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GB2462842A - A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment - Google Patents

A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2462842A
GB2462842A GB0815277A GB0815277A GB2462842A GB 2462842 A GB2462842 A GB 2462842A GB 0815277 A GB0815277 A GB 0815277A GB 0815277 A GB0815277 A GB 0815277A GB 2462842 A GB2462842 A GB 2462842A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
panel
machine interface
human machine
interface panel
arms
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0815277A
Other versions
GB0815277D0 (en
Inventor
Matthew Stevens
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Priority to GB0815277A priority Critical patent/GB2462842A/en
Publication of GB0815277D0 publication Critical patent/GB0815277D0/en
Publication of GB2462842A publication Critical patent/GB2462842A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K35/00—Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
    • B60K35/60—Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/0017—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus with operator interface units
    • B60K37/02—
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G12—INSTRUMENT DETAILS
    • G12B—CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF INSTRUMENTS, OR COMPARABLE DETAILS OF OTHER APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G12B9/00—Housing or supporting of instruments or other apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0213—Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
    • H05K5/0214—Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof with means preventing penetration of rain water or dust

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A human machine interface panel 3 includes a number of rotatable arms 4-7 which may be rotated from a stowed position to a deployed position to engage a rear face of an enclosure 1. This allows the panel to be located in a hole in the enclosure 1 and to be retained in place by deployment of the arms 4-7. A seal (13, Fig.3) may also provided to prevent water ingress into the enclosure 1.

