EP2696443A2 - Multifunctional housing for a slipring module - Google Patents

Abstract

The housing (30) has a mounting wall (40) by which the ring housing is attached at a first side of the housing. Three apertures are formed at a brush carrier space (50), a connection space (60) and a module space (70) at second, third and fourth sides of the housing. Brush carriers (20) are accessible through the carrier space. An electrical connection is accessible through the connection space. A slip ring module (10) is arranged at the module space. A fastening unit fastens a brush carrier (20). One of the apertures is locked with a cover (61). An independent claim is also included for a slip ring assembly.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a housing for a slip ring assembly and a slip ring assembly. With a slip ring assembly electrical signals can be transmitted by means of sliding contacts or contactless between mutually rotatable parts.

State of the art

The EP 0662736 A discloses a slip ring assembly in which a brush having a plurality of wires of electrically conductive material runs in a V-groove of a sliding track of electrically conductive material. The galvanic contact between the slideway and the wires electrical current can be transmitted. The housing is cylindrical and must be disassembled to gain access to the slip ring components. When reassembling, the assembly must be adjusted for precise alignment of the brushes with the sanding paths. As a result, this slip ring arrangement can only be maintained by a workshop which has the corresponding adjustment devices available. Even simple maintenance work, such as a re-oiling of the slideways also necessarily require such a workshop.

In the DE 1489080 A discloses a slip ring assembly in which brushes in the form of solid strands run in grooves of a slideway. Again, a cylindrical housing is disclosed which must be disassembled to gain access to the slip ring components.

In the EP 1154 920 B1 is a motor-pump unit disclosed in which a separate rule or. Control circuit is provided in a separate housing.

The DE 1928597 discloses an electric machine having an easily replaceable brush holder assembly accessible through its own service door. The connection terminals are under another operating door. The cooling air flow is directed via the terminals to the brush holder assembly.

Presentation of the invention

The invention has for its object to design a slip ring housing and a slip ring assembly such that an easy access to the slip ring components is possible, which also allows maintenance without re-adjustment of the slip ring assembly.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

A slip ring assembly having a slip ring housing has at least four sides, preferably exactly four sides, which are preferably arranged at a right angle to the respective adjacent sides. It encloses at least one slip ring module with a rotation axis, which is rotatable about this rotation axis, and at least one brush block. The sides are preferably arranged parallel to the axis of rotation. This allows a simple, space-saving and modular design can be achieved. The individual pages fulfill individual functions and are preferably designed for access by certain groups of people. The separation of functions results in a simple and easy-to-maintain arrangement that also eliminates errors during assembly and maintenance work helps avoid. Thus, certain covers that close the access to individual pages can be closed with different means. This access is only possible for those people who have the appropriate means to open. Different means for closing, for example, different types of screws with different screw heads, preferably be backup heads. Easy access, for example, to the terminal compartment can be made possible by quick release. To secure access, a closure by at least one lock and / or a seal and / or a seal would be possible.

The first side is preferably a mounting wall, by means of which the slip ring housing can be fastened. Thus, the entire slip ring housing, for example, be attached to the rotating or stationary part of a device or even a machine. To accommodate the torque can still be provided an additional torque bridge. The torque bridge transmits only the torque and is otherwise freely movable to avoid overdetermination. Since the bearings precisely define the axis of rotation in the bearing housing, only a torque may be introduced by the torque bridge. Additional and especially lateral forces are not desired.

The torque bridge is, for example, a rod which is received in a thread of the module or bearing housing and is held or taken by the customer by a mechanical stop. Particularly preferably, the mounting wall has a receptacle for a clamping device in which the slip ring housing can be held during at least one manufacturing step. Thus, for example, by milling the slip ring housing in a single clamping a very high accuracy can be achieved.

