a contact line. The current collector further has a central compensating rocker arranged on the base and at least two connecting rods, the first end of each of which is pivotally connected to the central compensating rocker and the second end of each of which is pivotally connected to one of the at least two upper arms. An electrified transport system uses such a current collector.

A locking device for securing a contact strip device of a current collector in a storage position, the contact strip device being movable between a storage and sliding contact position relative to a conductor rail. The locking device has a cam, a rotatably mounted shaft and an anti-rotation device, the cam disposed on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and the cam movable from a release to locking position by rotation of the shaft, and the cam in the storage position of the contact strip device being able to be brought into contact at a first contact surface by being transferred to the locking position on the current collector in a manner that movement of the contact strip device is blocked relative to the conductor rail, and rotational movement of the shaft for securing the cam in the release or locking position being positively blocked of the anti-rotation device.

A locking device for securing a contact strip device of a current collector in a storage position, the contact strip device being movable between a storage and sliding contact position relative to a conductor rail. The locking device has a cam, a rotatably mounted shaft and an anti-rotation device, the cam disposed on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and the cam movable from a release to locking position by rotation of the shaft, and the cam in the storage position of the contact strip device being able to be brought into contact at a first contact surface by being transferred to the locking position on the current collector in a manner that movement of the contact strip device is blocked relative to the conductor rail, and rotational movement of the shaft for securing the cam in the release or locking position being positively blocked of the anti-rotation device.

The invention relates to a positioning unit and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and a vehicle, in particular an electric bus or similar, wherein an electrical charging contact of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacted with same by means of the positioning unit, wherein the positioning unit has an articulated arm device and a drive device for driving the articulated arm device, wherein the charging contact can be positioned between a contact position for power transmission and a retracted position for power interruption by means of the articulated arm device, wherein the drive device has an adjustment drive for forming an adjustment force acting on the articulated arm device, wherein the drive device has a control device by means of which the adjustment drive can be actuated, wherein the drive device has a sensor device by means of which the charging contact surface can be detected, wherein the sensor device is coupled with the control device, wherein a speed of the charging contact during movement of the charging contact from the retracted position into the contact position can be controlled by the control device in accordance with a relative distance between the charging contact and the charging contact surface.

The invention relates to a positioning unit and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and a vehicle, in particular an electric bus or similar, wherein an electrical charging contact of the positioning unit can be moved relative to a charging contact surface and contacted with same by means of the positioning unit, wherein the positioning unit has an articulated arm device and a drive device for driving the articulated arm device, wherein the charging contact can be positioned between a contact position for power transmission and a retracted position for power interruption by means of the articulated arm device, wherein the drive device has an adjustment drive for forming an adjustment force acting on the articulated arm device, wherein the drive device has a control device by means of which the adjustment drive can be actuated, wherein the drive device has a sensor device by means of which the charging contact surface can be detected, wherein the sensor device is coupled with the control device, wherein a speed of the charging contact during movement of the charging contact from the retracted position into the contact position can be controlled by the control device in accordance with a relative distance between the charging contact and the charging contact surface.

A method for operating a collector assembly of a vehicle that receives electric current from a conductive pathway extending along a route being traversed by the vehicle to power loads of the vehicle. The method includes moving the collector assembly relative to the conductive pathway to examine one or more mechanical components of the collector assembly and sensing one or more electrical characteristics of the electric current conducted to the vehicle from the conductive pathway and through the collector assembly to test electrical components of the collector assembly or the vehicle. The method may implement responsive actions to control operation of the vehicle based on outcomes of one or more of an examination of the mechanical components or the test of the electrical components.

A method for operating a collector assembly of a vehicle that receives electric current from a conductive pathway extending along a route being traversed by the vehicle to power loads of the vehicle. The method includes moving the collector assembly relative to the conductive pathway to examine one or more mechanical components of the collector assembly and sensing one or more electrical characteristics of the electric current conducted to the vehicle from the conductive pathway and through the collector assembly to test electrical components of the collector assembly or the vehicle. The method may implement responsive actions to control operation of the vehicle based on outcomes of one or more of an examination of the mechanical components or the test of the electrical components.

A vehicle guidance system and method includes at least one guidance sensor configured to mount on or adjacent to a pantograph along a lateral width of the pantograph. The pantograph installs on a vehicle and conducts electrical energy from a conductive pathway as the vehicle travels along a route. The vehicle guidance system and method includes a controller that receives one or more sensor signals generated by the at least one guidance sensor and determines a lateral position of the conductive pathway relative to the pantograph based on the one or more sensor signals.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a current collector for an electric railcar. The device comprises: a current-collecting member, which is arranged on the circumference of a wheel for an electric railcar so as to collect current from an electric railcar rail; a base member coupled to the electric railcar; and a transfer member that transferring power collected by the current-collecting member to the base member, wherein the current-collecting member comes into rolling contact with the electric railcar rail by means of rolling of the wheel so as to minimize friction.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a current collector for an electric railcar. The device comprises: a current-collecting member, which is arranged on the circumference of a wheel for an electric railcar so as to collect current from an electric railcar rail; a base member coupled to the electric railcar; and a transfer member that transferring power collected by the current-collecting member to the base member, wherein the current-collecting member comes into rolling contact with the electric railcar rail by means of rolling of the wheel so as to minimize friction.