Description

A Human Machine Interface Panel This invention relates to a human machine interface panel for electronic equipment.
Human machine interface panels are typicaUy fitted to electronic equipment by cutting out a hole and screwing the panel to the periphery of the hole. This requires the careful positioning of the panel and the drilling of the required pilot holes for the screws. The routing of cables to connect the human machine interface panel is also difficult and it may require additional holes to be made. Therefore to fit a human machine interface panel to electronic equipment is often difficult. Furthermore, it is often difficult to ensure adequate sealing of an enclosure following the fitting of a human machine interface panel.
The present invention arose in an attempt to alleviate these problems.
In accordance with the invention there is provided a human machine interface panel for locating in a hole in an enclosure which panel comprising arms deployable from a stowed position to deployed position to engage a rear face of the enclosure about a periphery of the hole.
Preferably, the arms are resiliently deformable to resiliently engage the rear face.
Preferably, the arms are spring arms.
Advantageously, the arms are provided with ramping faces to assist deformation against their resilience during engagement with the rear face.
Preferably, the arms are rotatably mounted to the human machine interface panel to permit movement from the stowed to the deployed positions by rotational movement.
In the described embodiment, the arms are deployable from a rear of the enclosure.
Alternatively, the arms may be movable from a front face of the human machine interface panel. Deployment may be by the provision of a socket or other tool engagement feature to enable a tool to be applied to rotate the arm or by the provision of a knob to permit rotation by a user without an additional tool.
Preferably a seal is provided located between the panel and the periphery of the hole to provide a seal therebetween to prevent ingress of water or the like into the enclosure.
The seal is preferably compressed by the engagement of the arms to the periphery. In the described embodiment, the arms are rotatable about bolts and the bolts are tightened to lock the arms in the deployed position. Further tightening, acts to draw the arrangement together and to compress the seal. This caters for a range of thicknesses of seal and other parts of the arrangement such as the panel itself and is thus advantageous.
The arms are preferably made of a material which has a good shape �memory. This means that the material acts to return to its original shape when deformed. In the specific embodiment the material is acetyl plastics material although other materials may be used. This has a good shape memory and also may be conveniently made into the arms by a moulding process.
The seal may be made from a number of materials but in the specific embodiment it is formed of a silicone plastics material with good resilience. The seal preferably includes formations to locate the panel and in the preferred embodiment has a retaining lip which engages the panel at its periphery. The seal includes a contact surface for engaging the panel and another for engaging the periphery of the hole. The contact surface preferably includes at least one ridge or projection out of the contact surface which is deformable when the components are brought into contact. This ensures a good seal even if there are slight unconformities in the surfaces. In the described embodiment a channel is provided to permit the escape of air or fluid between two sealing enhancement features.
Advantageously, the seal includes parts to cover some feature of the panel for example buttons or recesses. In use, this prevents water gathering or pooling in the feature further enhancing the water proofing of the arrangement. Preferably, the seal at least partially fills the cavity. By obscuring the panel feature using the seal a user is dissuaded from trying to manipulate the feature such as trying to depress a button. The panel feature could also be a port which is not required in ordinary use such as a connection for service equipment.
The specific embodiment includes one seal waU which is profiled to provide a water flow channel to direct water in a particular direction. This further enhances the waterproofing properties.
When reference is made to water proofing or sealing it will be appreciated that this will include seaUng or proofing against other fluids or indeed gases.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the rear face of a panel in accordance with the invention located in a hole in an enclosure showing two retaining arms in the stowed position and two in the deployed position in which they engage the enclosure; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one the retaining arms of figure 1 showing the inclined or ramped profile; Figure 3 shows a front view of the panel located in the hole in the enclosure and a seal located therebetween; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the rear of the seal whilst seated on the panel showing a projection out of the seaUng contact surface; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the front of the seal with the panel removed and showing panel location features and also a second sealing projection; Figure 6 shows view front the front and one side of the pane' and seal mounted to the enclosure with indications of the flow path of water when the panel is in use; and Figure 7 shows a side view of the arrangement shown in figure 6 showing a profile of the seal at an upper end which provides a fluid flow channel for directing the water flow.
As is shown in figure 1, an enclosure panel 1 is provided with a rectangular cut-out or hole 2 which allows a human machine interface panel 3 to be nserted. The human machine interface panel 3 has mounted on ts rear face arms 4 to 7. The arms are identically configured and thus will be described with reference to the arm 4 alone. The arms are moulded from an acetyl plastics material which has a good shape "memory" and thus provides a degree of resilience to deformation. The arm 4 is rotatably mounted at a first end about a bolt 9. The bolt 9 may be loosened to allow movement of the arm or tightened to prevent movement by engagement of a driver into the hex socket (or other shaped socket) formed in the bolt head. The arms have at their other end a rectangular contact pad 10. The profile of the pad 10 provides ramping surfaces 11 and 12 as shown in figure 2. The ramping surfaces enable ease of assembly of the panel to the enclosure. (Further, a location notch that mates with the panel could be added to the arm 4 such that rotational movement is prevented once the bolt 9 is tightened -thereby preventing vibration loosening the panel 3).
In figure 1 it will be seen that arms 4 and 6 are in a stowed position whilst arms 5 and 7 are in deployed positions. Movement between the two positions is achieved by a user applying pressure to the pads 10 to rotate the arms. When the position is correct the bolts 9 are tightened to draw the arrangement together.
The human machine interface panel 3 includes a sealing membrane 13 of a flexible silicone composition. This is best shown in figure 3 and it can be seen that it is located between a front panel 14 and a front face 15 of the periphery of the hole in the enclosure. As the bolts are tightened the seal is compressed to ensure a good waterproof seal. The bolts are provided with sufficient length to cater for a range of seal thicknesses.
The structure of the seal 13 will now be described with reference to figure 4 which shows the seal located on the panel prior to assembly to the enclosure. The figure shows the surface that in use is compressed against the periphery of the hole 2. It can be seen that the seal 1 3 includes a projection out of the plane of its surface 41 which extends about the periphery of a rectangular cut-out 42. This is half-circular in section and is compressible when the seal is brought into contact with the enclosure to provide an enhanced sealing contact. It will be seen in the figure that a further projection out of the plane is provided at the edge region 43 of the seal itself. This feature extends almost completely about the periphery apart from a channel 44. In use the channel 44 is located at the lowermost part of the arrangement and provides a flow path for air to leave as the seal is compressed into contact against the enclosure. It also provides an escape S route for any moisture that in use may migrate past the seal provided by the edge region 43. This is important since it ensures that no moisture is allowed to collect next to the seal provided by projection 40.
The upper face part of the seal 13 is shown in figure 5. It includes a peripheral wall 50 defining a rectangular trough 51 within which the panel 3 is located when assembled.
The panel 3 abuts the contact surface 52 which is provided like the reverse face with a projection 53 which extends about the inner periphery 42. This is compressed in use to provide a better seal to the panel 3. Location formations 54 to 57 are provided in order to positively engage with the panel 3.
One of the minor ends 58 of the peripheral wall 50 extends beyond the general thickness of the seal. In use this contacts the control panel to close off a discontinuity of its surface (which in this case is a button). It has three functions firstly, to seal about the discontinuity, secondly to fill the discontinuity and to prevent the collection of water there and thirdly the outer surface provides a flow channel to direct water away from the seal-control panel interface. This latter feature is made clear by referring to figure 6. It will be seen that water running down the enclosure represented by arrows 60 will be prevented by the end wall 58 from flowing over the front of the panel face (as shown by the broken arrow 61) and is directed to flow down the side of the seal. Figure 7 shows in more detail a side view of the profile which achieves this. It can be seen that the general shape in profile has three inclined surfaces, 70 to 72. A first inclined surface 70 runs water away from the enclosure and seal interface. Onward flow, right to left in the figure, is blocked by surface 71 and the water directed in a direction in or out of the page.
Assembly of the human machine interface panel to the enclosure follows the following steps.
i. The arms 4 to 7 are rotated to the stowed positions as shown by arm 4; ii. The seal 13 is seated onto the panel 3; iii. The human machine interface pane' is offered into position in the hole 2 in the enclosure; iv. The arms are rotated into their deployed positions to engage the periphery; v. The bolts are tightened locking the arms into the dep'oyed position and then compressing the seal 13; and vi. Cables are then connected to the ports on the rear face of the human machine interface panel.
Disassembly will be the reverse of the steps for assembly.
An advantageous feature of the described embodiment is that the resilience of the arms, and also the ability of the bolts to provide a range of adjustment, allows for different thicknesses of seals and or panels to be catered for.

