Abstract:
The upper lateral collection structure ( 8 ) is mounted on a land vehicle ( 1 ), notably an urban public transport vehicle, and cooperates, for the purpose of overhead electrical power supply to the vehicle, with fixed contact slippers ( 16 ) located along its route. This structure comprises: a conducting track ( 14 ) arranged longitudinally (NEW) the upper lateral part of the vehicle and comprising a contact region ( 15 ) for the contact slipper; an electrical connection connecting the conducting track to the electrical circuit of the vehicle; an insulating support ( 24 ) on which the conducting track is mounted; a means of mechanical connection of the collecting structure to the vehicle; and a damping device which damps out the shocks resulting from the contact slipper and ensures satisfactory contact between the conducting track and the contact slipper. This invention is of benefit to the manufacturers of electrically powered public transport vehicles.

Description:
This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/IB2011/051315 filed Mar. 29, 2011, which claims priority from French patent application serial no. 10 01268 filed Mar. 29, 2010. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns an upper structure attached to a land transportation vehicle, for example, a public urban transportation vehicle, for collecting main drive and auxiliary electrical energy. 
     In particular, it relates to an upper lateral collection structure, that is, one located in the upper lateral portion of the vehicle that may be attached to either the vehicle&#39;s lateral roof edge or the upper edge of the vehicle&#39;s lateral side wall. 
     This storage structure cooperates with fixed aerial electrical energy distribution equipment placed along the vehicle&#39;s travel route, specifically in the form of supply shoes supported by electrical energy distribution arms, each attached to a post or any other type of fixed support. 
     The present invention generally concerns aerial supply of electrical energy, and not ground supply, to a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the field of public passenger transportation, the present tendency is to manufacture vehicles with lowered floors to facilitate entering and exiting of passengers, strollers and wheelchairs either inside or outside the vehicle. These vehicles are also responsive to the increasingly numerous regulations imposed to improve accessibility for handicapped people or those with reduced mobility. 
     Because the vehicles have been lowered, much of the operational and technical equipment such as, for example, hydraulic, electrical, ventilation, air conditioning, regulatory, energy supply equipment and the like, formerly housed in the lower portion of the vehicle, must be displaced and has been transposed to the vehicle roof, where it is generally housed in roof containers. 
     The vehicle roof, therefore, becomes very encumbered and if aerial supply of electricity to the vehicle is desired, very little space remains available for installing aerial electrical collection structures, such as pantographs and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The goal of the invention is to provide a novel upper electrical energy collection structure attached not to the central portion of the vehicle roof, but rather to the upper lateral portion of the vehicle, that is, on the lateral edge of the vehicle roof or the upper edge of the lateral side wall of the vehicle. 
     The central portion of the roof is therefore left completely free for roof containers and the technical equipment they hold. 
     In addition, maintenance of these storage structures is greatly facilitated because being more accessible, they can be reached directly using lateral bridges installed on the side of the vehicle. 
     To resolve this technical problem, the invention provides an upper motive or auxiliary electrical energy collection structure for attachment to a land vehicle, particularly a public urban transportation vehicle, articulated or non-articulated, and formed of one or more modules. This upper collection structure cooperates to supply motive or auxiliary electricity to the vehicle using fixed supports comprising an electrical energy distribution shoe and which are located along the vehicle&#39;s travel route. 
     According to the invention, this upper collection structure comprises one or more collection elements, each comprising the following means:
         at least one conductive track disassociated from the vehicle that extends generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle on its upper lateral portion and which comprises a sliding or motionless contact area for the electrical energy distribution shoe.   a flexible electrical connector joining the conductive track to the vehicle&#39;s electrical supply circuit;   an electrically insulating support to which the conductive track is attached;   a mechanical means connecting the collection element to the vehicle; and   a suspension and damping device to deaden shocks coming from the electrical energy distribution shoe and ensure satisfactory contact between the conductive track and the electrical energy distribution shoe.       

