Patent Description:
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved hygienic support structure for a computer device.

According to a first aspect, a hygienic support structure for a computer device comprising a monitor is provided. The hygienic support structure includes:.

By providing a spring portion and a screwing mechanism acting in different force directions, the distance between the adjustment plate and the front plate can be adjusted in a precise manner. Accordingly, the front plate can be aligned with the monitor, in particular such as to form a flush surface with the monitor. The precise positioning of the front plate allows to compensate for tolerances in the dimensions of the front plate, adjustment plate and/or computer device. By providing the front plate in the desired position, in particular flush with the monitor, it can be ensured that no gap is formed between the hygienic support structure and the computer device, thereby improving the cleanliness of the computer device.

The computer device may be an industrial computer (IC) Such an IC may be used to perform tasks in an industrial environment, for example for controlling a production system. The computer device includes at least a monitor, also designated as a screen or a display, preferably a touch screen or display. The computer device may further include a processor unit, a storage unit or other standard components of a computer device. These components may all be provided within one housing and/or all be arranged within the hygienic support structure.

The hygienic support structure can be used to protect the computer device from being affected from external factors, such as dust, electromagnetic interference and/or moisture. The hygienic support structure can form a barrier between the computer device and its surroundings. The hygienic support structure can be at least partly made of plastic, preferably of transparent or translucent plastic. The hygienic support structure may be attached to the computer device for protection thereof.

The hygienic support structure can be provided in two states, namely the mounted state and the unmounted state. In the mounted state, the different parts of the hygienic support structure are mounted (attached) to one another and the hygienic support structure is attached to the computer device. In other words, in the mounted state, the hygienic support structure protects the computer device. In the unmounted state, the different parts of the hygienic support structure are at least partly loose from one another and the computer device is not protected by the hygienic support structure.

The hygienic support structure can comprise multiple parts which are attachable to one another and/or to the computer device. The front plate can be formed of a thin layer of plastic or metal material (for example from sheet metal). The front plate may have a rectangular or substantially rectangular outer shape. The front plate preferably has corners and/or edges having a rounded shape. Such rounded shapes render the front plate smoother, which enables easier cleaning and detergent access.

The front plate can be made in a casting process, in a molding process, as a 3D printed element or using a different manufacturing technique. To achieve easy cleanliness, the front plate can be made of a single piece. Providing the front plate as a single piece is advantageous as compared to having separate pieces because separate pieces imply gaps and slits therebetween, in which contamination can accumulate and which are overall more difficult to clean.

In the mounted state, the front plate can be flush with the monitor. The front plate being flush with the monitor may mean that when looking onto the monitor, the monitor and the front plate form a smooth (flush) surface. The front plate can extend in parallel to the monitor in the mounted state. The monitor and the front plate being flush in particular means that a frontmost side of the monitor is flush with a frontmost side of the front plate. When looking onto the monitor, the front plate may form a frame around the monitor.

The front plate may be a loose element. Alternatively, it can be part of a furniture, a building, a machine cladding, a device housing or the like. This allows the computer device to be directly built into a furniture, a building, a machine cladding, a device housing or the like of the industrial environment.

A side of the computer device comprising the monitor may be designated as the front side of the computer device. The front plate can be flush with the front side. A side of the computer device that is opposite to the front side is designated as the back side. The adjustment plate can be attached to the back side of the computer device.

The adjustment plate can be formed of a thin layer of plastic or metal material. The front plate may have a rectangular or substantially rectangular outer shape. In particular, the adjustment plate has connector elements for attaching (connecting) it to the computer device. The connector elements connecting the adjustment plate to the computer device can be implemented as the fixing elements described in <CIT>. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment plate can be connected to the computer device using screws, glue, pins or the like. The adjustment plate can extend in parallel to the monitor in the mounted state. The adjustment plate may be connected to the computer device in the mounted state.

The screwing mechanism includes at least one screw. The screwing mechanism is provided such as to push the front plate and the adjustment plate together in the mounted state, thereby attaching the front plate and the adjustment plate. The screwing mechanism may allow maintaining the front plate and the adjustment plate in a predetermined position with respect to one another. The screwing mechanism may allow modifying a distance between the adjustment plate and the front plate, in particular by tightening or loosening the screwing mechanism. The adjustment plate and the front plate facing each other in the mounted state in particular means that the adjustment plate and the front plate are arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel to one another.

The spring portion can be attached to the adjustment plate and/or formed as an integral part thereof. The spring portion pushes the adjustment plate away from the front plate. In other words, the force of the spring portion may act into a direction opposite to that of the screwing mechanism. The spring portion facing the front plate in the mounted state in particular means that the spring portion is arranged between the front plate and the adjustment plate. The spring portion may force the adjustment plate to remain at a predetermined distance from the front plate. The spring portion can be an elastic element.

