Stable joystick controller
By employing a single-stage capacitive sensing connection design in the joystick controller, the instability problem caused by multi-stage capacitors is solved, resulting in more stable joystick control and improved user experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522027103.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-09-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing joystick controllers often exhibit instability due to the formation of two or more capacitors, which negatively impacts the user experience.
A stable joystick controller design employs a single-stage capacitive sensing connection. By forming a single-stage capacitor with the finger and the capacitive sensing module, combined with a touch sensing module and a microcontroller, stable detection of the joystick's state is achieved.
The stability of the joystick controller has been improved, dead zone drift has been reduced, and the accuracy and consistency of user operation have been enhanced.
Smart Images
Figure CN224937615U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of joystick technology, specifically relating to a stable joystick controller. Background Technology
[0002] In various gaming peripherals, such as game controllers and VR devices, the joystick is a very common and important component. The performance of the joystick directly affects the user experience, and the size of the dead zone is a crucial parameter for joystick performance. A larger dead zone requires a greater tilting angle to activate the joystick, affecting the precision of user control. A smaller dead zone allows the joystick to activate automatically, but due to structural inconsistencies and temperature variations, joysticks with smaller dead zones are prone to drift (drift refers to the phenomenon where the joystick outputs commands without being touched, resulting in incorrect actions by the game character or device; i.e., zero-point drift). The size of the joystick's dead zone is related to various factors, such as its physical structure, the electronic design, and the software control methods used. Utility Model Content
[0003] To reduce the dead zone of the joystick, the applicant filed a low-dead-zone joystick controller on June 12, 2025 (application number CN2025211977409). This controller connects a finger to a first sensing module inside the joystick cap via capacitive sensing technology to form a first capacitor. The first sensing module is then connected via a conductive rod to a second sensing module on a PCB board via capacitive sensing technology to form a second capacitor, thus enabling human contact detection to solve the drift problem of the low-dead-zone joystick. However, during use, this controller can generate two or more capacitors through capacitive sensing, making the joystick controller highly unstable. Therefore, it is necessary to improve it.
[0004] This invention addresses the technical problem of instability caused by the induction of two or more capacitors in existing joystick controllers, and aims to provide a stable joystick controller.
[0005] This utility model provides a stable joystick controller, the joystick controller comprising:
[0006] The rocker body and the rocker cap sleeved on the upper end of the rocker body;
[0007] A capacitive sensing module that can connect with a finger capacitive sensor to form a capacitor is located inside the joystick cap.
[0008] The touch sensing module is electrically connected to the capacitive sensing module;
[0009] The microcontroller is electrically connected to the touch sensing module.
[0010] Preferably, the joystick controller further includes:
[0011] The touch sensing module, the microcontroller, and the joystick body are mounted on the PCB board.
[0012] Preferably, the joystick body includes:
[0013] A rocker arm seat cavity is fixed on the PCB board, and a conductive sheet is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity;
[0014] The movable rod has an upper section extending out of the rocker arm seat cavity and a lower section extending into the rocker arm seat cavity. The movable rod has an axial through hole at its center, and the upper end of the movable rod is inserted into the rocker arm cap.
[0015] A conductive rod, disposed on the movable rod, includes:
[0016] A connecting rod is inserted into the through hole of the movable rod, and its upper end is electrically connected to the capacitive sensing module.
[0017] The movable disk is movably located on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity and electrically installed at the lower end of the connecting rod. The bottom of the movable disk is electrically connected to the conductive sheet. Preferably, the bottom of the movable disk has a concave clearance position.
[0018] Preferably, the conductive rod further includes a spring, which is embedded in the lower section of the through hole of the movable rod. The upper section of the spring is sleeved on the lower section of the connecting rod, and the lower section of the spring is sleeved on the head of the movable disc. Preferably, the spring is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material.
[0019] Preferably, the bottom wall of the rocker arm cavity has a through hole below the conductive sheet, and the PCB board has an elastic metal part electrically connected to the bottom of the conductive sheet at the hole. The elastic metal part is electrically connected to the touch sensing module. Preferably, the elastic metal part is a spring pin or an antenna spring.