     According to a preferred embodiment, in at least one of the collection elements the conductive track advantageously has, on at least one extremity, a sloping portion forming an inclined ramp engaging the electrical energy distribution shoe. 
     The one or more upper lateral collection structures, of the invention, may coexist with different types of conventional collection structures on the same vehicle, notably a pantograph, thereby forming a mixed collection system supplying the vehicle either simultaneously or alternately. 
     Therefore, if a city is already equipped with conventional catenary sections, for example, the vehicle may advantageously be supplied using a pantograph for these sections, and using the upper lateral collection structures of the invention on new tracks equipped with fixed equipment adapted for distribution of electrical energy. Therefore, it is not necessary to redo the old portions of the network; only the new portions before grading. 
     Additionally, the fixed electrical distribution equipment that cooperates with the upper lateral collection structures of the invention is also advantageous. Since the collection structure of the invention is actually in the upper lateral position and not the central position, the fixed arms supporting the electrical distribution shoes can be shorter, that is, they can overlap less. Since they protrude less over the track, they leave the central track space free for use by taller passing vehicles, such as emergency or service vehicles: fire, police, maintenance, first aid and various assistance vehicles. 
     According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the vehicle may comprise two upper lateral collection structures, according to the invention, each extending along a side of the vehicle. One of these structures can be used to bring electrical current to the vehicle, while the second one is used for returning current. Therefore, it is possible to supply electrical energy to vehicles which have no other means of current return, such as coaches or buses on wheels with tires, for example. 
     Obviously, current return can be accomplished in any other way conceived by a person skilled in the art, for example, using a guide rail on the ground for vehicles guided in this way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics and features of the invention will be apparent from reading the following detailed description, taken with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a profile view of a tramway type of public urban transportation vehicle formed of several successive modules articulated one after the other and equipped with two upper lateral collection structures according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective of the detail circled and referenced as II in  FIG. 1 , showing with more particularity the front end of a first embodiment of the collection structure according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective of the detail circled and referenced as III in  FIG. 1 , showing with more particularity the first embodiment of the collection structure of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead view of a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  on a straight travel portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a transverse cross-section, taken along plane  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 , of the upper portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing with more particularity a first embodiment of the upper lateral structure of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an overhead view of a tramway type of public urban transport vehicle equipped with two upper lateral collection structures according to the first embodiment of the invention and with a pantograph, with the vehicle located on a curved portion of its route; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are enlargements of the details circled and referenced as VII and VIII in  FIG. 6 , which represent the collection structure of the invention at the area where a module and an intermediate articulation unit of the vehicle are joined, located on the exterior and the interior side of the curve, respectively; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a tramway type of public urban transport vehicle equipped with two upper lateral collection structures, according to the invention, and with a pantograph, with the vehicle located in electrical energy collection position using one of the upper lateral collection structures which is in sliding contact with an electrical energy distribution shoe on a fixed support placed along the vehicle&#39;s travel route; 
         FIG. 10  is a profile view of a bus type of public urban transport vehicle equipped with upper lateral collection structures, according to the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the vehicle of  FIG. 10  in electrical energy collection position; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of a tramway type of public urban transport vehicle equipped with two upper lateral collection structures, according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlargement of a detail in  FIG. 12  showing with more particularity one of the upper lateral collection structures in supply contact with a fixed supply shoe; 
         FIG. 14  is an overhead view of a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The upper lateral collection structure, according to the present invention, will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 14 . Equivalent elements shown in different drawings will bear the same reference numerals. 
     The upper electrical energy collection structure, according to the invention, is preferably designed for a public urban transportation vehicle  1 . 
     It may be a tramway type vehicle, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6  and  9 , that is, a vehicle forming a series consisting of a succession of several modules  3  each comprising an access door  4  and windows  5 . The modules  3  are articulated, one after the other, by means of intermediary articulating units  6  each supported by a guided or non-guided axle. 
     It may also be a tramway type vehicle comprising only a single module or two successive modules that may or may not communicate with each other, or even several coupled vehicles. 
