Spatial light photoelectric composite slip ring

Abstract

The invention discloses a space light photoelectric composite slip ring which comprises a bearing, a rotor assembly and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly comprises a photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame, a conductive slip ring loop and an optical fiber collimator; the conductive slip ring loop is separated by a conductive slip ring insulating ring and is arranged at the periphery of the photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame; the photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame is connected with the inner ring of the bearing through a bearing inner pressing ring; the stator assembly comprises a photoelectric slip ring main shaft seat, a conductive slip ring brush holder and an eccentric gland. The conductive slip ring brush holder is connected with the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat; the eccentric gland is connected with a photoelectric slip ring spindle seat, and an unequal-thickness adjusting ring is arranged between the eccentric gland and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat; the optical fiber collimator is mounted on the eccentric gland; the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat is connected with the outer ring of the bearing through an eccentric gland. An optical transmission system and an electric transmission system are integrated into the same shaft system, the purposes of miniaturization and light weight are achieved, the cost is controlled, precision and reliability are high, and the optical transmission system has good environmental applicability and long service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optoelectronic composite slip ring technology, specifically relating to a lightweight space optoelectronic composite slip ring. Background Technology

[0002] Optoelectronic composite slip rings (or photoconductive slip rings) are key components for synchronous transmission of optical and electrical signals between fixed and rotating structures, and are widely used in military and civilian fields such as radar, satellite communication, medical equipment, robotics, and high-precision turntables. Existing optoelectronic composite rotary connectors typically employ a mechanical combination of an electrical slip ring and a fiber optic slip ring. A typical structure includes one conductive slip ring and one fiber optic slip ring. To achieve synchronous rotational transmission, the fiber optic slip ring rotor and the conductive slip ring rotor are coaxially fixedly connected via structural components, while the fiber optic slip ring stator is coaxially fixedly connected to the conductive slip ring stator via screws, and the fiber optic slip ring is usually positioned outside the rotation axis of the electrical slip ring. During operation, the two rotors rotate synchronously, thus achieving simultaneous transmission of optical and electrical signals in rotational operation mode. Using optical fiber as the transmission medium enables ultra-high bandwidth and high-speed data transmission with extremely low signal attenuation and stable transmission; simultaneously, the optical signal is unaffected by electromagnetic interference, maintaining high fidelity and high reliability in environments with strong electromagnetic noise or vacuum. Furthermore, fiber optic channels offer non-contact transmission, eliminating contact resistance and wear issues, significantly extending service life. They can also achieve multi-channel transmission via wavelength division multiplexing, meeting the demands of complex systems for synchronous transmission of multiple high-speed signals. Therefore, fiber optic conductive slip rings have significant advantages in rotating systems requiring high-precision, high-speed, and highly reliable signal transmission.

[0003] Currently, although the aforementioned combined structure achieves basic functionality, it still has significant drawbacks and limitations, such as: difficulty in ensuring coaxiality and poor performance stability. The stator parts of the optical and electrical slip ring modules rely on screws and mounting stops for connection and alignment. Due to the cumulative errors in processing and assembly, this connection structure itself cannot guarantee extremely high coaxiality, easily leading to over-positioning of the two sets of shaft structure parts, which can cause misalignment faults between the conductive slip ring rotor and the fiber optic slip ring rotor during actual operation. This misalignment can cause a series of problems: at best, it can cause sluggish rotation and increased resistance torque in the rotary connector; at worst, it can cause excessive changes in the insertion loss of the fiber optic slip ring, affecting the stability of optical signal transmission; it can also cause poor contact between the brushes and the track of the conductive slip ring, resulting in large changes in contact resistance, noise, or even momentary power outages, seriously affecting the reliability of electrical signal transmission. For example, large axial dimensions and low integration: because the fiber optic slip ring and the conductive slip ring are basically arranged in series, the overlap in their axial dimensions is small, resulting in a large axial dimension and a non-compact structure for the entire optoelectronic composite rotary connector. This directly contradicts the urgent need for miniaturization and lightweighting of rotary connection devices in modern weaponry, airborne equipment, and robotics. For example, there are shortcomings in environmental adaptability and reliability: when equipment operates in harsh environments such as high temperature, low temperature, high humidity, and salt spray corrosion, existing optoelectronic slip rings, due to their non-sealed structure, have internal precision components (such as fiber collimators, brushes, and ring tracks) susceptible to environmental influences. Moisture and corrosive gases can cause metal parts to rust, fiber endfaces to become contaminated, and electrical contact performance to deteriorate, significantly reducing service life. Simultaneously, the complex internal structure is prone to dust accumulation, and visual inspection and maintenance are difficult after a failure, threatening the long-term reliable operation of the equipment. Furthermore, the electrical contact method has inherent limitations: currently available optoelectronic slip rings generally use a sliding contact structure between the brush and the ring track for electrical signal transmission. This mechanical contact mode has inherent wear, especially under high-speed or high-current conditions, where brush wear is accelerated, resulting in a limited service life and requiring periodic replacement, failing to meet the requirements of long-life, maintenance-free applications.

