Rocker assembly and game controller

Abstract

The present application provides a game controller, which includes a housing and a joystick assembly. The joystick assembly includes a fixed base, a joystick and a plurality of rotating blades. The fixed base is located in the housing and has a movable slot. The joystick is movably located in the movable slot and at least partially exposed outside the housing. The rotating blades are located in the housing and rotatably arranged on the fixed base. The rotating blades collectively surround a limiting opening. The joystick passes through the limiting opening. The rotating blades are rotatable relative to the fixed base to adjust the movable range of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a joystick assembly and a game controller, particularly a joystick assembly and game controller equipped with rotating blades. Background Technology

[0002] Handheld game consoles have long been popular with gamers due to their portability and ease of use. The game controllers of handheld consoles typically feature joysticks for convenient operation. By moving the joystick, players can input signals such as angle and direction into the console to play the game.

[0003] Generally, joysticks use sensors to detect the direction and amplitude of the player's input. When players need to precisely control the movement of an in-game character for extended periods, the continuous control of input force can easily lead to hand muscle fatigue, thus reducing accuracy. This can not only cause the in-game character to malfunction but also cause hand discomfort. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a joystick assembly and a game controller to improve the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly and increase the hand comfort of the player during gameplay.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a rocker assembly comprising a fixed base, a rocker arm, and a plurality of rotating blades. The fixed base has a movable groove. The rocker arm is movably located in the movable groove. The rotating blades are rotatably disposed on the fixed base and together surround a limiting opening. The rocker arm passes through the limiting opening. The rotating blades are rotatable relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the rocker arm by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a game controller comprising a housing and a joystick assembly. The joystick assembly includes a fixed base, a joystick, and a plurality of rotating blades. The fixed base is located within the housing and has a movable slot. The joystick is movably located within the movable slot and at least partially protrudes outside the housing. The rotating blades are located within the housing and rotatably disposed on the fixed base. These rotating blades collectively surround a limiting opening. The joystick passes through the limiting opening. These rotating blades are rotatable relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

[0007] According to the joystick assembly and game controller of the above embodiments, since the joystick assembly includes multiple rotating blades, and these rotating blades can rotate relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limiting port, the player can adjust the range of motion of the joystick according to the needs of the in-game environment to assist in long-term joystick operation. In this way, it is unnecessary for the player to continuously control the operating force, thus avoiding hand muscle fatigue and reducing the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly, it also increases the player's hand comfort during gameplay.

[0008] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a side view of a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified 3D diagram of a portion of the game controller.

[0011] Figure 3 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the game controller.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The game controller is shown in a top view, omitting the casing.

[0013] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller.

[0014] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A top view of the game controller's rotating blades in the retracted position.

[0015] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating blades of the game controller in the retracted position.

[0016] Figure 8 for Figure 1 Another three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller's rotating blades in the retracted position.

[0017] Figure 9 for Figure 1 A top view of the game controller's rotating blades in the open position.

[0018] Figure 10 for Figure 1A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating blades of the game controller in the open position.

[0019] Figure 11 for Figure 1 Another three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller's rotating blades in the open position.

[0020] The annotations in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0021] 10: Game controller

[0022] 11: Shell

[0023] 12: Joystick assembly

[0024] 121:Substrate

[0025] 122: Signal Generator

[0026] 123: Fixed base

[0027] 1231: Activity Slot

[0028] 1232: Assembly Column

[0029] 124: Joystick

[0030] 125: Rotate the blades

[0031] 1251: First assembly slot

[0032] 1252: Second assembly slot

[0033] 1254: Guide groove

[0034] 1255: Limiting port

[0035] 126: Operating components

[0036] 1261: Guide column

[0037] A~C: Direction

[0038] R1, R2: Angles Detailed Implementation

[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 5 . Figure 1 This is a side view of a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified 3D diagram of a portion of the game controller. Figure 3 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the game controller. Figure 4 for Figure 1 The game controller is shown in a top view, omitting the casing. Figure 5 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller.

[0040] The game controller 10 in this embodiment is, for example, a handheld game console, and includes a housing 11 and a joystick assembly 12. The joystick assembly 12 includes a base plate 121, a signal generator 122, a mounting base 123, a joystick 124, a plurality of rotating blades 125, and an operating member 126. The base plate 121 and the signal generator 122 are located inside the housing 11. The signal generator 122 is disposed on the base plate 121. The signal generator 122 is, for example, a Hall sensor (not shown), and the housing 11 is, for example, provided with a magnet (not shown).

