Gaming controller with integrated ventilation system for active cooling of hand contact surfaces

Abstract

Gaming controller comprising a housing with at least one grip section, characterized in that an air guidance system is provided which a) has at least one air inlet opening in the area of ​​a grip end, b) has at least one fan flow-connected to the air inlet opening, c) has an intake chamber for receiving the fan, d) has at least one air duct running inside the housing, e) has at least one air outlet opening arranged in the grip area, wherein the intake chamber is flow-technically separated from a hardware chamber of the controller in which electronic components are arranged.

Description

Technical field The invention relates to a handheld gaming controller for game consoles or computer systems. Furthermore, the invention relates to a ventilation device for integration into such a controller. State of the art Handheld gaming controllers typically have two side grip sections that are held by the user's hands continuously during operation. Due to the heat generated by the hands, prolonged use can lead to warming of the hand contact surfaces and moisture buildup. Known controllers have a closed design in the grip area. Fans, if present, typically serve to cool internal electronic components and are fluidically connected to them. Targeted airflow to ventilate hand contact surfaces while simultaneously fluidically separating electronic assemblies is not provided for in the prior art. Object of the invention The invention is based on the objective of providing a gaming controller that enables targeted air circulation in the area of ​​hand contact surfaces, whereby electronic components remain fluidically separated from the intake ambient air. Solution to the task The problem is solved by a gaming controller with the features of claim 1, comprising a housing and at least one grip section, and including an air guidance system. The dependent claims disclose preferred embodiments of the invention. The air guidance system comprises: • at least one air inlet opening in the area of ​​a handle end, • at least one fan flow-connected to the air inlet opening, • an intake chamber for receiving the fan, • at least one air duct running inside the housing, • at least one air outlet opening arranged in the handle area. The controller also features a hardware chamber in which electronic components are arranged. The intake chamber is designed to be fluidically separated from the hardware chamber. Structure of the chambers The intake chamber is preferably designed to be airtight from the hardware chamber. Electrical connection between the two chambers is made exclusively via a sealed feedthrough. Air exchange between the intake chamber and the hardware chamber is structurally impossible. Air distribution system Other embodiments may include alternative airflow generators, different duct geometries, variable positioning of the air outlet openings, and passive or active air guidance systems. Air intake The air inlet is located at one end of the handle. On a controller with two handle sections, each handle section can have its own air inlet and fan. The air inlet openings are positioned so that they are not completely covered by the hands when the controller is held as intended. Intake and airflow generation device The device for drawing in ambient air and generating a directed airflow can be designed as an electrically operated fan. Alternatively, other devices for generating an airflow are possible, provided they generate a directed airflow within the enclosure. The intensity of the airflow is preferably electronically adjustable. Air distribution An air distribution element can be provided between the fan and the air ducts. This air distribution element can be designed in a funnel shape. Several air channels radiate from the air distribution element. air ducts The air channels run inside the housing and serve to guide the airflow to hand contact surfaces. The air ducts can be parallel or branched. Preferably, the air channels run directly below an outer shell of the housing. The air ducts are dimensioned in such a way that integration into the housing is possible without significantly changing the external dimensions. Air outlet The air ducts lead into at least one air outlet opening. The air outlet openings are located in the area of ​​hand contact surfaces. These openings direct the airflow specifically to the areas where the hands come into contact. How it works During operation, ambient air is drawn in through the air inlet opening via the intake fan. The device for generating the airflow produces a directed airflow. This airflow is guided through the air channels inside the housing. Air escapes from the air outlet openings in the area of ​​hand contact surfaces. Electronic components remain separated from the ambient air being drawn in. Extended technical revelation The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, various constructive and functional variants can be provided within the scope of the invention. Variants of airflow generation The device for generating an airflow can be implemented in various technical designs. Besides electrically driven fans, radial fans, axial fans, micro-blowers, turbines, or other air-conveying devices can be used, for example. Multiple airflow generators can also be combined. In some embodiments, two or more fans may be provided, each assigned to different air ducts. Alternatively, a single airflow generator can supply several air ducts simultaneously. In other embodiments, the airflow can be generated intermittently or continuously. Variants of the air duct structure The air channels can have different geometries and structures. For example, they can be straight, curved, branched, or net-like. Air channels can also be arranged in a ring around grip areas. The cross-section of the air ducts can vary and, for example, be round, oval, rectangular, polygonal, or slotted. The air ducts can have different heights and widths. In some embodiments, several parallel air ducts may be provided, while in other embodiments a central main duct with several branches may be provided. Variants of air outlet openings The air outlet openings can be designed in different shapes and sizes. They can be single openings, rows of holes, slots, perforated areas, or microporous structures. The outlet openings can be distributed along the handle surfaces or concentrated in areas with particularly heavy hand contact. In some embodiments, several small outlet openings may be provided, while in other embodiments elongated outlet slots may be provided. Variants of air inlet openings The air inlet openings can be located in different positions on the housing. In particular, they can be located at the handle ends, on side housing surfaces, or on the rear of the controller. The air inlet openings can be fitted with protective grilles, filter elements or lamellar structures to prevent the ingress of foreign objects. Housing and chamber structures The intake chamber and the hardware chamber can be separated from each other by various design measures. For example, partitions, housing inserts, sealing elements, or multi-chamber housings can be used. In some embodiments, the intake chamber can be arranged entirely within a handle area, while in other embodiments several separate intake chambers may be provided. Modular design The ventilation system can be designed as a modular assembly that is mounted externally around a controller housing. Such an assembly can include all components of the air distribution system. Control and regulation systems Airflow control can be achieved via an electronic control unit. This can be part of the controller hardware. In various embodiments, the airflow intensity can be controlled by software, for example via settings of a computer system or a game console. Sensors can also be incorporated, particularly temperature, humidity, or motion sensors. These sensors can be used to automatically regulate the airflow. Expanded application possibilities The described ventilation system can be used not only in classic gaming controllers, but also in other handheld input devices. Examples include flight or racing simulation input devices, joysticks, gamepads, or other control units. Other embodiments The embodiment described above is merely one example of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations are possible without departing from the core of the invention. The device for generating an airflow may include, in addition to an electrically operated fan, other air-conveying elements, such as radial blowers, axial blowers, micro-blowers, turbines or other devices for active air conveyance. It is also possible that the airflow is generated at least partially passively, for example by movement of the controller, by pressure differences or by natural convection. The air ducts can have different geometric configurations. For example, they can be straight, curved, branched, network-like, or segmented. Furthermore, the air ducts can have different cross-sectional shapes, in particular circular, oval, rectangular, or slotted. The number of air channels can vary. In some embodiments, only a single air channel may be provided, while in other embodiments several parallel or branching air channels are provided. The air outlet openings can be located in different areas of the controller housing. In particular, they can be positioned along the grip areas, on the sides of the grip sections, on surfaces that come into contact with the hand, or in other ergonomically suitable locations. The air outlet openings can be designed as single openings, rows of holes, slots, perforated areas or microporous structures. The air inlet openings can also have different geometric shapes and can be equipped with protective structures such as grilles, filters or protective louvers. The intake chamber and the hardware chamber can be separated from each other by different housing structures, for example by partition walls, sealing elements, multi-chamber housings or separate housing inserts. The ventilation device can be fully integrated into the controller housing or designed as a modular component that is attached externally around a controller housing. Furthermore, it is possible that the ventilation device is used in different controller shapes, especially in symmetrical or asymmetrical controller housings. Airflow intensity can be controlled via software, firmware, or hardware-based controls. Furthermore, sensors can be provided to record operating parameters, in particular temperature, humidity or user activity, whereby the airflow generation can be controlled depending on these parameters. Description of the drawings / figures Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a gaming controller with an integrated ventilation system. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rear of a gaming controller with an integrated ventilation system. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a gaming controller with an integrated ventilation system. The hollow intake chambers at the grip ends are also shown. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the rear of a gaming controller with an integrated ventilation system. The hollow intake chambers at the grip ends are also shown. Fig. 5 shows a perspective and side view of an intake fan, an air distribution element, and air channels of a gaming controller with an integrated ventilation system.Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an intake fan and an air distribution element within an intake chamber of a gaming controller with integrated ventilation equipment. The invention thus relates to a handheld gaming controller 1 with a housing 9 and at least one grip section, as well as a ventilation device for integration into such a controller. The controller has an air guidance system comprising at least one air inlet opening 2 in the area of ​​a handle end, at least one fan 5 for drawing in ambient air, an intake chamber 4 for receiving the fan, at least one air duct 7 running inside the housing 9 and at least one air outlet opening 3 arranged in the handle area. The intake chamber 4 is fluidically separated from a hardware chamber containing electronic components. Electrical communication between the two chambers is exclusively via a sealed feedthrough. The ambient air 8 is drawn in and generated as a directed airflow by the fan and guided via the air ducts 7 to air outlet openings 3 located in the area of ​​hand contact surfaces. The air ducts can run directly beneath an outer shell of the housing and can be parallel or branched. The intensity of the airflow is electronically adjustable. The ventilation device can be designed as a modular component that can be attached to the outside of the gaming controller 1. Reference symbol list 1 Gaming controller 2 Air inlet 3 Air outlet 4 Intake chamber 5 Intake fan 6 Air distribution element 7 Air duct 8 Intake air 9 Housing