According to an embodiment, the spring portion is a leaf spring. The leaf spring is in particular formed by a metallic sheet having an arc-shape.

For example, the leaf spring is a single leaf spring, i.e. a leaf spring made of a single sheet. The leaf spring can be attached on one end thereof to the adjustment plate, for example through a screw or a rivet. Using a leaf spring as the spring portion is advantageous because leaf springs are readily available.

According to a further embodiment, a distance of the front plate relative to the adjustment plate is adjustable using the screwing mechanism.

Thereby, the screwing mechanism allows a convenient positioning of the front plate with respect to the adjustment plate. In particular, the distance of the front plate relative to the adjustment plate is adjustable using only the screwing mechanism. The distance of the front plate relative to the adjustment plate can correspond to a distance between the front plate and the adjustment plate along a line that is perpendicular to the front plate and the adjustment plate.

According to a further embodiment, the adjustment plate and/or the front plate has a cutout, in particular a rectangular cutout, therein for accommodating the computer device.

The cutout can be an opening in the adjustment plate and/or the front plate. The adjustment plate and/or the front plate can be a substantially rectangular plate having a frame shape around the cutout. The cutout in the front plate may have dimensions identical or nearly identical with the dimensions of the monitor such that the monitor can be inserted into the cutout with little to no gap between the monitor and the front plate. This prevents dust accumulations between the front plate and the monitor.

According to a further embodiment, the dimensions of the cutout of the adjustment plate are identical with the dimensions of the cutout of the front plate, wherein in the mounted state, the cutout of the adjustment plate and the cutout of the front plate are aligned with one another.

Alternatively, the dimensions of the cutout of the adjustment plate can be smaller than the dimensions of the cutout of the front plate.

According to a further embodiment, the adjustment plate includes at least two, preferably at least four, spring portions.

By means of multiple spring portions, a homogeneous distance between the adjustment plate and the front plate can be kept all around the perimeter of the adjustment plate. This allows positioning the front plate in a more accurate manner. Preferably, the spring portions are evenly distributed around the adjustment plate.

According to a further embodiment, the spring portions are arranged on at least two different sides of the cutout in the adjustment plate.

In particular, the spring portions are arranged in a symmetrical manner around the adjustment plate.

According to a further embodiment, the spring portion is screwed onto the adjustment plate or attached thereto using a rivet.

This allows convenient and easy fixing of the spring portion onto the adjustment plate. Alternatively, the spring portion can be glued onto the adjustment plate.

According to a further embodiment, the screwing mechanism is formed by N screws and N nuts, wherein.

N can be a natural number larger or equal to two. The openings in the adjustment plates can be through holes. In the mounted state, the N screws can protrude through the N corresponding openings. The N nuts can be screwed onto the N screws to maintain the position of the adjustment plate with respect to the front plate, in particular to push the adjustment plate towards the front plate. The N openings can correspond to the N screws and be arranged in a same pattern as the N screws.

According to a further embodiment, the adjustment plate includes at least N+<NUM> openings, wherein at least one opening is configured to receive a locking screw for fixedly maintaining a distance between the adjustment plate and the front plate.

In particular, the front plate may include an opening aligned with the N+<NUM>-th opening of the adjustment plate. The locking screw can be placed through the N+<NUM>-th opening of the adjustment plate into the opening in the front plate to maintain the position of the front plate respective to the adjustment plate.

According to a second aspect, a computer device system is provided. The computer device system comprises:.

The computer device system can correspond to the hygienic support structure according to the first aspect or according to an embodiment thereof, which is mounted to the computer device.

The embodiments and features described with reference to the hygienic support structure according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof apply mutatis mutandis to the computer device system according to the second aspect.

According to an embodiment, the computer device is an industrial computer (IC).

According to a further embodiment, the computer device includes a processor and a storage unit.

In particular, the computer device is an all-in-one monitor, in which all elements of the computer device are included in the monitor. For example, the computer device, in particular the all-in-one monitor includes a processor, display, storage unit, main board, motherboard, CPU, disk drive, hard disk, power supply, cooling system or the like.

According to a further embodiment, the computer device system further comprises a protective sheet which has dimensions larger than the cutout of the front plate, wherein in the mounted state, the protective sheet is configured to be attached to another side of the front plate than the side to which the adjustment plate is attached.

The protective sheet can be a thin plastic layer. The protective sheet can be made of a transparent or translucent material. The protective sheet can be made of an adhesive material. The protective sheet can be a touch-sensitive sheet allowing a user to perform an input on a touch screen of the monitor through the protective sheet.

