Race Timing Decoder Flap Housing for Outdoor Cable Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sports timing systems face limitations in flexibility, ease of setup, and durability in varying outdoor conditions, particularly due to the need for different RFID tag types and unpredictable event setups, often requiring unskilled labor and exposure to harsh weather.
Innovation Solution
A decoder for a race timing system with a user interface and cable connection interface protected by a protective flap, allowing easy connection to regular equipment while shielding from environmental impacts, combined with a robust housing and ventilation system to ensure reliability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable connection interface is exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The protective flap is designed to be movable between an open position (allowing cable access) and a closed position (providing environmental protection). This dynamic structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs versus protection needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into protected internal components and accessible external interfaces, with the protective flap creating a distinct boundary zone. This segmentation allows different parts of the device to serve different functions - protection for electronics and access for cable connections.
2Reliability
If the decoder is made robust for outdoor conditions, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible protective flap made of weather-resistant material provides robust protection against environmental factors while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process. The flap acts as a thin film barrier that is easier to produce than fully sealed robust housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective flap serves as an intermediary element between the harsh outdoor environment and the sensitive electronic components. This mediator provides the necessary protection while allowing the main housing to remain relatively simple in construction.
3Reliability
If the user interface is protected from environmental impact, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective flap dynamically transitions between protecting the user interface and allowing access to it. When opened, it provides full access for configuration and interaction; when closed, it protects the interface from environmental factors like rain and dust.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a decoder (18) for a race timing system (16), comprising: a reader interface (24) for receiving detections of sports timing transponders (14) passing an antenna (106); a cable connection interface (26) for connecting a network cable and/or a computer interface cable; a user interface (28) for providing configuration feedback to a user; a processing unit (84) for determining passing times of participants (10) in a sports event based on the detections; and a housing (30) for protecting the processing unit from environmental impact, wherein the user interface is arranged on an outside of the housing for providing user access and the cable connection interface is arranged under a protective flap (42) that is configured to provide user access to the cable connection interface in an open state and to shield the cable connection from environmental impact in a closed state. The present invention further relates to a race timing system (16).