Self-supporting modular stackable slip ring module
Through the support blocks and connection devices of the self-supporting structure, the existing slip ring modules are difficult to adapt to different configurations, and the effect of flexible configuration and cost reduction is achieved, providing a more flexible slip ring module design.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410836157.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing slip ring modules are difficult to adapt to different numbers and types of sliding track configurations, and require support of shafts or tubes during manufacturing, resulting in high costs and complex assembly.
The support blocks of a self-supporting structure, including a hollow disc-shaped body of an electrically insulating material, form a rigid and torsion-resistant self-supporting structure, avoid the use of hollow tubes, and stack multiple support blocks to maintain conductive sliding tracks, Implement self-support without the need for a central shaft or bearing.
The flexible configuration and manufacturing cost of the slip ring module are achieved, and the cutting and storage of support shafts or tubes is avoided, and more internal space is provided for wiring or other rotary joints, which improves assembly flexibility and stability.
Smart Images
Figure CN119209148A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to slip rings and components thereof. The slip rings are used to transmit electrical signals and power between paired rotating parts. The slip rings may include a module having a cylindrical conductive track that rotates relative to brushes that slide on the track. Background Art
[0002] A cast slip ring module is disclosed in EP1320155A2. The conductive metal ring is cast into a plastic body held by a cylindrical metal tube. The plastic body is difficult to adapt to different embodiments due to the need to change the mold. A more flexible approach is disclosed in US2009 / 0091208A1, in which the conductive ring is stacked on a hollow tube with insulating support block segments. US2014 / 0120742A1 discloses a rotating device with stackable slip ring elements that are held together by a central rotor shaft ( Figure 3 ). Summary of the invention
[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a slip ring module and its components, which can be easily configured into different numbers and types of sliding tracks, can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner, do not require supporting shafts or tubes, and can be easily assembled.
[0004] The solution to this problem is described in the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to further developments of the invention.
[0005] A closer analysis of the slip ring modules known in the prior art shows that even the modular solution disclosed in US 2009 / 0091208 A1 cannot be easily adapted to different configurations, since at least the central hollow tube must be adapted, e.g. cut to a specific length. Therefore, a configuration that does not rely on a rigid tube of fixed length is needed.
[0006] The embodiments herein use a self-supporting structure that no longer requires such a hollow tube.
[0007] In an embodiment, the support block comprises an electrically insulating material and is configured to hold at least one electrically conductive sliding track. The support block has a hollow disc-shaped body and connection means, such as a strut, for forming a fixed connection with at least one further support block, thereby forming a rigid and torsionally resistant self-supporting support structure. Such a structure can avoid additional support structures, such as a hollow shaft.
[0008] In another embodiment, the slip ring module includes a plurality of support blocks stacked together, the plurality of support blocks having a fixed connection and holding at least one conductive sliding track. The support blocks may be identical, may have identical interfaces, or at least may have matching interfaces. The slip ring module is self-supporting and does not require a central axis or shaft. Since no support shaft or tube is required, there is no need to cut the support shaft or tube into a length specified by the width of the sliding track used, nor is there a need to stock a large number of support shafts or tubes. In addition, the internal space blocked by the shaft or reduced by the tube can be used for wiring or other types of rotary joints, such as optical joints, RF joints or dielectric joints.
[0009] In another embodiment, the slip ring comprises at least one slip ring module and at least one brush engaging with or sliding on at least one electrically conductive sliding track.
[0010] The support block may comprise a dielectric or insulating material, such as a plastic material, and have a hollow disc-shaped body. The body may be used for wiring, another slip ring or a central shaft. There is no need to connect the central shaft (if provided) to a plurality of support blocks, as the support blocks form a self-supporting structure.
[0011] The body of the support block can provide insulation between adjacent sliding tracks. The body can have a larger diameter than the sliding track, thereby providing an air gap and / or creepage distance, as well as a radial width and an axial width or thickness of the body. The axial width is defined in a direction parallel to the central axis of the body or slip ring module, which can be assembled by the support block and the track. The radial width is in a radial direction orthogonal to the central axis. In order to provide a self-supporting property with sufficient stability, the body of the support block can have a minimum radial width and / or axial width, which can depend on the outer diameter of the body. Typically, a radial width of about 10% (e.g., between 5% and 15%) of the outer diameter, or between 2% and 20%, or between 2% and 50%, has shown good results. In the example, the body of a support block with a diameter of 70 mm can have a radial width of 7 mm.
