Joystick assembly and game controller

Abstract

A game controller includes a casing and a joystick assembly. The joystick assembly includes a fixing seat, a joystick and a plurality of rotating blades. The fixing seat is located in the casing, and has a movable recess. The joystick is movably located in the movable recess, and is at least partially exposed outside the casing. The rotating blades are located in the casing, and are rotatably disposed on the fixing seat. The rotating blades together surround a limiting opening. The joystick is disposed through the limit opening. The rotating blades can rotate relative to the fixing seat so as to adjust the range of motion of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limit opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] Generally, joysticks use sensors to detect the direction and amplitude of the player's operation. When players need to precisely operate the joystick for extended periods to control in-game characters, the continuous control of the operating force can easily cause hand muscle fatigue, thus reducing the accuracy of the operation. As a result, in addition to easily causing the in-game character's movement to fail, it can also cause hand discomfort for the player. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a joystick assembly and a game controller, thereby improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly and increasing the hand comfort of the player during gameplay.

[0005] One 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 so as 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. 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 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 limit port, the player can adjust the range of motion of the joystick according to the needs of the game environment to assist in operating the joystick for a long time. In this way, it is not necessary for the player to continuously control the operating force, so as to avoid fatigue of the player's hand muscles and avoid reducing the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly, it can also increase the player's hand comfort during gameplay.

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

Implementation Method

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a side view of the game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the game controller of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the game controller of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of the game controller of Figure 1 omitting the housing. Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the game controller of Figure 1.

[0010] The game controller 10 of 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).

[0011] 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 a character in a game. Specifically, when the player operates the joystick 124 to move the joystick 124, a Hall sensor can be used to sense the magnetic field of a magnet to generate a signal indicating movement of the character in the game, and the signal is transmitted to the base plate 121. Here, "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.

[0012] These rotating blades 125 are located within the housing 11 and are 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.

[0013] The operating member 126 is rotatably mounted on the fixed base 123 and connected to the rotating blades 125, so that the operating member 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 Figure 6 for now) or an open position (please refer to Figure 9 for now). In detail, the operating member 126 has a plurality of guide posts 1261, and each rotating blade 125 has a guide groove 1254. The guide posts 1261 are slidably mounted on 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 member 126.

[0014] These rotating blades 125 together surround 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.

[0015] 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, so as to avoid fatigue of the player's hand muscles and avoid reducing the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly 12, it can also increase the hand comfort of the player when playing.

[0016] 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.

[0017] In this embodiment, the joystick 124 extends at least partially beyond the housing 11 for operation by the player's hand, 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 operation by the player's hand.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 to rotate electrically, for example. For example, the game controller can also drive the rotating blade to rotate by providing a servo motor and a gear set.

[0020] Please refer to Figures 6 to 11. Figure 6 is a top view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the retracted position. Figure 7 is a perspective sectional view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the retracted position. Figure 8 is another perspective sectional view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the retracted position. Figure 9 is a top view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the open position. Figure 10 is a perspective sectional view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the open position. Figure 11 is another perspective sectional view of the game controller in Figure 1 with the rotating blade in the open position.

[0021] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, 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, so that the movable angle R1 of the joystick 124 is, for example, less than or equal to 10 degrees. That is to say, the joystick 124 can only move in direction A within a range of, for example, 10 degrees. In this way, players can precisely control the movement of in-game characters for a long time.

[0022] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the player rotates the operating component 126 along direction B, causing the operating component 126 to rotate the rotating blades 125 along direction B, thereby 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 along direction C within a range of, for example, within 30 degrees. In this way, the player can move the in-game character with a large range of motion for a long time.

[0023] In this embodiment, when these rotating blades 125 are in the retracted position, they can also be used to enhance the operating sensitivity of the signal generator 122 to sense the joystick 124, so that the player can still move the game character in a large range by operating the joystick 124 with a small range.

[0024] 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 game environment to assist in operating the joystick for a long time. In this way, it is not necessary for the player to continuously control the operating force, so as to avoid fatigue of the player's hand muscles and avoid reducing the accuracy of operation. Therefore, in addition to improving the accuracy of controlling the joystick assembly, it can also increase the player's hand comfort when playing.

[0025] 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 scope of the patent application attached to this specification. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0026] Figure 1 is a side view of the game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the game controller of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the game controller of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of the game controller of Figure 1 omitting the housing. Figure 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the game controller of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a top view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the retracted position. Figure 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the retracted position. Figure 8 is another perspective cross-sectional view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the retracted position. Figure 9 is a top view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the open position. Figure 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the open position. Figure 11 is another perspective cross-sectional view of the rotating blade of the game controller of Figure 1 in the open position.

Claims

1. A rocker assembly comprising: a fixed base having a movable groove; a rocker arm movably located in the movable groove; and a plurality of rotating blades rotatably disposed on the fixed base and collectively surrounding a limiting opening, the rocker arm passing through the limiting opening, the rotating blades being rotatable relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the rocker arm 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 rotating blades, such that the operating member can drive the rotating blades to rotate relative to the fixed base.

3. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuating element has a plurality of guide posts, each of the rotating blades having a guide groove, the rotating blades being slidably disposed in the guide grooves through the guide posts and being able to guide the rotating blades to rotate relative to the fixed base.

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

5. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the rotating blades further has a second assembly slot, the second assembly slot being larger than the first assembly slot, the first assembly slot of each of the rotating blades corresponding to the second assembly slot of an adjacent rotating blade, each of the assembly posts being disposed in the corresponding first assembly slot and the second assembly slot, and the position of the assembly posts in the second assembly slots being adjustable by rotating the rotating blades relative to the fixed base.

6. The rocker assembly as claimed in claim 1 further includes 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 housing; and a joystick assembly, comprising: a fixed base located within the housing and having a movable slot; a joystick movably located within the movable slot and at least partially protruding outside the housing; and a plurality of rotating blades located within the housing and rotatably disposed on the fixed base, the rotating blades collectively surrounding a limiting opening, the joystick passing through the limiting opening, the rotating blades being rotatable relative to the fixed base to adjust the range of motion of the joystick by adjusting the size of the limiting opening.

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

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

10. The game controller as claimed in claim 7, wherein the joystick assembly further includes 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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