Compact 3D Input Structure for Six-Axis Mobile Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D input devices are large and not suitable for mobile or portable use, limiting their application in fields that require compact and portable three-dimensional movement input solutions.

Innovation Solution

A miniaturized 3D input device design featuring a housing with an input body that can move in six components (three displacements and three angular rotations) within the housing, equipped with a sensor device and a spring device for precise movement detection and energy efficiency, integrated with mobile devices for energy and data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional 3D input devices are used to achieve six-component movement detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases making them unsuitable for mobile use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesix-component movement detectionVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The input body is nested within the housing, with the sensor device arranged between them. The input body can be entirely within the housing contour or partially protruding, creating a compact nested structure that maintains six-component detection capability while minimizing overall device volume for mobile applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the input body is entirely within the housing contour, then device compactness is improved, but user accessibility to the input body is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The input body is designed to be movable relative to the housing along six components (three translations and three angular rotations). This dynamic capability allows the input body to be entirely within the housing contour for compactness while still providing full user accessibility through its movement freedom, enabling interaction from various positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the input body protrudes from the housing, then user accessibility is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidhousing length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The input body is designed with selective protrusion, where only specific portions may extend beyond the housing contour while other portions remain within. This local quality approach provides user accessibility at the protruding surfaces while maintaining overall device compactness, avoiding unnecessary increase in housing length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If a spring device is added for energy efficiency, then use of energy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is connected between the input body and housing to provide automatic restoration of the input body to its initial position after movement. This self-service mechanism uses elastic potential energy stored in the spring to return the input body without requiring external power sources or complex control systems, improving energy efficiency while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables portable and efficient three-dimensional input capabilities, allowing for precise movement and position tracking within a compact form factor, suitable for applications such as mobile devices and remote controls.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor device detects movements and/or positions of the input body relative to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a spring device which is connected to the housing and the input body in such a way that the input body has a fixed position relative to the housing in a rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3669255B13D input device
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FÜR LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT E V
  • EP3669255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3669255B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3669255B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a 3-D input device (10), in particular a mobile 3-D input device, which has a housing (20) and an input element (40) arranged within the housing (20). The input element (40) has at least a first side (42) and a second side (44) opposite the first side (42). In addition, the 3-D input device (10) according to the invention has a sensor device (60). The input element (40) is movable relative to the housing (20) in six components, namely three displacements and three angular rotations in and about the three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system. The sensor device (60) detects the movements and/or the positions of the input element (40) relative to the housing (20). The first side (42) of the input element (40) or the second side (44) of the input element (40) or the first side (42) and the second side (44) of the input element (40) are together configured in such a way that a user can complete a movement of the input element (40) along the six components via an action on the input element (40). The invention also relates to a mobile device (100) and a 3-D remote-control, each having at least one such 3-D input device (10) according to the invention.