The protective sheet can be placed onto a front side of the monitor. Since its dimensions are larger than the cutout of the front plate, the protective sheet placed on the front side covers not only the entire monitor, but also at least parts of the front plate, preferably the entire front plate. The protective sheet in particular covers up a gap between the front plate and the monitor, thereby reducing dust accumulating therein. The computer device system is thereby rendered more hygienic. The protective sheet can be part of the hygienic support structure.

According to a third aspect, a method for mounting the hygienic support structure according to the first aspect or according to an embodiment thereof on a computer device comprising a monitor is provided. The method comprises:.

The method steps can be performed by a user and/or by a robot.

The embodiments and features described with reference to the hygienic support structure according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof or with reference to the computer device system according to the second aspect or an embodiment thereof apply mutatis mutandis to the method according to the third aspect.

<FIG> shows a hygienic support structure <NUM> in a mounted state but which is not connected to a computer device. <FIG> shows the hygienic support structure <NUM> in a partially mounted state, in which a protective sheet <NUM> is removed from the hygienic support structure <NUM>.

In detail, the hygienic support structure <NUM> has a rectangular box shape. The hygienic support structure <NUM> has corners <NUM> and edges <NUM> which have a rounded shape. Such rounded shapes render the hygienic support structure <NUM> smoother, which enables easier cleaning and detergent access.

The hygienic support structure <NUM> comprises a front plate <NUM> on a front side <NUM> of the hygienic support structure <NUM>. A side of the hygienic support structure <NUM> that is opposite to the front side <NUM> is designated as the back side <NUM>.

The hygienic support structure <NUM> further comprises a housing <NUM> and the protective sheet <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> can be part of the housing <NUM>, which can itself be part of a machine in an industrial environment or the like. The front plate <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are made of stainless steel in the present example.

The elements of the hygienic support structure <NUM>, in particular the front plate <NUM> and the housing <NUM> can be made in a casting and/or in a molding process. To achieve easy cleanliness, the front plate <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> are preferably made of a single piece. Providing the front plate <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> as a single piece is advantageous as compared to having separate pieces as separate pieces imply gaps and slits therebetween, in which contamination can accumulate and which are overall more difficult to clean.

As shown in <FIG>, the front plate <NUM> has a front plate cutout <NUM> (or simply "cutout <NUM>") which corresponds to an opening in which a computer device can be placed such that a monitor of the computer device shows through the cutout <NUM>.

The protective sheet <NUM> is made of plastic. The protective sheet <NUM> is adhesive and placed on a frontmost side of the hygienic support structure <NUM> such as to cover up the cutout <NUM>. The protective sheet <NUM> has a transparent window <NUM> for showing the monitor therethrough when viewed from the front side <NUM>.

The hygienic support structure <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> further includes an adjustment plate <NUM> which is located within the housing <NUM> and not visible in the representations of <FIG> and <FIG>.

The hygienic support structure <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG> is made for being mounted to a computer device in order to protect it from dust, chemicals and the like. The hygienic support structure <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> being mounted to a computer device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, which will be described in the following.

<FIG> shows a computer device system <NUM> including the hygienic support structure <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> as well as a computer device <NUM> connected thereto. The computer device <NUM> is an all-in-one IPC. In the representation of <FIG>, a back side of the IPC <NUM> and of the hygienic support structure <NUM> is showing upwards. A display <NUM> (screen or monitor) of the IPC <NUM> is showing downwards in the representation of <FIG>.

<FIG> show the structure of the hygienic support structure <NUM> in more detail. Namely, besides the front plate <NUM>, the hygienic support structure <NUM> further includes the adjustment plate <NUM> and a screwing mechanism <NUM>. The different elements forming the hygienic support structure <NUM> are well shown in <FIG>, which shows an exploded view of the computer device system <NUM>. In <FIG>, the hygienic support structure <NUM> is in an unmounted state, while it is in a mounted state in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The front plate <NUM> is a rectangular thin layer of stainless steel with the cutout <NUM> having a rectangular shape. The dimensions of the cutout <NUM> are such that the cutout <NUM> can just accommodate the monitor <NUM> of the IPC <NUM>.

The adjustment plate <NUM> is a thin layer of stainless steel with an adjustment plate cutout <NUM> ("cutout <NUM>") having a rectangular shape. The cutout <NUM> has dimensions slightly smaller than the cutout <NUM>.

The screwing mechanism <NUM> includes screws <NUM> which are integrally formed with the front plate <NUM>. When the hygienic support structure <NUM> is assembled, the screws <NUM> protrude through corresponding openings <NUM> formed in the adjustment plate <NUM>.

The front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> are fixed to one another using nuts <NUM>, which are screwed onto the screws <NUM>. The screws <NUM>, the nuts <NUM> and washers <NUM> form the screwing mechanism <NUM>.