[0004] As an improvement, Chinese patent CN104317014A proposes an optoelectronic composite rotary connector. This connector addresses issues such as poor coaxiality, rotational lag, and large axial dimensions found in existing optoelectronic composite slip rings through an integrated structural optimization design. 1) High-precision shaft-hole fit is achieved by utilizing the coaxial assembly section (fitted and fixed assembly) between the rotating shaft routing hole and the optical rotary connector rotor, forcing the fiber optic slip ring and conductive slip ring rotor to be coaxially aligned, completely eliminating accumulated errors caused by screw fixing and ensuring stable coaxiality; 2) The optical rotary connector rotor is completely embedded into the routing hole through a sleeve-shaped coaxial assembly section, while the rear end of the optical rotary connector stator is rotatably assembled in its inner hole, with only the front end of the stator exposed, significantly reducing the axial overlap dimension and optimizing equipment compactness; 3) Vertical fixing with fixing pins and keyway connections (such as the keyway structure between the end cap mounting hole and the front end of the stator) simplify assembly, and combined with the routing groove design on the outer circumference of the coaxial assembly section, ensures smooth passage of wires or optical fibers, reducing signal interference. Chinese patent CN116313455A proposes an optoelectronic slip ring that utilizes a magnetic ring inductor assembly to achieve non-contact transmission of electrical signals. The magnetic ring inductor assembly is located in both the stator and rotor units, arranged in a gap-like, opposite configuration. Non-contact electrical signal transmission is achieved through electromagnetic induction, eliminating mechanical wear issues. Furthermore, the inductor coils are assembled using concentric annular slots, ensuring stable coil gaps and preventing signal attenuation due to misalignment. However, based on the above, current technology still suffers from problems such as poor coaxiality, rotational hysteresis, and large axial dimensions.

