Disposable Enclosure for Data Collection Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data collection devices, such as bar code scanners and portable data terminals, face challenges in maintaining cleanliness and sterility in environments where infection transmission is a risk, as conventional cleaning and disinfecting methods can damage plastic components and are inefficient due to complex surfaces and contours, and existing protective covers can interfere with device functionality.

Innovation Solution

A disposable protective enclosure for data collection devices that allows full functional capability, including optical quality components to prevent light distortion, and is designed to be easily removable and discarded, featuring a two-part construction with a rigid end cap and shapeless cover that ensures sealing and protection without hindering device operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cleaning and disinfecting methods are used, then cleanliness and sterility are improved, but plastic components are damaged and cleaning efficiency is reduced due to complex surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness and sterilityVSAvoidcomponent damage and cleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable protective covers that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need to clean and sterilize complex device surfaces. This resolves the contradiction by replacing the need for effective cleaning of complex surfaces with a simple disposable barrier approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover uses a flexible, form-fitting shell that conforms to the device contours, providing complete surface coverage without requiring cleaning of complex geometries. This resolves the contradiction by creating a sterilizable outer shell that protects the underlying complex surfaces from exposure to cleaning agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If protective covers are used to maintain sterility, then cleanliness is improved, but device functionality is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness and sterilityVSAvoiddevice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover incorporates localized openings and transparent windows at specific positions corresponding to device interfaces, buttons, and display areas. This allows full device functionality through the cover while maintaining sterility in covered areas, resolving the contradiction between protection and operational access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If disposable protective covers are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but light transmission may be distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidlight transmission quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover utilizes thin, transparent film material that allows optical transmission while maintaining the disposable protective function. This resolves the contradiction by providing a material that simultaneously enables light passage for imaging functions and maintains sterility through disposability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7987979B2Data collection device enclosure

Publication Date: 2011.08.02 HAND HELD PRODS INC

AI summary

An enclosure for housing a portable data transfer device, such as a bar code scanner, data collection device, or other equipment, for use in environments requiring a certain level of cleanliness, for protection against transmission of infection or merely dust or dirt, while allowing a full range of functional capability of such devices and equipment.