Game Controller Stopping Mechanism for Flight Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flight simulation throttles with center detent potentiometers struggle to provide precise control at extreme positions, often leading to accidental engine shutdown or afterburner activation, and the detent feature cannot be deactivated, affecting realism and safety in simulations.
Innovation Solution
A game controller with a stopping mechanism that divides the arm's travel into zones using removable and retractable contact surfaces, allowing users to selectively activate or deactivate the intermediary locking position, preventing accidental transitions between extreme positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a center detent potentiometer is used to provide resistance near extreme positions, then control precision is improved, but the detent feature cannot be deactivated which reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic stopping mechanism where the stopping element can be positioned at different locations along the arm's travel path or completely retracted, allowing the control system to adapt between providing an intermediary stop (for precision) and allowing full travel (for adaptability). This resolves the contradiction by making the stopping feature conditional rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the stopping mechanism from a fixed detent position to a variable position that can be adjusted or removed. By making the stopping parameter changeable, the system can provide precision control when needed while maintaining adaptability when the simulation does not require afterburner functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arm allows full travel between extreme positions, then adaptability is improved, but accidental transitions increase reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary stopping element that acts as a mediator between the two extreme positions. This stopping element prevents accidental direct transitions between extreme positions while still allowing controlled transitions when the user intentionally overcomes the stop. The intermediary provides a safety buffer that enhances reliability without completely restricting adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopping mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by preemptively blocking accidental transitions before they can occur. The stop is positioned to intercept unintended arm movements before they reach the extreme positions that would trigger unwanted actions like afterburner activation or engine shutdown.
3Reliability
If a stopping mechanism is added to prevent accidental transitions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stopping function from a complex integrated system and implements it as a separate, simple removable element. This stopping element can be a simple mechanical block or flag that engages with a corresponding feature on the arm, providing the reliability function without requiring complex mechanisms. The simplicity of the extracted stopping element minimizes the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into independent functional elements: the arm mechanism, the stopping element, and the actuation system. This segmentation allows the stopping mechanism to be implemented as a simple add-on component rather than integrating it into the core arm mechanism, thereby improving reliability while minimizing complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A game controller having at least one arm mobile in relation to a base over a nominal range of displacement between two extreme positions, which implements a stopping mechanism of the aim 1n an intermediary locking position between the extreme positions to avoid reaching involuntarily a zone of the nominal range of displacement. An element of the stopping mechanism is removable and/or retractable with respect to the base so that this element is able to take two positions, an active position, wherein the stopping mechanism in the intermediary locking position is active and cooperates with the base and the arm, and an inactive position, wherein the stopping mechanism is inactive. The game controller also implements mechanical means of crossing the intermediary locking position under the action of a specific control carried out by a user when the stopping mechanism is active.