Slip Ring Apparatus for Rotating Camera Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotating contact assemblies in camera heads are complex, leading to manufacturing difficulties, larger package sizes, reduced reliability, and premature failure due to dirt and debris, making them unsuitable for small or constrained applications like pipe inspection systems.

Innovation Solution

A self-leveling camera head design incorporating a cylindrical ring assembly with a flexible or bendable brush assembly for continuous electrical connectivity, using circuit board fabrication methods and coatings like palladium nickel or hard gold to enhance durability, and incorporating debris trap materials to prevent internal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing rotating contact assemblies are used, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating contact assembly is divided into separate functional components: a cylindrical ring assembly with electrical contacts and a brush assembly with flexible contacts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining electrical connectivity during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brush assembly uses flexible or bendable brush elements that can deflect to maintain continuous contact with the ring assembly during rotation. This flexibility ensures reliable electrical connectivity while accommodating rotational movement without complex mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If existing rotating contact assemblies are used, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but package size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidcamera head size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The brush assembly is positioned within or around the cylindrical ring assembly, with brush elements extending radially inward or outward to contact the ring. This nested configuration minimizes the overall package volume while maintaining the rotating contact function essential for camera head operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If existing rotating contact assemblies are used, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but reliability reduces due to dirt and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidinternal dirt and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating contact assembly is designed to isolate the internal contact surfaces from external contaminants. The cylindrical ring and brush assembly configuration creates a contained interface that protects against dirt and debris ingress, preventing premature failure while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surfaces utilize materials with enhanced hardness and oxide resistance, such as palladium nickel or hard gold coatings on the brush and ring contacts. These composite material properties increase durability and resistance to wear from contact friction and environmental exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If existing rotating contact assemblies are used, then electrical connectivity is maintained, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidcontact alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates flexible brush elements that can deflect within a range of motion to accommodate variations in contact pressure and alignment. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and reduces the precision requirements for assembling the ring and brush components while maintaining reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design results in a smaller, more reliable, and durable camera head that can self-level using gravity, maintaining electrical connectivity and reducing noise, suitable for miniaturized and lightweight applications such as pipe inspection systems.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible or bendable brush assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

These circuit board brush contacts may be coated or have attached contact assemblies to increase hardness and oxide resistance with, for instance, palladium nickel, rhodium, or hard gold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Implementation Method 3

a camera head which may employ the force of gravity to enable self leveling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11796907B1Slip ring apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 SEESCAN INC

AI summary

Electrical contact assemblies for use in rotating video camera heads are disclosed. A contact assembly may include a first element movable relative to the camera head's housing on which an imager is disposed, a second element rotationally movable relative to the first element, and a slip ring including one or more PCB brush elements to transfer imager signals to an output connector.