Deformable PCB Slip Ring for Low-Noise Impedance Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slip rings used in video pipe inspection systems face challenges in providing low contact noise and impedance control while being robust and cost-effective, especially in harsh environments, and often require expensive materials like silver graphite pins.
Innovation Solution
The use of deformable printed circuit boards (PCBs) with elastically deformable sections and spring elements to maintain axial alignment and contact between rotating and static elements, along with impedance-controlled wiring connectors, ensures reliable and low-noise signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring loaded pins are used to ensure robust contact in harsh environments, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to redundant pins and expensive materials like silver graphite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring loading function from separate components and integrates it directly into the PCB through elastically deformable sections. This eliminates the need for separate spring loaded pins while maintaining contact reliability, thereby reducing device complexity and material cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-loaded pin system with an integrated PCB deformation mechanism. The elastically deformable PCB sections provide the necessary mechanical compliance and contact force without requiring separate spring components or expensive silver graphite pins.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant pins are used to ensure contact, then contact reliability is improved, but impedance control deteriorates due to cross-talk between multiple contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical contact function into individual PCB trace pathways rather than using multiple discrete pins. Each signal has its own dedicated impedance-controlled trace on the PCB, which prevents cross-talk while maintaining reliable electrical contact through the deformable PCB sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the multi-pin mechanical contact system with an integrated PCB trace system. The deformable PCB sections ensure continuous electrical contact through elastic deformation, while the trace layout on the PCB provides inherent impedance control and eliminates the cross-talk issues associated with multiple closely-spaced pins.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive silver graphite pins are used, then contact noise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard PCB materials and conventional electrical contacts instead of expensive silver graphite pins. The elastically deformable PCB sections provide sufficient contact reliability and low noise performance at a fraction of the cost of premium materials, making the slip ring economically viable for mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining PCB substrate, conductive traces, and elastically deformable sections to achieve performance previously only attainable with expensive materials. The integrated PCB structure provides both mechanical compliance and electrical conductivity, replacing the need for expensive silver graphite while maintaining low contact noise.
4Ease of operation
If pancake style slip ring design is used for easy connection, then ease of operation is improved, but robustness in harsh environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of pancake style slip rings (compactness and ease of connection) with enhanced robustness features. The integrated PCB structure with elastically deformable sections provides both easy mating/demating capability and the mechanical resilience needed to withstand harsh environments, eliminating the trade-off between ease of operation and environmental robustness.
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
This solution provides robust, low-cost slip rings that effectively control impedance and reduce contact noise, enabling reliable communication of high-resolution signals in harsh environments, such as those found in video pipe inspection systems.
Implementation Method 1
The PCB includes an elastically deformable section surrounding the center contact area allowing the PCB to deform in an axial direction towards the other subassembly when a force is applied centrally to one face of the center contact area
Data Source
AI summary
A slip ring for transferring electrical signals between rotating and static elements of a device includes a rotating element, a static element, an electrical contact assembly, including a plurality of subassemblies, contacting the rotating element and static element, one subassembly including a deformable PCB, and a spring element positioned to supply an axially aligned force to a face of the PCB to facilitate electrical contact between the PCB and other electrical contacts elements on another subassembly.