     It may also be a bus type vehicle  7  as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  comprising only a single module  3  or two successive articulated modules. 
     The vehicle  1  comprises at least one upper lateral electrical energy collection structure  8 , according to the invention, extending on the upper lateral portion of the vehicle, that is, at a lateral edge  9  of vehicle roof  10  or at the upper edge  11  of one of the lateral side walls  12  of the vehicle. 
     For safety reasons and in order to prevent any accidental or malicious contact, collection structure  8  of the invention must be placed high enough to remain inaccessible not only to passengers, pedestrians or anyone who might be in proximity of vehicle  1 , but also beyond the reach of umbrellas, canes, packages, and any object that is large or held aloft. For this reason, it is always located above vehicle doors  4  and preferably at a height of three or more meters above the ground. 
     Depending upon the embodiment, vehicle  1  may be equipped with a single upper lateral collection structure  8  according to the invention on one of its sides, or two upper lateral collection structures  8 , according to the invention, each extending along one of its sides. 
     If vehicle  1  comprises two upper lateral collection structures  8 , they may be used alternately, for example, depending upon the placement of fixed electrical energy distribution sources implanted along the different portions of the route or depending upon the vehicle&#39;s direction of travel. When the vehicle is in a station, it may be designed to use only the collection structure located on the side opposite the platform, for example, in order to further safeguard the passengers. 
     These collection structures may also be used simultaneously, for example to furnish a stronger supply of electricity during startup, during the entire length of the route, in certain specific locations along its route, or for dual polarity electrical supply with the second collection structure ensuring current return when the vehicle has no other means to accomplish this. 
     Depending upon the vehicles on which it is implanted, lateral collection structure  8 , according to the invention, may comprise one or more successive collection structures  13 . When vehicle  1  is formed of several modules  3 , upper lateral collection structure  8  preferably comprises several collection structures  13  distributed on the various vehicle modules  3  and preferably one collection element  13  per module  3  of the vehicle  1 . 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  comprises a flexible electrical connection that electrically connects its one or more conductive tracks to the electrical supply circuit for vehicle  1 . This electrical connection is preferably formed of one or more flexible supply conductors, for example, located on the extremities of collection structure  8  or preferably for increased reliability, at each collection element  13  to ensure a continuous supply of electricity to the vehicle, even if the continuity of electrical supply to upper lateral collection structure  8  is interrupted. 
     To improve safety and decrease the risk of accidental electrocution during contact with a conductive track, the electrical connection of collection structure  8  preferably comprises one or more diodes. The conductive track of each collection structure  8  or preferably of each collection element  13  is thus connected to the vehicle&#39;s electrical supply circuit via one or more safety diodes. 
     These diodes allow passage from the conductive track to the vehicle&#39;s electrical circuit and they are blocked in the opposite direction. Therefore, they only allow current to pass from the conductive track toward the vehicle&#39;s electrical circuit and they block any current from returning toward the conductive track. Thus, they guarantee that the conductive tracks, not supplied directly by an electrical energy distribution shoe, are not electrified and remain so even if, during this time, the electrical circuit of vehicle  1  is supplied by some other means such as a pantograph, for example, or a supplemental reserve supply of electrical energy. 
     This arrangement greatly improves not only the safety of passengers and others who might be in the vicinity of the vehicle, but also of maintenance operators and other technical personnel frequently required to work on the vehicle roof. 
     The collection structure  8  of the invention may be interrupted in the area of the vehicle&#39;s articulations, as shown in the example of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , to allow rolling, pitching and twisting motions associated with travel and topology of the travel surface, as well as the relative moving together and separating of successive modules associated with vehicle acceleration, deceleration or braking and, in general, to vehicle dynamics. 
     According to another possible embodiment, collection elements  13  may be connected to one another near the vehicle&#39;s articulations by a conductive connector, for example, by an articulated sliding connector or one that is sufficiently flexible, elastic or deformable to adapt to various relative movements by the successive modules of vehicle  1  articulated to one another. 
