Encosure help for laptimer project?

[brodin]

I am constructing a laptimer for racing. I do roadracing in the summers, and i want to see if i get any better =)
I have done all the electronics, and i have a prototype ready.

My problem is to find a good enclosure! I am thinking of selling some laptimers, so it has to be a strong and professional looking enclosure. It also has to be usable in rain, and the laptimer will be ON the motorcycle during race, so it has to stand a lot of vibrations. I don't think there is any problem with the chips. But the thing i am worried about is the LCD:
https://www.elfa.se/elfa/produkter/en/6467.htm

Will that LCD work, and not break, under my circumstances?

I have made a simple drawing of the enclosure.

The thing is that i don't want to cut a hole in the enclosure for the LCD (rain saifty). It would be best if the enclosure had a transparent top. I guess it is hard to find a enclosure which fit my LCD exactly with the transparency. But i thought that if i find a enclosure that has a transparent top (the whole top), i can paint everything exept of the space for the LCD.

Do you have any suggestions for a enclosure. Or a company which might have one. Or maybe a company which can make enclosures after my needs?

And if you have any comment of my chose of LCD, i would be glad if you told me.

 

[Johnson777717]

it souds like you're off to a great start.

I'm not sure if specific LCD's are made to withstand vibration. If so, I imagine the LCD is the same, the company just adds in physical elements to absorb shock etc. Most LCD's shoul be fairly resistant to vibration, and would break in a situation of direct impact to the screen.

Have you ever looked at CD player platorms? The CD player platform rests on rubber boots which absorb most shock and thus keeps the CD from skipping (In most cases). The platform is allowed the room to move 1/16" or so, without becomming detached from the structure. See sketch.

What you could do is mount the LCD on springs, or some sort of vibration resistant rubber pads. See sketch.

 

[Johnson777717]

HMM. having trouble posting my sketch.

 

[Johnson777717]

Some more thoughts:

The boot is made of very thin rubber, and is hollow, to allow for movement.

About the enclosure, I imagine that you can buy enclosures with transparent tops. I haven't seen any, but I'm sure they have them out there. Search Digikey.com or Circuit Specialists to see if they have something.

Although, custom making a lid for this might be pretty simple. As you suggested, buy some plexiglass or clear plastic. Cut the top to fit the box portion of your enclosure, then paint the area outside of the LCD viewing range. Then you could screw the lid onto the box and use some rubber strips or silicone to seal the seam.