Supply line for an electric vehicle and transport system using it

A transport system of the type comprising an electric supply line (1, 1a, 1b) and an electric vehicle (80,122), drawing the necessary energy for its operation from said electric supply line (1, 1a, 1b), wherein said electric supply line (1, 1a, 1b) comprises:

• a plurality of conductive elements (34;107) arranged in a traveling direction (8) of the electric vehicle (80, 122) and separated electrically from one another;
• a hollow supporting structure (4;94) for supporting said conductive elements (34;
• 107);
• at least a first conductive line (17;112) carried inside said supporting structure (4;94);
• and
• at least one ribbon-like element (60;112) carried inside said supporting structure (4;94) and arranged in said traveling direction (8) substantially along the whole length of the supply line;
• said ribbon-like element (60;112) being elastically deformable and comprising at least one portion made of ferromagnetic material (65;114);
• wherein said electric vehicle (80,122) further comprises excitation means (84,127) for creating a magnetic field towards said electric supply line (1, 1a, 1b) to draw at least one portion of said portion (65;114) made of ferromagnetic material into a contact position, wherein an electrical connection is established (50,67,17;112,107) between said first conductive line (17;112) and at least one of the plurality of conductive elements (34;107) which is thus energized;
• said electric vehicle (80,122) further comprising pickup means (87,132) extending from the electric vehicle (80,122) towards said electric supply line (1,1a,1b) and mating with said energized one of the plurality of conductive elements to draw the necessary energy for supplying said electric vehicle;
• wherein each of said conductive elements (34) electrically communicates (42) with first collectors (50) and with second collectors (45) housed inside said supporting structure (4;94);
• said supporting structure (4;94) further housing said first conductive line (17) and a second conductive line (22) separated from said first conductive line (17);
• said ribbon-like element (60) establishing an electrical contact between said second conductive line (22) and said second collectors (45) for the portions of said ribbon-like element (60) in a rest position, in which said ribbon-like element (60) is undeformed and rests on said second collectors (45) and on said second conductive line (22;
• and
• said ribbon-like element (60) establishing an electrical contact between said first conductive line (17) and said first collectors (50) for the portions of said ribbon-like element (60) in said contact position.

A supply line for an electric vehicle (80), comprising:

• a plurality of conductive elements (34;107), arranged in a traveling direction (8) of said electric vehicle (80), said plurality of conductive elements (34:107) being separated from one another;
• a hollow supporting structure (4;94) for supporting said conductive elements (34;107);
• at least a first conductive line (17;112) carried inside said supporting structure (4;94);
• and
• at least one ribbon-like member (60;112), carried inside said supporting structure (4;94) and arranged along said traveling direction (8) substantially along the whole length of the supply line;
• said ribbon-like element (60;112) being elastically deformable and comprising at least one portion, made of ferromagnetic material (65;114);
• said portion made of ferromagnetic material (65;114) interacting with a magnetic field created by excitation means (84;127) carried by said electric vehicle (80), to draw at least one portion (60a) of said ribbon-like element (60;112) into a contact position, wherein an electrical connection (50,67,17;112,107) is established between said first conductive line (17;112) and at least one of said conductive elements (34;107);
• wherein said ribbon-like element (60;112) comprises:
• a flexible central ribbon-like element (63;114) made of insulating material;
• a first ribbon-like conductive element (65;116) being carried by said central ribbon-like element of insulating material;
• and
• a second conductive element (67;115), carried by said central ribbon-like element of insulating material (63;114) and located on the opposite side with respect to said first conductive element (65;116).