[0020] Preferably, the capacitive sensing module is electrically connected to the PCB board via wires, and then electrically connected to the touch sensing module via copper foil traces on the PCB board.
[0021] Preferably, the capacitive sensing module is a sensing element, which is embedded in the rocker cap.
[0022] Better is,
[0023] The sensor is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface.
[0024] The conductive sheet is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material;
[0025] The connecting rod is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface;
[0026] The movable plate is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material.
[0027] Preferably, the touch sensing module is integrated on the microcontroller.
[0028] Preferably, the upper end of the rocker cap is fitted with an insulating mushroom-shaped cap.
[0029] The positive and progressive effects of this utility model are as follows: In the stable joystick controller of this utility model, there is only a primary capacitor formed by the capacitive induction connection between the finger and the capacitive sensing module. The capacitive sensing module is electrically connected to the touch sensing module and the controller, and there are no other capacitive induction connections, which makes the controller more stable. Attached Figure Description
[0030] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the joystick controller of this utility model;
[0031] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the joystick controller of this utility model;
[0032] Figure 3 This is another cross-sectional view of the joystick controller of this utility model;
[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the joystick controller of this utility model;
[0034] Figure 5 This is another working principle diagram of the joystick controller of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0035] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model.
[0036] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.
[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, this utility model provides a stable joystick controller, which includes: a joystick body 11, a joystick cap 12, a capacitive sensing module, a touch sensing module 13, a microcontroller 14, and a PCB board 15. The joystick cap 12 is fitted onto the upper end of the joystick body 11, the capacitive sensing module is embedded within the joystick cap 12, and the touch sensing module 13, microcontroller 14, and joystick body 11 are mounted on the PCB board 15. The touch sensing module 13 is electrically connected to the capacitive sensing module, and the microcontroller 14 is electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13.
[0038] In this example, the capacitive sensing module is a sensing element 16 embedded in the joystick cap 12. When a finger touches the joystick cap 12, the sensing element 16 can form a capacitor by capacitively sensing the finger. Furthermore, the sensing element 16 is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface, or it can be made of other conductive materials; this is not limited here.
[0039] In one example, continue as follows Figure 1 As shown, the joystick body 11 includes a joystick seat cavity 111, a movable rod 112, and a conductive rod 113. The joystick seat cavity 111 is fixedly mounted on the PCB board 15, and a conductive sheet 114 is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the joystick seat cavity 111. Further, the conductive sheet 114 is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material; it can also be other conductive materials, which are not limited here. The movable rod 112 is fixed to the joystick seat cavity 111, with its lower section extending into the joystick seat cavity 111 and its upper section extending out of the joystick seat cavity 111 and its upper end inserted into the joystick cap 12, so that the movable rod 112 can move together when the joystick cap 12 is shaken. The movable rod 112 has an axial through hole 1121 at its center. The conductive rod 113 passes through the through hole 1121, and the upper end of the conductive rod 113 abuts against the sensing plate 16 inside the rocker cap 12 to form an electrical connection. The lower end of the conductive rod 113 abuts against the conductive plate 114 to form an electrical connection.
[0040] In this example, such as Figure 2As shown, the conductive rod 113 includes a connecting rod 1131, a movable plate 1132, and a spring 1133. The connecting rod 1131 passes through a through hole 1121 in the center of the movable rod 112, and its upper end contacts the sensing plate 16 inside the rocker arm cap 12 to form an electrical connection. Furthermore, the connecting rod 1131 is made of metal, or its surface is coated with metal material; it can also be made of other conductive materials, which are not limited here. The movable plate 1132 is movably located on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity 111 and is electrically installed on the lower end of the connecting rod 1131. The bottom of the movable plate 1132 abuts against the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity 111 and is electrically connected to the conductive plate 114. Furthermore, the bottom of the movable disk 1132 has a concave clearance position, and the outer ring of the bottom of the movable disk 1132 abuts against the conductive sheet 114, allowing the movable disk 1132 to move on the conductive sheet 114. The movable disk 1132 and the conductive sheet 114 always have a partial contact area, meaning they are always electrically connected. Furthermore, the movable disk 1132 is made of metal, or its surface is coated with metal material; it can also be made of other conductive materials, which is not limited here. The spring 1133 is embedded in the lower section of the through hole 1121 of the movable rod 112. The upper section of the spring 1133 is sleeved on the lower section of the connecting rod 1131, and the lower section of the spring 1133 is sleeved on the head of the movable disk 1132. Thus, the connecting rod 1131 can move up and down, and during movement, it can still be electrically connected to the movable disk 112 through the spring 1133. Furthermore, the spring 1133 is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface. Of course, it can also be made of other conductive materials, which are not limited here.
