SE2351040A1

SE2351040A1 - An electrical road track module and a system comprising a plurality of such modules

Info

Publication number: SE2351040A1
Application number: SE2351040A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Dan Zethraeus
Original assignee: Elonroad Ab
Priority date: 2023-09-05
Filing date: 2023-09-05
Publication date: 2024-10-29
Also published as: SE546410C2; WO2025051690A2; WO2025051690A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical road track module. The electrical road track module comprises an elongate housing and a contact line structure physically connected to and extending along the housing. The contact line structure comprises a plurality of contact elements consecutively arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potentials. Every second of the plurality of contact elements belong to a first set of contact elements to be powered. Remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements. The contact elements being separated along the single track line by electrically isolating elements. One or more contact elements among the non-powered contact elements are removable connected to the housing forming a set of removable non-powered contact elements. The housing comprises one or more cavities. Each of said one or more cavities is housing a switch controller configured to control powering of one or more contact elements to be powered neighboring the respective cavity. The switch controller is removable connected to the housing. Each of said one or more cavities is located underneath a respective removable non-powered contact element.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL ROAD TRACK l\/IODULE, A SYSTEl\/l COl\/IPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUCH l\/IODULES AND A SWITCH CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING POWERING OF SUCH l\/IODULES Technical field The present invention relates to an electrical road track module, a system comprising a plurality of such modules and a switch controller for controlling powering of such modules.

Background Fully or partially electrically powered vehicles are becoming ever more common as the technology improves along with the infrastructure for supporting such vehicles. Electrically powered vehicles allow transportation of goods and people while reducing the use of fossil fuels and reducing the environmental impact compared to conventionally powered alternatives.

The infrastructure along the road nets that support these fully or partially electric vehicles is improving, electric charging stations are now becoming more frequent which allows electric vehicles to stop to recharge their batteries when needed. However, charging a battery for a vehicle at a charging station is still relatively time consuming and this would be especially true for a large vehicle with a battery having a large capacity.

An emerging technology for providing electric power to vehicles electrically has thus emerged, electric road tracks. Electric road tracks provide the possibility of charging or directly powering a vehicle as it is in motion. Electric road tracks are arranged on or integrated into a road and carries electrical power which can be transferred to a vehicle travelling along the road in a number of different ways.

Providing electric power to vehicles via electric road tracks is a new technology and provides many benefits as it could reduce the need to stop for recharging the batteries of an electric vehicle and thus facilitates not only reducing the size ofthe electric batteries but also that heavy transport vehicles, such as trucks, could more easily be made electrically powered as they would not have to make lengthy stops to recharge their batteries.

Electric road tracks are however technically challenging due to being subjected to wear from vehicles, to road grime and also being subject to many safety concerns due to being in reach of pedestrians. Hence, there are challenges in maintaining an electric road track once it is installed.

Summary of the invention ln view of that stated above, the object of the present invention is to provide an electrical road track that is easy to maintain.

To achieve this and also possible other technical advancements, an electrical road track having the features defined in claim 1 is provided. Preferred embodiments of the an electrical road track will be evident from the dependent claims.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.

According to a first aspect an electrical road track module is provided. The electrical road track module comprises an elongate housing and a contact line structure physically connected to and extending along the housing. The contact line structure comprises a plurality of contact elements consecutively arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potentials. Every second ofthe plurality of contact elements belong to a first set of contact elements to be powered. Remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements. The contact elements being separated along the single track line by electrically isolating elements. One or more contact elements among the non-powered contact elements are removable connected to the housing forming a set of removable non-powered contact elements. The housing comprises one or more cavities. Each of said one or more cavities is housing a switch controller configured to control powering of one or more contact elements to be powered neighboring the respective cavity. The switch controller is removable connected to the housing. Each of said one or more cavities is located underneath a respective removable non-powered contact element.