     It is also possible for intermediate articulation units  6  of vehicle  1  to be equipped with a different type of collection elements or even to have none, especially if the vehicle is equipped with its own electrical energy supply (batteries, inertia flywheels). 
     According to the invention, upper lateral collection structure  8 , or each of its collection elements  13 , comprises a conductive track  14  extending generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle and comprising a portion capable of serving as a sliding or motionless contact area  15  with a block or electrical energy distribution shoe  16  held by a fixed support  17  located along the travel route of vehicle  1 . 
     There are numerous types of fixed supports  17  that may be used with upper lateral collection structure  8  of the invention. For example, they may be poles such as poles  18 , posts, signal panels, the lower or lateral surface of a bridge, tunnel, building façade, travel shelter or any other piece of fixed equipment located near the route traveled by the vehicle. Each of these fixed supports  17  holds one or more electrical energy distribution shoes  16 , using, for example, an arm  19  projecting perpendicularly to the travel path of vehicle  1 . Each distribution shoe  16  comes into contact with contact zone  15  on collection structure  8  when vehicle  1  is located near the fixed support  17  and thus ensures that electrical energy is supplied to vehicle  1 . This contact may be motionless or sliding depending upon whether the vehicle is stopped near fixed support  17  or is being displaced and passes close to it. 
     To supply vehicle  1  during travel, a multitude of fixed supports  17  must be provided all along the vehicle&#39;s travel route or in localized areas on the route. The spacing between these supports depends upon the motive or auxiliary electrical energy supply requirements. For example, the spacing may be chosen so that there is always a distribution shoe  16  in contact with collection structure  8  regardless of the position of vehicle  1  along its travel route. Naturally, these fixed supports  17  may be spaced much farther apart and their placement may be limited to certain localized places along the course, for example, if the vehicle comprises a means of storing electrical energy. 
     The conductive track  14  on upper lateral collection structure  8  is preferably a linear track extending generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle. It may be formed of a bar, for example, a rod, a metal wire  20  or any other metal element with a large enough section, particularly a wire made of copper and silver alloy. Under certain conditions of use this metal wire  20  may advantageously be mounted on a conductive portion  21 , made of aluminum, for example, in order to increase its section and thereby its capacity to accept a higher current density without overheating. 
     Conductive track  14  may be rectilinear or preferably curved or undulating, for example, following a serpentine path that alternates toward the inside and then the outside of the vehicle as in the preferential examples shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , or a zigzag, winding, or any other non-linear configuration conceivable by a person skilled in the art, generally proceeding in an essentially longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle. 
     Using such an undulating configuration for conductive track  14  prevents the formation of a groove from wear on electrical energy distribution shoes  16  on fixed supports  17 . Wear and tear on distribution shoes  15  is advantageously distributed over a larger surface, thereby reducing the frequency of replacement. 
     Conductive track  14  has a contact zone  15 , for example, a generally flat, smooth surface designed to cooperate with electrical energy distribution shoe  16 . According to variations of the invention, this contact zone  15  may be oriented toward the top of the vehicle, as in  FIGS. 1 through 11 , or toward the exterior side of the vehicle, as in  FIGS. 12 through 14 . The block or electrical energy distribution shoe  16  as well as its fixed support  17  are consequently adapted to ensure satisfactory contact with contact zone  15  on conductive track  14 , regardless of its orientation. 
     Preferably, conductive track  14  has, at least at one end, a sloping portion  22  forming an inclined ramp engaging electrical energy distribution shoe  16 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , for example. This inclined engaging ramp serves as a contact surface for distribution shoe  16  to form the smoothest possible initial mechanical and electrical contact, progressively, gently moving distribution shoe  16  onto contact zone  15  of conductive track  14 . 
     Naturally, the direction of the angle of this sloping portion  22  depends upon the general orientation of conductive track  14 . Therefore, when contact zone  15  of conductive track  14  is directed upward, that is, when it faces upward, this sloping portion  22  points down, that is, it is angled toward the bottom, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for example. 