[0012] The minimum radial width may also be defined by the cross section of the wiring cables which are routed within the free inner diameter of the support blocks and rails which are subsequently assembled to the slip ring module.
[0013] The axial width or thickness of the body of the support block may be defined by the air gap and creepage requirements between adjacent rails, and may be defined by mechanical stability and manufacturing requirements, where, for example, if the support block is made of a plastic material, the manufacturing method is injection molding or 3D printing, or if the support block is made of a ceramic material, the manufacturing method is sintering or firing. Typically, an axial width of about 10% to 100% of the radial width has shown good results. In an example, the body of the support block may have a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm.
[0014] The body of the support block may hold means for cable management which may extend radially from the inner body and may include cable ties, strain reliefs or spokes for routing cables.
[0015] The body of the support block holds at least one means for engaging another support block, for example interconnecting with another support block. Such means may be at least one connecting means, which may be a protrusion, and may extend from the body in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis. In an embodiment, there are at least three equally spaced connecting means. There may also be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or any higher number of connecting means. The connecting means may be configured as protrusions and / or have a cylindrical or cuboid or any other suitable shape, and they may engage with an opening or aperture in the body of another support block, thereby creating a first support block distance that may match the axial width of the first sliding track.
[0016] In an embodiment, at least two different types of connection means may be arranged alternately or in groups at the body of the support block. There may be 6 connection means, 3 of the first type and 3 of the second type. The first type of connection means may have a top protrusion located at the end of the first type of connection means, away from the body, wherein the second type of connection means may have a recess located at the end of the second type of connection means, toward the body. The top protrusion is configured to match the recess, for example by a press fit for interconnecting the bodies. This may result in a second support block distance, which may be twice the first support block distance and may be matched with the second sliding track axial width. The top protrusion may be shaped as a dowel and the recess may be a tapered hole.
[0017] In an embodiment, at least one of each type of projections, protrusions and recesses are equally spaced.
[0018] In another embodiment, the connection device may include N types of connection devices, each type having M connection devices arranged in sequence. This may result in N*M connection devices, where N, M are integers ≥ 1. An example with three types of connection devices (N=3) and four connection devices of each type (M=4) may produce the sequence (NM) described below: 11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32, 13, 23, 33, 14, 24, 34. In a specific embodiment, the connection device may be in a configuration of N=2 and M=3, which includes 6 connection devices, where 3 first type connection devices and 3 second type connection devices are arranged alternately.
[0019] The connecting device may be positioned within a first radius that matches the inner radius of the sliding track, so that the sliding track can be placed on the connecting device. Furthermore, the connecting device may have at least one ridge radially outward and parallel to the central axis. Such a ridge provides a small and / or well-defined contact surface with the sliding track and may even be slightly squeezed by the sliding track, thereby providing higher friction and a stable placement of the sliding track.
[0020] The connecting device may be connected to the body of the support block by at least one rod or any other device configured to provide minimum flexibility for displacement in radial direction and / or tilting in axial direction to compensate for tolerances.
[0021] Furthermore, there may be at least one protrusion on the side of the body of the support block opposite to the above-mentioned connection means, which is configured to provide a connection between two support blocks. The protrusion may be configured to engage with a protrusion guide on the same side of the body on different support blocks. There may be a press-fit or snap-in connection. This allows two support blocks to be connected back to back.
[0022] In an embodiment, there may be a press fit or snap fit between at least two support blocks or even between all support blocks which is strong enough to form a self-supporting structure. Alternatively, or in addition, the support blocks may be glued or welded together after the sliding rails and / or insulating discs have been installed.
[0023] The body of the support block may include further recesses and holes, for example configured for routing of wires or for saving material and / or reducing weight.
[0024] Since the sliding track may be held on one side of the body of the support block, at least two support blocks connected together may be required to hold the sliding track in a stable position.
[0025] There may be at least one sliding track between two adjacent support blocks. A plurality of sliding tracks separated by insulating disks may also be provided. In such an embodiment, the sliding tracks and insulating disks may be configured to have a total width or thickness corresponding to the first support block distance or the second support block distance.
