Surgical shaft assemblies with slip ring assemblies with increased contact pressure
A slip ring assembly is usable with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a first connector flange comprising a conductor. The slip ring assembly further includes a second connector flange comprising a conductive element in contact with the conductor, wherein the second connector flange is rotatable relative to the first connector flange. In addition, the slip ring assembly also includes a support member, wherein the second connector flange is sandwiched between the first connector flange and the support member, and wherein the support member is configured to apply a load onto the second connector flange to maintain the contact between the conductor and the conductive element.
1. A slip ring assembly for use with a surgical shaft assembly, the slip ring assembly comprising:
a first connector flange comprising a conductor;
a second connector flange comprising a conductive element in contact with the conductor, wherein the second connector flange is rotatable relative to the first connector flange; and
a support member, wherein the second connector flange is sandwiched between the first connector flange and the support member, and wherein the support member comprises a slot configured to receive and hold the second connector flange and the support member is configured to apply a load onto the second connector flange to maintain the contact between the conductor and the conductive element.
2. The slip ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive element applies a pressure against the conductor, and wherein the support member is further configured to maintain the pressure at or above a desired threshold.
3. The slip ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductor is an annular conductor.
4. The slip ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the conductive element comprises a spring contact.
5. The slip ring assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a resilient member configured to apply the load onto the second connector flange.
6. The slip ring assembly of claim 5 , wherein the resilient member is a spring leaf.
7. The slip ring assembly of claim 5 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different material composition than the conductive element.
8. The slip ring assembly of claim 5 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different spring rate than the conductive element.
9. A shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the shaft assembly comprising:
a proximal shaft portion comprising a proximal connector that includes a plurality of conductors; and
a distal shaft portion, comprising:
a distal connector that includes a plurality of conductive elements each in contact with one of the plurality of conductors, wherein the distal connector is rotatable relative to the proximal connector; and
a support member, wherein the distal connector is positioned between the proximal connector and the support member, and wherein the support member comprises a cradle configured to receive and hold the distal connector and the support member is configured to apply a load onto the distal connector to maintain the contact between the plurality of conductors and the plurality of conductive elements.
10. The shaft assembly of claim 9 , wherein the conductive elements apply a pressure against the conductors, and wherein the support member is further configured to maintain the pressure at or above a desired threshold.
11. The shaft assembly of claim 9 , wherein the conductors are annular concentric conductors.
12. The shaft assembly of claim 9 , wherein the conductive elements comprise spring contacts.
13. The shaft assembly of claim 9 , wherein the support member comprises a resilient member configured to apply the load onto the distal connector.
14. The shaft assembly of claim 13 , wherein the resilient member is a spring leaf.
15. The shaft assembly of claim 13 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different material composition than the conductive elements.
16. The shaft assembly of claim 13 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different spring rate than the conductive elements.
17. A slip ring assembly for use with a surgical shaft assembly, the slip ring assembly comprising:
a slip ring comprising a conductor;
a commutator, comprising:
a commutator body portion; and
a commutator arm extending from the commutator body portion, wherein the commutator arm comprises a conductive element in contact with the conductor, and wherein the commutator is rotatable relative to the slip ring; and
a support member, comprising:
a body portion including a cradle configured to receive and hold the commutator body portion; and
an arm extending from the body portion, wherein the arm comprises a resilient member configured to maintain the contact between the conductor and the conductive element.
18. The slip ring assembly of claim 17 , wherein the resilient member is a spring leaf.
19. The slip ring assembly of claim 17 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different material composition than the conductive element.
20. The slip ring assembly of claim 17 , wherein the resilient member comprises a different spring rate than the conductive element.