[0005] Currently, in the field of optoelectronic signal transmission, traditional equipment typically employs two independent shaft systems and support structures for conductive slip rings and fiber optic slip rings. This results in a large, complex, and costly overall device, and the synchronization and stability of the dual shaft systems are difficult to guarantee, increasing system errors and failure risks. High-precision rotating shaft systems usually require the use of paired angular contact bearings, relying on high-precision structural components and precisely applied preload to ensure axial and radial runout accuracy. The series structure of two independent shaft systems—electric slip rings and fiber optic slip rings—relies on screws and stop connections to ensure coaxiality, leading to accumulated machining and assembly errors, resulting in low alignment accuracy and performance instability issues such as rotational hysteresis, excessive optical signal insertion loss, and excessive variations in electrical signal contact resistance. High-precision shaft systems require paired angular contact bearings with precise preload, resulting in complex structures and extremely high requirements for bearing pairing and assembly processes. In fiber optic slip rings, optical path alignment is crucial for transmission loss. Alignment angle and concentricity are core parameters for efficient transmission. Traditional fiber optic collimators often use multiple shims of different thicknesses and screws / set screws for adjustment. The two parameters are coupled during adjustment, making the process cumbersome, inefficient, and lacking quantitative standards, leading to inaccuracies after adjustment. Furthermore, they are prone to misalignment due to vibration or stress relaxation. Traditional conductive slip rings typically use a constant cross-section paired structure for the brushes and track. This is difficult to adapt to high-power transmission requirements; parallel channels are needed to meet high current demands, wasting space and reducing design flexibility. The overall structure has a large axial dimension and low integration, failing to meet miniaturization and lightweight requirements. Traditional brushes are also prone to wear, resulting in limited lifespan, and are susceptible to humidity, corrosion, and dust in harsh environments, leading to poor reliability and difficult inspection and maintenance. Therefore, in summary, current optoelectronic composite slip rings have two independent shaft systems and support structures for conductive and fiber optic slip rings, resulting in a large and complex structure where synchronization and stability are difficult to guarantee. Adjusting the fiber optic collimator is inefficient and prone to misalignment due to vibration or stress relaxation. The design flexibility of the brushes and track in conductive slip rings is also limited. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a lightweight space-type optoelectronic composite slip ring, aiming to solve the problems of existing optoelectronic composite slip rings, which have two independent shaft systems and support structures for conductive slip rings and fiber optic slip rings, resulting in a large and complex structure that makes it difficult to guarantee synchronization and stability; the adjustment process of adjusting the fiber optic collimator is inefficient and prone to displacement due to vibration or stress relaxation; and the brush and ring track design of conductive slip rings lacks flexibility.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: This invention provides a lightweight space-based optoelectronic composite slip ring, comprising a slip ring body, which includes a bearing, a rotor assembly, and a stator assembly. The rotor assembly and the stator assembly are rotatably connected to the bearing along its circumferential direction. The rotor assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle frame, a conductive slip ring track, and a fiber optic collimator. The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame has a hollow cavity, and the fiber optic collimator is installed inside the hollow cavity of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame. The conductive slip ring track is separated by a conductive slip ring insulating ring and is located on the circumferential periphery of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame. The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame is connected to the inner ring of the bearing through the inner pressure ring of the bearing. The stator assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle seat, a conductive slip ring brush holder, and an eccentric cover; the conductive slip ring brush holder is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat; the eccentric cover is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat, and an unequal thickness adjustment ring is provided between the eccentric cover and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat; the fiber optic collimator is installed in the axially extending cavity of the eccentric cover; the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat and the outer ring of the bearing are connected through the eccentric cover.

[0008] In some implementations, the conductive slip ring track is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame via an inner pressure ring of the conductive slip ring.

[0009] In some implementations, the unequal thickness adjustment ring is configured as a wedge-shaped ring, with an inclination angle between the two end faces of the unequal thickness adjustment ring. The tilt angle of the fiber collimator can be continuously changed by rotating the unequal thickness adjustment ring.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner hole of the eccentric gland mates with the fiber optic collimator, and the outer circle of the eccentric gland mates with the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat; an eccentric distance is provided between the inner hole and the outer circle.

[0011] In some implementations, the conductive slip ring brush holder and the conductive slip ring track form a variable cross-section conductive pair; the contact area of ​​the brush and the width and thickness of the conductive ring are set according to the magnitude of the transmitted current.

[0012] Furthermore, in the variable cross-section conductive pair: the high-power transmission channel uses a thick brush paired with the loop, while the small signal transmission channel uses a compact brush paired with the loop.

[0013] In some implementations, the photoelectric slip ring spindle mount and the inner ring of the bearing are pressed and fixed together by the bearing inner pressure ring.

[0014] In some implementations, the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat and the outer ring of the bearing are clamped and fixed by an eccentric gland.

[0015] In some embodiments, the slip ring body also includes a photoelectric slip ring protective cover, which is mounted on the outside of the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat.

[0016] In some implementations, the bearing is a high-precision four-point contact ball bearing, which can simultaneously withstand radial and axial loads.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the space-based lightweight optoelectronic composite slip ring of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention discloses a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring, achieving miniaturization and lightweight design. It eliminates the need for a complete shaft system, bearings, and drive unit, significantly reducing material costs, manufacturing difficulty, and assembly complexity. It avoids additional errors introduced by poor pairing of dual bearings or improper preload, and a single high-precision four-point contact bearing directly and stably ensures the rotational accuracy of the shaft system. The single shaft system also reduces potential mechanical failure points, improving the overall reliability and stability of the device. The rotation angle of the adjusting ring is linearly related to the change in the alignment angle, allowing for quantitative adjustment via a scale, greatly improving assembly efficiency and consistency. It can compensate for concentricity errors generated during the machining and assembly of parts, reducing the extremely high machining accuracy requirements for individual parts and improving product yield. It achieves optimal configuration of multiple power level channels within a limited space, significantly improving the structural space utilization and material efficiency of the slip ring. It allows for flexible layout of mixed transmission channels ranging from milliamperes to hundreds of amperes within a single standard slip ring, meeting the diverse transmission needs of complex equipment.

