Game Controller Paddle Accessory Pivot Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Game controllers often require users to remove their thumb from a joystick to press action buttons, leading to reduced control accuracy, and standard controls do not accommodate individual user preferences for shape, size, and texture.

Innovation Solution

A game controller design that allows for removably affixable paddle accessories via pivots and paddle-actuatable sensors, enabling users to customize control configurations without tools, and accommodating different hand sizes and preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users press action buttons with their thumb, then they can access additional controls, but their thumb must be removed from the joystick reducing control accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol configurationVSAvoidcontrol accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control elements (joystick, action buttons, and paddle accessories) that can be operated simultaneously by different fingers. The paddle accessories are positioned on the finger side of the controller, allowing users to operate them with fingers while keeping the thumb on the joystick, thus maintaining control accuracy while accessing additional controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The paddle accessories extend the control interface into a new spatial dimension by positioning them on the finger side of the controller rather than requiring thumb operation. This dimensional repositioning allows simultaneous operation of the joystick (thumb) and paddle accessories (fingers), resolving the contradiction between versatility and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If standard controls are used, then the controller design is simple, but they do not accommodate individual user preferences for shape, size, and texture

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidcontroller design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides removable attachment, rotational movement for actuation, and customizable positioning. This universal mechanism allows the same basic structure to accommodate different paddle accessories with varying shapes, sizes, and textures while maintaining a relatively simple overall controller design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The paddle accessories are designed to be removably affixed and rotatable, introducing dynamic reconfigurability to the controller. Users can dynamically adjust the control configuration by attaching different paddles or repositioning them, enabling customization without permanently complicating the controller design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10835812B2Game controller with removable paddle accessory

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A game controller includes a grip, one or more finger-actuatable controls on the grip, and a rim located on the grip. The rim defines an aperture. The game controller further includes a paddle-actuatable sensor accessible through the aperture and a pivot spaced apart from the aperture. The pivot is configured to removably affix a selected paddle accessory to the game controller and to translate a touch applied to the selected paddle accessory outside of the aperture to an actuation of the paddle-actuatable sensor inside the aperture.