Non-Penetrating Button Deck Assembly for Liquid-Safe Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic gaming machine button decks with mechanical pushbuttons require penetration points through the display, leading to potential damage from liquids and debris, increasing the risk of interference and failure.
Innovation Solution
A non-penetrating pushbutton assembly with an upper and lower portion that communicate without physical connections, using magnetic, induction, or optical mechanisms to signal button presses without requiring cables or overlays, thus preventing damage and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical pushbuttons extend through the display, then the button can be actuated and provide input, but penetration points allow liquid or debris to penetrate and damage electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is divided into two separate portions: an upper portion positioned on the upper surface of the display and a lower portion positioned on the lower surface. These portions communicate without physical connection through the display, eliminating penetration points while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connections (cables, physical linkages) with non-mechanical communication methods such as magnetic fields, induction, or optical mechanisms. This allows the upper and lower portions to communicate without physical penetration through the display.
2Reliability
If penetration points are created through the display, then buttons can be connected to electronics, but stress points increase and display failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the connection mechanism from the display structure itself. Instead of penetrating the display, the button assembly communicates through the display using non-contact methods, removing stress points while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary fields (magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, or optical signals) as mediators between the upper and lower portions of the button assembly. These intermediaries enable communication without direct physical contact or penetration through the display.
3Reliability
If cables or physical connections are used, then power and signals can be transmitted, but liquid or debris can access electronics through penetration points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with non-contact power and signal transmission methods such as electromagnetic induction or optical communication. This eliminates penetration points while maintaining energy and data transmission capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses electromagnetic or optical copies of signals instead of physical cable transmissions. The upper portion generates electromagnetic signals or light that penetrate the display non-contactly to communicate with the lower portion, avoiding physical openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents damage from liquids and debris, reduces the risk of electronic interference, and maintains the integrity of the gaming machine's electronics by eliminating penetration points, ensuring reliable and long-lasting operation.
Implementation Method 1
The lower portion includes at least one electromagnet, and a control board electrically coupled to the electromagnet. The electromagnet is positioned such that it is aligned with one or more of the magnets. The control board drives the electromagnet to create a magnet field.
Implementation Method 2
The control board identifies a fluctuation in power required to drive the electromagnet caused by a magnetic field of the magnets interacting with the magnetic field of the electromagnet when the button face is pressed by a player.
Implementation Method 3
The lower portion includes a light source and a light sensor. The light source directs a light beam toward the reflective surface and the light sensor detects the light beam reflected from the reflective surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A button deck includes a substrate and a two-part non-penetrating pushbutton assembly with an upper portion positioned on an upper surface of the substrate and a lower portion positioned on a lower surface of the substrate. The upper portion includes a button face positioned in a button frame that is coupled to the upper surface of the substrate. The button face is configured to be pressed to move within the button frame toward the upper surface of the substrate. The upper portion and the lower portion are configured to work together to provide a signal to an EGM that the button face has been pressed. The pushbutton assembly is non-penetrating because it does not provide any penetration points through the substrate of the button deck.