Operating Device with Touch Sensor and Elastic Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for information processors, such as gaming machines, lack diversity in user operations while maintaining minimal component and wiring layout on the circuit board, limiting flexibility and operability.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a plate-shaped operating member that includes a touch sensor and elastic members between the frame and operating member, allowing for sliding and pressing operations without additional space on the circuit board, and utilizing a frame to support components and reduce wiring complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operating members such as buttons and operating sticks are provided on the circuit board, then user operations can be diversified (pressing buttons, tilting operating stick, rotating operating stick), but the degree of freedom in laying out components and wiring on the circuit board is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is divided into separate functional modules: the circuit board handles signal processing, while the operating members (buttons, operating stick) are mounted on the housing structure rather than being integrated into the circuit board. This segmentation allows the circuit board to maintain its layout freedom while the operating members provide diverse input methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating members are positioned in a spatial dimension above the circuit board, mounted on the housing rather than on the board surface. This dimensional separation allows diverse operating members to be arranged in three-dimensional space without constraining the two-dimensional circuit board layout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating member is made movable to enable pressing operation, then user operation diversity is improved, but additional space and components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The operating member serves multiple functions: it can be pressed vertically to activate buttons, tilted to control the operating stick, and rotated while tilted to control direction. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified structure that responds to different movement types, eliminating the need for separate components for each operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member utilizes its own movements and positions to trigger different operations. The touch sensor detects the position and movement of the operating member itself, and the elastic member provides the necessary mechanical feedback, allowing the system to self-regulate without additional control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If elastic members are attached to the circuit board to bias the operating member upward, then the operating member can return to initial position, but the degree of freedom in laying out components on the circuit board is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members are extracted from the circuit board structure and attached to the housing instead. This separation removes the constraint on circuit board layout while maintaining the essential function of biasing the operating member upward to ensure it returns to its initial position after pressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves as an intermediary structure that supports the elastic members, which in turn support the operating member. This intermediate support structure allows the elastic members to be positioned optimally for providing upward bias without interfering with the circuit board layout.
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
Enhances user operation diversity while minimizing the reduction in component and wiring layout on the circuit board, improving operability and reducing costs by eliminating the need for additional space and wiring, and providing a more efficient and user-friendly interface.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is arranged between the frame and operating member to bias the operating member upward
Implementation Method 2
a touch sensor adapted to detect the position of the user's finger that has touched the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an operating device including: a circuit board; a frame arranged on top of the circuit board; a plate-shaped operating member located relative to the frame and including a surface touched by a user's finger and a touch sensor adapted to detect the position of the user's finger that has touched the surface, the plate-shaped operating member being arranged to be able to move up and down so that the operating member can be pressed by the user; and an elastic member arranged between the frame and operating member to bias the operating member upward.