Video Game Control Device with Form-Fitting Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video game control devices with seat and operating members have suboptimal guiding and fixation mechanisms, leading to instability and unsatisfactory user experience, especially for simulations involving vehicles or aircraft.

Innovation Solution

The control device employs form-fitting fixation means, such as a gear rack and toothed block, and a pair of parallel rails with bearing blocks for stable displacement and guiding, providing robust and adjustable positioning of the seat and operating members relative to each other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clamping mechanisms (force-locked fixation) are used to fix the seat and operating members, then the components can be secured in position, but the fixation reliability and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of fixation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into separate guiding elements (rails) and fixation elements (toothed blocks with gear rack), allowing independent optimization of guiding stability and fixation reliability without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using force-locked clamping mechanisms that rely on friction and pressure, the patent inverts the approach by using form-fitting positive engagement (teeth interlocking) where the geometry itself provides the locking action, eliminating the need for complex clamping forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If telescopic rods or slidable sleeves are used to connect the seat and operating members, then the components can be displaced relative to each other, but the guiding stability is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding stabilityVSAvoidadjustability of position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Parallel rails serve as intermediary guiding elements between the seat and operating members, providing stable linear guidance while allowing the toothed blocks to move along them for position adjustment before locking into place

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic adjustable connection during positioning, then locks into a stable fixed state during operation, achieving both adjustability and stability through the combination of slidable bearing blocks and form-fitting fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3137179B1Device for controlling a video game
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 F SMIT HLDG BV
  • EP3137179B1 patent drawingFigure 1~7
  • EP3137179B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3137179B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for controlling a video game, comprising a seat, at least one operating member connected to the video game, means for displacing the seat and the at least one operating member relative to each other and means for fixing the scat and the at least one operating member in a number of different positions relative to each other. According to an aspect of the invention, the fixation means are form-fitting. The fixation means can here comprise a gear rack and a toothed block for placing into engagement therewith. The toothed block and the gear rack can be movable toward and away from each other in the direction of their toothing or be pivotable relative to each other parallel to the toothing. According to another aspect of the invention, the displacing means comprise a pair of mutually parallel rails and a pair of bearing blocks slidable therealong. Each rail can have a substantially round, optionally solid cross-section and each bearing block can have a substantially round opening through which the corresponding rail protrudes.