Claims (16)

  1. Claims 1. A human machine interface panel for locating in a hole in an enclosure which panel comprising arms deployable from a stowed position to deployed position to engage a rear face of the enclosure about a periphery of the hole.
  2. 2. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 1 wherein a seal is located in use between the human machine interface panel and the periphery of the hole.
  3. 3. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the arms comprise pads which extend in a transverse dfrection to the length of the arms from the ends of the arms.
  4. 4. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pads comprise ramping faces.
  5. 5. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arms are resiliently deformable by the engagement to the rear face of the enclosure to provide aretainingforceactingto retain the panel in hole.
  6. 6. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when in the deployed position the pads are tightened into contact against the panel by means to apply pressure.
  7. 7. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means to apply pressure are bolts.
  8. 8. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 7 wherein the arms deployed by are rotatable about the bolts which may be tightened to prevent rotation.
  9. 9. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seal is compressed by tightening of the bolts.
  10. 10. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2 wherein the seal comprises first and second nterface surfaces, for in use, engaging a face of the panel and the periphery of the ho'e to provide seals therebetween.
  11. 11. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 10 wherein at least one of the interface surfaces comprises at least one projection out of the surface which sealingly engages the face of the panel or the periphery of the hole.
  12. 12. A human interface panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein a second projection out of the surface is provided adjacent and spaced apart to the first.
  13. 13. A human interface panel as claimed in claim 12 wherein a channel is provided from the space between the first and second projections to the exterior of the panel.
  14. 14. A human machine interface panel substantiaUy as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawing.
  15. 15. A seal for a human machine interface panel as claimed n any preceding claim.
  16. 16. A seal substantial'y as hereinbef ore described with reference to an as illustrated by the drawing.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A human machine interface panel for locating in a hole in an enclosure which panel comprising arms deployable from a stowed position to deployed position to engage a rear face of the enclosure about a periphery of the hole wherein the arms comprise pads which extend in a transverse direction to the length of the arms from the ends of the arms, and wherein the pads comprise ramping faces and further comprising a seal located in use between the human machine interface panel and the periphery of the hole.2. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the arms are resiliently deformable by the engagement to the rear face of the enclosure to provide a retaining force acting to retain the panel in hole.0)15 3. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when in Q the deployed position the pads are tightened into contact against the panel by means to apply pressure..(Q 4. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the means to apply (\J2 0 pressure are bolts.5. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 4 wherein the arms deployed by are rotatable about the bolts which may be tightened to prevent rotation.6. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 5 wherein the seal is compressed by tightening of the bolts.7. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim when dependent on claim 2 wherein the seal comprises first and second interface surfaces, for in use, engaging a face of the panel and the periphery of the hole to provide seals therebetween.8. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one of the interface surfaces comprises at least one projection out of the surface which sealingly engages the face of the panel or the periphery of the hole.9. A human interface panel as claimed in claim 8 wherein a second projection out of the surface is provided adjacent and spaced apart to the first.10. A human interface panel as claimed in claim 9 wherein a channel is provided from the space between the first and second projections to the exterior of the panel.11. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the seal includes a cover which covers a feature of the panel.12. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 11 wherein the panel has a 0)15 feature comprising at least one of a button recess or port which in use is covered by Q the cover.Q 13. A human machine interface panel as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cover at least (Q partially fills the recess. (\J2014. A human machine interface panel as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the seal has an external surface configures to provide a wall to direct water away from a front face of the panel.15. A human machine interface panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawing.
GB0815277A 2008-08-22 2008-08-22 A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment Withdrawn GB2462842A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815277A GB2462842A (en) 2008-08-22 2008-08-22 A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0815277A GB2462842A (en) 2008-08-22 2008-08-22 A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0815277D0 GB0815277D0 (en) 2008-09-24
GB2462842A true GB2462842A (en) 2010-02-24

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0815277A Withdrawn GB2462842A (en) 2008-08-22 2008-08-22 A human machine interface panel for electronic equipment

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2462842A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10653030B1 (en) 2018-11-30 2020-05-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Water ingress prevention in electronic components

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4410155A (en) * 1980-04-14 1983-10-18 Dresser Industries, Inc. Clamp for panel mounting of gauge instruments
US5465928A (en) * 1994-08-05 1995-11-14 E.I. Partners Mounting clip
US5865403A (en) * 1995-09-18 1999-02-02 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Mounting bracket for dash mountable marine electronics
GB2399542A (en) * 2003-03-05 2004-09-22 Johnathan Paul Rooney Modular control panel assembly for keyboards

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4410155A (en) * 1980-04-14 1983-10-18 Dresser Industries, Inc. Clamp for panel mounting of gauge instruments
US5465928A (en) * 1994-08-05 1995-11-14 E.I. Partners Mounting clip
US5865403A (en) * 1995-09-18 1999-02-02 Lowrance Electronics, Inc. Mounting bracket for dash mountable marine electronics
GB2399542A (en) * 2003-03-05 2004-09-22 Johnathan Paul Rooney Modular control panel assembly for keyboards

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10653030B1 (en) 2018-11-30 2020-05-12 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Water ingress prevention in electronic components
WO2020112226A1 (en) * 2018-11-30 2020-06-04 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Water ingress prevention in electronic components

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0815277D0 (en) 2008-09-24

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