[0018] This invention fundamentally solves the problems of large size, poor synchronization, and high cost caused by traditional dual-axis structures by integrating optical and electrical transmission systems into the same axis system. It adopts a four-point contact bearing support scheme, which simplifies the structure while ensuring ultra-high rotational accuracy of the axis system. In addition, by introducing unequal thickness adjustment rings and eccentric pressure cap mechanisms, it achieves precise and quantifiable adjustment of the alignment angle and concentricity of the fiber optic collimator, effectively ensuring optical path alignment and improving production efficiency. Its variable cross-section conductive pair design can also meet the mixed transmission requirements of signals of multiple power levels, optimizing spatial layout and electrical performance. Ultimately, it significantly improves the reliability, service life, and overall performance of the product in harsh environments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the invention and constitute a part of this invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to the present invention.

[0021] Among them, 1. Photoelectric slip ring spindle seat, 2. Photoelectric slip ring protective cover, 3. Conductive slip ring brush holder, 4. Conductive slip ring track, 5. Screw, 6. Unequal thickness adjustment ring, 7. Bearing inner pressure ring, 8. Eccentric pressure cover, 9. Bearing, 10. Conductive slip ring inner pressure ring, 11. Fiber optic collimator, 12. Photoelectric slip ring spindle frame, 13. Conductive slip ring insulating ring. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0023] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0024] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0025] It should be noted that the apparatus and methods disclosed in the embodiments herein can also be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments herein. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, program, or part of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than those marked in the drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system to perform the specified function or action, or can be implemented using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0026] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments described herein can be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module can exist independently, or two or more modules can be integrated to form an independent part. Although the present invention has been described in detail through the above preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the above description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. After reading the above content, various modifications and substitutions of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

[0027] How can we provide a highly integrated, high-precision, highly reliable, and long-life miniature optoelectronic composite slip ring to improve the significant shortcomings of existing optoelectronic composite slip rings in terms of structural design, accuracy assurance, environmental adaptability, service life, and miniaturization?

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention discloses a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring, comprising a slip ring body, the slip ring body including a bearing 9, a rotor assembly, and a stator assembly, the rotor assembly and the stator assembly being rotatably connected to the bearing 9 along the circumferential direction of the bearing 9, wherein: The rotor assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle frame 12, a conductive slip ring channel 4, and an optical fiber collimator 11. The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame 12 has a hollow cavity, and the optical fiber collimator 11 is installed inside the hollow cavity of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame 12. The conductive slip ring channel 4 is separated by a conductive slip ring insulating ring 13 and is located on the circumferential periphery of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame 12. The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame 12 is connected to the inner ring of the bearing 9 through the bearing inner pressure ring 7. The stator assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1, a conductive slip ring brush holder 3, and an eccentric cover 8; the conductive slip ring brush holder 3 is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1; the eccentric cover 8 is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1, and an unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 is provided between the eccentric cover 8 and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1; the fiber optic collimator 11 is installed in the axially extending cavity of the eccentric cover 8; the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1 and the outer ring of the bearing 9 are connected through the eccentric cover 8.

[0029] This invention relates to a lightweight, space-based optoelectronic composite slip ring. Through a coaxial design of a conductive slip ring and a fiber optic slip ring, the core components of the electrical transmission channel (conductive slip ring) and the optical transmission channel (fiber optic slip ring) are integrated onto the same axis, sharing a single drive system and support structure. Using a hollow shaft and a precise optomechanical structure, electrical and optical signals are transmitted synchronously without interference on the same rotation axis. This invention significantly reduces the size and weight of the device, achieving miniaturization and lightweighting. It eliminates the need for a complete shaft system, bearings, and drive unit, reducing material costs, manufacturing difficulty, and assembly complexity. It enables optimal configuration of multiple power level channels within a limited space, improving the structural space utilization and material efficiency of the slip ring. It allows for the flexible arrangement of hybrid transmission channels ranging from milliamperes to hundreds of amperes within a single standard slip ring, meeting the diverse transmission needs of complex devices.

