Game Controller Cross Button Anti-Mistouch Pillar Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross buttons on game controllers have a limited number of buttons and single functions, which fail to meet the increasing demands for multi-functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A cross button design featuring a button cap, silicone pad, and circuit board with strategically placed anti-mistouch and trigger pillars, allowing for the activation of virtual buttons without accidental triggering, enhancing functionality and reliability through a segmented stepped structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional cross button design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number of buttons is limited and functionality is single-purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The cross button is designed to perform multiple functions: it can trigger individual directional buttons (up, down, left, right) when pressed in those directions, and trigger a virtual center button when all four directions are pressed simultaneously. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling a single structure to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate physical buttons for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the center button function with the four directional buttons by using a shared triggering mechanism. The silicone pad with trigger pillars is common to all five buttons, and the controller integrates the logic to determine whether a directional press or a center press (all four directions simultaneously) occurred. This merging allows multiple functions to coexist in a unified structure.
2Area of stationary object
If four trigger pillars are placed close together in a cross pattern, then space is saved, but accidental simultaneous triggering (mistouch) becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone pad is designed with non-uniform local properties: the central region where the four trigger pillars meet has different mechanical characteristics (softer or more compliant) compared to the peripheral regions. This local quality difference ensures that when a user presses one direction, the force is localized to that specific trigger pillar, while the central compliance prevents force from inadvertently spreading to adjacent pillars, thus maintaining trigger accuracy in a compact layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone material inherently provides cushioning and force distribution before triggering occurs. The material's elasticity absorbs and directs pressure, preventing accidental simultaneous triggering by cushioning the transition of force between adjacent trigger pillars during pressing actions.
3Ease of operation
If the cross button is made more responsive to user input, then user experience is improved, but false triggering from vigorous pressing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements feedback logic by monitoring the timing and pattern of signals from all four trigger pillars. It distinguishes between intentional presses (where force is applied to one direction or the center) and accidental vigorous presses (where force may momentarily affect multiple pillars). The controller's intelligent recognition algorithm provides feedback-based discrimination, maintaining responsiveness to valid inputs while filtering out false triggers.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross button and a game controller with Dpad are provided. The cross button includes a button cap, a silicone pad, a circuit board and a controller. The circuit board is communicatively connected to the controller, and the silicone pad is located between the button cap and the circuit board. A first anti-mistouch pillar and four first trigger pillars are disposed on the silicone pad, and they are located on a side on the silicone pad close to the circuit board. The four first trigger pillars are evenly distributed on the silicone pad, and the first anti-mistouch pillar is located at a center of the four first trigger pillars. When all of the four first trigger pillars trigger signals, the controller controls a virtual button to trigger. A virtual button function of cross button is added without changing the original button, so the applicability of the cross button is enhanced.