Magnetic arrangement for aligning a tiltable control element into a neutral standard position in a game controller

Abstract

A magnetic arrangement (1) for aligning a tiltable control element (110) into a neutral standard position in a game controller (100) comprising a housing (120), wherein the magnetic arrangement comprises a first magnet (11) and a second magnet (12), wherein the first magnet (11) on the housing (120) and the second magnet (12) on the control element (110) are configured such that the control element (110) can only be tilted from its rest position with force against a magnetic field.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a magnetic arrangement for aligning a tiltable control element into a neutral standard position in a game controller.

[0002] Video games have enjoyed great popularity for many years. It is common to use game controllers, such as gamepads, to play them. These are manufactured in various shapes depending on the manufacturer, but usually consist of a housing shaped so that the game controller can be held in the hands, and various controls such as buttons or analog sticks.

[0003] Analog sticks, or more generally, tiltable controls, are often used to move a game character or camera. Two-dimensional deflection of the control causes movement in the corresponding direction. The greater the deflection, the greater the movement. There is also a neutral default position in which no signal is sent to the game, causing the game character to stop moving.

[0004] Modern game controllers are typically designed so that the tilting control element always automatically returns to its neutral standard position unless the user applies force to tilt it. This is achieved by using an internal spring that returns the control element to its neutral standard position, and force must be applied against this spring to tilt the control element.

[0005] However, using a spring to return the control to its neutral standard position has several disadvantages. One drawback of this solution is the often insufficient restoring force of the spring when the control is moved. While this force is enough to return the control to its standard position, it offers the user only negligible resistance. For a more comfortable playing experience, however, it is often desirable that more force is required to move the control.

[0006] Another disadvantage of using a spring is that the spring gradually wears out and becomes loose due to mechanical stress with each movement. This means the control element is no longer reliably returned to its neutral position and can deviate from it even without user input, potentially leading to unwanted signals and consequently, movements in the video game.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a magnetic arrangement for aligning a tiltable control element into a neutral standard position in a game controller, comprising a housing, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular leads to a better gaming experience and does not wear out.

[0008] This task is solved by a magnetic arrangement for aligning a tiltable control element in a neutral standard position in a game controller, comprising a housing according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective claims.

[0009] The invention comprises a magnetic arrangement for aligning a tiltable control element in a neutral standard position within a game controller, comprising a housing. The magnetic arrangement includes a first magnet and a second magnet, the first magnet being located on the housing and the second magnet on the control element such that the control element can only be tilted from its rest position with force against a magnetic field. The strength of the magnets allows the resistance to deflection to be adjusted, thus providing an improved gaming experience. Furthermore, the magnets are not subjected to mechanical stress, preventing wear and tear, ensuring the magnetic field remains stable, and reliably holding the control element in its neutral position, preventing unwanted signals from being sent to the video game.

[0010] Preferably, the first and second magnets are designed as ring-shaped and axially magnetized. The magnets are thus magnetized along their height, and the north and south poles of the magnets are two superimposed rings.

[0011] According to a technical advantage, the first magnet and the second magnet each have an inner diameter and an outer diameter, with the inner diameter of the first magnet being larger than the outer diameter of the second magnet. For example, the diameters of the first magnet range from 18 mm to 30 mm, and those of the second magnet from 4 mm to 11 mm.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the first and second magnets are arranged concentrically, at least partially nested, in the neutral standard position of the control element. For the neutral standard position in this arrangement to be the rest position of the two magnets relative to each other, the poles of the magnets must be oriented in the same direction; for example, both north poles point downwards, and the south poles are located on the upper side of the magnets. In this configuration, the magnets repel each other. Because the magnets are nested and cannot move freely axially due to their arrangement on the housing and the control element, the magnets are in their rest position when the second magnet is at its greatest possible distance from the first magnet in all directions, i.e., when it is located at the center of the first magnet.

