Angled Roller Contact Assembly for Stable Rotary Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary electrical conductors for transferring electrical current between rotatable parts face issues such as wear, contact resistance, oxidation, and increased size due to multiple layers or complex assembly, especially when high currents are required.
Innovation Solution
A rolling electrical contact assembly with a specific arrangement of rollers and supporting members, including a roller-holder assembly that allows precise mounting and adjustment of contact pressure, using angled contact surfaces and elastic elements to ensure stable electrical contact without slipping, and a compact design for multiple power transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding contacts with brushes and slip rings are used, then electrical current can be transferred to rotary parts, but contact resistance increases and wear occurs due to continuous contact at the same points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple brushes arranged circumferentially around the slip ring, creating periodic contact points as the ring rotates. This periodic action distributes wear across multiple locations and prevents continuous contact at the same points, thereby reducing contact resistance increase and extending service life while maintaining reliable electrical current transfer
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers of rolling rings are used to transmit multiple powers, then multiple power transmissions are achieved, but the overall space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where multiple rolling rings are arranged concentrically, with each ring capable of independent rotation. The inner rings are positioned within the radial space of outer rings, allowing multiple power transmissions to occur in a compact radial arrangement rather than requiring multiple layers axially, thus reducing overall space requirement while maintaining adaptability for multiple power transmissions
3Reliability
If cone-shaped bodies rolling on rings are used, then friction is reduced and permanent contact is maintained, but manufacturing precision must be very high to obtain line contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the elastic deformability of the rubber material for the rolling rings, allowing the contact parameters to self-adjust. The elastic material conforms to the slip ring surface, creating effective line contacts even with moderate manufacturing tolerances. This parameter change from rigid to elastic material eliminates the need for very high manufacturing precision while maintaining reliable permanent contact with reduced friction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, stable, and efficient transfer of high electrical currents with reduced wear and maintenance needs, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and supports multiple power transmissions without increasing size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressing device exerting a force F on said roller or pair of rollers along said shaft
Implementation Method 2
at least one roller or a pair of rollers each comprising a ring-shaped angled electrically conductive contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention concerns a rolling electrical contact assembly (1) for transferring current between two relatively rotatable parts, comprising at least one power transmission set including: - a first electrode (201, 202, 203, 204,) and a second electrode (221, 222, 223, 224,), comprising each a ring-shaped angled electrically conductive contact surface of same first axis (A1), - at least one roller-holder assembly (281) comprising one roller (241), or a pair of rollers, each comprising: a ring-shaped angled electrically conductive contact surface conformed to roll onto the corresponding contact surfaces of the first and second electrodes while the first electrode is rotating, a shaft defining a second axis (A2) around which is rotatably is mounted each roller (241), at least one pressing device exerting a force F on each roller along said shaft. The rolling electrical contact assembly (1) further comprises one or two supporting members (300, 302) rotatably mounted around the first axis in a position wherein the second axis (A2) is radial to the first axis (A1), and the contact surface of each roller protrudes from apertures provided in the supporting member(s) and the pressing device exerts a force F in the direction of the first axis.