Game Controller Lever Mechanism for Middle Finger Trigger Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game controllers often require index fingers to perform multiple functions, leading to overlapping movements and reduced dexterity due to the placement of triggers, which can hinder efficient gaming performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a lever mechanism on the game controller that allows middle fingers to activate additional triggers through pulling, flicking, or pushing actions, providing separate and efficient control over game functions without interfering with index finger operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If triggers are placed on the front of the game controller, then index fingers can easily activate them, but middle fingers overlap with index fingers and interfere with their movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of trigger activationVSAvoidfinger movement interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates triggers from the front surface to the side surface of the controller, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows middle fingers to access triggers without overlapping with index fingers, resolving the interference issue while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the control surface into distinct zones: front surface for index finger operations and side surface for middle finger operations. This segmentation allows each finger type to operate independently without interference, improving overall control efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are assigned to index fingers, then the controller can be operated with fewer fingers, but finger dexterity and movement efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of functions per fingerVSAvoidfinger dexterity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments functions by finger type: index fingers handle front surface controls while middle fingers handle side surface triggers. This functional segmentation distributes the workload across different fingers, maintaining versatility while preserving individual finger dexterity and reducing movement interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2900344B1A game controller
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 RAZER ASIA PACIFIC
  • EP2900344B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2900344B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2900344B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A

AI summary

The present invention is a game controller including a housing; a plurality of game controls disposed on a first side of the housing; a lever disposed on a second side of the housing; a first switch configured to contact a first end region of the lever; and a second switch configured to contact a second end region of the lever, wherein the lever is configured to pivot between a neutral position in which the lever returns when no force is applied thereon, a first position in which the first switch is activated and a second position in which the second switch is activated. In another aspect, a lever assembly is also disclosed.