Metal Keyboard Enclosure with Sliding End Caps for Rapid PCB Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal enclosures for computer input devices in quick serve restaurants are difficult to assemble and disassemble, leading to time consumption and potential damage to the printed circuit board (PCB) due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A metal keyboard enclosure with a sliding-fit interlocking tongue and groove structure between a front and back metal member, where end caps made of nylon allow for easy assembly and disassembly, and include features for securing the PCB and ribbon cable, enabling quick access and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a two-piece metal enclosure shell is used for the keyboard, then durability and strength are improved, but assembly and disassembly become time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into three separate components: a front shell half, a rear shell half, and end caps. This segmentation allows the end caps to be independently removed to access the PS/2 cable slot, enabling quick cable replacement without disassembling the entire enclosure shell, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining strong metal construction and enabling rapid assembly/disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The PS/2 cable access slot is extracted and positioned on the end cap rather than requiring separation of the front and rear shell halves. This allows the cable to be accessed by simply removing the end cap, significantly reducing the time and complexity of cable replacement while maintaining the integrity of the main enclosure structure.
2Strength
If a two-piece metal enclosure shell is used for the keyboard, then structural strength is improved, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into front shell half, rear shell half, and end caps. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process by allowing the end caps to be independently attached or removed, reducing the complexity of cable access operations while maintaining the overall structural strength of the metal enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable access functionality is extracted to the end cap component, which can be independently removed. This separation of functions reduces assembly complexity by allowing cable replacement without requiring disassembly of the main enclosure structure, while the metal construction maintains its strength.
3Reliability
If a metal enclosure is used, then durability in harsh environments is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal enclosure is segmented into front shell half, rear shell half, and end caps. This allows the end caps to be quickly removed for cable access without compromising the overall durability of the metal construction, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability in harsh restaurant environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable access slot is extracted to the end cap, which can be independently removed from the durable metal enclosure. This design improvement allows easy cable replacement and maintenance operations while preserving the strength and durability of the main metal enclosure structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard/keyboard enclosure is provided. The keyboard/keyboard enclosure includes front and rear shells removably connected together and made of a durable metal material such as aluminum. The enclosure defines a cavity and various features for positioning and/or restraining a PCB within the cavity. A keypad is positioned on the front surface of the front shell. End caps extend into the cavity from opposed ends of the front and rear shells, thereby selectively securing the front and rear shells together and/or further positioning and/or restraining the PCB within the cavity.