Movable Shoulder Button Module for Gaming Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming-focused electronic devices face challenges in providing an aesthetically pleasing design while offering effective shoulder button functionality, as protruding buttons compromise appearance, virtual buttons lack tactile feedback, and external buttons are inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a movable shoulder button module that includes a keycap, a push switch, and a touch sensing assembly, allowing for both push and touch input commands, while maintaining a smooth appearance by retracting into the case.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If protruding shoulder buttons are used, then hand feedback is provided, but device appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand feedbackVSAvoiddevice appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder button module is designed to be movable between a protruding state (when needed for operation) and a retracted state (when not in use), allowing the device to dynamically adjust its configuration based on operational requirements versus aesthetic preferences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shoulder button functionality is segmented into a separate movable module that can be independently positioned, allowing the physical button element to be separated from the main device body when retracted, thus preserving overall device appearance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If virtual buttons are used instead of physical buttons, then device appearance is maintained, but tactile feedback is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice appearanceVSAvoidtactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of both physical and virtual buttons by integrating a physical keycap with a touch sensing assembly, allowing the system to provide both tactile feedback from the physical button and touch sensitivity for precise input recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If external shoulder buttons are used, then physical feedback is provided, but device portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical feedbackVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder button module is nested within the device casing, allowing it to be stored inside the device body when not in use, thus maintaining physical feedback capability while preserving device portability and eliminating the need for separate external buttons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If movable shoulder button module is implemented, then input flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput flexibilityVSAvoidmodule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder button module is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure, supporting both push operations (via the push switch) and touch operations (via the touch sensing assembly), thereby reducing the need for separate components for different input methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12314483B2Electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a case and a shoulder button module. The shoulder button module is movably disposed in the case and includes a keycap, a push switch, and a touch sensing assembly. The keycap is exposed from the case. The push switch is located in the case and disposed under the keycap. When the keycap is pushed downward, the push switch is triggered. The touch sensing assembly is disposed in the keycap so as to sense an input command touched on the keycap.