[0030] In some embodiments, the unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 of the present invention is configured as a wedge-shaped ring, with an inclination angle between its two end faces. Rotating the unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 allows for continuous change of the tilt angle of the fiber collimator 11. The unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 has a very small inclination angle between its two end faces. By rotating the unequal thickness adjustment ring 6, the relative position of its maximum and minimum thicknesses changes continuously, thereby precisely changing the tilt angle of the fiber collimator 11 that it presses or supports, achieving continuous, linear, and quantifiable fine-tuning of the alignment angle of its output optical path. The rotation angle of the unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 is linearly related to the change in the alignment angle, and quantitative adjustment can be achieved through a scale, improving assembly efficiency and consistency.

[0031] In some embodiments, the inner hole of the eccentric cover 8 of the present invention mates with the fiber optic collimator 11, and the outer circle of the eccentric cover 8 mates with the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1; an eccentric distance is provided between the inner hole and the outer circle. The inner hole (mates with the fiber optic collimator 11) and the outer circle (mates with the mounting base) of the eccentric cover 8 of the present invention have a designed eccentric distance. By rotating the eccentric cover 8, the fiber optic collimator 11 installed inside it can be driven to produce a small radial displacement, thereby compensating for the radial position error of the fiber optic collimator 11 in the mounting base, making the optical axis accurately aligned, and thus compensating for the concentricity error generated during the machining and assembly of parts, reducing the extremely high machining accuracy requirements of individual parts, and improving the product qualification rate.

[0032] In some embodiments, the conductive slip ring brush holder 3 and the conductive slip ring track 4 of the present invention constitute a variable cross-section conductive mating pair. The contact area of ​​the brush and the width and thickness of the conductive ring are set according to the magnitude of the transmitted current. In the variable cross-section conductive mating pair: the high-power transmission channel uses a wide and thick brush paired with the track, while the small signal transmission channel uses a compact brush paired with the track. The present invention designs the contact area of ​​the brush and the width and thickness of the conductive ring according to the magnitude of the current to be transmitted in each channel. The high-power channel uses a wide and thick brush-track pair to reduce contact resistance and increase the current transmission area; the small signal channel uses a small and delicate mating pair to reduce space occupation and material consumption.

[0033] The bearing 9 of this invention employs a high-precision four-point contact ball bearing, which can simultaneously withstand radial and axial loads. This invention uses a single high-precision four-point contact ball bearing as the core support. The raceway structure of this type of bearing can simultaneously withstand radial and axial loads, and in shaft systems with lighter loads, it has the functional characteristic of replacing paired angular contact bearings with a single bearing. Through precise tolerance matching design between the shaft and bearing housing, only a single bearing of this type is needed to achieve strict control over the radial and axial rotational accuracy of the rotating shaft, avoiding additional errors introduced by poor pairing of dual bearings or improper preload. A single high-precision four-point contact bearing can more directly and stably guarantee the rotational accuracy of the shaft system. A single shaft system also reduces potential mechanical failure points, improving the overall reliability and stability of the machine.

[0034] The present invention provides a more detailed description of a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring through specific embodiments below.

[0035] The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring of this invention mainly comprises, from the inside out, an optical fiber collimator 11, a photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame 12, a conductive ring track 4, a conductive slip ring brush holder 3, a photoelectric slip ring main shaft seat 1, and a photoelectric slip ring protective cover 2. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring consists of a rotor and a stator, which are integrally rotated together by a single high-precision four-point contact ball bearing.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rotor consists of a conductive slip ring track 4, which is sequentially separated by insulating rings 13, and is fixedly connected to the photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame 12 via a conductive ring inner pressure ring 10. The photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame 12 is configured as a hollow structure for fixing and installing the fiber optic collimator 11. The photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame 12 is fixedly connected to the inner ring of the bearing 9 via a bearing inner pressure ring 7, thereby forming a rotor composed of the conductive slip ring track 4 and the fiber optic collimator 11.