     Conversely, when contact zone  15  on conductive track  14  is directed toward the exterior side of the vehicle as in the variation show in  FIGS. 12 through 14 , sloping portion  22  is angled toward the inside of the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 14 . In this way it forms an attack ramp facilitating contact with an electrical energy distribution shoe  16  disposed essentially vertically. In this case sloping portion  22  can advantageously follow the curve of the extremity of vehicle  1 . At the vehicle extremities, the shape of the chassis actually curves progressively towards its central portion. 
     Preferably there is a sloping portion  22  forming an angled ramp at the front and rear of upper lateral collection structure  8  of the invention, and even more preferably, at the front and rear of each collection element  13  on this collection structure  8  to permit the electrical energy distribution shoe  16  to pass smoothly from one collection element  13  to the other, and thus from one vehicle module  3  to the next module  3  while vehicle  1  is moving forward. To establish contact smoothly, conductive track  14  on collection structure  8  may advantageously begin and end, if the vehicle is bidirectional, with a sloping portion  22  serving as a ramp. The ramp is oriented so as to correctly displace electrical energy distribution shoe  16  to allow it to function properly. Preferably, such a ramp also exists at each terminal portion of collection element  13  in order to prevent distribution shoe  16  from jumping or jamming during vehicle displacement. 
     In a simpler variation concerning a unidirectional vehicle, for example, such a sloping portion  22  serving as a ramp may be necessary only at the front of conductive track  14 , on the side making contact with the distribution shoe. 
     Advantageously, and as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6  through  8 , conductive tracks  14  of two successive collection elements  13  may extend side by side at their adjacent end portions  23  in order to ensure electrical continuity when electrical energy distribution shoe  16  passes from one collection element to the other due to the forward motion of vehicle  1 . This transition may be further facilitated by the presence of a sloping portion  22  forming an inclined ramp at the end of each of these adjacent end portions  23 . 
     Such a side-by-side disposition of end portions  23  of conductive tracks  14  of two successive collection elements  13  allows conductive track  14  to be locally doubled in this area. With a large enough electrical energy distribution shoe  16 , electrical continuity can be guaranteed even if collection elements  13  remain independent and mechanically discontinuous and conductive tracks  14  are not in contact with one another. It is, therefore, possible to maintain a continuous electricity supply from collection elements  13  that are discontinuous and capable of being displaced relative to one another, which is the case at the articulations between different vehicle modules during travel. 
       FIGS. 6 through 8  show with more particularity this general technical functioning for a preferred embodiment of the invention. When vehicle  1  is located on a curved portion of its trajectory, modules  3  and the intermediate articulation modules  6  composing them are displaced relative to one another to follow the turn. On the outside of the curve, the extremities of modules  3  and of intermediate articulation units  6  move apart from one another, as seen in detail in  FIG. 7 . Conversely, on the inside of the curve, the extremities of modules  3  and of intermediate articulation units  6  move closer together as shown in detail in  FIG. 8 . On certain vehicles the rigid lateral walls of intermediate articulation units  6  are displaced laterally, during turns relative to the lateral walls of the other modules  3  on the vehicle, by moving apart toward the interior of the turn. 
     These relative displacements by the various modules  3  and units  6  on vehicle  1  create comparable movements at the level of collection structures  8 . All these movements are made possible because of the mechanical discontinuity existing between each successive collection element  13  supported by the various modules  3  and units  6  of the vehicle that remain mechanically independent from one another. However, the localized doubling of conductive tracks  14  on each collection element  13 , at their respective end portions  23 , allows a continuity of electrical supply to be maintained by using electrical distribution units  16  adapted in size, even on curved portions of the trajectory. 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  of the invention, or each of its collection elements  13 , also comprises a support  24  to which conductive track  14  is attached and which allows conductive track  14  to be mechanically held. This support  24  is made of electrically insulating material in order to electrically insulate the conductive track  14  from the rest of vehicle  1 . 