The herein presented design of the electrical road track module allow for simplified maintenance. This since a broken switch controller easily can be exchanged upon it is not operational anymore. From experience, it has been realized that control circuitry controlling on/off powering of the contact elements to be powered is the part of the electrical road track module that required the most maintenance. By arranging such control circuitry in a switch controller and making the switch controller easy to access only the switch controller can be exchanged with a new working one. Historically, if control circuitry in an electrical road track module has started to fail the whole electrical road track module was needed to be exchanged. Further, by arranging the switch controller in a cavity underneath removable non-powered contact element safety of the electrical road track module can be increased. This since removable non-powered contact elements and the housing can be set to have the same potential. Hence, removing and reassembling a removable non-powered contact element will not inflict problems with needing to safeguard that there is no electrical connection between the contact element and the housing. lt is crucial for safety that there I no electrical connection between a contact element to be powered and the housing. This since the housing is set to be grounded at the contact element to be powered is set to be powered with high voltages during operation of the electrical road track module.

Every second non-powered contact element may be a removable non- powered contact element.

The switch controller may be configured to individually control powering of both neighboring contact elements of the first set of contact elements to be powered. Hence, a switch controller that is controlling two contact element to be powered may be provided. Such a switch controller may then comprise two separate switches (each such switch is typically an |nsulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, IGBT) one controller circuit board and one relay. By sharing the same controller circuit board and relay space and cost may be saved. Also safety is controlled by controller circuit board that activates each switch separately. lf one switch fails (shortcuts) both switches may be disconnected via the relay. However, the remaining contact elements of the electrical road track module may still be in operation.

The switch controller may comprises a relay controlling electrical connection of the switch controller to a supply voltage and a pair oftransistors. Each transistor may be configured to individually control powering of a respective one of the neighboring contact elements of the first set of contact elements to be powered.

The contact elements of the first set of contact elements to be powered may be electrically isolated from the housing. The contact elements of the second set of non-powered contact elements may be electrically connected to the housing.

Each of the plurality of contact elements may be in the form of an elongate sheet of metal.

The removable non-powered contact elements may be extending fully in between side borders of the housing.

The electrical road track module may further comprise a respective gasket arranged in a respective recess in the housing encircling a respective cavity. The gasket may be configured to seal the cavity from ambient upon the removable non- powered contact element being connected to the housing.

According to a second aspect an electrical road track system is provided. The electrical road track system comprises a plurality of electrical road track modules according to the first aspect, the electrical road track modules being arranged along a road.

The electrical road track system may further comprise one or more of a control server and a power station.

The above mentioned features ofthe electrical road track module, when applicable, apply to this second aspect as well. ln order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

According to a third aspect a switch controller is provided. The switch controller is configured to individually control powering of two contact elements of an electrical road track module according to the first aspect. The switch controller comprises a relay controlling electrical connection of the switch controller to a supply voltage; and a pair of transistors, wherein each transistor is configured to individually control powering of a respective contact element of the electrical road track module.

The above mentioned features ofthe electrical road track module, when applicable, apply to this third aspect as well. ln order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

A further scope of applicability will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only. lt is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. lt must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more ofthe elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the H ll words "comprising", "including , containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief description of the drawings The above and other aspects will now be described in more detail, with reference to appended figures. The figures should not be considered limiting; instead they are used for explaining and understanding.

As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an electrical road track system together with a vehicle being powered by the electrical road track system.

Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of an electric road track module.

Fig. 3 illustrates a zoomed in portion of the electric road track module of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is illustrating a switch controller used to control powering of one or more contact elements of an electric road track module.

Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of a switch controller depicted within a framework of the electric road track module.

Fig. 6 illustrates the same zoomed in portion ofthe electric road track module as in Fig 3 but with a switch controller installed in the cavity.

Fig. 7 illustrates the same zoomed in portion ofthe electric road track module as in Fig 6 but with a removable non-powered contact element connected to the housing.

Detailed description The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an electrical road track system 300. The electric road track system 300 comprising a plurality of electrical road track modules 100 arranged along a road 11. The electrical road track modules 100 may be arranged on the road 11 or integrated into the road 11 for instance into a groove formed therein.

The electric road tra5ck modules 100 are intended to provide electric power to a vehicle 12. The general function of the electric road track modules 100 are that they provide electrical power to electric vehicles 12. Thus, a battery of the electric vehicle 12 can be charged while the electric vehicle 12 is travelling on the road. Alternatively, or in combination, an electric motor of the electric vehicle 12 can be continuously powered by electricity from the electric road track module 100. For powering and/or charging the electric vehicle 12, the electric vehicle 12 may comprise power collectors 14a, 14b, 14c which draws power from the electric road track modules 100.