In the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>, the screwing mechanism <NUM> includes N=<NUM> screws <NUM>, nuts <NUM>, and washers <NUM> evenly spread out around the adjustment plate <NUM>. The screwing mechanism <NUM> pushes the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> together.

The adjustment plate <NUM> includes four spring portions <NUM> formed as a single leaf spring. The spring portions <NUM> are small metal portions, which are bent in a U-shape. In the mounted state, the spring portions <NUM> are arranged between the adjustment plate <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> such as to push the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> away from one another.

The adjustment plate <NUM> is mounted onto the IPC <NUM> using connector elements <NUM>. The connector elements <NUM> are realized in line with those of the <CIT> and are as shown in <FIG>. Namely, each connector element <NUM> include a protrusion <NUM> of the adjustment plate <NUM> formed as an integral part thereof. Each connector element <NUM> further includes an engagement element <NUM> of the computer device <NUM> which is spring loaded. The engagement element <NUM> can be either in a locked state as shown in <FIG>, in which the engagement element <NUM> engages with the protrusion <NUM>, or in an unlocked state (not shown in <FIG>) in which there is no connection between the engagement element <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM>.

Looking again at <FIG>, the hygienic support structure <NUM> provides the following protection to the computer device <NUM>. Namely, the adjustment plate <NUM> is fixed to the computer device <NUM> through the connector elements <NUM>. The adjustment plate <NUM> is in turn attached to the front plate <NUM> using the screwing mechanism <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, a gasket <NUM> is provided between the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM>. In the mounted state shown in <FIG>, the screwing mechanism <NUM> pushes the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> towards each other, namely to reduce a distance between the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM>. On the other hand, the spring portion <NUM> pushes the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> away from each other, namely to maintain a distance between the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM>.

The screwing mechanism <NUM> and the spring portions <NUM> thus act in opposite directions. This allows positioning the front plate <NUM> in an accurate manner with respect to the adjustment plate <NUM> and hence also with respect to the IPC <NUM>, as it is fixedly connected to the adjustment plate <NUM>. Using the screwing mechanism <NUM> to reduce or increase the distance between the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM>, the front plate <NUM> can be brought into a desired position. The front plate <NUM> can be brought into a position in which it is flush with the monitor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this flush position, the monitor <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> are aligned along the front side <NUM>. This allows reducing a gap between the front plate <NUM> and the IPC <NUM>, thereby reducing a risk of dirt accumulation therein. The flush surface is particularly advantageous in positioning the protective sheet <NUM> thereon, as a smooth and easy to clean surface is thereby provided.

Once the top plate <NUM> has been correctly positioned, its position can be fixed using one or several locking screws <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Further, <FIG> shows the spring portion <NUM> in greater detail. Namely, it is fixed to the adjustment plate <NUM> on one side of the spring portion <NUM> using a rivet <NUM>.

To place the rivet <NUM>, the screws <NUM> and the locking screws <NUM> into the adjustment plate <NUM>, the adjustment plate <NUM> includes rivet openings <NUM>, screw openings <NUM> and looking screw openings <NUM> (N+<NUM>-th opening), as shown in <FIG>. All these openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are through holes.

<FIG> and <FIG> show different views of the assembled computer device system <NUM>. Moreover, <FIG> shows a hygienic support structure <NUM> in a mounted (assembled) state, without the IPC <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a method for mounting the hygienic support structure <NUM> on a computer device <NUM>. The method includes, in a step S1, connecting the adjustment plate <NUM> to the computer device <NUM> using the connector elements <NUM>.

In a step S2 of <FIG>, the front plate <NUM> is placed such that it faces the adjustment plate <NUM>, in particular such that the spring portions <NUM> face the front plate <NUM>.

In a step S3 of <FIG>, the screwing mechanisms <NUM> are fastened such as to connect the front plate <NUM> and the adjustment plate <NUM> in a position in which the front plate <NUM> is flush with the monitor <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hygienic support structure (<NUM>) for a computer device (<NUM>) comprising a monitor, the hygienic support structure (<NUM>) including:
a front plate (<NUM>);
an adjustment plate (<NUM>) configured to be connected to the computer device (<NUM>); and
a screwing mechanism (<NUM>); wherein
in a mounted state, the front plate (<NUM>) and the adjustment plate (<NUM>) are connected to one another using the screwing mechanism (<NUM>) such as to face one another,
the screwing mechanism (<NUM>) is configured for pushing the front plate (<NUM>) and the adjustment plate (<NUM>) together in the mounted state;
the hygienic support structure characterised in that:
the adjustment plate (<NUM>) includes a spring portion (<NUM>) facing the front plate (<NUM>) in the mounted state, the spring portion (<NUM>) being for pushing the adjustment plate (<NUM>) away from the front plate (<NUM>) in the mounted state.