[0041] In this example, continue as follows Figure 2 As shown, a through hole 1111 is provided on the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity 111 below the conductive sheet 114. An elastic metal part 17 electrically connected to the bottom of the conductive sheet 114 is provided on the PCB board 15 at the hole 1111. The elastic metal part 17 is electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13. Furthermore, the elastic metal part 17 is a spring pin or antenna spring, or other elastic conductive material, which is not limited here.
[0042] The circuit board 15 has printed circuitry on its circuit side. The touch sensing module 13 and the microcontroller 14 are soldered onto the PCB board 15, allowing them to be electrically connected via copper traces on the PCB board 15. The joystick body 11 is also fixedly soldered onto the PCB board 15. It should be noted that the touch sensing module 13, microcontroller 14, and joystick body 11 can be on the same side or not; their positions are not restricted. This explanation assumes that the touch sensing module 13, microcontroller 14, and joystick body 11 are located on the same side of the PCB board 15.
[0043] An insulating mushroom-shaped cap is fitted over the top of the joystick cap 12. When the player's finger touches the mushroom-shaped cap, a capacitor is formed between the finger and the sensor 16 embedded in the joystick cap 12. The mushroom-shaped cap makes it easy for the user to operate and grip. It can be disc-shaped or hemispherical to enhance the player's feel. It can also be made of flexible material to prevent fingers from being scratched by metal. The specific shape is not limited here.
[0044] In another example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sensor 16 inside the joystick cap 12 is directly electrically connected to the PCB board 15 through wires, and then electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13 through the copper foil traces of the PCB board 15.
[0045] In the first example, a capacitive connection is formed between the finger and the sensing plate 16, creating a capacitor. The sensing plate 16, connecting rod 1131, spring 1133, movable disk 1132, conductive plate 114, elastic metal part 17, touch sensing module 13, and microcontroller 14 are sequentially electrically connected. In the second example, a capacitive connection is formed between the finger and the sensing plate 16, creating a capacitor. The sensing plate 16, touch sensing module 13, and microcontroller 14 are sequentially electrically connected.
[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram shown illustrates the working principle of the low dead-zone joystick controller of this invention. In one example, continuing as... Figure 4 As shown, the sensing element 16 serves as a capacitive sensing module. This module is electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13 via a connecting rod 1131, a spring 1133, a movable disk 1132, a conductive sheet 114, and an elastic metal part 17. Alternatively, the capacitive sensing module can be directly electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13 via a wire. The touch sensing module 13 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 14. In another example, continuing as... Figure 5As shown, the touch sensing module 13 is integrated into the microcontroller 14. It should be noted that this touch sensing module can utilize existing touch sensing modules, such as the TTP233H-BA6 touch chip from TONTEK. Based on the principle of capacitive sensing, the upper end of the sensing pad 16 and the finger form a capacitive connection, creating a sensing capacitor. When the finger is not in contact with the joystick cap 12, the capacitance of capacitor C1 is extremely small, and the charging time T1 of capacitor C1 by the touch sensing module 13 is relatively short. At this time, the touch sensing module 13 generates a level signal V1, such as a high level, and transmits it to the microcontroller 14. The microcontroller 14 determines that the hand has not operated the joystick based on the received level signal V1. When a finger touches the joystick cap 12, the capacitance of the sensing capacitor C2 formed between the finger and the sensing plate 16 is relatively large. The charging time T2 of the touch sensing module 13 for capacitor C2 is much longer than T1. The touch sensing module 13 compares the magnitudes of T1 and T2 and generates a level signal V2 opposite to signal V1, such as a low level, which is transmitted to the microcontroller 14. The microcontroller 14 determines whether a hand is operating the joystick based on the received level signal V2. That is, it determines whether a finger is close to or touching the joystick based on the received level signal. When the microcontroller detects that a finger is not close to or touching the joystick, it considers the joystick to be in an inactive state. At this time, the microcontroller 14 considers the collected joystick data to be invalid data, that is, it considers the joystick to be always at the center point, and transmits the center point data of the