     Support  24  may be formed as one piece that is continuous along the entire collection structure  8  or along each of the collection elements  13 . It may also be perforated or formed of an assembly of supporting posts or any other electrically insulating structure capable of mechanically supporting conductive track  14 . 
     Preferably upper collection structure  8  also comprises an outer wall  25  to at least partially hide collection structure  8  for aesthetic reasons. It covers collection structure  8  to make it inconspicuous and attractive. Preferably, it may consist of a lateral wall extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle and in the extension of the vehicle&#39;s lateral side wall  12 , said outer wall  25  preferably being continuous along each collection element  13 . 
     In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the extremities of this outer wall may be shaped like ramps, in the same way as the collection structure, so as to integrate and unify sloping portions  22  of conductive track  14  as aesthetically as possible. 
     This outer wall  25  may also serve as a protective wall by at least partially masking conductive track  14  or making this conductive track  14  less accessible to passengers and pedestrians. Additionally, it may serve as supplemental protection from electrical shocks and serve as a sound barrier. 
     Outer wall  25  may be independent from support  24  or assembled on it. It may also be formed as one piece with support  24  as in the preferred embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 1 through 9 . 
     Preferably, outer wall  25  is not directly in contact with the vehicle body. A free space  26  may advantageously be left between the two for evacuating rainwater. This space also limits transmission of structure-borne noise, for example, when collection structure  8  is attached to suspension blocks. 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  of the invention also comprises a mechanical connection means  27  for joining and assembling upper lateral collection structure  8  or each of its collection elements  13  to vehicle  1 . This mechanical connection means may be any type whatsoever. 
     For example, as in the first variation of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , it may be one or more connecting arms  28 , one extremity  29  of which is affixed to support  24  and the other extremity  30  of which is affixed to or mounted directly or indirectly on the vehicle. In the situation shown, these connecting arms  28  are affixed to a structure that is also insulating so as to offer a supplemental barrier to the circulation of electrical current. Upper lateral collection structure  8  comprises, depending on its length, one or more connecting arms  28  and preferably two connecting arms  28  for each collection element  13  on structure  8 , each of these arms  28  being placed at one of the extremities of the collection structure  13  concerned, for example. 
     In the embodiment shown, these connecting arms  28  are placed on vehicle roof  10  where they extend generally transverse to the vehicle, for example, as far as the central portion of roof  10  to which they are directly or indirectly joined by their end  30 , preferably by a pivot articulation such as articulation  31 . Extremity  30  of connection arms  28  is mounted on a support  32  affixed to vehicle roof  10 , for example. 
     Preferably these articulations  31  are flexible articulations, for example, rubber, for effectively filtering structural noise originating from shocks during electrical contact between electrical distribution shoe  16  and conductive track  14 , or the noise from distribution shoe  16  moving along conductive track  14  during displacement of vehicle  1 . 
     Because of their pivoting articulation  31 , connecting arms  28  preferably can be raised, thereby allowing upper lateral collection structure  8  to be lifted so as to be placed well above the roof. In this raised configuration, it is possible for the roof to become totally accessible and the covers of even the largest roof containers can be opened with no difficulty. 
     Additionally, since collection structure  8  of the invention is lateral, a pantograph  33  can also be freely deployed upwards and placed in position for use if the vehicle is equipped with one. 
     Obviously other ways exist to make the vehicle&#39;s upper collection structure  8  displaceable in order to free up vehicle roof  10 , allowing different models of roof containers to be used with covers that open in various ways, as well as the possibility of using pantographs or other roof equipment deployed in various ways. 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  may tilt laterally, for example, it may be laterally extendable using telescopic connecting arms, or it may even be possible to raise or lower it vertically. All these variations and even many others are easily imagined and implemented by a person skilled in the art. 
     Depending on the applications, upper lateral collection structure  8  may also be fixed and non-displaceable. 
