WO2023232222A1

WO2023232222A1 - Contact device and charging system for charging electrically powered vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2023232222A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/064599
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Hoss; Bjoern BRUENINGK-WEISSHAR; Sebastian Becker
Original assignee: Schunk Transit Systems Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-05-30
Filing date: 2022-05-30
Publication date: 2023-12-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact device (10) for a charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, and to a charging system, wherein the charging system is arrangeable beneath a vehicle and comprises a positioning apparatus, a charging contact device and the contact device having a contact unit carrier (11), wherein the contact unit carrier has at least two contact units (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), wherein respective charging contacts of the charging contact device are able to be brought into contact with contact elements of the contact units to form a contact pair, wherein, by means of the positioning apparatus, the contact unit carrier is able to be positioned in a contact position relative to the charging contact carrier such that an electrically conductive connection is able to be formed between the vehicle and a charging station, wherein the at least two contact elements protrude at different heights relative to a surface, facing one of the charging contact devices, of the contact unit carrier, wherein the contact elements are each formed with a lever arm, wherein the contact unit carrier has a body (29) which is formed from a dielectric material and with at least one through-hole (31) for the contact elements in the surface facing the charging contact device, wherein the lever arm is mounted on a pivot bearing of the body so as to be pivotable relative to the surface, wherein the pivot bearings are formed on the body and are arranged at different spacings relative to the surface.

Description

CONTACT DEVICE AND CHARGING SYSTEM FOR CHARGING ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLES

The invention relates to a contact device for a charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, as well as a charging system, wherein the charging system can be arranged below a vehicle and comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, wherein the Contact unit carrier has at least two contact units, with contact elements of the contact units each being able to contact charging contacts of the charging contact device to form a contact pairing, wherein the contact unit carrier can be positioned in a contact position relative to the charging contact carrier by means of the positioning device, such that an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and a charging station can be formed, wherein the at least two contact elements protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device, the contact elements each being designed with a lever arm.

Such contact devices and charging systems are already known from the prior art and are regularly used to charge electrically powered vehicles at, for example, a stopping point. In certain types of vehicles, such as passenger cars, the charging system is arranged below a floor of the vehicle for practical and aesthetic reasons. In order to be able to charge the vehicle's batteries quickly, it must be possible to transmit high currents and voltages via the contact device. This requires correspondingly large contact units and corresponding conductor cross sections. Furthermore, a corresponding positioning device must then also be provided below the vehicle, which automatically brings together or separates the contact device with the charging contact device. A simple charging system, which is formed from a plug-socket connection, is, however, only suitable for transmitting lower currents and requires a manual coupling of the plug and socket by an operator.

From DE 10 2018 1 12 494 A1 a charging system is known in which contact units are arranged in a contact unit carrier that can be fastened to a floor. The contact units are each made up of contact elements with a lever arm and a spring-loaded pivot bearing. The contact elements are also designed so that they protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device. It is thus possible to maintain a desired contact sequence of contact pairings when merging the contact device and charging contact device or when separating them.

The disadvantage of the known contact device is that it is comparatively large and is arranged directly on a surface. A movement of the contact device itself is therefore not possible using a positioning device. Furthermore, the respective contact units consist of a comparatively large number of components, the production of which is expensive. In addition, the contact units or their contact elements are designed differently in order to accommodate the contact elements. to be able to arrange elements at different heights relative to the surface. Furthermore, the swivel joint of the contact unit is essentially made of metal and requires axial guidance, which means that the swivel joint is susceptible to jamming and contamination. Overall, such a contact unit carrier requires a large amount of installation space and can only be produced with great effort.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a contact device and a charging system that is easy and safe to use and inexpensive.

This object is achieved by a contact device with the features of claim 1 and a charging system with the features of claim 17.