[0026] At least one sliding track comprises an electrically conductive material, such as brass, gold, silver or a combination thereof, and has an annular shape. The annular shape may have an inner diameter that cooperates with the support block, such as with the connecting means, and an outer diameter that may be smaller than the outer diameter of the adjacent body of the support block (e.g., a value in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm). The at least one sliding track may have means for electrical connection, such as wiring. Such means may be threaded holes, screws or welded or welded protrusions. Such means may protrude from the inner diameter into the hollow space.
[0027] In an embodiment, the slip ring module comprises a plurality of support blocks holding a plurality of sliding tracks. All support blocks of the module may be identical. The support blocks may provide at least one of the following types of connections.
[0028] Type 1 connection: The support block can be connected to another support block through the first connection means and the first top protrusion on the front side of the support block, the rear side of the other support block. The first top protrusion engages with the first group of rear holes, the second group of rear holes or the third group of rear holes.
[0029] Type 2 connection: The support block can be connected to another support block through the first connection means and the first top protrusion on the front side of the support block, the first connection means and the first top protrusion on the front side of the other support block. The first top protrusion of each support block engages with the second set of front holes of the other support block to create a staggered design.
[0030] Type 3 connection: Two support blocks can be connected by a first connection means and a first top protrusion on their front side and a second connection means on the front side, the second connection means having a hole or recess to accommodate the first top protrusion. The first top protrusion of one support block engages with the second recess of the other support block. This connection results in a larger spacing between the support blocks, which is about twice the distance of the Type 1 and Type 2 connections.
[0031] Type 4 connection: Two support blocks can be connected via their rear sides. At least one rear protrusion of any support block engages with at least one protrusion guide of the other support block.
[0032] In embodiments, at least one or more of these connections may be used.Each support block may hold at least one sliding track or a plurality of sliding tracks separated by at least one insulating disc.
[0033] The support block may have further details - for example grooves along the outer perimeter of the body to increase creepage distances. The support block may also have recesses at the axial ends to form a guide diameter for precise centering of the track. A further detail of the support block may be means for cable management along the inner perimeter of the body.
[0034] The support block may have a hole and / or a receptacle which may be closed by a thin plastic film, which may be obtained, for example, by injection molding. The film will only break when the hole or receptacle is in use, thereby preventing dust from accumulating in the hole or receptacle when not in use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the general inventive concept.
[0036] Figure 1 An embodiment of a slip ring module is shown.
[0037] Figure 2 A side view is shown.
[0038] Figure 3 A cut through the module is shown.
[0039] Figure 4 A front view of the support block is shown.
[0040] Figure 5 A rear view of the support block is shown.
[0041] Figure 6 A top view of the front side of the support block is shown.
[0042] Figure 7 A bottom view of the rear side of the same support block is shown.
[0043] Figure 8 A side view of the support block is shown.
[0044] Fig. 9 A plurality of support blocks are shown in combination.
[0045] Fig.10 The combined support blocks are shown in side view.
[0046] Fig.11 The complete slip ring assembly is shown in cross-section.
[0047] Fig.12 The complete slip ring assembly is shown in various cross-sectional views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Figure 1An embodiment of a slip ring module 100 is shown. The module includes a plurality of support blocks 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209. The support blocks may include dielectric materials, such as plastic materials. The support blocks may hold sliding tracks 310, 320. There may be different types of tracks, such as a first type of wider sliding track 310 and a second type of narrower sliding track 320. For example, the distance between support block 205 and support block 206 is large enough to support five narrow second sliding tracks, which are further separated by insulating disks 325. As shown later, support blocks may be combined in different ways, so that different distances are provided between pairs of support blocks. These distances may be occupied by one or more sliding tracks. Each support block may be interconnected with adjacent support blocks to form a firm slip ring module without the need for additional components for stabilizing and / or reinforcing the module.
[0049] Figure 2 A side view of the previous embodiment is shown. Here again, the support blocks and the sliding rails can be seen. Furthermore, a first connecting device 220 is shown, which can be a support and can be used to interconnect and / or center the support blocks. Furthermore, the Figure 3 The section plane shown in FIG. 1 passes through the center of the module.