[0037] In this embodiment, the stator is fixedly connected to the conductive slip ring brush holder 3 and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1 by screws 5, and the eccentric cover 8 and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1 by screws 5. The fiber optic collimator 11 is fixedly installed in the axially extending cavity of the eccentric cover 8. An unequal thickness adjustment ring 6 is provided between the eccentric cover 8 and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1 to adjust the alignment angle of the output light path of the fiber optic collimator. The photoelectric slip ring spindle seat 1 and the outer ring of the bearing 9 are fixedly connected by the eccentric cover 8, thereby forming a stator composed of the conductive slip ring brush holder 3 and the fiber optic collimator 11.

[0038] In some operating conditions, this invention uses a fiber optic slip ring as the main structure, integrating a conductive slip ring outside the fiber optic slip ring. That is, the main shaft uses fiber optic transmission as its core, and the conductive slip ring is installed outside the fiber optic slip ring rotor. Alternatively, the conductive slip ring can be designed as a large-scale control structure, with the fiber optic slip ring, having an independent axis, embedded within the hollow shaft of the conductive slip ring. A connecting structure enables a rigid connection between the two sets of slip rings, achieving synchronous transmission of optical and electrical signals.

[0039] In some more advanced applications, the present invention can use piezoelectric ceramic micro-actuators or shape memory alloy actuators to drive the fiber collimator 11 to achieve electric adjustment of alignment and concentricity, which is more accurate and can achieve dynamic online adjustment, but the cost is high and the system is relatively complex.

[0040] Furthermore, this invention employs silver-graphite brushes and silver alloy rings in the high-power channel to enhance conductivity and wear resistance; and uses gold alloy contact pairs in the small-signal channel to ensure high reliability. Further optimization of the core concept of variable cross-section is achieved through materials science improvements to enhance performance.

[0041] Furthermore, this invention's lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring can be widely applied in all fields requiring simultaneous signal and energy transmission between rotating and fixed platforms, far exceeding the initially envisioned scenarios such as radar. For example, CT scanners (computed tomography), DSA (digital angiography), and rotating gamma knives require high-speed rotating frames to transmit massive amounts of image data (optimal optical signals) to detectors and provide high-power current (electrical signals) to components such as X-ray tubes. The miniaturization, high precision, and high reliability of this invention perfectly meet these requirements. It can also be used in industrial robots (especially joint modules), high-precision CNC rotary tables, rotating inspection platforms, and semiconductor wafer processing equipment. Applications requiring the transmission of control signals, sensor data (optical / electrical), and power supply are also possible. This invention can be embedded inside robot joints, enabling blind-plug connections for power and signals, significantly simplifying robot structure. It can also be used in wind turbine generators (solving signal and power transmission in blade pitch systems), port cranes, cable cars, and rotating amusement rides. Applications requiring long-term reliable operation in harsh environments with high vibration and large temperature differences are also possible. The high environmental adaptability and long lifespan of this invention are crucial.

[0042] In summary, this invention presents a lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring. Through an integrated design of a coaxial system for optical and electrical transmission, the conductive ring and the fiber optic collimator rotor are mounted together on the same hollow main shaft and share a set of support bearings and drive systems, completely eliminating the need for a separate shaft system and housing in terms of physical structure. This significantly reduces the overall axial dimension, volume, and weight, achieving miniaturization and lightweighting, and enhancing its application potential in space-constrained environments. This invention fundamentally optimizes the production and assembly process through a single-point contact bearing support scheme and a dual-degree-of-freedom precision adjustment mechanism for the optical path. The single-bearing application eliminates the complex processes of pairing, selecting, and precisely pre-tightening traditional dual bearings; while the unequal thickness adjustment ring and eccentric pressure cap transform fiber alignment from an experience-dependent, trial-and-error-based process into a quantifiable, repeatable, and mass-producible precision process. This reduces assembly difficulty and reliance on highly skilled workers, improves production efficiency consistency and product qualification rate, and lowers overall manufacturing costs.