In the contact device according to the invention for a charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, the charging system can be arranged below a vehicle and includes a positioning device, a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier, the contact unit carrier having at least two contact units, wherein contact elements of the contact units can be used to contact charging contacts of the charging contact device to form a contact pairing, wherein the contact unit carrier can be positioned in a contact position relative to the charging contact carrier by means of the positioning device, such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the vehicle and a charging station, wherein the at least two contact elements protrude at different heights relative to a surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device, the contact elements each being designed with a lever arm, the contact unit carrier having a body which is made of a dielectric material and with at least one through opening for the contact elements in the top facing the charging contact device surface is formed, the lever arm being pivotally mounted on a pivot bearing of the body relative to the surface, the pivot bearings being formed on the body and arranged at different distances relative to the surface.

Accordingly, the at least two contact elements can protrude at different heights in a rest position relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier, so that a defined sequence of contact pairings can be maintained during a contacting process with the charging contact device. The same applies to separating the charging contact device from the contact device, in which case the order is then reversed. The contact unit carrier is formed from a body made of or with a dielectric material, with at least one through opening for the at least two contact elements being formed in the body. The body can consist of the dielectric material or can be at least partially or completely coated with the dielectric material. In principle, however, it is also possible for a plurality of through openings to be formed in the body, each for contact elements. Because the contact unit carrier has the body that forms the surface facing the charging contact devices, a special cover for the contact unit carrier can be dispensed with. Furthermore, the lever arm of the respective contact elements is pivotally mounted on the pivot bearing of the body, so that the contact elements can be moved relative to the surface by pivoting about the respective pivot bearing and can therefore be varied in height. During a contacting process with a charging contact device, the contact elements are consequently moved or pivoted into the body through the through openings. Since the pivot bearings are formed on or through the body, there is no need to form contact elements with pivot bearings and the contact elements are easier to manufacture. There is also no need for any special assembly of a contact unit with a pivot bearing on a contact unit carrier, as is known from the prior art. There- Because the pivot bearings of the at least two contact elements are arranged or designed at different distances relative to the surface on the body, the position of the contact elements in a rest position relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier can also be easily realized at different heights. In particular, it then becomes possible to use similar contact elements in order to realize a defined contact sequence. By using only one body together with similar contact elements, the number of parts of the contact devices can be significantly reduced, making the contact device simpler and therefore more cost-effective to produce. For example, it is possible to carry out a pre-assembly of the contact elements and then to arrange them in a precise position relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier by final assembly on the respective pivot bearing of the body at the intended height, without the need for an individual design of the respective contact element .

The respective lever arms of the at least two contact elements, preferably the at least two contact elements, can be designed identically. By using completely identical contact elements, the number of parts can be reduced even further. However, it is also possible for the contact elements to be partially designed differently. In principle, however, the respective lever arms of the at least two contact elements can be designed to be identical or of the same length. A contact force of essentially the same magnitude can then be exerted on the charging contact device via the lever arms, without the need for further different components to adjust the contact force.

In the contact position, a contact surface of the contact elements and a charging contact surface can each be arranged in a contact plane parallel to a vehicle floor and/or a subsurface. The contact surface of the contact elements can be at a distal end of the relevant lever arm, which faces the charging contact surface. The charging contact surface of the charging contacts can, for example, be a flat surface that is round, oval or strip-shaped. In the contact position, the contact device can then lie tightly against the charging contact device, so that the surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device also lies against the charging contact device. Since the contact elements are then moved into the through openings, all contact pairings of contact surfaces and charging contact surfaces can be formed in the contact plane. This can also be deviated from if the respective charging contacts or charging contact surfaces are arranged at different heights relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier. In this case, a plurality of contact levels are then formed. The contact plane or the contact planes can be arranged parallel relative to the vehicle floor and/or the subsurface, such that the contact surfaces or the charging contact surfaces face the vehicle floor or the subsurface directly.

