Slide-Out Button Deck Assembly with Push-to-Release Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional button deck designs in gaming machines are disadvantaged due to their inability to provide an immersive and versatile player interface, particularly with advancements in graphics processors leading to multiple video displays, and lack of effective drainage and waterproofing features.
Innovation Solution
A slide-out gaming interface with a button deck assembly featuring a video display, glass insulator, and capacitive touch screen layer, along with a single piece cast flange and drawer slide assemblies for drainage and waterproofing, and a manually operable push-to-release latch mechanism for secure attachment and easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional button deck designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the player interface cannot provide an immersive and versatile gaming experience
Solution Approach 1:
The button deck assembly is divided into separate modular components including the button deck itself, the flange assembly, and the drawer slide assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall versatility, enabling the interface to adapt to different gaming configurations without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The button deck assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic capability enables the interface to adapt between different operational states - providing an immersive extended interface during gameplay while allowing easy access to components during maintenance, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of repair
If the button deck is fixed in place, then the structure is stable, but maintenance and component access become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The button deck assembly transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic movable position using drawer slide assemblies. These slides enable the deck to be easily extended for maintenance access while automatically providing stable positioning during gameplay through engagement with the flange assembly, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer slide assemblies act as intermediary mechanisms between the fixed cabinet structure and the movable button deck. These slides provide the intermediate functionality of controlled movement, allowing the deck to transition smoothly between fixed and accessible states without compromising structural stability during operation.
3Ease of repair
If the button deck is easily removable, then maintenance is simplified, but secure attachment during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into separate functional elements: the flange assembly providing secure engagement features, the drawer slide assemblies providing controlled movement, and the latch mechanism providing reliable locking. This segmentation allows the deck to be securely attached during operation while maintaining ease of removal for maintenance through the coordinated action of these independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves as an intermediary that mediates between the need for secure attachment and easy removal. It provides a controlled interface that ensures reliable engagement during gameplay while enabling simple one-handed operation for maintenance access, thus resolving the contradiction between security and ease of repair.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If drainage and waterproofing features are added, then protection from spills is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage and waterproofing features are merged into the flange assembly structure itself rather than being added as separate components. The flange integrates channels for drainage, barriers for waterproofing, and structural support functions into a single unified component, thus providing spill protection without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange assembly is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, drainage pathways, waterproofing barriers, and mounting features. This universality allows a single component to address multiple concerns including spill protection without requiring additional dedicated structures, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Gaming machines and systems include a slide-out player interface button deck including a video display and a glass insulator provided with a capacitive touch screen layer overlying the video display. A cast flange surrounds at least a portion of the button deck and is slidably attached and interlocked with the button deck via mating projections and openings. First and second drawer slide assemblies are coupled to the flange and a manually operable push-to release latch mechanism locks and unlocks the slide-out player interface for movement between a retracted position and an extending position relative to a gaming support structure.