Operation Stick Cushion Base Segmentation for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with operation sticks, reducing the outside diameter of the cover while maintaining cushioning properties is challenging, and using high-cushioning materials can impede finger movement transmission, leading to reduced operability.
Innovation Solution
The operation member features a cushion portion with a pressed surface and a base portion, where the cushion portion is supported by a base with a frame portion of higher rigidity, allowing clear transmission of finger movements and maintaining cushioning thickness even when the device is reduced in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the outside diameter of the operation stick is reduced, then the device size is minimized, but the thickness of the cover cannot be maintained, resulting in loss of cushioning properties
Solution Approach 1:
The operation stick is divided into distinct functional segments: a hard base portion providing structural support and a soft cushion portion providing tactile feedback. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the base can be small and rigid while the cushion layer maintains sufficient thickness for comfort, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and cushioning preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the operation stick are assigned different material properties: the base portion uses hard material for structural integrity and movement transmission, while the cushion portion uses soft material for user comfort. This local differentiation enables the small overall diameter to coexist with adequate cushioning thickness at the user-contact surface.
2Strength
If a material with higher cushioning properties is used for the cover, then user comfort is improved, but finger movement transmission to the electronic device becomes unclear, reducing operability
Solution Approach 1:
The operation stick separates the cushioning function and the signal transmission function into different segments. The soft cushion portion absorbs and distributes finger pressure, while the hard base portion directly transmits the operational movement to the electronic device's detection mechanism, ensuring both comfort and clear signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard base portion acts as an intermediary between the soft cushion portion and the electronic device's detection system. It translates the deformed cushion's movement into precise mechanical motion that can be clearly detected, bridging the gap between soft cushioning material and rigid detection mechanism.
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
This design ensures effective transmission of finger movements to the electronic device, maintaining operability and cushioning properties, even with high-cushioning materials, while allowing for a smaller size.
Implementation Method 1
a cushion portion (51) having a pressed surface (51a) on which a finger is pressed; and a base portion (52) on which the cushion portion (51) is placed and which is supported to be movable
Data Source
AI summary
An operation member and an electronic device capable of maintaining operability while enhancing cushioning properties provided in the outer surface of an operation member are provided. An operation stick has a cushion portion and a base portion on which the cushion portion is placed. The base portion is supported to be movable. The base portion has a frame portion surrounding the outer periphery of the cushion portion. The base portion and the frame portion are formed of a material having a higher rigidity than that of the material of the cushion portion.