joystick to the host, so the host will not drift. When the microcontroller 14 detects a finger approaching or touching the joystick, it considers the joystick to be in use. At this time, the microcontroller 14 considers the collected joystick data to be valid data and transmits the valid data to the host computer. The host computer then controls the game character or machine according to the instructions of the valid joystick data. In both the non-touching and touching states, the comparison signal between the touch sensing module 13 and the sensing plate 16 for charging time is collected by the microcontroller 14 and transmitted to the host computer. The host computer then selects whether or not to process the joystick data for drift. The finger and the sensing plate are connected via capacitive sensing technology to achieve human contact detection and solve the joystick drift problem. In this stable joystick controller, a single capacitor is formed between the finger and the capacitive sensing module. The capacitive sensing module is electrically connected to the touch sensing module 13 and the controller 14, without any other capacitive sensing connections, making the controller more stable.
[0047] The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the present invention based on the above description. Therefore, certain details in the embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention shall be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A stable rocker controller characterized by, The joystick controller includes: The rocker body and the rocker cap sleeved on the upper end of the rocker body; A capacitive sensing module that can connect with a finger capacitive sensor to form a capacitor is located inside the joystick cap. The touch sensing module is electrically connected to the capacitive sensing module; The microcontroller is electrically connected to the touch sensing module.
2. The stable rocker controller of claim 1, wherein, The joystick controller also includes: The touch sensing module, the microcontroller, and the joystick body are mounted on the PCB board.
3. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The joystick body includes: A rocker arm seat cavity is fixed on the PCB board, and a conductive sheet is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity; The movable rod has an upper section extending out of the rocker arm seat cavity and a lower section extending into the rocker arm seat cavity. The movable rod has an axial through hole at its center, and the upper end of the movable rod is inserted into the rocker arm cap. A conductive rod, disposed on the movable rod, includes: A connecting rod is inserted into the through hole of the movable rod, and its upper end is electrically connected to the capacitive sensing module. The movable disk is movably located on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the rocker arm seat cavity and electrically installed at the lower end of the connecting rod. The bottom of the movable disk is electrically connected to the conductive sheet.
4. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom of the movable plate has a concave clearance area.
5. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The conductive rod also includes a spring, which is embedded in the lower section of the through hole of the movable rod. The upper section of the spring is sleeved on the lower section of the connecting rod, and the lower section of the spring is sleeved on the head of the movable disc.
6. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The spring is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal.
7. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the rocker arm cavity has a through hole below the conductive sheet. The PCB board has an elastic metal part at the hole that is electrically connected to the bottom of the conductive sheet. The elastic metal part is electrically connected to the touch sensing module.
8. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic metal part is a spring pin or an antenna spring.
9. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The capacitive sensing module is electrically connected to the PCB board via wires, and then electrically connected to the touch sensing module via copper foil traces on the PCB board.
10. The stable joystick controller as described in any one of claims 3 or 7, characterized in that, The capacitive sensing module is a sensing element, which is embedded in the rocker cap.
11. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The sensor is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface. The conductive sheet is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material; The connecting rod is made of metal or has a metal coating on its surface; The movable plate is made of metal or has a surface coated with metal material.
12. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The touch sensing module is integrated on the microcontroller.
13. The stable joystick controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the rocker cap is fitted with an insulating mushroom-shaped cap.