Non-Contacting Slip Ring With Annular Emitters for High Data Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slip rings are limited in their data transfer rate capability, utilizing only a small portion of the slip ring area.
Innovation Solution
A non-contacting rotary joint configured to simultaneously transfer data across substantially the entire circumference of the rotary joint, utilizing a transmitter with a plurality of emitters in a substantially annular pattern and a receiver with a plurality of cells to receive the signal across a non-contacting interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional slip rings use sliding electrical contacts, then the structure is simple, but the data transfer rate is limited and electrical performance deteriorates at higher frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding electrical contact system with a non-contacting electromagnetic field-based transmission system. The transmitter generates electromagnetic fields that couple with receiver coils to transfer data and power without physical contact, thereby eliminating friction and wear while enabling higher data transfer rates and frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip ring is divided into multiple discrete emitter elements arranged around the circumference, with corresponding receiver elements on the rotating member. This segmentation allows parallel data transmission across multiple channels simultaneously, increasing the aggregate data transfer rate while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If conventional slip rings utilize only a small portion of slip ring area, then the device complexity is low, but the aggregate data transfer rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The slip ring interface is segmented into multiple discrete emitter-receiver pairs distributed around the circumference. Each pair forms an independent data channel, and the aggregate data transfer rate is the sum of all channels. This segmentation enables full utilization of the circumferential area while maintaining modular complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using a single narrow data transmission path to a distributed array of multiple paths arranged in a circular dimension. By utilizing the circumferential dimension, the system increases aggregate capacity without significantly increasing the radial or axial dimensions, effectively adding capacity through spatial distribution.
3Productivity
If non-contacting slip rings use electromagnetic field transmission, then the data transfer rate increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the rotating member includes position sensing elements that detect the angular position and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of the emitter-receiver pairing and signal routing to maintain optimal coupling despite manufacturing tolerances and rotational variations, thereby reducing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic signal routing and switching that adapts to the rotational position of the moving member. The system dynamically reconfigures which emitters are active and which receivers they couple to, based on real-time position information. This dynamic adaptation compensates for static manufacturing imperfections and maintains high data transfer rates without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
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 achieves an increased aggregate data transfer rate by utilizing the entire circumference of the rotary joint, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional slip rings.
Implementation Method 1
non-contacting rotary joint systems enable the transmission of high-frequency electrical signals between a rotor and a stator without sliding electrical contacts. Such non-contacting rotary joint systems include devices operable to recover electromagnetic energy transmitted across space between a signal source and a signal receiver.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contacting rotary joint for transmitting and receiving electrical signals, including a transmitter having a plurality of emitters positioned in a substantially annular pattern, wherein the plurality of emitters are operable to transmit a signal; a receiver located a distance from the transmitter, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of cells operable to receive the signal across a non-contacting interface; and a signal source in communication with the transmitter; wherein the plurality of emitters form a plurality of data channels less than the number of emitters.