The second side has an opening to a brush carrier space through which the brush carriers are accessible. This brush carrier space is preferably only accessible for qualified maintenance personnel. For example, a brush carrier with a defective brush can be exchanged from this brush carrier space. There are preferably also the contacts of the individual brushes accessible and can be checked. Likewise, various signals and / or resistances can be measured here for troubleshooting. Preferably, the individual brush holders are connected via connectors by cables with external connectors, wherein the cables are guided outside of the brush carrier space. Particularly preferably, the connectors are arranged so that they allow a direct connection from outside the brush carrier space. This allows the individual brush holders to be replaced without any further wiring work. Due to the fact that there are no cables in the brush carrier space, the brush carriers can be accessed in the simplest way without having to first remove a plurality of cables. The brush carrier space can preferably be sealed off from the slip ring module and is particularly preferably sealed off from it. Thus, as described below, the penetration of dust and / or particles into the space of the module and the penetration of electrically conductive abrasion, in particular of carbon brushes in the brush carrier space can be prevented. Thus, the electrical wiring for electrical contacting and in particular for the parallel connection of a plurality of brushes in the brush carrier space and not in the space of the slip ring module is preferably mounted. If the brush carrier space is free of electrically conductive impurities, smaller insulation distances can be used here.

The third side has an opening to a connection space through which the electrical connections are accessible. In this connection space preferably the cable for connecting the brush holder with external connectors are performed. It can easily do maintenance work such as configuration changes and / or replacement of the cables or external connectors are made, without coming in contact with slip ring module in and / or brush holders. Thus, work in this area could also be carried out by persons who are not qualified to work on the slip ring. Often there is the problem that when closing a cover of a slip ring housing a plurality of cables must be accommodated in a confined space. In the case of slip ring housings according to the state of the art, the cables may come too close to moving slip ring components and possibly contact moving components, which may lead to damage to the insulation and possibly to a fault such as interruption and / or short circuit. In addition, the cables could mechanical load slip ring components, for example, press on a brush holder and deform it. As a result, a brush could be pressed laterally out of the web and / or its pressure force could be changed. This can lead to higher wear or premature failure. The inventive design with a separate connection space any contact of the cable with slip ring module and / or brush holders is avoided. This can be safely prevented even with strong compression of the cable influencing these slip ring components, resulting in a higher reliability and quality of the arrangement. In the terminal compartment is a defined, usually compared to the prior art enlarged space for cables available. In this way, cables can also be routed better and more reproducibly in the terminal compartment. Thus, defined distances can be maintained, for example, to obtain a certain crosstalk attenuation, which is also reproducible in the series. Likewise, larger cable lengths can be accommodated. For reasons of rationalization, it is now possible to use several identical connection cables of the same length, since excess cable lengths can now be accommodated in the terminal compartment. The connection space may preferably be dust-tight with respect to the slip ring module be sealed or is preferably sealed. This can still be a seal against the brush carrier space, if this is not self-sealed against the module. In the case of gold spring wire brushes, it is important to prevent dust from entering the sliding tracks. For example, abrasive dust, as commonly found in industrial plants, would result in high wear and premature failure of the thin gold coatings on the slide tracks and brushes. In the case of a slip ring with carbon brushes creates an extremely fine brush abrasion of the conductive carbon material, which creeps through the smallest cracks and deposited everywhere. This leads to impairment of the insulation and leakage currents or flashovers. Slip ring-specific components such as modules and brush blocks are therefore regularly equipped with particularly large creepage distances or insulation distances. In the terminal room but often standardized connectors or terminals must be used. These are designed for normal environments but do not exhibit the increased creepage distances that are required when used in the vicinity of slip rings. By sealing the terminal compartment, it is now also possible to use such standardized plug connectors or connection terminals without any problem. Optionally, a cooling air flow over the slip ring arrangement can be performed without the particles contaminated by slip ring abrasion cooling air enters the terminal compartment.

The fourth side provides an opening to a module space in which at least one slip ring module is arranged. Through this opening, the slip ring modules are accessible from one side, which faces away from the side of the brush holder and is preferably arranged opposite to the side of the brush holder or of the brush carrier space. By such an opposing arrangement, there is no access to the brushes. Thus, they can not be damaged during maintenance work on the slip ring modules. By rotating the slip ring modules relative to the slip ring housing, however, they can all around be checked and maintained. For example, a lubrication and / or cleaning and / or machining of the surface of the sliding tracks of the slip ring modules can be performed.

A slip ring arrangement comprises at least one slip ring module and at least one corresponding brush carrier. These are housed in a previously described slip ring housing.

Description of the drawings

Figur 1

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.

Figur 2

zeigt eine Seitenansicht der Montagewand.

Figur 3

zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Bürstenträgerraums.

Figur 4

zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Anschlussraums.

Figur 5

zeigt eine Seitenansicht des Modulraums.