[0050] Figure 3 A cut through a module of a previous embodiment is shown. Figure 3 A relatively complex internal structure is shown, which will be described in detail later. What can be seen is the simple structure of the first sliding track 310 and the second sliding track 320. The sliding track can be just a hollow cylindrical component, which is a conductive material, for example, copper, brass or steel or any other conductive material. The sliding track can be cut from a semi-finished tube that is cast, drawn or extruded, or can be cast, forged, drawn or printed as a single component. In addition, the insulating disk 325 can also have a very simple structure in the form of a hollow cylinder. Compared with the sliding track, the insulating disk 325 can have the same inner diameter and a slightly larger outer diameter, which helps to increase the insulation, for example, by increasing the creepage, and the insulating disk 325 can have a guide diameter (radial step along the axial thickness) to accurately center to the adjacent track.
[0051] Figure 4 shows a front view of the support block 200, and Figure 5A rear view of the same support block 200 is shown. Basically, the support block comprises a disc-shaped body 210, which can also be described as a hollow cylinder, which further has a plurality of cutouts and / or protrusions. The disc-shaped body 210 may comprise a first surface on a front side 215, which is opposite to a second surface (rear side).
[0052] From the second surface, there may be at least one recess or hole. There may be a first set of rear holes having a first diameter. These holes may be through holes, and an outlet of the body may be formed at the hole 240. These holes may have a diameter that matches the first top protrusion 222 of the first connecting device 220 that protrudes from the first surface 215. This may allow a relatively stable connection to be provided between at least two support blocks, for example, to establish a press-fit or snap-in connection. The top protrusion may be shaped as a dowel, and the hole may be conical. As shown here, each support block has three first top protrusions 222 and three holes 250 / 240. Based on this, multiple support blocks may be stacked in the same direction so that the first top protrusion 222 is placed in the first rear hole 250. In the case of having three top protrusions 222, this results in a stable limiting system. In addition, the two support blocks can be stacked in opposite directions, which means that the first top protrusion 222 of the first support block is inserted into the first group of front holes 240 of the second support block, which can simultaneously cause the first top protrusion 222 of the second support block to be inserted into the first group of front holes of the first support block. This results in a more secure connection based on the three first connecting devices 220.
[0053] The third way to connect the two support blocks is to insert the first top protrusion 222 of the first support block into the second recess 231, 232, which are part of the second connecting device 230 of the second support block. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, three pairs of support blocks are arranged alternately, which may result in six connections between the support blocks through the first connection device and the second connection device.
[0054] In addition, Figure 5 In the figure, protrusions 270 are shown. These protrusions 270 can be inserted into the protrusion guides 272 of another support block, so that the support blocks are interconnected by their second surface (rear side). If two symmetrical support blocks are interconnected, six protrusions are shown in this example, which ensure the rigid connection of the support blocks.
[0055] Figure 4, further optional receptacles 241 are shown. These receptacles can save material and therefore weight when the support block is injection molded, and can save production time when the support block is printed. The receptacles can have holes to mount the support block to the bearing flange. The support block can be made of a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic or hard plastic material - such as polyamide, polyurethane, polycarbonate, epoxide, polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, polyetheretherketone or polyphenylene sulfide, which can also be a fiber or particle reinforcement including, for example, glass fiber, Kevlar fiber or carbon fiber. The plastic material can have additives to ensure low flammability.
[0056] Alternatively, the support block may be made of a ceramic material such as steatite, alkali aluminum silicates, magnesium silicates, titanates, alkaline earth aluminum silicates, aluminum magnesium silicates, mullite and alumina.
[0057] Figure 6 2 shows a top view from a first surface or front side of the support block 200, and Figure 7 A bottom view from the second surface (rear side) of the same support block is shown. Extending from the second set of rear holes 252 on the second surface (rear side) are further holes 242 from the first surface 215 (front side) as a second set of front holes. These holes can be used, for example, for screws or other attachment means for coupling or attaching the support block to an adapter to hold the slip ring module. Since the second set of front holes 242 can be located in a recess, there is enough space for the screw heads.
[0058] Figure 8 A side view of the support block is shown.The second connection means 230 may be of the same length as the first connection means 220 to provide further stability.
[0059] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Different types of support block connections are shown. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 When assembled into a slip ring module, the gaps between the support blocks shown here can be filled with different kinds of slide rails or slide rail combinations. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Here, the reference numerals are extended by a number indicating the support block to which the component belongs. The connection types are as follows.