The lever arms of the contact elements can be arranged in a star shape relative to one another, with contact surfaces of the contact elements being able to be arranged proximally and the pivot bearings being arranged distally. With the star-shaped arrangement of the lever arms, it is possible to position the contact elements or their contact surfaces in a central region of the star-shaped arrangement in such a way that only one through opening can be formed for all contact elements. In addition, an area where contact is made and thus a transmission of electrical energy between the charging contact device and the contact device is kept comparatively small, which reduces the design effort for the charging system and electrical safety, for example covering the opening or the like. It is also possible, thanks to the star-shaped arrangement of the lever arms, to arrange the pivot bearings towards the outside and so on spaced apart from each other, which enables a generous structural design of the pivot bearings.

The body can be made of a plastic material in one piece or in several parts. The body can be produced easily and inexpensively in large quantities, for example by injection molding, transfer molding, compression molding or another primary molding process. The body can also be coated with a plastic material. In particular, the body can consist of a plastic material or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The body can be designed in one piece, i.e. in one piece, and can already be formed as a finished part together with, for example, the through opening. Alternatively, it is also possible for the body to be designed in several parts, in which case the body can then be composed of several parts, which can then also be formed using the original molding processes mentioned above. This is particularly advantageous if the body has a complex geometry. Because the body is or consists of a dielectric material, there is no need for any special electrical insulation of the contact elements.

The body can be formed with a base element which forms the surface of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device. Since the surface of the contact unit carrier usually comes into contact with charging contacts of the charging contact device during a contacting process, it is particularly advantageous if this surface is made of a dielectric material. It is then also possible for the pivot bearings to be formed on the base element. With the base element, together with the contact elements or contact units, an assembly can then be created, which significantly simplifies further assembly of the contact device. The base element can, for example, be designed in one piece and assembled with other components of the body. The pivot bearing can be formed by at least one bearing eye or at least one bearing pin of the body, wherein the bearing eye or the bearing pin can be attached to a respective mounting base of the body by means of a screw connection. If the pivot bearing is formed by at least one bearing eye, the contact element can form a bearing pin or the contact element can be connected to the bearing eye via an axis. Alternatively, the pivot bearing can be formed by two bearing eyes or two bearing journals of the body. The bearing eyes or bearing journals can then be arranged on both sides of the lever arm or the contact element, so that lateral tilting and jamming of the lever arm on the pivot bearing is avoided. Furthermore, the bearing eye or the bearing pin can be formed from a dielectric material, for example a plastic material. The bearing eye or the bearing journal can then be produced inexpensively and in large numbers in a primary molding process, for example by injection molding. The mounting base of the body can already have recesses for receiving screws of the screw connection or blind holes with a thread. If the body is made of a plastic material, self-tapping screws can also be used to create the screw connection. It is also possible to vary the different distances of the pivot bearing relative to the surface via the bearing eye or the bearing journal. To form the pivot bearings, different bearing eyes or bearing journals can be used, which have a different height, so that the desired distance of the pivot bearing from the surface of the contact unit carrier can be achieved by simply selecting the suitable bearing eye or journal. However, it is also possible to design the respective mounting bases of the body with a suitable height or to use adapter bases that are mounted between the bearing eye or the bearing pin and the mounting base. Then all mounting bases can be at the same level and they can be identical Bearing eyes or bearing journals can be used. The desired height is then adjusted using adapter bases of different heights.

The pivot bearing can have a bearing bush made of a dielectric material on an axis of the pivot bearing. This makes it possible for pivot bearings to be made from a conductive material, such as metal. The bearing bush can, for example, be pressed into a bearing eye or onto the axle and thereby firmly mounted there. In addition to radial storage, axial storage can also be implemented using the bearing bush. If the pivot bearing is formed, for example, by two bearing eyes or bearing journals, two bearing bushes can also be used. The bearing bushing can ensure maintenance-free maintenance or lubrication of the pivot bearing, for example using graphite as a material of the bearing bushing.

The body can be designed with ribs which divide an interior of the body and each form a receiving space for the contact elements. The ribs can be formed at least in sections vertically relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier and run in the interior of the body. The ribs can be arranged in a star shape, such that a contact element is arranged between two ribs in a receiving space designed in this way. It can also be provided that the pivot bearing is located outside the receiving space. The ribs can therefore have a recess through which an axis of the pivot bearing can pass. The ribs make it possible to protect the pivot bearing from any contamination that could enter the area of the contact elements through the through opening. Furthermore, the ribs can also electrically insulate the contact elements from each other and, for example, prevent an arc due to moisture.

