Connection structure of induction line cover

• US 6,978,873 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daifuku Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Daifuku Company Limited
• Inventors: Ishioka, Yasushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US10/829,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20040211636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 191/30, 191/32, 191/24, 191/22.R, 191/10, 191/3, 191/23.A, 104/111, 174/84.R, 174/85, 174/91, 174/84.S
• US Class Current: 191/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 5/005 without mechanical contact between the collector and the power supply line
• CPC Class Codes: B60M 1/34 in slotted conduits

Abstract

An induction line cover includes a cylinder-shaped section into which an induction line can be fitted, plate-shaped sections continuously connected outwardly from a pair of ends created by cutting a slit longitudinally in the cylinder-shaped section at a circumferential position of the cylinder-shaped section, and engaging sections formed adjacent outer faces of the plate-shaped sections and being engageable toward the movement track. A cover joining member for connecting the induction line cover has a receiving section which can receive the engaging sections, and is configured to be accommodated within the extent of the outer diameter of the cylinder-shaped section when the engaging sections are engaged toward the movement track. By this, connection between induction line covers can be performed firmly with stability using the cover joining member, and sufficient clearance can be secured between the cover joining member and a pickup coil.

Claims

1. An induction-line-cover connection structure for use in a non-contact power supply system for a moving body, said system comprising an induction line arranged to extend along a movement track of the moving body and to have a high-frequency sine-wave current pass therethrough, and said moving body comprising a pickup coil for picking up power from the induction line in a non-contact manner, said induction line cover connection structure comprised of abutting ends of two induction line covers and a cover joining member, wherein

each of said two induction line covers is comprised of:

a cylinder-shaped section for fitting therein the induction line;

plate-shaped sections continuously connected outwardly from a pair of ends created by cutting out from the cylinder-shaped section a portion in a longitudinal direction at a circumferential position of the cylinder-shaped section; and

engaging sections formed adjacent outer faces of the plate-shaped sections and being engageable toward said movement track, and wherein

said cover joining member overlying said ends of said induction line covers is a block that is comprised of a receiving section receiving said engaging sections of said induction line covers and is formed such that the entire joining member falls within two parallel planes separated by a distance equal to an outer diameter of the cylinder-shaped section of said induction line covers when said engaging sections are engaged toward the movement track.

2. The induction line cover connection structure according to claim 1, wherein an engaging/disengaging lock is formed between said plate-shaped sections, said engaging/disengaging lock comprising a protrusion and a recess respectively formed on mutually opposing inner faces of said plate-shaped sections, said protrusion and recess being integrally formed as part of said plate-shaped sections.

3. The induction line cover connection structure according to claim 2, wherein a concave groove is formed outside the engaging/disengaging lock between said plate-shaped sections when the engaging/disengaging lock is in a locked state.