[0043] The coaxial design of this invention ensures the natural rotational synchronization of optical and electrical signals, avoiding the micro-hour differences or jitter that may exist in dual-axis systems. High-precision single-bearing support guarantees ultra-high spindle rotational accuracy, providing a foundation for stable signal transmission. The optical path adjustment mechanism ensures permanent optimal alignment of the fiber optic channel, achieving low and stable insertion loss. The variable cross-section conductive pair design ensures that each power channel operates in its optimal state (low resistance and low heat generation for high-current channels; low crosstalk for small-signal channels). This invention provides higher synchronization, lower loss, and more stable and reliable optoelectronic signal transmission performance. The single-bearing structure avoids accuracy loss due to preload failure or uneven wear of paired bearings. Once locked, the optical path adjustment mechanism forms a rigid connection, with vibration and shock resistance far superior to traditional set screw or shim structures. The variable cross-section design optimizes the heat dissipation and contact characteristics of the high-current channel, extending the lifespan of the brushes and loops. The entire unit has higher mechanical reliability, longer service life, and stronger environmental adaptability (vibration and shock resistance), meeting more demanding application conditions.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Anyone skilled in the art can readily implement the present invention according to the description and above. Any modifications, alterations, or variations made based on the disclosed technical content are equivalent embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any modifications, alterations, or variations made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightweight space-based optoelectronic composite slip ring, characterized in that, The slip ring includes a slip ring body, which comprises a bearing (9), a rotor assembly, and a stator assembly, the rotor assembly and the stator assembly being rotatably connected to the bearing (9) along the circumferential direction, wherein: The rotor assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12), a conductive slip ring channel (4), and an optical fiber collimator (11). The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12) has a hollow cavity, and the optical fiber collimator (11) is installed inside the hollow cavity of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12). The conductive slip ring channel (4) is separated by a conductive slip ring insulating ring (13) and is located on the circumferential periphery of the photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12). The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12) is connected to the inner ring of the bearing (9) through the bearing inner pressure ring (7). The stator assembly includes a photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1), a conductive slip ring brush holder (3), and an eccentric cover (8); the conductive slip ring brush holder (3) is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1); the eccentric cover (8) is connected to the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1), and an unequal thickness adjustment ring (6) is provided between the eccentric cover (8) and the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1); the fiber collimator (11) is installed in the axially extending cavity of the eccentric cover (8); the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1) is connected to the outer ring of the bearing (9) through the eccentric cover (8).

2. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive slip ring track (4) is connected to the photoelectric slip ring main shaft frame (12) through the conductive slip ring inner pressure ring (10).

3. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unequal thickness adjustment ring (6) is configured as a wedge-shaped ring, and there is an inclination angle between the two end faces of the unequal thickness adjustment ring (6). By rotating the unequal thickness adjustment ring (6), the tilt angle of the fiber collimator (11) can be continuously changed.

4. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner hole of the eccentric cover (8) is fitted with the optical fiber collimator (11), and the outer circle of the eccentric cover (8) is fitted with the photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1); an eccentric distance is provided between the inner hole and the outer circle.

5. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive slip ring brush holder (3) and the conductive slip ring track (4) form a variable cross-section conductive pair; the variable cross-section conductive pair is configured with the contact area of ​​the brush and the width and thickness of the conductive ring according to the magnitude of the transmitted current.

6. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 5, characterized in that, In the variable cross-section conductive pair: the high-power transmission channel uses a thick brush paired with the loop, while the small signal transmission channel uses a compact brush paired with the loop.

7. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photoelectric slip ring spindle frame (12) and the inner ring of the bearing (9) are pressed and fixed together by the bearing inner pressure ring (7).

8. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photoelectric slip ring spindle seat (1) and the outer ring of the bearing (9) are pressed and fixed by an eccentric pressure cap (8).

9. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slip ring body also includes a photoelectric slip ring protective cover (2), which is installed on the outside of the photoelectric slip ring main shaft seat (1).

10. The lightweight photoelectric composite slip ring according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bearing (9) is a high-precision four-point contact ball bearing, which can simultaneously withstand radial load and axial load.

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