Figur 6

zeigt eine weitere Seitenansicht des Bürstenträgerraums.

Figur 7

zeigt eine Gesamtansicht.

The invention will now be described by way of example without limitation of the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1

shows a device according to the invention.

FIG. 2

shows a side view of the mounting wall.

FIG. 3

shows a side view of the brush carrier space.

FIG. 4

shows a side view of the connection space.

FIG. 5

shows a side view of the module space.

FIG. 6

shows a further side view of the brush carrier space.

FIG. 7

shows an overall view.

In FIG. 1 a device according to the invention is shown in plan view. In the slip ring housing 30 at least one slip ring module 10 and at least one brush holder 20 is arranged. The slip ring module 10 is preferably by means of a module carrier 11 to a shaft 12 rotatably mounted relative to the slip ring housing 30. The slip ring module 10 rotates about the shaft, the center of which represents the axis of rotation of the assembly. In engagement with the at least one slip ring module 10 is at least a first brush 21 and a second brush 22, which are preferably held by at least one brush holder 20 and are particularly preferably contacted by means of this. Here run the two brushes 21, 22 on the same track of the slip ring module and electrically connected to each other. The at least one brush holder 20 is connected by at least one connector 23 via at least one cable 24 with at least one external connector 62. The slip ring housing preferably has four sides, which are particularly preferably arranged at a right angle to their adjacent sides. A first side preferably comprises a mounting wall 40, which particularly preferably has at least one fastening element 41 for fastening the slip ring housing 30. A second side preferably comprises an opening to a brush carrier space 50, which is preferably closable by a brush carrier cover 51. A third side preferably comprises an opening to a connection space 60, which is preferably closable by a connection cover 61. This terminal cover 61 is preferably used as a carrier for external connectors, such as a first external connector 62 and a second external connector 63. In order to allow passage of the at least one cable 24 from the brush carrier space 50 in the connection space 60, preferably at least one cable gland 64 intended. This may be a simple opening, which is preferably sealed with a sealant. Particular preference is given to using a permanently elastic sealing compound, for example silicone. A fourth side preferably comprises an opening to a module space 70, in which the slip ring module 10 is arranged. This opening is preferably closed with a module cover 71. The slip ring housing is preferably made of a metal such as zinc or aluminum, particularly preferably produced by injection molding. Alternatively, the housing may also comprise a plastic material, particularly preferably a fiber-reinforced plastic material reinforced, for example, by glass fibers and / or carbon fibers. Preferably, a seal 31 is provided for sealing the covers 51, 61 and 71. This can be a circumferential seal, for example a sealing cord or even an applied and / or molded plastic and / or rubber seal.

In the FIG. 2 a side view of the mounting wall 40 is shown. This mounting wall 40 preferably has at least one fastening element 41. For attachment preferably mounting holes, such as a first mounting hole 42 and a second mounting hole 43 are provided. These have particularly preferably an internal thread.

In the FIG. 3 a side view of the brush carrier space 50 is shown. Here, individual brush holders 20, 25, 26 are preferably fastened by fastening screws 89. The distance of the individual brush holder preferably corresponds to the distance of the individual slip ring modules. It is preferred if the brush carriers have conductor tracks 81 for connecting brush contacts 80 to at least one plug connector 23. Furthermore, recesses 82 can be provided in the brush holder, through which access to the brushes is possible. As a result, the state and / or abrasion and / or the assembly of the brush can be controlled or adjusted. Preferably, a connector is provided per brush holder. But it can also be multiple connectors. It is particularly favorable if the plug connector is arranged directly after the connection space, so that no connection cables run inside the brush support space.

In the FIG. 4 a side view of the connection space 60 is shown. There are here a first grommet 64, a second grommet 65 and a third cable gland 66 can be seen, which lead to the corresponding brush holders 20, 25 and 26. By way of example, a cable 24 is shown here, which leads to the plug connector 23 of the brush holder 20. Preferably, a separate cable bushing is provided for each brush holder. However, there may be any number of cable glands. Preferably, the cable glands are adapted to the required cable cross sections and / or sizes of the connector. Particularly preferably, the cable bushings are sealed in order to achieve a separation of the connection space 60 from the brush carrier space 50. Deviating from the embodiment shown here, the connection space 60 can also have connection terminals for connection. In this case, at least a part of the external connector 62,63 could be omitted.