[0041] A mounting base 123 is disposed on the base plate 121 and has a movable slot 1231. A joystick 124 is movably located in the movable slot 1231 and electrically connected to a signal generator 122. Furthermore, the joystick 124 is at least partially exposed outside the housing 11 for player operation, for example, to control an in-game character. Specifically, when the player operates the joystick 124, causing it to move, a Hall effect sensor can sense the magnetic field of a magnet to generate a signal indicating movement of the in-game character, and this signal is transmitted to the base plate 121. The phrase "the joystick 124 is at least partially exposed outside the housing 11" means that the joystick 124 extends at least partially outside the housing 11 for player hand operation.

[0042] These rotating blades 125 are located within the housing 11 and rotatably mounted on the fixed base 123. Specifically, the fixed base 123 has a plurality of assembly posts 1232, and each rotating blade 125 has a first assembly slot 1251 and a second assembly slot 1252. The size of the second assembly slot 1252 is, for example, larger than the size of the first assembly slot 1251. The first assembly slot 1251 of each rotating blade 125 corresponds to the second assembly slot 1252 of an adjacent rotating blade 125. Each assembly post 1232 is disposed in the corresponding first assembly slot 1251 and second assembly slot 1252. By rotating these rotating blades 125 relative to the fixed base 123, the position of these assembly posts 1232 in these second assembly slots 1252 can be adjusted.

[0043] The operating element 126 is rotatably mounted on the fixed base 123 and connected to the rotating blades 125, so that the operating element 126 can drive the rotating blades 125 to rotate relative to the fixed base 123, so that the rotating blades 125 are in a retracted position (please refer to the previous section). Figure 6 ) or an open position (please refer to for now) Figure 9In detail, the operating component 126 has a plurality of guide posts 1261, and each rotating blade 125 has a guide groove 1254. These guide posts 1261 are slidably disposed in the guide grooves 1254, thereby guiding the rotating blades 125 to rotate relative to the fixed base 123. In this embodiment, the rotating blades 125 are rotated by the player manually rotating the operating component 126.

[0044] These rotating blades 125 together form a limiting port 1255. The rocker arm 124 passes through the limiting port 1255. These rotating blades 125 can rotate relative to the fixed base 123 by the operation member 126, so that the range of motion of the rocker arm 124 can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the limiting port 1255.

[0045] In this embodiment, since the joystick assembly 12 includes multiple rotating blades 125, and these rotating blades 125 can rotate relative to the fixed base 123 to adjust the range of motion of the joystick 124 by adjusting the size of the limiting port 1255, the player can adjust the range of motion of the joystick 124 according to the needs of the game environment to assist in operating the joystick 124 for a long time. In this way, it is not necessary for the player to continuously control the force of operating the joystick 124, thus avoiding fatigue of the player's hand muscles and avoiding a decrease in the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly 12, it can also increase the player's hand comfort during gameplay.

[0046] In this embodiment, the joystick 124 can also vibrate according to changes in the in-game environment to simulate the in-game environment. This can improve the player's feel during gameplay.

[0047] In this embodiment, the joystick 124 extends at least partially beyond the housing 11 for player hand operation, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the joystick may be flush with the surface of the housing or retracted into the housing, as long as the joystick is exposed for player hand operation.

[0048] In this embodiment, the operating member 126 has a plurality of guide posts 1261, and each rotating blade 125 has a guide groove 1254, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the operating member may have a plurality of guide grooves, and each rotating blade may have a guide post.

[0049] In this embodiment, the rotating blade 125 is rotated by the player manually rotating the operating component 126, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the rotating blade can also be driven electrically, for example. For instance, the game controller can also drive the rotating blade by using a servo motor and a gear set.

[0050] Please see Figures 6 to 11 . Figure 6 for Figure 1 A top view of the game controller's rotating blades in the retracted position. Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating blades of the game controller in the retracted position. Figure 8 for Figure 1 Another three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller's rotating blades in the retracted position. Figure 9 for Figure 1 A top view of the game controller's rotating blades in the open position. Figure 10 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the rotating blades of the game controller in the open position. Figure 11 for Figure 1 Another three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the game controller's rotating blades in the open position.

[0051] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, these rotating blades 125 are in the retracted position. At this time, the range of motion of the joystick 124 is limited by the size of the limiting port 1255, such that the movable angle R1 of the joystick 124 is, for example, less than or equal to 10 degrees. That is, the joystick 124 can only move in direction A within a range of, for example, less than 10 degrees. This allows players to precisely control the movement of in-game characters for extended periods.

