Dynamic display panel system containing push button assemblies
A dynamic panel system for user interaction through visual displays, touchscreens, and selectable buttons is provided. The dynamic panel system may be part of an interactive system that include push buttons having an image conduit to transmit images from an image generation or display element to a visible area of the button. The push button assemblies may contain liquid ingresses configured to direct liquids away from vulnerable components and into a liquid retention cavity, or may be configured such that liquid is returned to a top panel surface of the dynamic panel system. The push button assemblies may further be configured such that liquid is prevented from entering into the assembly at all. The components may be provided in a modular configuration, allowing for easy assembly, replacement, repair, and cleaning.
1. A modular dynamic panel display system comprising:
a system housing having a top panel including a transparent display area and at least one opening, wherein the top panel is configured to be opened to provide access to an interior of the system housing;
a display housing positioned in the interior of the display housing, the display housing including a recess;
a display surface positioned in the recess of the display housing, wherein the display surface is below the transparent display area of the top panel; and
at least one removable push button assembly secured to the display housing and configured to protrude from the opening in the top surface, the removable push button assembly positioned above the display surface and comprising:
a lens;
at least one sensor element configured to detect activation of the push button assembly by a user; and
at least one image conduit configured to transfer content from the display surface to the lens.
2. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one liquid egress channel configured to direct liquids to a holding cavity in the dynamic panel display system or direct the liquid to the exterior of the dynamic pane display system.
3. The dynamic panel display system of claim 2 , wherein the image conduit and lens are positioned on a tray.
4. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising an air gap in the area between the display surface and the top panel.
5. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one haptic feedback device.
6. The dynamic panel display system of claim 5 , wherein the haptic feedback device includes one or more of an electrical solenoid, mechanical micro-switch, vibration motor, rumble pack, and electrical relay.
7. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising a touch sensitive element.
8. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising an upper bezel, lens overmold, and lower bezel, wherein the lens is secured between the lens overmold and the lower bezel.
9. The dynamic panel display system of claim 8 , wherein the lower bezel includes one or more liquid egress channels.
10. The dynamic panel display system of claim 1 , further comprising a return element configured to provide a return force to return the lens to a rest position after it has been depressed.
11. The dynamic panel display system of claim 10 , wherein the return element comprising one or more springs positioned around a printed circuit board, allowing the lens, upper bezel, and lower bezel to be depressed with respect to the printed circuit board.
12. A method of assembling a push button assembly in a display system, comprising:
assembling a push button assembly, the assembly comprising:
providing an upper bezel and a lower bezel;
providing a surface lens element;
providing a lens overmold;
positioning the surface lens element within the lens overmold and connecting the lens between the upper bezel and lens overmold;
connecting the lens overmold into the lower bezel;
positioning the lower bezel above a printed circuit board assembly, the printed circuit board assembly comprising one or more pockets containing one or more return elements;
providing a clamp element beneath the lower bezel;
inserting the push button assembly into an opening on a display system housing, wherein the clamp element secures the push button assembly into the opening.