US Patent 6908310 Slip ring assembly with integral position encoder

A plurality of contact rings are supported in spaced relation on a cylindrical body about a common axis. A housing is located adjacent the contact rings and is configured to permit relative rotation between the contact rings and the housing about the common axis. A plurality of contact brushes each have a proximal end connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). A distal end of each of the contact brushes is slidably engaged with a corresponding one of the contact rings. Optionally a signal generating portion of a position encoder may be mounted on the PCB. The position encoder has a reference portion that is mounted on the cylindrical body.