CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR CONDUCTOR ROD HAVING MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM

• Main Author: STRASHNY, Igor
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.06.2024
• Subjects: BEARINGS; BLASTING; ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; POWER SUPPLY LINES, AND DEVICES ALONG RAILS, FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; SHAFTS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A work machine (100), such as a hauler at a mining site, includes a conductor rod (106) housing concentric metal tubes (302, 304, 306) for receiving electrical power from a contactor (118) sliding on a power rail (108). A connection assembly (500) includes lugs (504, 506, 508) branching orthogonally from respective ones of the concentric metal tubes to an exterior of the conductor rod (106). The lugs include ball-and-socket joints (604, 608, 612) configured to enable semi-spherical movement of the lugs at the exterior with respect to the joints. When attached to the contactor (118) via conductive arms (210, 212, 214), the connection assembly (500) provides multiple degrees of freedom for the conductor rod (106) relative to the contactor (118) and avoids detachment of the contactor (118) from the power rail (108).