The body can be designed with stops for one contact element each, with the contact elements in a rest position on the can be positioned at different stops. In the rest position, the contact elements are then positioned deviating from the contact position in such a way that the contact elements protrude at different heights relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier. Depending on the position and design of the respective stops, these different heights can be located together with the respective distances of the pivot bearings from the surface. Consequently, the stops can also be adapted to the different distances between the pivot bearings and the surface. A stop can, for example, be formed from a simple extension which is molded onto the body or is formed by it. Furthermore, it is also possible for a stop to be designed with an adjusting device in order to adjust a height of the contact element in the rest position. This can be, for example, a simple screw that then forms the stop.

A spring of the contact unit can cause a spring force on the contact element, such that the contact element can be pressed towards a charging contact. A resilient mounting of the contact element can be carried out by a compression spring, in particular a spiral spring, on the contact element or in the area of the pivot bearing. As a result, a point contact can be formed with a charging contact under spring tension. A spring force can be selected so that the contact element is always pressed towards the charging contact and moved into a front end position or rest position when the contact element is not in contact with a charging contact.

The spring can be a coiled torsion spring which can be mounted on an axis of the pivot bearing. The torsion spring can be wound around the axis of the pivot bearing in the manner of a helical spring. Respective ends of the spring can be designed to be free-standing in the radial direction, so that the ends of the spring can be crossed relative to one another about the axis to form a spring force. An end to the Torsion spring can be applied or fixed to the contact element, for example by inserting it into a hole in the contact element or lever arm. Another end of the torsion spring can be fixed to the body. Since the body is made of a dielectric material, current flow through the torsion spring can then be avoided.

The contact unit can have an adjusting device for adjusting a spring preload or the spring force of the spring. If the spring rests on the body, the adjusting device can be formed on the body. The adjusting device can be, for example, a screw with which the spring can be preloaded. For example, as part of maintenance of the contact device, a spring preload can be easily adjusted for all contact units.

Furthermore, a connecting line can be attached directly to the contact element. The connecting line can, for example, be attached to the contact element at an opposite end of the lever arm, adjacent to the pivot bearing. For this purpose, a hole can be formed in the contact element, to which a connecting lug of the connecting line can be easily attached using a screw. The connecting line can then be moved together with the contact element when it is pivoted. A contact resistance between the connecting cable and the contact element is then particularly low.

The contact unit can be designed in such a way that a current of >300 amperes, preferably >800 amperes, can be transmitted via the contact element at a voltage of >600 volts. Consequently, a power of >750 kW, preferably up to 1500 kW, can be transmitted via the contact unit. It may then also be sufficient to simply provide a connection line for connection to the respective contact element. The vehicle can also be charged more quickly because higher currents can be transmitted in a shorter time. Given- If so, a larger number of contact units can also be provided on the contact unit carrier in order to be able to transmit even greater power.

The contact unit carrier can have at least five, preferably seven, contact elements, wherein at least two contact elements can form power contacts, two contact elements can form data contacts, and one contact element can form a ground contact. Since a defined order in the production of the contact pairings of contact elements and charging contacts can be ensured due to the different heights of the contact elements relative to the surface of the contact unit carrier, it can be provided that the ground contact is contacted first, followed by the data contacts and then the power contacts. For example, four power contacts can be provided to transmit a particularly high power.

The charging system according to the invention comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device and a contact device according to the invention. The positioning device, the charging contact device and the contact device can be arranged underneath a vehicle or are arranged on or in a subsurface and on or in a vehicle floor of the vehicle.