Claims

Gaming controller comprising a housing with at least one grip section, characterized in that an air guidance system is provided which a) has at least one air inlet opening in the area of ​​a grip end, b) has at least one fan flow-connected to the air inlet opening, c) has an intake chamber for receiving the fan, d) has at least one air duct running inside the housing, e) has at least one air outlet opening arranged in the grip area, wherein the intake chamber is flow-technically separated from a hardware chamber of the controller in which electronic components are arranged. Gaming controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the intake chamber is airtight relative to the hardware chamber. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air channels run directly below an outer shell of the housing. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air distribution element is provided between the fan and the air channels. Gaming controller according to claim 4, characterized in that the air distribution element is designed as a funnel-shaped distributor. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several air channels are formed in parallel or branched. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air outlet openings are passed through the housing wall. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two grip sections are provided, each grip section having its own air inlet opening and its own fan. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air inlet openings are positioned so that they are not completely covered by the hands during the intended use of the controller. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fans are supplied via an energy storage device arranged in the controller. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the speed of the fans is electronically controllable. Gaming controller according to claim 11, characterized in that the control is software-based. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrical connection between the intake chamber and the hardware chamber is made exclusively via a sealed cable passage. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air channels are guided in a smooth transition from the intake chamber to the area of ​​the grip sections. Gaming controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air channels are dimensioned such that the external dimensions of the housing are only slightly increased compared to an identical controller without an air guidance system.

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