Operable Member Cover Protector for Stable Input Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Known input devices and controllers face issues in maintaining consistent contact between the head of the operable member and the cover.

Innovation Solution

The input device and controller designs include a shaft, head, cover, and cover protector, where the shaft extends intersecting with the plane direction, and the cover protector surrounds the shaft to maintain contact with the cover, reducing unintentional user contact and enhancing operational stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the operable member is made tiltable or slidable in a plane direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the contact between the head and the cover becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover protector serves as an intermediary component between the head and the cover. It surrounds the shaft and contacts the cover to maintain stable contact between the head and cover while allowing the operable member to tilt or slide in the plane direction, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contact stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The operable member is segmented into distinct components: the shaft extending in a direction intersecting with the plane direction, the head located outside the module housing, the cover covering the upper and lower portions of the head, and the cover protector surrounding the shaft. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the cover covers the upper and lower portions of the head, then the protection is improved, but the unintentional user contact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidunintentional contact
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover protector acts as an intermediary that surrounds the shaft and contacts the cover, creating a barrier that prevents unintentional user contact with the head while maintaining the protective coverage of the cover over the upper and lower portions of the head

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover protector is positioned specifically to surround the shaft and contact the cover at a localized area, providing targeted protection against unintentional contact without interfering with the overall protective function of the cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4675403A1Input device and controller
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP4675403A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4675403A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4675403A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An input device and a controller can maintain the contact between a head of an operable member and a cover. The input device includes a module housing, and an operable member protruding from a surface of the module housing. The operable member is tiltable or slidable in a plane direction parallel to the surface of the module housing. The operable member includes a shaft, a head, a cover, and a cover protector. The shaft extends in a direction intersecting with the plane direction of the module housing. The head is located outside the module housing and is connected to an end of the shaft. The head extends in the plane direction. The cover covers an upper portion and a lower portion of the head. The cover protector surrounds the shaft. The cover protector is in contact with a portion of the cover covering the lower portion of the head.