The positioning device can have a cylinder, articulated arm, pantograph or a rocker, by means of which the contact unit carrier can be positioned in at least a vertical direction relative to the charging contact device, wherein the contact device can be arranged on a vehicle or a charging station. The charging contact device or the contact device can include the positioning device, so that either the charging contact device can be moved in the direction of the contact device or the contact device can be moved in the direction of the charging contact device by means of the positioning device during a contacting process. Further advantageous embodiments of a charging system result from the subclaims referring back to claim 1.

In principle, the invention can be used for any type of electric vehicle that is operated with batteries that need to be recharged.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a top side of a contact device;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an underside of the contact device;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the contact device;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the contact device;

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the contact device;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the contact device from below;

7 shows a first longitudinal sectional view of the contact device;

8 shows a second longitudinal sectional view of the contact device;

Fig. 9 is a third longitudinal sectional view of the contact device.

A synopsis of FIGS. 1 to 9 shows a contact device 10, which can be arranged below a vehicle, not shown here. A charging contact device with charging contacts is provided on the vehicle, which can be contacted with the contact device 10 to form an electrically conductive connection. For this purpose, the contact device 10 can, for example, comprise a positioning device, not shown here, by means of which a movement of the contact device can be carried out in the direction of the charging contact device and back. The contact device 10 can, for example, be arranged on or in a surface that can be driven on by the vehicle and thus form a charging system together with the charging contact device on the vehicle.

The contact device comprises a contact unit carrier 11 with contact units 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. The contact units 12 to 16 have a contact element 19 and the contact units 17 and 18 each have a contact element 20. The contact elements 19 and 20 protrude at different heights relative to a surface 21 of the contact unit carrier 11 facing the charging contact device, with the contact elements 19 and 20 being shown here in a contact position in which contact surfaces 22 and 23 of the contact elements 19 and 20 are in one common contact level 24 are positioned. Furthermore, the contact elements 19 and 20 are designed with lever arms 25 and 26, respectively, each of which has a rod-shaped extension 27 and 28 with the contact surface 22 and 23, respectively. The contact unit 12 is used to form a grounding contact, the contact units 13 to 16 are each used to form a power contact and the contact units 17 and 18 are used to form a data contact with charging contacts not shown here.

The contact unit carrier 11 further has a body 29, which is formed here with a base element 30. The body 29 or the base element 30 is made of a dielectric material, in particular a plastic material, and has through openings

3 1 in the surface 21, through which the extensions 27 and 28 pass. Furthermore, the lever arms 25 and 26 are each on pivot bearings

32 to 38 of the body 29 is pivotally mounted relative to the surface 21. The pivot bearings 32 to 38 are formed on the body 29 and at least two of the pivot bearings 32 to 38 are arranged at different distances relative to the surface 21. The lever arms 25 and 26 of the contact elements 19 and 20 are arranged in a star shape relative to one another, with the contact surfaces 22 and 23 being arranged proximally relative to the star-shaped arrangement. Consequently, the pivot bearings 32 to 38 are arranged di stal in such a way that sufficient space is available for forming the pivot bearings 32 to 38.

The body 29 is formed with ribs 39 which run vertically and divide an interior 40 of the body 29 and thus form receiving spaces 41 for the contact elements 19 and 20. The pivot bearings 32 to 38 of the body 29 are each designed with two bearing eyes 42, which in turn are fastened to a mounting base 43 of the body 29 by means of screws 44. The bearing eyes 42 are formed with a bearing bush 45, in which an axis 46 of the respective pivot bearing 32 to 38 is mounted. In the example shown here, the mounting bases 43 are designed at different heights or distances relative to the surface 21, so that correspondingly differently spaced pivot bearings 32 to 38 can be formed relative to the surface 21 when using essentially similar contact elements 19 or 20 becomes possible. The pivot bearings 32 to 38 are each formed with a torsion spring 47, which is held on the axis 46 or surrounds it in sections. One end 48 of the torsion spring 47 is inserted into a bore 49 on the respective contact element 19 or 20, with one end 50 of the torsion spring 47 being positioned on a contact surface 51 of the body 29. A spring force of the respective torsion spring 47 is preset by relative positioning of the bore 49 and system 51.