In the FIG. 5 a side view of the module space 70 is shown. By way of example, three slip ring modules, a first slip ring module 10, a second slip ring module 15 and a third slip ring module 16 are shown here by way of example. The slip ring modules have at least one sliding track. By way of example, the slip ring module 10 has three grinding paths, a first grinding path 17, a second grinding path 18 and a third grinding path 19. It is particularly preferred if individual modules with three slideways or a slideway number corresponding to an integer multiple of 3 are used.

In the FIG. 6 is a further side view of the brush carrier space 50 shown, in which the terminal space 60 is cut. Here is the course of the cable 24 and the arrangement of the cable glands recognizable.

In the FIG. 7 an overall view of the arrangement is shown. This shows a closed brush holder cover 51, which is preferably firmly closed by fastening screws 52. Under this brush carrier cover 51, a bearing housing 90 is shown in which preferably a bearing, which is a Rotation of the modules relative to the slip ring housing allows, is located. Below the bearing housing 90 is, rotationally fixed to the modules connected, a module connection housing 91, in which the slip ring modules can be contacted. So may optionally be located in this housing terminals and / or connectors. The module connection housing is preferably round. In an alternative embodiment, it is rectangular, preferably square, wherein particularly preferably an arrangement is symmetrical to the axis of rotation. Connectors for connecting the module connection housing can optionally be arranged radially or on the axial side of the housing. Likewise, a terminal box with cable strain relief can be mounted inside or on the module connection housing. The module junction box itself is an important part of the assembly because it terminates the slip ring housing or slip ring assembly on the side of the module. Without this module connection housing, the slip ring housing would be open on one side, so that the functionality of the slip ring housing would not exist.

In this illustration, the upper part comprising the brush carrier cover 51 and the terminal cover 61 are rotatably connected to the module connector housing 91 via the bearing housing 90. Together with the module connection housing, the at least one slip ring module 10 is rotatable in the interior of the arrangement. This is the at least one brush holder 20 with the brush holder cover 51 and the terminal cover 61 together rotatable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Slip ring module

11

module carrier

12

wave

15

second slip ring module

16

third slip ring module

17

first sanding track

18

second grinding track

19

third sliding track

20

brush carrier

21

first brush

22

second brush

23

Connectors

24

electric wire

25

second brush holder

26

third brush holder

30

Slip ring housing

31

poetry

40

mounting wall

41

fastener

42

first mounting hole

43

second mounting hole

50

Brush carrier space

51

Brush holder cover

52

mounting screws

60

connection space

61

terminal cover

62

first external connector

63

second external connector

64

Grommet

65

second cable entry

66

third cable entry

70

Modulraum

71

module cover

80

Bürstenkontaktierungen

81

conductor tracks

82

recess

89

mounting screws

90

bearing housing

91

Module connector housing

Claims (9)

Comprising slip ring assembly
at least one slip ring module (10) having a rotation axis,
a module connection housing (91) and, rotatable relative thereto, at least one brush holder (20) with at least one brush (21, 22), and a slip ring housing (30) with at least four sides (40, 50, 60, 70) a first side comprises a mounting wall (40) by means of which the slip ring housing can be fastened, a second side comprises an opening to a brush carrier space (50) through which the brush carriers are accessible, a third side comprises an opening to a connection space (60) through which the electrical connections are accessible, and a fourth side comprises an opening to a module space (70), in which a slip ring module can be arranged, wherein the at least four sides are aligned parallel to the axis of rotation and arranged side by side in the radial direction. Slip ring assembly according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the slip ring housing (30) has exactly four sides (40, 50, 60, 70). Slip ring assembly according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the slip ring housing (30) has exactly four sides (40, 50, 60, 70), each side being arranged at a right angle to the adjacent sides. Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
at least one of the openings to a brush carrier space (50), to a connection space (60) and / or to a module space (70) with a cover (61, 71, 81) is closable. Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
at least one means for fixing at least one brush holder (20) is provided. Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the brush carrier space (50) is sealed off from the slip ring module (10). Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the connection space (60) is sealed off from the slip ring module (10). Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the brush carrier space (50) is sealed off from the terminal space (60). Slip ring arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
at least one slip ring module (10) comprises three sliding tracks (17, 18, 19) and at least one brush carrier (20) with three brushes.

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