INPUT DEVICES & DISPLAYS TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT
Standard displays for off road, earth moving or other industrial applications are very basic, and not really designed for best in world ergonomics. Due to low volumes cost is assumed to be the biggest deterrent but as shown here that is not the case. Below is classic example of standard display and teardown..
Product is generally not very modular requiring redesign with new customer requests. It consists of plastic housings that contain indicator lights, mechanical gages and stepper motors controlled by embedded processors receiving data from automotive sensors.
Target: Improving system design for ease of integration & complexity reduction with target to reduce costs by 30% to 50%.
Top 10 improvements to investigate:
- Part count reduction.
- Ease of assembly (eliminate screws).
- Lighting.
- Connectivity.
- Move dials & graphics to single plan.
- Anti-fog lens.
- PCB & LED costs.
- Microchip IC & voltage regulator.
- Silk screen graphics.
- Gaskets
Design Improvements as recommended
Bill Of materials
- Silicone elastomeric front cover with a polycarbonate layer on the underside.
- Windows for the dials are cut out of the elastomer – sealed by the PC layer.
- Elastomer to provide a dynamic and vibrant aesthetic in both color and texture.
- Adhesive film on the underside can achieve a seal up to 1P69 (submersible).
- ABS housing for PCBA, the elastomeric cover fits over the front of it.
- PCBA held in place inside the plastic casing and sitting underneath the elastomeric cover
- Connector molded in rear cover with stitched terminals soldered to PCBA
The Assembly Process
The clear polycarbonate layer (identical in size and shape to the elastomeric cover) is the adhered to the underside of the elastomeric cover on a jig to get the correct alignment. This polycarbonate layer acts as cover for the windows in the cover while maintaining the integrity of the seal of the unit.
The PCB is screwed into place on the plastic case which has an open front with a lip around the outside to take the adhesive underside of the elastomeric-polycarbonate cover.
Bill of Materials for Design Concept:
- 10mil 8A13F & 2mm PU foam SRA200SD foam Density 320KG/M3.
- 6 color screen printing.
- Foam Laminated to clear PCBA.
- Windows for the dials are cut out.
- Adhesive film on the underside can achieve a seal up to 1P69 (submersible).
- ABS housing for PCBA with base rear cover design.
- PCBA held in place inside the plastic casing.
- Dial Gauge & Front Dead Font Overlay one printed part on the same plane.
- Gasket will act as noise dampener and eliminate LED bleed through.
- Clear window for 7-segment display.
- Ant fog Lens & ABS cover 2-shot mold.
- Anti-fogging solution for rear lens.
- PCBA connector molded in rear cover with stitched terminals soldered to PCBA.
For more details contact designhmi@gmail.com or go to technology innovators WEB site http://www.keytechsystems.com/
