Adjustable Input Sections With Locking for Comfortable Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users need to customize the positions of operating members of input devices for improved comfort during operation.

Innovation Solution

An input device with a first and second operating section and a lock mechanism that allows the relative position between the sections to be adjusted and locked/unlocked, enhancing user comfort by allowing customizable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the second operating section is made movable relative to the first operating section, then the adaptability and user comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of coupling and lock mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizable position of operating membersVSAvoidstructure with coupling section and lock mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input device is divided into a first operating section and a second operating section that can be independently positioned. The coupling section acts as a separate component enabling relative movement between the two sections, allowing users to customize the position of operating members according to their preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second operating section is designed to be movable relative to the first operating section through the coupling mechanism. The lock mechanism allows the system to switch between a locked state (fixed relative position) and an unlocked state (movable relative position), providing dynamic adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the lock mechanism is designed to maintain the unlocked state without operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases as the sections may shift during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic unlock for adjustmentVSAvoidposition stability during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is designed to automatically transition to the locked state when the user intends to use the device, preparing the system for stable operation before actual use begins. This preliminary locking action ensures position stability during operation while maintaining ease of adjustment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring continuous operation to maintain the unlocked state, the mechanism is inverted so that the default state favors stability (locked), and unlocking requires a specific user action. This inversion ensures reliability during operation while still allowing easy adjustment when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260061308A1Input device

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

Provided is an input device that can be operated comfortably by a user who finds it difficult to operate existing input devices comfortably. An input device (1) has a lock mechanism (40) that switches between a locked state, in which the relative position between a first operating section (10) and a second operating section (20) is fixed, and an unlocked state, in which the relative position between the first operating section (10) and the second operating section (20) is allowed to change. The lock mechanism (40) includes a lock button (41), and switches between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to an operation of the lock button (41).