Sealed Exercise Machine Keypad Assembly Against Liquid Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for exercise machines are prone to failure due to liquid ingress, high usage, and wear and tear, leading to malfunctions and costly replacements.
Innovation Solution
The input assembly features a housing with a keypad window, an insert that compresses the keypad between the housing and itself, forming a seal to prevent liquid ingress, and a retainer device to secure the insert in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional input devices are used in exercise machines, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device is prone to liquid ingress and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The input assembly is divided into separate components: a housing, a keypad, and an insert that forms a seal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing provides structural support, the keypad provides input functionality, and the insert provides liquid protection - while collectively solving the reliability issue without requiring complete redesign of the entire device
Solution Approach 2:
An insert component is introduced as an intermediary element between the housing and the external environment. This insert includes a seal that prevents liquid ingress through the keypad window opening, thereby protecting the internal keypad and electronics from liquid damage without compromising the input functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed housing design is implemented to prevent liquid ingress, then liquid protection is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-formed as an integral part of the insert component during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing function is built-in before assembly, eliminating the need for complex sealing procedures during final assembly and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining effective liquid protection
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is merged with the insert component, creating a single integrated part that combines the structural function of the insert with the protective function of the seal. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies the assembly process while ensuring reliable liquid ingress prevention
3Reliability
If keypad is compressed between housing and insert to form seal, then liquid protection is enhanced, but keypad durability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force is applied locally at the perimeter of the keypad where the seal is formed, rather than uniformly across the entire keypad surface. This localized compression is sufficient to create an effective liquid barrier at the critical sealing interface while minimizing stress on the keypad's structural integrity and maintaining its operational durability
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 effectively prevents liquid ingress, reducing the risk of input device failure and extending its lifespan, while also simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a seal is formed there between, the seal being configured to prevent ingress of liquid to the housing via the keypad window
Implementation Method 2
insertion of the insert into the housing compresses the keypad between the housing and the insert, thereby forming the seal
Implementation Method 3
A retainer device may be provided for retaining the insert in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An input assembly is for an exercise machine. The input assembly has a housing having a keypad window, an insert in the housing, and a keypad in the keypad window, the keypad being sandwiched between the housing and the insert such that a seal is formed there between, the seal being configured to prevent ingress of liquid to the housing via the keypad window.