The electrical road track module 100 comprises a plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b. The contact elements 30a, 30b form a contact line structure 30 configured for power transmission from the electrical road track module 100 to the vehicle 12. The contact elements 30a, 30b are separated along the electric road track module 100 by electrically isolating elements 17. The contact elements 30a, 30b and the isolating elements 17 are arranged in a housing 20. The housing is typically made of Aluminum.

Every second contact element 30a is configured to be powered by a power station 15. The contact elements 30a configured to be powered form a first set of contact elements 30a. The contact elements of the first set of contact elements 30a are electrically isolated from the housing 20. The power station 15 may e.g. be located at the side ofthe road. The power station 15 may be connected to the electrical road track modules 100 via conductors 15a, 15b. Hence, the power station 15 is configured to provide supply voltage to the electrical road track modules 100.

Upon being powered by a positive potential a contact element 30a from the first set of contact elements 30a forms a positive pole. Alternatively, a contact element of the first set of contact element 30a may be powered by a negative potential and thus form a negative pole.

The other contact elements 30b form a second set of non-powered contact elements 30b. The non-powered contact elements 30b is set to have the same potential as ground. Typically, the non-powered contact elements 30b are electrically connected to the housing 20. Hence, the housing 20 and the non- powered contact elements 30b are typically having the same potential.

Upon powering one of the contact elements 30a of the first set of contact elements, a voltage difference is created between the powered contact element 30a and the non-powered contact elements 30b. Hence, the electric road track module 100 is segmented into a plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b arranged to provide alternating potentials. ln other words, the plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b are consecutively arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potentials.

The contact elements 30a, 30b are arranged such that, at any moment during travelling, at least one of the power collectors 14a, 14b, 14c is in connection with a contact element 30a of the first set of contact elements 30a and at least one other ofthe power collectors 14a, 14b, 14c is in connection with a contact element 30b of the second set of contact elements 30b. Thus, continuous collection of power from the electrical road track module 100 may be achieved upon the contact elements 30a of the first set of contact elements 30a are being powered. Each electric road track module 100 preferably comprises a plurality first type contact elements 30a and a plurality of second type contact elements 30b.

The contact elements 30a, 30b is typically formed from a respective elongate sheet of metal. For example, each contact element 30a, 30b may be made of stainless steel. Using stainless steel may reduce spark formation between the contact elements 30a, 30b and the power collectors 14a, 14b, 14c arranged at the vehicle. The contact elements 30a, 30b have a length, along an extension in a traveling direction 13 of the vehicle 12, being shorter than a length of the vehicle 12. According to a non-limiting example the length ofthe contact elements 30a, 30b are around lm long. The electrically isolating element 17 may be about 10-30cm long. A plurality of electrical road tracks modules 100 can be arranged after each other forming an electrical road track.

The electrical road track system 300 may further comprise a control server 200. The control server 200 may be arranged in the power station 15 and/or in one or more ofthe electric road track modules 100 and/or as a remote server such as a cloud based server. The control server 200 may be formed by a single unit or as a distributed unit over several units. The control server 200 is configured to carry out overall control of functions and operations of one or several electric road track modules 100. The control server 200 may further be configured to carry out control of individual powering of the contact elements 30a of the first set of contact elements. Such control of individual powering of the contact elements 30a of the first set of contact elements is typically performed via switch controllers arranged within the electric road track modules 100. Such switch controllers will be discussed in more detail below, especially in connection with Figs 4 and 5.

Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of an electric road track module 100. The electric road track module 100 comprises a housing 20 and a contact line structure 30. The contact line structure 30 comprises a plurality of contact elements 30a, 30b consecutively arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potentials. ln the in Fig. 2 illustrated example the contact line structure 30 comprises seven contact elements 30a, 30b. The contact elements 30a, 30b are separated along the contact line structure 30 by electrically isolating elements 17. The contact elements 30a, 30b and the electrically isolating elements 17 are physically connected to and extending along the housing 20. Hence, it can be said that the contact line structure 30 is physically connected to and extending along the housing 20. Among the contact elements 30a, 30b every second one belongs to the first set of contact elements 30a to be powered. ln the in Fig. 2 illustrated example there are four contact elements belonging to the first set of contact elements 30a to be powered.

