Game Controller Link Mechanism for Linear Rotational Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video game controllers face design constraints that prevent the concentric attachment of user-activated controls to analogue input devices, such as potentiometers, leading to non-linear user action to game response, which affects user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A link mechanism with curved and angled slot configurations that maintains linearity between the user-activated control and the potentiometer, accommodating design constraints by adjusting curvature and offset positions to ensure optimal linearity between trigger rotation and potentiometer rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the trigger pivot point and potentiometer axle are attached concentrically, then linearity between trigger rotation angle and potentiometer rotation angle is achieved, but design constraints on size, shape and usage characteristics are violated
Solution Approach 1:
A link mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the trigger pivot point and the potentiometer axle. This link mechanism includes a curved link and a slot that work together to transmit rotational movement from the trigger to the potentiometer while maintaining linearity, despite the components being positioned at different locations within the controller housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism incorporates a curved link with a specific arc radius that corresponds to the rotation radius of the trigger. This curvature is designed to match the rotational path of the trigger, ensuring that the link remains tangent to the trigger's rotation arc throughout its movement, thereby preserving linear rotational characteristics.
2Manufacturing precision
If gears or pulleys are used between the trigger and input device, then linearity can be provided, but cost and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex gear or pulley systems by using a direct link mechanism with a curved geometry. This simplified approach removes intermediate transmission components that would reduce reliability and increase cost, while still achieving the desired linear rotational relationship through geometric design alone.
3Ease of manufacture
If the link mechanism uses a straight configuration, then manufacturing is simpler, but linearity between trigger rotation and potentiometer rotation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism employs a curved geometry where the link follows an arc path with a radius matching the trigger's rotation radius. This curvature is essential to maintaining the tangent relationship throughout the rotation, ensuring linear rotational characteristics are preserved despite the curved shape requiring slightly more complex manufacturing than a straight link.
Data Source
AI summary
A link mechanism of a game controller connecting a user-activated control to an analogue input device located a distance away. The link mechanism is adapted to provide linear or near linear rotational characteristics between the user-activated control and the analogue input device. The link mechanism can be curved, or curved over a portion of its length. Or, a slot disposed in the link mechanism to slidably engage a post of the user-activated control can be curved to facilitate desired linearity. Or, the slot can be angled. Or, the slot can be aligned so that its longitudinal axis does not intersect a pivot point of the analogue input device. Or, a distance between a pivot point of the user-activated control and the post can equal a distance between the post and a rotational pivot point of the analogue input device. Or, any combination of the above characteristics could be employed.