Magnetic Tactile Feedback Mechanism for Wear-Free Controller Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional game controllers and AR/VR handheld controllers experience degradation in operational reliability due to fatigue and wear in variable tactile feedback devices, leading to mechanical noise and diminished immersive experience.

Innovation Solution

A feedback device with a magnetically controlled operational mechanism and feedback mechanism, where the operational component is rotatably connected to a mounting base, and magnets control the rotating speed without direct physical connections, enhancing reliability and reducing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each button is physically connected to a corresponding variable tactile feedback device using mechanical connections such as gears, then the tactile feedback functionality can be achieved, but the connection degrades due to fatigue and wear after repeated use, reducing operational reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical connection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (gears, physical linkages) with a magnetic field-based control system. The operational component includes a first magnet, and the feedback mechanism includes a second magnet that cooperates with the first magnet to control the rotating speed without direct physical contact. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and fatigue, thereby improving operational reliability while maintaining the tactile feedback functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the operational component and the feedback mechanism. The magnets interact through magnetic fields to transmit control signals and forces without direct mechanical contact, serving as a non-contact mediator that prevents connection degradation while enabling the feedback control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical connections are used between buttons and feedback devices, then the feedback functionality is achieved, but mechanical noise is generated during button pressing, negatively impacting user experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical noiseVSAvoiduser experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical connection system that generates noise during operation. By using magnetic fields to control the operational component's rotating speed without direct physical contact, the system avoids the mechanical impacts and frictions that produce noise, thereby improving user experience quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If physical connections are used between operational components and feedback mechanisms, then the control functionality is achieved, but the connections degrade due to wear, requiring maintenance and reducing operational reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidlong-term operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wear-prone mechanical connections with a magnetic field-based control system. The magnets interact through fields without physical contact, eliminating the wear and degradation issues inherent in mechanical systems. This approach maintains ease of manufacture through simple magnetic component placement while dramatically improving long-term operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution improves operational reliability and immersive experience by preventing connection degradation and reducing mechanical noise, ensuring a superior user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the second magnet cooperates with the first magnet to control a rotating speed of the operational component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the position detection assembly is configured to detect a magnetic flux of the position detection magnet, so as to detect the displacement information of the operational component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic flux detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250378980A1Feedback device and operation input apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE LTD

AI summary

A feedback device and an operation input apparatus are provided. The feedback device includes a mounting base, an operational mechanism, a position detection mechanism, and a feedback mechanism. The operational mechanism includes an operational component and a first magnet. The feedback mechanism includes a driving assembly and a second magnet, the driving assembly is disposed on the mounting base, the second magnet is connected to the driving assembly, the second magnet is spaced apart from the first magnet, the second magnet cooperates with the first magnet to control a rotating speed of the operational component. According to the feedback device, even repeated pressing or excessive force applied to the operational mechanism does not degrade a connection between the operational mechanism and the feedback mechanism due to fatigue or wear, thereby improving operational reliability of the feedback device and enhancing immersive experience during gameplay.