The contact elements of the first set of contact elements 30a to be powered are electrically isolated from the housing 20. ln order to electrically isolate the contact elements 30a to be powered from the housing 20 a plurality of arrangements comprising a pair of plastic plugs with hats and rubber o-rings may be used. For each pair of plastic plugs a metal screw is used. Such a metal screw may also be used to connect the contact elements 30a to be powered to the supply voltage. This may be embodied by connecting one or more of the screws to a cable that connects to a switch controller 50 used to control powering of one or more contact elements 20a to be powered. The switch controller 50 will be discussed in more detail below.

The remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements 30b. The contact elements of the second set of non-powered contact elements 30b are electrically connected to the housing 20.

At least some ofthe non-powered contact elements 30b are removable connected to the housing 20 forming a set of removable contact elements 30b'. For example, every second non-powered contact element may be removable non- powered contact elements 30b'. The removable non-powered contact elements 30b' may be connected to the housing by screws, a snap fit or any other suitable means for removable connecting the removable non-powered contact elements 30b' to the housing 20. ln the in Fig. 2 illustrated example there are two removable non-powered contact elements 30b' and one other kind of non-powered contact element 30b.

The removable non-powered contact elements 30b' are extending fully in between side borders of the housing 20. This allow for a cavity 40 underneath the removable contact elements 30b' to extend as much as possible in the width of the housing 20. The cavity 40 in the housing will be discussed in more detail below.

Fig. 3 is a zoomed in portion ofthe electric road track module 100 in Fig. 2. The zoomed portion illustrated in Fig. 3 depicts a portion of electric road track module 100 where the removable non-powered contact element 30b' has been removed from the housing 20 exposing the cavity 40 located underneath the removable non-powered contact element 30b'. The cavity 40 is configured to house a switch controller 50. The switch controller 50 will be discussed in more detail below in connection with Figs 4 and 5.

The cavity 40 comprises one or more power connectors 42 providing an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to a supply voltage. The supply voltage may be a 650V supply voltage. The supply power is supplied via the power station 15.

The cavity 40 comprises one or more contact connectors 44 providing an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to one or more contact elements 30a to be powered. A respective one ofthe one or more contact connectors 44 is providing an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to a respective contact element 30a to be powered neighboring the cavity 40. For example, the cavity 40 may comprise two contact connectors 44. One of these two contact connectors 44 may provide an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to a "upstream" contact element 30a to be powered. The other one of the two contact connectors 44 may provide an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to a "downstream" contact element 30a to be powered. Here "upstream" and "downstream" relate to an imaginary direction of movement of a vehicle moving along the electric road track module 100.

The cavity 40 may comprise one or more data connectors 46 providing an interface for connecting the switch controller 50 to a data supply line. The data supply line is typically connected to the control server 200. Hence, via the one or more data connectors 46 the switch controller 50 can receive control signals from the control server 200.

Fig. 4 is illustrating a switch controller 50 used to control powering of one or more contact elements ofthe electric road track module 100. The switch controller 50 is configured to be installed in one of the cavities 40 of the electric road track module 100. The switch controller 50 comprises complementary connectors to the one or more power connectors 42, the one or more contact connectors 44 and the one or more data connectors 46 ofthe cavity 40. The switch controller 50 is removable connected to the cavity 40/housing 20 via said connectors. The switch controller 50 further comprises control circuitry configured to control powering of one or more contact elements 30a to be powered. The switch controller 50 is in the form of an elongate box that fit in the cavity 40. The control circuitry is typically protected against moist by potting. Potting is a process of filling a complete electronic assembly of the switch controller 50 with a solid or gelatinous compound. Such potting also provide resistance to shock and vibration.

Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram ofthe switch controller 50 depicted within a framework ofthe electric road track module 100. The control circuitry of the switch controller 50 comprises a relay 52, one or more transistors 54 and control unit 56. The control unit may be implemented as a controller circuit board. The relay 52 is connecting the switch controller 50 to the supply power 16. The supply power 16 is a power line arranged within the housing 20. The supply power 16 is provided with power via the power supply 15 (see Fig. 1). The relay 52 is an electrically 11 operated switch. ln the illustrated example of Fig. 5, the switch controller 50 comprises two transistors 54. Each transistor 54 is set to individually operate as a control switch for powering a respective one of the neighboring contact elements 30a to be powered. Each transistor 54 may be implemented as an lnsulated Gate Bipolar Transistor, IGBT. Controlling of the transistors 54 is provided via the control circuitry 56. The control circuitry 56 is typically connected to the control server 200 via witch the controlling of the powering of the contact elements 30a to be powered are governed. ln the switch controller 50 the transistors 54 are the main switching devices. They are used to control switching on/off powering of the contact elements 30a to be powered. Powering on is to be done upon a vehicle to be powered is approaching the contact element 30a to be powered otherwise the contact element 30a to be powered shall be switched off. This due to safety. However transistors, e.g. IGBTs, sometimes brakes and shortcut. lf this occur the contact element 30a controlled by the transistor will be constantly powered. This is very dangerous and must be avoided. This may be achieved by the relay 52. Hence, the relay may switched of so that no power is reaching the transistors 54. Accordingly, the contact elements 30a controlled by the switch controller 50 is no longer powered. Then a service team can replace the switch controller 50 with the broken transistor 54. A relay is considered a more safe breaker than transistors. This since a relay have physical spring disconnecting power in vacuum. However , a relay have a shorter lifetime than transistors/|GBTs.

Fig. 6 illustrates the same zoomed in portion ofthe electric road track module 100 as in Fig 3 but with a switch controller 50 installed in the cavity 40. The housing 20 comprises a recess 22. The recess 22 is encircling the cavity 40. The recess 22 is configured to receive a gasket. The gasket is configured to seal the cavity 40 from ambient upon the removable non-powered contact element 30b' being connected to the housing 20.

Fig. 7 illustrates the same zoomed in portion ofthe electric road track module 100 as in Fig 6 but with the removable non-powered contact element 30b' connected to the housing 20. 12 The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to what is explicitly described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope ofthe appended claims.

Additionally, variations can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical road track module (100) comprising: a housing (20), the housing (20) being elongate; a contact line structure (30) physically connected to and extending along the housing (20), the contact line structure (30) comprising a plurality of contact elements (30a, 30b) consecutively arranged along a single track line to provide alternating potentials, wherein every second ofthe plurality of contact elements belong to a first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered, wherein remaining contact elements form a second set of non-powered contact elements (30b), wherein the contact elements (30a, 30b) being separated along the single track line by electrically isolating elements (17), wherein one or more contact elements among the non-powered contact elements (30b) are removable connected to the housing (20) forming a set of removable non-powered contact elements (30b'); wherein the housing comprises one or more cavities (40), each of said one or more cavities (40) is housing a switch controller (50) configured to control powering of one or more contact elements (30a) to be powered neighboring the respective cavity (40), the switch controller (50) is removable connected to the housing (20), each of said one or more cavities (40) is located underneath a respective removable non-powered contact element (30b').

2. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 1, wherein every second non-powered contact element (30b) is a removable non-powered contact element (30b').

3. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch controller (50) is configured to individually control powering of both neighboring contact elements of the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered.

4. The electrical road track module (100) according to claim 3, wherein the switch controller (50) comprises a relay (52) controlling electrical connection of the switch controller (50) to a supply voltage (16) and a pair oftransistors (54), wherein each transistor (54) is configured to individually control powering of a respective one of the neighboring contact elements of the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered.

5. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the contact elements of the first set of contact elements (30a) to be powered are electrically isolated from the housing (20), and/or wherein the contact elements of the second set of non-powered contact elements (30b) are electrically connected to the housing (20).

6. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein each ofthe plurality of contact elements (30a, 30b) is in the form of an elongate sheet of metal.

7. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the removable non-powered contact elements (30b') are extending fully in between side borders of the housing (20).

8. The electrical road track module (100) according to any one of claims 1-7, further comprising a respective gasket arranged in a respective recess (22) in the housing (20) encircling a respective cavity (40), the gasket being configured to seal the cavity (40) from ambient upon the removable non-powered contact element (30b') being connected to the housing (40).

9. An electrical road track system (300) comprising: a plurality of electrical road track modules (100) according to any one of claims 1-8, the electrical road track modules (100) being arranged along a road (11).

10. A switch controller (50) configured to individually control powering of two contact elements (30a) to be powered of an electrical road track module (100), the switch controller (50) comprising: a relay (52) controlling electrical connection of the switch controller (50) to a supply voltage (16); and a pair of transistors (54), wherein each transistor (54) is configured to individually control powering of a respective contact element (30a) of the electrical road track module (100).