Rotating Quick Release Button Panel for Gaming Machine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Button panel assemblies in gaming machines are difficult to access for maintenance due to being attached to the machine door with fasteners, limiting access and requiring tools for removal, and when removed, they often necessitate the removal of integral machine components, which can be cumbersome and costly. Additionally, the assemblies can pinch electrical wires, making servicing challenging.
Innovation Solution
A rotating quick release button panel assembly connected to the gaming machine cabinet, allowing the modular user interface to rotate and expose the interior, enabling easy access without tools and allowing the panel to be used as a security barrier, thus simplifying maintenance and reducing the need to remove integral components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the button panel assembly is attached to the gaming machine door with fasteners, then the assembly is securely fixed, but it requires tools to remove and limits access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The button panel assembly is transformed from a static fixed structure to a dynamic movable one. The assembly can rotate between a closed position (attached to the door) and an open position (exposing internal components). This dynamic capability allows the same structure to provide both secure fixation during operation and easy access during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the button panel assembly is removed for maintenance, then access to internal components is improved, but integral machine components must be removed together adding burden and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable modules: the button panel assembly and the integral machine components (lamps, switches, circuitry). The button panel assembly can be independently moved to an open position while the integral components remain in place. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access internal components without removing the entire assembly, reducing the burden and cost of maintenance while improving accessibility.
3Reliability
If the button panel assembly is mounted to the gaming machine door, then it is securely positioned, but electrical wires may be pinched between the assembly and door
Solution Approach 1:
The movable design allows the button panel assembly to rotate away from the door, creating clearance space between the assembly and door structure. This dynamic positioning prevents electrical wires from being pinched during operation, while the assembly remains securely positioned when closed. The same mechanism that provides secure positioning also eliminates the wire pinching hazard.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the button panel assembly is wide to provide sufficient buttons, then user interface functionality is improved, but it abuts the neighboring gaming machine when the door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The button panel assembly is designed to rotate in a different dimensional plane rather than simply opening outward. By rotating the entire assembly on a hinge axis, the wide panel can be positioned parallel to the door or at an angle that prevents interference with the neighboring machine. This dimensional change allows the assembly to maintain its full width for user interface functionality while clearing the path for door opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine having a support bracket coupled to a cabinet front of the gaming machine, and a modular user interface hingedly coupled to the support bracket with at least one connector, the modular user interface having a button panel and a wrist support, wherein the modular user interface is configured to rotate along an axis of the at least one connector to expose an interior portion of the gaming machine.