[0013] Advantageously, the control element comprises a base with a neck and a disc-shaped handle, with the first magnet positioned on the housing and the second magnet arranged concentrically around the neck. The base element is usually partially recessed into the game controller's housing. The housing has a recess at the control element's position, allowing the neck to protrude. At the other end of the neck is the handle, upon which the user's finger rests when operating the control element. The movement of the control element thus causes the neck to rotate, rotating the second magnet around the base element towards the housing and the first magnet.

[0014] Technically, the first and second magnets are preferably aligned and polarized such that they repel each other. Thus, in their rest position, the first magnet, the second magnet, and the tilting control element are concentric with each other. As the magnets approach each other during deflection, the magnetic field opposes the movement, requiring force to move the control element. Once this force is released, the control element returns to the center of the first magnet.

[0015] According to one advantageous aspect, the neck and handle are detachable, with the neck comprising a recess and the handle a pin arranged on a top surface. These are shaped such that the pin fits precisely into the recess. Because the handle is detachable, it can be exchanged for another handle with an identically shaped pin. Since the pin fits precisely in the recess, the movement of the handle can be reliably transmitted to the neck and the base element.

[0016] Preferably, the handle includes a third magnet. This magnet is positioned and polarized such that it attracts the second magnet and the third magnet. This holds the stylus in the recess, and the neck and handle are magnetically connected. The magnetic attraction between the handle and neck prevents the stylus from easily slipping out of the recess. The magnets are strong enough that the connection does not accidentally break when the control element is moved, but can be released by gently pulling on the handle, allowing the handle to be replaced.

[0017] Advantageously, the third magnet is a disc or ring magnet and axially magnetized. For the second and third magnets to attract each other, they must be oriented in the same way. That is, if the south pole of the second magnet points towards the handle, the north pole of the third magnet must point towards the neck.

[0018] Another aspect of the invention comprises a game controller including a housing, wherein the game controller includes a magnetic arrangement, the first magnet being arrangable on the housing. The magnetic arrangement can be attached to any tiltable control element of the game controller to improve the gaming experience.

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an example shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] They show: Fig. 1 a game controller according to the invention with a magnetic arrangement on the right of the two tiltable control elements Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the first and second magnets Fig. 3 a basic element with a neck and a handle

[0021] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a game controller 100 comprising a magnetic arrangement 1. The game controller 100 comprised a housing 120 and several control elements of various types. In the example shown, two of these are tiltable control elements 110. A magnetic arrangement 1 according to the invention is attached to the right tiltable control element 110. The left tiltable control element 110 is left unattached for illustrative purposes.

[0022] The tiltable control element consists of a base element 111, which sits in a recess in the housing 120, a neck 120 and a disc-shaped handle 113 with two opposing cover sides 115.

[0023] The first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 are ring-shaped. The first magnet is attached to the housing 120 such that it surrounds the recess in the housing 120 in which the tiltable control element 110 is located. The second magnet 12 is located on the control element 110 and completely encloses the neck 120. In this illustration, the control element 110 is in its neutral standard position, in which the first and second magnets 11, 12 and the control element 110 are concentrically aligned. This results from the (partially) overlapping arrangement of the magnets 11, 12, with the second magnet 12 located in the hole of the first magnet 11. Fig. 2. Due to the corresponding magnetization, the first magnet 11 repels the second magnet 12, which therefore wants to stay in the center of the magnet 11 and can only be deflected from its rest position with force.

[0024] The magnetization of magnets 11, 12 is in Fig. 2 shown. They are axially magnetized and as in the exemplary embodiment in Fig. The control element 110 is oriented such that the north pole 11N, 12N is on the lower side and the south pole 11S, 12S is on the upper side of the ring. Since the second magnet 12 moves towards the first magnet 11 when the control element 110 is deflected, this orientation brings like poles closer together. Due to the magnetic field, force must be applied to bring the magnets 11, 12 closer together, meaning that deflection of the control element 110 is only possible with the application of force. The rest position of the second magnet 12, and thus the neutral standard position of the control element 110, is located at the center of the first magnet 11.

