Harness PCB for Modular, Replaceable Pinball Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard pinball machines have complex and tangled wiring harnesses that are difficult to service, time-consuming to manufacture, heavy, and expensive, due to the numerous components requiring power, data, and communication with a processor.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of prefabricated printed circuit boards (PCBs) with integrated connectors, LED assemblies, switches, and device boards, which simplify the connection of playfield and cabinet components to a processor and power supply, making the wiring modular and replaceable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wiring harnesses are used to connect individual components to processors and power sources, then each component can be connected to required power and data, but the wiring becomes tangled and complex making it difficult to service and time-consuming to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the playfield into multiple sections with individual PCBs for each section. Each PCB is responsible for a specific area and its connected components, allowing independent servicing and replacement of individual sections without affecting the entire playfield wiring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces peripheral control devices as intermediary components between individual playfield components and the main processor. These control devices consolidate multiple component connections into single interface points, simplifying the overall wiring architecture and improving serviceability.
2Productivity
If traditional wiring harnesses with individual component connections are used, then all components can be connected to processors and power sources, but manufacturing becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The playfield is segmented into multiple PCB sections that can be manufactured independently and assembled systematically. This modular approach enables parallel manufacturing processes and reduces overall assembly time compared to creating and installing a single complex wiring harness.
Solution Approach 2:
PCBs are pre-assembled with their associated components and wiring before being installed on the playfield. This preliminary assembly allows for more efficient manufacturing processes and quality control, reducing the time and cost required during final playfield assembly.
3Weight of moving object
If lengthy wiring harnesses are used to connect each component to processors and power sources, then all components can receive power and data, but the overall weight of the pinball machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the wiring system into multiple smaller PCB sections distributed throughout the playfield, the patent eliminates the need for a single lengthy central wiring harness. Each section uses shorter local connections, reducing total wire length and overall system weight.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a Harness PCB that replaces the traditional wiring harness used in a pinball machine. The Harness PCB comprises circuit traces, connectors for all playfield components, LED assemblies, and connectors for device boards. The Harness PCB is attached to the bottom of the playfield and may comprise a single PCB or multiple interconnected PCBs. All playfield components, cabinet components, device boards, and LEDs are connected to the Harness PCB in such a manner that all components that may fail during normal operation are both modular and replaceable. The Harness PCB can be replicated by connecting the device boards directly to breakout boards to create an identical software and hardware environment as the full Harness PCB.