Illuminated Stick Operation Structure for Compact Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operation devices, such as stick-type input devices, are difficult to integrate light-emitting modules due to structural constraints, limiting their designability and user experience enhancements.
Innovation Solution
A stick-type operation device with a support plate, sensor substrate, light-transmitting support columnar member, and light-emitting operation member, where a light source irradiates the columnar member through a through-hole in the substrate, allowing the operation member to emit light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light emitting module is mounted in a conventional operation device, then the designability and user experience are improved, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to the compact size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitting module with the operation member by forming the light emitting unit directly on the operation member. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall device complexity while enabling the operation member to emit light for enhanced designability and user experience
Solution Approach 2:
The operation member serves multiple functions: it acts as both the operational input component and the light emitting element. By making the operation member itself light-emitting through the integrated light emitting module, the device achieves multi-functionality without adding separate components, thus reducing structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light emitting module is mounted in a conventional operation device, then visual notifications and functional cooperation are enabled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting module is formed directly on the operation member in a unified manufacturing process, eliminating the need for precise separate mounting. This integration reduces manufacturing precision requirements while enabling visual notifications and functional cooperation capabilities
3Ease of operation
If the operation device is made compact, then the operability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to difficulty in mounting light emitting modules
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting module is integrated directly onto the operation member using a manufacturing process suitable for compact components. This approach maintains the compact size for good operability while improving ease of manufacture by eliminating complex mounting operations in tight spaces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The operation member can efficiently emit light, enhancing designability and user experience by providing visual notifications and functional cooperation, even in compact designs.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to irradiate the support columnar member with light through the first through-hole
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device is a stick-type operation device configured to perform a tilt operation, and includes a support plate, a sensor substrate having a first through-hole in a plate thickness direction and supported by a front surface of the support plate, a support columnar member formed of a light-transmitting material and provided to stand up from one surface of the sensor substrate at a position where the first through-hole is blocked, an operation member having light-transmitting property and attached to the support columnar member, and a light source configured to irradiate the support columnar member with light through the first through-hole.