Controller Heat Transfer Module for Hand Temperature Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video game controllers fail to effectively manage temperature differences across the hand-grip regions, leading to user discomfort and potential performance issues due to varying hand temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a heat transfer module that includes a cooling region and a heating region, arranged at different regions of the handle, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling of the user's hands by transferring heat from one region to another.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external solutions such as blankets or fans are used to manage hand temperature, then user comfort can be improved, but the complexity of the solution increases and requires additional user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically manages its own thermal environment by transferring heat between different regions. The system uses the user's hand heat naturally and redistributes it through thermal coupling mechanisms, eliminating the need for external blankets or fans and requiring no additional user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller's housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses electronic components, and acts as a thermal management system. The housing is thermally coupled to both the cooling region (electronic components) and heating region (hand contact areas), enabling it to simultaneously cool and heat different regions without adding separate dedicated systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional heating or cooling components are added to the controller, then temperature control capability is improved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, component housing, and thermal management. By thermally coupling the housing to both the cooling region (electronic components) and heating region (hand contact areas), it enables simultaneous heating and cooling without adding separate dedicated heating or cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's hand heat naturally and redistributes it through thermal coupling mechanisms. The electronic components serve as the cooling source, and the housing acts as the heat transfer medium, eliminating the need for active cooling components like compressors or fans.
3Ease of operation
If the controller manages temperature differences across hand-grip regions, then user comfort is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves as both the structural enclosure and the thermal management system. By integrating thermal coupling features into the existing housing design, the manufacturer leverages the same component for multiple functions without requiring separate manufacturing processes for thermal management elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with different thermal properties in different regions: thermally conductive materials or features at hand contact areas for heating, and thermally coupled regions near electronic components for cooling. This localized thermal management is achieved through material selection and geometric features in the housing design rather than complex assembly operations.
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 solution effectively manages temperature distribution across the controller, reducing user discomfort and enhancing performance by locally cooling and heating the user's hands without requiring additional heating or cooling components.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer module comprising a cooling region and a heating region, wherein the heat transfer module is configured to transfer heat from the cooling region to the heating region
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a video game system is provided. The controller comprises an exterior case including a handle, the handle comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the handle is configured to be held by a user. The controller further comprises a heat transfer module comprising a cooling region and a heating region, wherein the heat transfer module is configured to transfer heat from the cooling region to the heating region. The cooling region of the heat transfer module is arranged at the first region of the handle, and the heating region of the heat transfer module is arranged at the second region of the handle. This controller locally heats and cools a user when they hold the handle of the controller.