Scale Controller Housing Double Seal and Removable Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial scale and load cell controllers face challenges in maintaining a moisture-proof and durable seal, especially in hostile environments, while also requiring easy access for battery replacement and user-friendly display and input interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring a removable front display unit with a double mechanical seal, a rear interface and mounting unit that supports a battery pack and interface circuit board, and a pivotal mounting fixture for ergonomic and easy cleaning, allowing the display unit to pivot for clear viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealed stainless steel housing is used to protect controller electronics from moisture, then moisture resistance is improved, but water condensation occurs on the inside of the unit which can harm controller electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate housings: an inner sealed stainless steel housing that protects against moisture ingress, and an outer housing that provides ventilation and structural support. This segmentation allows the inner housing to maintain its sealed protective function while the outer housing handles thermal management and user interaction, eliminating the condensation problem caused by sealing the entire unit.
2Ease of operation
If controller electronics are powered by a battery, then portability is improved, but it is necessary to be able to open the housing and access the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the inner sealed housing and placed in the outer housing, allowing the inner housing to remain permanently sealed for protection against moisture. The outer housing is designed with easy-access features for battery replacement, thus maintaining both the seal integrity of the electronics compartment and the ease of battery access.
3Ease of operation
If electrical connections between the scale unit and the scale controller require openings in the scale controller housing, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the moisture-proof seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed connection interface is provided between the inner and outer housings that allows electrical connections to pass through while maintaining the moisture-proof seal. This intermediary sealing mechanism enables electrical connectivity without compromising the protective barrier against moisture ingress.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a double housing approach is used to provide moisture protection, then moisture resistance is improved, but both the cost of the controller and the space required by the controller housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture combines multiple functions: it provides structural support for mounting the controller, enables pivotal movement for ergonomic positioning, and facilitates cleaning access. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer housing serves multiple purposes: it provides structural support, enables heat dissipation through ventilation, houses the battery and power supply, and allows user interaction with the display and input keys. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
5Ease of operation
If a reset switch is mounted on the outer housing and connected to a reset switch on the inner housing, then reset functionality is improved, but complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reset switch functionality is extracted from the inner housing and relocated to the outer housing, eliminating the need for inter-housing switch connections. This removes the additional complexity and potential failure points associated with connecting switches between housings, while maintaining full reset functionality through the outer housing interface.
6Object-affected harmful factors
If the display is read through two lenses (one for inner housing and one for outer housing), then moisture protection is improved, but display readability and user interaction become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The display and input keys are extracted from the inner housing and relocated to the outer housing, allowing users to interact with the controller through the outer housing's single lens. This eliminates the difficulty of reading through two lenses while maintaining moisture protection through the sealed inner housing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A housing for a scale or load cell controller suitable for use in harsh environments. The housing includes a moisture-resistant front display unit coupled to a rear interface and mounting unit. The front display unit includes a front housing, a back housing, and a frame overlying a boundary or seal region between the front and back housings to provide a double moisture-resistant seal between the front and back housings. The front display unit defines an interior region including a display and a plurality of user input keys and controller circuitry. The front display unit is removably attachable to the rear interface unit. A moisture-resistant seal is also provided between the front display unit and the rear interface and mounting unit. The rear interface and mounting unit defines a recessed area supporting a battery pack, a power supply and an interface circuit board. Circuitry in the front display unit is electrically coupled to circuitry in the rear interface and mounting unit via an edge connector circuit card that extends through an opening in the front display unit and mates with an edge connector socket supported in the rear interface and mounting unit.