Controller Lanyard Assembly with Internal Routing and Detents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-held controllers used in VR and gaming activities are prone to being inadvertently dropped or thrown, leading to potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A lanyard assembly with a removable front cover that exposes a receptacle on the controller, allowing a portion of the lanyard to be secured within the controller while another portion can be worn externally, preventing accidental detachment through the use of detents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lanyard is attached to a hand-held controller, then the risk of accidental drops is reduced, but the controller structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of accidental dropsVSAvoidcontroller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lanyard is nested within the controller structure by routing it through an internal channel and securing it in a cavity, allowing the lanyard to be integrated into the controller without adding external protrusions or complex attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is divided into functional sections including a receptacle with cavities and a channel, allowing the lanyard to be segmented into portions that reside in different locations (first portion in second cavity, second portion external) for secure attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the lanyard is securely fixed within the controller, then detachment is prevented, but the lanyard cannot be removed for cleaning or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment preventionVSAvoidlanyard removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lanyard attachment system transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic removable state by providing a detachable connection between the lanyard and the controller receptacle, allowing the lanyard to be securely held during use but easily removed when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detents are pre-positioned within the cavities to automatically engage with the lanyard upon insertion, providing secure attachment without requiring additional fastening actions, while still allowing easy removal by pulling the lanyard

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10561936B1Lanyard and controller assembly

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a controller lanyard assembly that minimizes accidental damage to a controller. The controller includes a removable front cover that, when removed, exposes a receptacle that includes a cavity that receives a portion of the lanyard. The cavity of the receptacle is further connected through a channel located on an external surface of the controller. A first portion of the lanyard can reside within the cavity and a second portion of the lanyard can exit through the channel of the controller. The receptacle can further include detents that protrude into the channel, thereby preventing the first portion of the lanyard from exiting the cavity of the receptacle. Altogether, the first portion of the lanyard is coupled to the controller while the second portion of the lanyard is worn by the individual.