[0025] The illustration also shows the diameters of magnets 11 and 12. The first magnet 11 and the second magnet 12 each have an inner diameter 11i and 12i, respectively, and an outer diameter 11a and 12a, respectively. The inner diameter 11i of the first magnet 11 is larger than the outer diameter 12a of the second magnet 12, allowing it to be positioned in the hole of the first magnet 11, as previously mentioned. The inner diameter 11i of the first magnet 11 also determines the desired tilt range of the control element 110. The maximum tilt, independent of the magnetic field strength, is reached when the control element 110 is positioned against the first magnet 11 or the housing 120. The inner diameter 12i of the second magnet 12 is adapted to the dimensions of the neck 120, enabling it to be enclosed by the second magnet 12.

[0026] In addition to the design as ring magnets, it would also be conceivable to design the first and second magnets 11, 12 as several individual magnets, which are arranged accordingly on the housing 120 and the control element 110 and generate a similar magnetic field.

[0027] Fig. Figure 3 shows the components of the control element 110 separated from one another. On the left is the base element 111 with the neck 112. In the top view, a recess 114 is visible in the neck 112, which in this embodiment is cross-shaped. On the right is the handle 113. A pin 116 is arranged on the lower cover 115, which is shaped so that it can be inserted precisely into the recess 114. In the embodiment shown, the handle and neck 112 can be joined together to form a complete control element 110.

[0028] To prevent the neck 112 and handle 113 from unintentionally separating, a third magnet 13 is arranged inside the handle 113. This magnet is either disc-shaped or ring-shaped and axially magnetized. In the illustrated embodiment, the third magnet 13 is oriented such that its north pole 13N points downwards and its south pole 13S points upwards. This orientation is identical to that of the first and second magnets 11, 12. Since the third magnet is arranged offset axially from the second magnet 12, this orientation causes the north pole 13N of the third magnet 13 and the south pole 13S of the second magnet 12 to attract each other, thus magnetically holding the handle 113 and the neck 112 together. Together with a precisely fitting pin 116 and recess 114, the connection is secured so that the force from the handle 115 can be reliably transmitted to the operating element 110. However, handle 113 can be released with targeted force.

Claims

[1] Magnet arrangement (1) for aligning a tiltable operating element (110) in a neutral standard position in a game controller (100) comprising a housing (120), wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a first magnet (11) and a second magnet (12), wherein the first magnet (11) on the housing (120) and the second magnet (12) on the operating element (110) are designed such that the operating element (110) can only be tilted from its rest position with the application of force against a magnetic field. [2] Magnet arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are annular and axially magnetized. [3] Magnet arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) each have an inner diameter (11i, 12i) and an outer diameter (11a, 12a) and wherein the inner diameter (11i) of the first magnet (11) is larger than the outer diameter (12a) of the second magnet (12). [4] Magnet arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are arranged concentrically at least partially one inside the other in the neutral standard position of the operating element (110). [5] Magnet arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating element (110) comprises a base element (111) with a neck (112) and a disc-shaped handle (114), and wherein the first magnet (11) can be arranged concentrically on the housing (120) and the second magnet (12) can be arranged around the neck (112). [6] Magnet arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first magnet (11) and the second magnet (12) are aligned and poled such that they repel each other, so that the first magnet (11), the second magnet (12) and the tiltable operating element (110) are concentric with each other in the rest position. [7] Magnet arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein the neck (112) and the handle (113) are detachable from each other and wherein the neck (112) comprises a recess (115) and the handle (113) comprises a pin (116) arranged on a cover surface (115), which are shaped such that the pin (117) can be inserted into the recess (114) with a precise fit. [8] Magnet assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein the handle () comprises a third magnet (13), the third magnet (13) being arranged and poled such that the third magnet (13) and the second magnet (12) attract each other, so that the pin (116) is pressed into the recess (114) and the neck (112) and the handle (113) are magnetically connected to each other. [9] Magnet arrangement (1) according to claim 8, wherein the third magnet (13) is a disc magnet or a ring magnet and is axially magnetized. [10] Game controller (100) comprising a housing (120), wherein the game controller (100) comprises a magnet arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first magnet (11) can be arranged on the housing (120).

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