Button Drive Unit Assembly for Tactile Operation Input

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operation input devices providing tactile sensations have a higher component count, leading to increased assembly complexity and processes.

Innovation Solution

The operation input device incorporates a button driving unit with a holder that supports the electric motor, operation button, and movable member as a unified component, reducing assembly complexity by treating them as a unitary component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an operation input device is equipped with a button driving unit including a holder, operation button, movable member, and electric motor as separate components, then the device can provide tactile sensation to the user, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensation provisionVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the holder, operation button, movable member, and electric motor into a unified integrated component. The holder serves as the base structure that supports the electric motor, while the operation button and movable member are positioned on the holder. This merging of multiple components into one integrated unit reduces the overall component count and simplifies assembly processes while maintaining the tactile sensation functionality through the coordinated movement of these integrated parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If an operation input device is equipped with a button driving unit including a holder, operation button, movable member, and electric motor as separate components, then the device can provide tactile sensation to the user, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensation provisionVSAvoidassembly workability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (holder, electric motor, operation button, movable member) into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one unit. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for each component, thereby simplifying the assembly process and improving productivity. The integrated design allows for fewer parts to be handled during assembly and reduces the complexity of mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the holder is designed to support the electric motor, operation button, and movable member in a integrated structure, then assembly workability is improved, but the design complexity of the holder increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly workabilityVSAvoidholder structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the mounting base for the electric motor, the support structure for the operation button, and the guide structure for the movable member. By consolidating multiple support functions into a single holder structure, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the necessary structural complexity only where required for functionality. This multi-functional design improves assembly workability by reducing component count without unnecessarily complicating the holder design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enhances assembly workability and simplifies the mounting process by integrating key components into a unified structure.

Implementation Method 1

a reaction force is applied to the button by driving of an electric motor contained in the operation input device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3974040B1Operation input device and button drive unit
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3974040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An improvement is achieved in workability in an operation of assembling an operation input device having a function of applying a reaction force in response to a movement of an operation button. An input device (100) has an operation button (20), a movable member (30) capable of pushing the operation button (20) toward an initial position, and an electric motor (35) that moves the movable member (30). The input device (100) has a holder (40) that holds the electric motor (35). The holder (40) supports the operation button (20) and the movable member (30) so as to permit movement of the operation button (20) and the movable member (30).