[0060] The first type of connection 601 is located between the second support block 302 and the third support block 303. The third support block 303 can be connected to the second support block 302 by the first connecting device 220-3 and the first top protrusion 222 of the front side of the third support block 303, the rear side of the second support block 302. The first top protrusion 222 can engage with the first group of rear holes, the second group of rear holes or the third group of rear holes in the second support block 302. Although the second connecting device 230-3 only makes surface contact with the second support block 302, the second connecting device 230-3 provides additional stability. This embodiment has three first connecting devices 220-3, resulting in three fixed connections between the first top protrusion 222 and the rear hole 250.
[0061] The second type of connection is located between the fourth support block 304 and the fifth support block 305. The fourth support block 304 can be connected to the fifth support block 305 by the first connection device 220-4 and the first top protrusion 222 on the front side of the fourth support block 304, the first connection device 220-5 and the first top protrusion 222 on the front side of the fifth support block. The first top protrusion 222 of each support block engages with the second group of front holes 242 of the other support block. Although the second connection device 230-4 and the second connection device 230-5 only make surface contact with the respective opposing support blocks 305 and support blocks 304, the second connection device 230-4 and the second connection device 230-5 provide additional stability. This embodiment has three first connection devices 220-4 and three first connection devices 220-5, resulting in a more stable connection than the connection that the first type can provide.
[0062] The third type of connection is located between the first support block 301 and the second support block 302. The first support block can be connected to the second connection device 230-2 on the front side by the first connection device 220-1 on its front side, wherein the first top protrusion 222 of the first connection device engages with the second recess 232 of the second connection device 230. This can result in a larger spacing between the support blocks, which is twice the axial width of the first type connection and the second type connection if the first and second connection devices have the same length as shown here. This allows to maintain a wider sliding track or a larger number of smaller sliding tracks that can be separated by insulating disks. This embodiment has three first connection devices 220-1 and three first connection devices 220-2, resulting in a more stable connection than the connection that the first type can provide.
[0063] The fourth type of connection is between the third support block 303 and the fourth support block 304. The two support blocks can be connected by their rear sides. The rear protrusion 270 of the third support block 303 engages with the protrusion guide 272 of the fourth support block. In addition, the rear protrusion 270 of the fourth support block 304 engages with the protrusion guide 272 of the third support block. This allows a tight back-to-back connection between the two support blocks.
[0064] Typically, at least one or more of these connections may be used in any order. In addition, there may be any number of connection means.
[0065] Fig.11 The complete slip ring 800 is shown in a cross-sectional view. The slip ring 800 has a rotating part 801 and a stationary part 802. The roles of the rotating part and the stationary part can also be interchanged. The slip ring can be mounted by a mounting flange 820 and is electrically connected by a rotating connector 831 and a stationary connector 832. A first bearing flange 851 holds a first bearing 861. A second bearing flange 852 holds a second bearing 862. Aluminum rods or profiles 871, 872 can be provided for holding brush blocks and / or brushes.
[0066] At least one of the bearing flanges may be mounted to an adjacent support block by using glue or by screws that utilize existing holes, such as holes 242, holes 252, or recesses when the recesses are formed as holes. All or some of the support blocks may be glued, however, the preferred connection between the support blocks is a press-fit or snap-in connection. This allows easy disassembly during maintenance and separation of materials at the end of their service life.
[0067] The axial modules can be supported between the bearing flanges using leaf springs or wave springs, wherein the distance is defined by the housing or the aluminum rod.
[0068] Fig.12 The complete slip ring assembly is shown in the form of different cross-sectional views. Here, a printed circuit board 890 and brushes 891 forming a brush block are shown. In this figure, the brushes are shown in a simplified form: the brush 891 is shown in the position when the module is not installed. The brushes can be made of a single wire, a plurality of parallel wires, for example bristle brushes, or metal graphite (not shown here). The brush block 890 can be mounted and axially adjusted by means of a screw, which uses a nut stone in the slot 882 of the profile 871 as a support.
[0069] The slide rail is annular and may have holes or lugs for contact, or threaded holes, or terminal wires welded or fused to the ring as terminals for connecting wiring, which terminals may be placed at an angle to facilitate assembly and wiring.
