Slip Ring Cleaning Brush for Wear Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slip ring assemblies experience continuous wear and contamination of sliding contact surfaces, leading to operational interruptions and insulation disruptions due to wear debris binding with oil, which existing cleaning methods only partially address.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a cleaning brush having a brush filling of non-conductive fibers or bristles, fixed to the contact module via a carrier plate and connecting elements, effectively picks up wear debris and maintains a thin oil film on the slideway, ensuring reliable energy and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cleaning roller with cleaning rings is pressed against the slideway to remove contamination, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases and the cleaning speed is limited to low speed movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from a complex mechanical cleaning roller system and implements it through a simple cleaning brush with brush filling that contacts the slideway. The brush filling is pressed against the slideway by spring force, eliminating the need for complex cleaning rings and channels while maintaining effective contamination removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning brush is designed as a simple, replaceable component with brush filling that can be easily replaced when worn. This disposable approach is more economical than maintaining complex cleaning roller systems, allowing quick replacement without disassembling intricate mechanisms.
2Productivity
If a cleaning brush with brush filling is used to clean the slideway, then wear debris removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of electrical contamination increases if conductive materials are used
Solution Approach 1:
The brush filling is specifically made from electrically non-conductive material at the contact point with the slideway, while other parts of the cleaning device can use different materials. This localized material selection ensures effective cleaning without compromising electrical insulation where it matters most.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device uses composite material construction with non-conductive brush filling (such as polyamide or PTFE-coated fibers) that combines cleaning effectiveness with electrical insulation properties. This material selection resolves the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and electrical safety.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cleaning brush is fixed on the carrier plate via rear web and connecting elements, then assembly stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush is segmented into modular components (base body, rear web, brush carrier, brush filling) that can be manufactured separately and assembled through simple connecting elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall assembly stability through straightforward connection methods.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If oil is applied to the sliding contact surfaces to reduce wear, then wear is minimized, but contamination and insulation disruption occur due to wear debris binding with oil
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning brush converts the harmful effect of oil-contaminated wear debris into a beneficial cleaning action. By continuously removing the oil-debris mixture from the slideway, the system maintains the protective oil film while preventing contamination accumulation that would disrupt insulation and accelerate wear.
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 cleaning device stabilizes the assembly, prevents impairments from wear and contamination, and ensures continuous energy and data transfer by efficiently cleaning the slideway, allowing for easy retrofitting and maintenance within existing slip ring assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The contact elements contact a slideway of the slip ring and, together with this, form a sliding contact. Owing to the relative movement between the components, slight wear occurs continuously during operation. To keep the wear as low as possible, oil is applied to the sliding contact surfaces.
Implementation Method 2
To keep the wear as low as possible, oil is applied to the sliding contact surfaces. The cleaning brush picks up the wear debris and provides a thin, even oil film on the slideway.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a slip ring assembly, which has a slip ring body and at least one slip ring arranged on the slip ring body and a contact module having contact elements. The contact elements contact a slideway of the slip ring. A cleaning device is provided for cleaning the slideway. According to the disclosure, the cleaning device has a cleaning brush having a brush filling contacting the slideway.