Stops 52 for the respective lever arms 25 and 26 are also formed on the body 29. The stops 52 are designed so that when the contact elements 19 and 20 are in a rest position, they protrude at different heights relative to the surface 21. Included the lever arms 25 and 26 are pressed against the stops 52 with a spring preload via the torsion spring 47.

The contact elements 19 and 20 are electrically connected via connecting lines not shown here. The contact units 12 to 16 or their contact elements 19 are here with comparatively large ones

Connecting lugs 53 are provided with holes 54. The connecting cables can be screwed to the holes 54 or the connecting lugs 53.

An underside 55 of the body 29 is formed with a mounting plate 56 for attaching the contact element carrier 11 to the positioning device.

Claims

Claims Contact device (10) for a charging system for electrically powered vehicles, in particular passenger cars, trucks, buses or the like, wherein the charging system can be arranged below a vehicle and comprises a positioning device, a charging contact device and the contact device with a contact unit carrier (1 1), wherein the Contact unit carrier has at least two contact units (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), with contact elements (19, 20) of the contact units each being able to contact charging contacts of the charging contact device to form a contact pairing, the contact unit carrier being relatively relative by means of the positioning device can be positioned in a contact position relative to the charging contact carrier, such that an electrically conductive connection can be formed between the vehicle and a charging station, the at least two contact elements protruding at different heights relative to a surface (21) of the contact unit carrier facing the charging contact device, the contact elements are each designed with a lever arm (25, 26), characterized in that the contact unit carrier has a body (29) which with a dielectric material and with at least one through opening (31) for the contact elements in the surface facing the charging contact device, the lever arm being on a pivot bearing (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) of the body relative to the surface is pivotally mounted, the pivot bearings being formed on the body and arranged at different distances relative to the surface.

2. Contact device according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective lever arms (25, 26) of the at least two contact elements (19, 20), preferably the at least two contact elements, are identical.

3. Contact device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the contact position a contact surface (22, 23) of the contact elements (19, 20) and a charging contact surface of the charging contacts are each in a contact plane (24) parallel relative to a vehicle floor and / or are arranged on a substrate.

4. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever arms (25, 26) of the contact elements (19, 20) are arranged in a star shape relative to one another, with contact surfaces (22, 23) of the contact elements proximal and the pivot bearings (32, 33 , 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) are arranged distally.

5. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (29) is made of a plastic material in one piece or in several parts. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (29) is formed with a base element (30) which forms the surface (21) of the contact unit carrier (11) facing the charging contact device. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot bearing (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) is formed by at least one bearing eye (42) or at least one bearing pin of the body (29), the bearing eye or the bearing pin is attached to a mounting base (43) of the body by means of a screw connection. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary bearing (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) has a bearing bush (45) made of a dielectric material on an axis (46) of the rotary bearing. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (29) is designed with ribs (39) which divide an interior (40) of the body and each form a receiving space (41) for the contact elements (19, 20). Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (29) is designed with stops (52) for each contact element (19, 20), the contact elements being positionable in a rest position on the respective stops. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring of the contact unit (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) causes a spring force on the contact element (19, 20) in such a way that the contact element moves in the direction of a charging contact is pressed. Contact device according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring is a coiled torsion spring (47) which is mounted on an axis (46) of the pivot bearing (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38). Contact device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the contact unit (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) has an adjusting device for adjusting a spring preload of the spring. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting line is attached directly to the contact element (19, 20). Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) is designed such that a current of > 300 A, preferably of > 800 A can be transmitted at a voltage of > 600 V. Contact device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact unit carrier (11) has at least five, preferably seven ben contact elements (19, 20), wherein at least two contact elements form power contacts, two contact elements form data contacts and one contact element forms a ground contact. Charging system with a positioning device, a charging contact device and a contact device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Charging system according to claim 17, characterized in that the positioning device has a cylinder, articulated arm, pantograph or a rocker, by means of which the contact unit carrier (11) can be positioned in at least a vertical direction relative to the charging contact device, the contact device (10) can be arranged on a vehicle or a charging station.