[0052] like Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the player rotates the control element 126 in direction B, causing the control element 126 to rotate the rotating blades 125 in direction B, thus moving the rotating blades 125 from the retracted position to the open position. At this time, the size of the limiting opening 1255 increases, thereby increasing the movable angle R2 of the joystick 124 to, for example, less than or equal to 30 degrees. That is, the joystick 124 can move in direction C within a range of, for example, up to 30 degrees. In this way, the player can control the movement of the in-game character with a large range for a long time.

[0053] In this embodiment, when these rotating blades 125 are in the retracted position, they can also work together to enhance the sensitivity of the joystick 124 sensed by the signal generator 122, so that the player can still move the in-game character by operating the joystick 124 with a large range of motion.

[0054] According to the joystick assembly and game controller of the above embodiments, since the joystick assembly includes multiple rotating blades, and these rotating blades can rotate relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limiting port, the player can adjust the range of motion of the joystick according to the needs of the in-game environment to assist in long-term joystick operation. In this way, it is unnecessary for the player to continuously control the operating force, thus avoiding hand muscle fatigue and reducing the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly, it also increases the player's hand comfort during gameplay.

[0055] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims defined in the appended specification.

Claims

1. A joystick assembly, comprising: A fixed base having a movable slot; A joystick, movably located in the movable slot; and Multiple rotating blades are rotatably mounted on the fixed base and surround a limiting opening. The rocker arm passes through the limiting opening. The multiple rotating blades can rotate relative to the fixed base so that the range of motion of the rocker arm can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

2. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 1 further includes an operating member rotatably disposed on the fixed base and connected to the plurality of rotating blades, such that the operating member can drive the plurality of rotating blades to rotate relative to the fixed base.

3. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operating member has a plurality of guide posts, each of the plurality of rotating blades has a guide groove, and the plurality of guide posts are slidably disposed in the guide grooves, thereby guiding the plurality of rotating blades to rotate relative to the fixed base.

4. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fixed base has a plurality of assembly posts, each of the plurality of rotating blades has a first assembly groove, and the plurality of assembly posts are respectively disposed in the first assembly groove.

5. The rocker assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of rotating blades further has a second assembly groove, the size of the second assembly groove being larger than the size of the first assembly groove, the first assembly groove of each of the plurality of rotating blades corresponding to the second assembly groove of an adjacent rotating blade, each of the plurality of assembly posts being disposed in the corresponding first assembly groove and the second assembly groove, and the position of the plurality of assembly posts in the second assembly groove can be adjusted by rotating the plurality of rotating blades relative to the fixed base.

6. The rocker assembly of claim 1 further comprises a substrate and a signal generator, the signal generator and the mounting base being disposed on the substrate, and the rocker being movably electrically connected to the signal generator.

7. A game controller, comprising: A shell; and A joystick assembly, comprising: A fixed base is located inside the housing and has a movable groove; A rocker arm, movably located in the movable slot and at least partially exposed outside the housing; and Multiple rotating blades are located inside the housing and rotatably mounted on the fixed base. The multiple rotating blades together surround a limiting opening. The rocker arm passes through the limiting opening. The multiple rotating blades can rotate relative to the fixed base so that the range of motion of the rocker arm can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

8. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the joystick assembly further includes an operating member rotatably disposed on the fixed base and having a plurality of guide posts, each of the plurality of rotating blades having a guide groove, wherein the plurality of guide posts are slidably disposed in the guide grooves, thereby guiding the plurality of rotating blades to rotate relative to the fixed base.

9. The game controller as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fixed base has a plurality of assembly posts, each of the plurality of rotating blades has a first assembly slot and a second assembly slot, the size of the second assembly slot is larger than the size of the first assembly slot, the first assembly slot of each of the plurality of rotating blades corresponds to the second assembly slot of the adjacent rotating blade, each of the plurality of assembly posts is disposed in the corresponding first assembly slot and the second assembly slot, and the position of the plurality of assembly posts in the second assembly slot can be adjusted by rotating the plurality of rotating blades relative to the fixed base.

10. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the joystick assembly further comprises a base plate and a signal generator, the base plate and the signal generator being located within the housing, the signal generator and the mounting base being disposed on the base plate, and the joystick being movably electrically connected to the signal generator.

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