[0070] Reference numerals list
[0071] 100 Slip Ring Module
[0072] 200-209 Support Block
[0073] 210 disc-shaped body
[0074] 212 Central Axis
[0075] 214 Center opening or orifice
[0076] 215 first surface (front side)
[0077] 216 Second surface (rear side)
[0078] 220 first connecting device
[0079] 222 First top protrusion
[0080] 230 Second connection device
[0081] 231, 232 Second recess
[0082] 240 The first group of front holes (front recess)
[0083] 241 Accommodation
[0084] 242 Second set of front holes (recessed)
[0085] 250 A first set of rear holes, which may be through holes marked with 240
[0086] 252 Second set of rear holes
[0087] 254 protrudes to the third set of rear holes in 220
[0088] 256 protrudes to the fourth set of rear holes in 230
[0089] 260 Support connection device
[0090] 270 rear protrusion
[0091] 272 protrusion guide
[0092] 301 First support block
[0093] 302 Second support block
[0094] 303 Third support block
[0095] 304 Fourth support block
[0096] 305 Fifth support block
[0097] 310 First sliding track (width)
[0098] 320 Second sliding track (narrow)
[0099] 325 Insulation disc
[0100] 601 Type 1 connection
[0101] 602 Type 2 connection
[0102] 603 Type 3 connection
[0103] 604 Type 4 connection
[0104] 800 Slip Ring
[0105] 801 Rotating parts
[0106] 802 Stationary parts
[0107] 820 Mounting Flange
[0108] 831 Rotary Connector
[0109] 832 Stationary Connector
[0110] 851 First bearing flange
[0111] 852 Second bearing flange
[0112] 861 First Bearing
[0113] 862 Second bearing
[0114] 871, 872 Aluminum Profile
[0115] 882 Profile slot
[0116] 890 Printed Circuit Board
[0117] 891 Slip Ring Brush
Claims
1. A support block (200) for forming a self-supporting modular slip ring module, the support block (200) comprising an electrically insulating material and being configured to hold at least one sliding track (310, 320), the support block comprising: a hollow disc-shaped body (210) having a central opening or aperture (214) at a central axis (212), and At least one connecting device (220, 230), the at least one connecting device (220, 230) is located at the main body, and the at least one connecting device (220, 230) is configured to form a fixed connection with at least another support block (200) to form a self-supporting rigid and torsion-resistant structure.
2. The support block (200) according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the connection devices (220, 230) is configured as a protrusion extending from the body (210) in a direction parallel to the central axis (212).
3. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: At least three top protrusions (222) are arranged to be equally spaced, and The top protrusion (222) engages with an opening or aperture in the body of another support block.
4. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The connection devices (220, 230) include N types of connection devices, each type has M connection devices, and the connection devices are arranged sequentially.
5. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting device (220, 230) comprises six connecting devices, wherein three connecting devices of the first type and three connecting devices of the second type are arranged alternately.
6. The support block (200) according to claim 4, wherein: The first type of connection means has a further top protrusion located at an end of the first type of connection means facing away from the body, The second type of connection means has a recess located at an end of the second type of connection means and facing the body, and The further top protrusion is configured to mate with the recess.
7. The support block (200) according to claim 4, wherein: The first type of connection means together with the second type of connection means form a press-fit or snap-in connection.
8. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The connection device is positioned within a first radius that cooperates with an inner radius of the sliding track.
9. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The sliding track is arranged on the connecting device.
10. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting means has at least one ridge radially outwardly and parallel to the centre axis to provide a small and / or well-defined contact surface with the sliding track.
11. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting device is connected to the body by at least one rod or any other device configured to provide minimum flexibility for displacement in radial direction and / or tilting in axial direction to compensate for tolerances.
12. The support block (200) according to claim 2, wherein: At least one protrusion is provided on a side of the body opposite to the connection device, the connection device being configured for connection to a support block.
13. The support block (200) according to claim 12, wherein: The projections are configured to engage receptacles on the same side of the body on different support blocks.
14. The support block (200) according to claim 13, wherein: At least one of each type of projections, connection means and recesses is equally spaced.
15. The support block (200) according to claim 14, wherein: The radial width of the body is greater than 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% of the outer diameter of the body.
16. A slip ring module (100), comprising a plurality of support blocks (200) according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of the support blocks are stacked together, have a fixed connection with adjacent support blocks, and maintain at least one conductive sliding track.
17. A slip ring (800), comprising at least one slip ring module (100) according to claim 16, wherein: The slip ring further comprises at least one brush engaging with or sliding on at least one conductive sliding track.