Gaming Terminal Chair Electrical Interface Arcing Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming terminal chairs with electronic components face electrical safety risks due to repeated arcing during servicing, leading to connector degradation, increased electrical consumption, and potential fire or shock hazards.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system with a switching device that automatically couples an alternating current power supply to the chair's electronic components only when the electrical connector assembly is securely attached, preventing arcing by disconnecting the power supply during coupling and decoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the electrical connector remains energized during coupling and decoupling operations, then the chair can be quickly repositioned for servicing, but arcing occurs between connectors causing degradation and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair repositioning speedVSAvoidconnector reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device is activated in advance to de-energize the electrical connector before the chair is physically repositioned for servicing. This preliminary action ensures that no arcing can occur during the coupling and decoupling operations, while still allowing quick chair movement. The connector is prepared in a safe state before the mechanical operation begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device applies a counter-action by de-energizing the electrical connector before any coupling or decoupling operation occurs. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful arcing effect from occurring in the first place, while maintaining the ability to quickly reposition the chair for servicing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the electrical connector is de-energized before coupling operations, then arcing is prevented and connector reliability improves, but the chair cannot be quickly repositioned for servicing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector reliabilityVSAvoidchair repositioning speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device is activated in advance to de-energize the electrical connector before the chair is physically repositioned for servicing. This preliminary action ensures that no arcing can occur during the coupling and decoupling operations, while still allowing quick chair movement. The connector is prepared in a safe state before the mechanical operation begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device applies a counter-action by de-energizing the electrical connector before any coupling or decoupling operation occurs. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful arcing effect from occurring in the first place, while maintaining the ability to quickly reposition the chair for servicing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If repeated arcing events occur during connector coupling and decoupling, then the system remains simple and inexpensive, but connector resistance increases and electrical consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidelectrical consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device is activated in advance to de-energize the electrical connector before the chair is physically repositioned for servicing. This preliminary action ensures that no arcing can occur during the coupling and decoupling operations, while still allowing quick chair movement. The connector is prepared in a safe state before the mechanical operation begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device applies a counter-action by de-energizing the electrical connector before any coupling or decoupling operation occurs. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful arcing effect from occurring in the first place, while maintaining the ability to quickly reposition the chair for servicing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS9058719B2Gaming terminal chair electrical interface

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

Gaming terminals, gaming systems, and electrical and mechanical connector assemblies for coupling a gaming terminal to a chair positioned in front of the gaming terminal are presented herein. A gaming system is disclosed. The gaming system includes a gaming terminal for playing a wagering game and a chair positioned in front of the gaming terminal. The chair includes electronic components operated by a digital data signal and powered by a power supply signal. The gaming terminal includes an electrical connector assembly for coupling to a complementary electrical connector assembly on the chair. The electrical connector assembly also includes a switching device for automatically electrically coupling the electronic components with a power supply signal from a power supply once the respective electrical connector assemblies are securely coupled.