     According to another possible embodiment, collection structure  8  may be supported not by supplemental connecting arms  28 , but directly by the cover or lid of the roof containers, which then constitute the mechanical connection means  27 . 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  may be attached directly to the body of vehicle  1  by its mechanical connection means  27 . However, in order to further reinforce the electrical insulation, a supplemental insulating layer, for example, in the form of one or more bands  34  of insulating material ( FIG. 5 ) may be inserted between mechanical connection means  27  of collection structure  8  and the vehicle body. 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  of the invention further comprises a suspension and damping device  35  to absorb shocks coming from electrical energy distribution shoe  16  and ensure satisfactory contact between contact zone  15  of conductive track  14  and electrical energy distribution shoe  16 . 
     This suspension and damping device  35  eliminates shocks and friction between upper lateral collection structure  8  and the vehicle structure and it limits noise. 
     Suspension and damping device  35  preferably comprises one or more flexible blocks  36 , for example rubber blocks, preferably inserted between support  24  and mechanical connection means  27  or between mechanical connection means  27  and the body of vehicle  1 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  suspension and damping device  35  is formed of two flexible blocks  36  mounted on insulating band  34 , with extremity  29  of connecting arm  28  resting on them. 
     To avert the accidental and undesirable lifting of connecting arm  28  while the vehicle is in motion, a temporary means for blocking connecting arm  28  is preferably provided to prevent this movement. This temporary blocking means is a locking element  37 , for example, for joining extremity  29  of connecting arm  28  to a plate  38  integral with the two flexible blocks  36  on suspension and damping device  35 . 
     When upper lateral collection structure  8  or one of its collection elements  13  is attached to a vehicle wall having its own suspension system, it is not always necessary to add a supplemental suspension device near the collection structure. In this instance the suspension system itself on the corresponding vehicle wall constitutes the suspension and damping device  35  for upper lateral collection structure  8 . This is generally the case, for example, when collection elements  13  are attached to the rigid lateral walls of intermediate articulation units  6 . 
       FIGS. 12 through 14  illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the invention which will be succinctly described below and according to which upper lateral collection structure  8 , of the invention, is provided to cooperate with an electrical energy distribution shoe  16  that is essentially vertical or slightly angled relative to the vertical. 
     In this case, and as described previously, conductive track  14  has a contact zone  15  oriented toward the exterior of the vehicle, that is, located facing electrical energy distribution shoe  16 . 
     To prevent a groove from forming in electrical distribution shoe  16  due to wear, conductive track  14  is curved and it follows a serpentine path from top to bottom while remaining essentially longitudinal to the vehicle. 
     Said conductive track  14  has, at each extremity, a sloping portion  22  forming an inclined ramp engaging electrical energy distribution shoe  16 . This sloping portion  22  is angled toward the inside of the vehicle ( FIG. 14 ) and follows the curve of each end of vehicle  1 . 
     Conductive track  14 , formed of a metal rod  20  attached to a conductive aluminum piece  21 , is held on a support  24  made of insulating material that extends into an exterior lateral wall  25  forming one piece with support  24 . 
     This exterior wall  25  is located below conductive track  14  and hides support  24 , suspension and damping device  35  and mechanical connection means  27  on upper lateral collection structure  8 . Exterior wall  25  extends longitudinally relative to the vehicle in the extension of its lateral side wall  12 , but without being directly in contact with this wall  12 . 
     Upper lateral collection structure  8  is attached to the vehicle body by means of a mechanical connection  27 , fixed and attached to lateral edge  9  of roof  10  of vehicle  1 . It is also possible to attach mechanical connection  27  to the upper edge  11  of the vehicle&#39;s lateral side wall  12 . 
     Two flexible blocks  36 , inserted between support  24  and mechanical connection means  27 , constitute the suspension and damping device  35  for upper lateral collection structure  8 . 
     It is apparent that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above and shown in the various drawings, since a person skilled in the art might make numerous modifications and conceive of other variations without departing from either the scope or the context of the invention defined in the claims.