Slip rings, rotary connectors, reels, etc.
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:34 pm
I'm looking for some advice on something I need for a non-robot related project.
I need an extendable/retractable (preferable with a rachet and spring, so that it automatically retracts when a button is pressed) USB lead, or a lead with at least 4 wires which I could use for USB. There are many of things such as this around, but they have some problems which make them unsuitable. They extend in both directions from a central hub, rather than in only one direction; they generally have very thin wimpy cables, and I need cables of at least standard USB thickness, i.e that it can take being wound and unwound regularly, as well as being stood on, without any issue; and they're usually fairly short, whereas I'd like something at least in the 5-6ft range.
I've considered the possibility of custom making something using a slip ring/rotary connector, a length of cable, a coil spring and some magic, but it would certainly be a pain (I hate working with springs!), and I've read that slip rings aren't great for digital connections.
Does anyone have any suggestions of a suitable product, or any other advice related to this sort of thing? It doesn't matter if it's not designed for USB originally, I can always put my own plugs on it if it has enough connections.
I need an extendable/retractable (preferable with a rachet and spring, so that it automatically retracts when a button is pressed) USB lead, or a lead with at least 4 wires which I could use for USB. There are many of things such as this around, but they have some problems which make them unsuitable. They extend in both directions from a central hub, rather than in only one direction; they generally have very thin wimpy cables, and I need cables of at least standard USB thickness, i.e that it can take being wound and unwound regularly, as well as being stood on, without any issue; and they're usually fairly short, whereas I'd like something at least in the 5-6ft range.
I've considered the possibility of custom making something using a slip ring/rotary connector, a length of cable, a coil spring and some magic, but it would certainly be a pain (I hate working with springs!), and I've read that slip rings aren't great for digital connections.
Does anyone have any suggestions of a suitable product, or any other advice related to this sort of thing? It doesn't matter if it's not designed for USB originally, I can always put my own plugs on it if it has enough connections.