Electrical traction system for an industrial electric vehicle, industrial electric vehicle, electrical power supply system and method of providing electrical energy to an industrial electric vehicle

An electrical traction system for an industrial electric vehicle, the electrical traction system comprising:

• an electrical energy storage device configured to have a storage electrical potential;
• a DC drivetrain bus configured to have a drivetrain electrical potential;
• an electric power converter provided between the electrical energy storage device and the DC drivetrain bus;
• at least one electric motor;
• at least one traction inverter provided between the DC drivetrain bus and the at least one electric motor and configured to drive the at least one electric motor;
• an electrical interface assembly directly connected to the DC drivetrain bus and configured to receive an electric power from an electrical power supply system,
• wherein the electrical interface assembly comprises two pin-type connector receivers, each configured to receive a pin-type connector,
• wherein a first pin-type connector receiver of the two pin-type connector receivers is configured to be connected to a positive DC potential and a ground potential of a first pin-type connector, and
• wherein a second pin-type connector receiver of the two pin-type connector receivers is configured to be connected to a negative DC potential and the ground potential of a second pin-type connector.

An electrical power supply system for supplying electric power to an industrial electric vehicle, comprising:

• a DC output configured to provide a DC electric power, the DC output comprising a positive DC potential terminal and a negative DC potential terminal;
• a conductor arrangement comprising conductors extending in a first direction,
• wherein a first one of the conductors is electrically connected to the positive DC potential terminal, and a second one of the conductors is electrically connected to the negative DC potential terminal, and
• wherein the conductor arrangement is configured to provide the DC electric power to the industrial electric vehicle traveling adjacent to the conductor arrangement along the first direction;
• the electrical power supply system further comprising:
• a stationary power supply module electrically connected to the DC output, the power supply module comprising at least one pin-type connector configured to connect the pin-type connector to a pin-type connector receiver of the industrial electric vehicle.

An electrical power supply system for supplying electric power to an industrial electric vehicle, the electrical power supply system comprising:

• a DC output configured to provide a DC electric power, the DC output comprising a positive DC potential terminal, an earth terminal, and a negative DC potential terminal;
• a first pin-type connector and a second pin-type connector,
• wherein the first pin-type connector is connected to the positive DC potential terminal and the earth terminal and configured to connect the positive DC potential terminal and the earth terminal to a first pin-type connector receiver, and
• wherein the second pin-type connector is connected to the negative DC potential terminal and the earth potential and configured to connect the negative DC potential terminal and the earth terminal to a second pin-type connector receiver.

A method of providing electrical energy to an industrial electric vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing an industrial electric vehicle comprising an electrical traction system, the electrical traction system comprising:
• an electrical energy storage device having a storage electrical potential;
• a DC drivetrain bus having a drivetrain electrical potential;
• an electric power converter provided between the electrical energy storage device and the DC drivetrain bus;
• at least one electric motor;
• at least one traction inverter provided between the DC drivetrain bus and the at least one electric motor and configured to drive the at least one electric motor;
• an electrical interface assembly directly connected to the DC drivetrain bus and configured to receive an electric power from an electrical power supply system, wherein the electrical interface assembly comprises at least one interface configured to receive power while the industrial electric vehicle is stationary, and further configured to receive power while the industrial electric vehicle is moving;
• the method further comprising:
• providing an electrical power supply system, the electrical power system comprising:
• a DC output configured to provide a DC electric power, the DC output comprising a positive DC potential terminal and a negative DC potential terminal;
• a conductor arrangement comprising conductors extending in a first direction, wherein a first one of the conductors is electrically connected to the positive DC potential terminal, and a second one of the conductors is electrically connected to the negative DC potential terminal, and wherein the conductor arrangement is configured to provide the DC electric power to the industrial electric vehicle traveling adjacent to the conductor arrangement along the first direction;
• the electrical power supply system further comprising:
• a stationary power supply module electrically connected to the DC output, the power supply module comprising at least one pin-type connector configured to connect the pin-type connector to a pin-type connector receiver of the industrial electric vehicle;
• the method further comprising:
• while the industrial electric vehicle is being propelled by the at least one electric motor and traveling adjacent to the conductor arrangement:
• electrically connecting the electrical interface assembly with the conductor arrangement,
• powering the at least one electric motor with an electric power received from the conductor arrangement by the electrical interface assembly, and optionally
• charging the electrical energy storage device of the industrial electric vehicle with the electrical power;
• and
• while the industrial electric vehicle is stationary:
• electrically connecting the electrical interface assembly with the stationary power supply module, and
• charging the electrical energy storage device of the industrial electric vehicle with an electric power received from the stationary power supply module by the electrical interface assembly.