Portable Game Button Layout With Rotating Shoulder Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for smaller operation buttons in portable game devices, and existing configurations of operation buttons on the upper surface of the housing can be improved to reduce space requirements while maintaining operability.
Innovation Solution
The operation buttons are arranged on the upper surface of the housing with specific inclinations and shaft placements to minimize space usage, allowing for rotation and linear movement, and are positioned to facilitate continuous button operations and prevent confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If operation buttons are made smaller to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but the operability of the buttons deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation buttons are designed to rotate around a shaft axis rather than only pressing linearly. This adds a rotational dimension to the button operation, allowing smaller buttons to provide sufficient operational feedback and control area through rotational movement instead of relying solely on linear press depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The buttons incorporate an inclined surface that converts linear pressing force into rotational movement around the shaft. This dynamic conversion allows the button to change its mode of operation from static pressing to dynamic rotation, improving operability within a compact space.
2Area of stationary object
If operation buttons are arranged closer together to reduce space, then the device becomes more compact, but the confusion between adjacent buttons increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each button is equipped with a unique inclined surface configuration (first inclined surface for left button, second inclined surface for right button) that creates distinct rotational characteristics. This local differentiation in surface geometry allows users to easily distinguish between adjacent buttons through tactile feedback during rotation, preventing confusion even when buttons are closely spaced.
3Ease of operation
If the shaft is positioned to optimize button rotation, then the button operability improves, but the space required for the button increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is positioned within the button structure such that the inclined surface is located between the shaft and the button outer surface. This nested arrangement allows the rotational mechanism to be compactly integrated within the button body, optimizing rotation operability while minimizing the overall space required for each button.
Data Source
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AI summary
The portable game device (1, 1') includes a display (3), a first operation button (4), a second operation button (5), and a housing (2, 2') having a main surface (21, 21'), a back surface (22, 22') and a side surface. The side surface has an upper surface (23, 23') on which the first operation button and the second operation button are arranged. The first operation button has a first exposed part (41) exposed from the housing and a first shaft (45) serving as a rotation center of the first operation button. The first exposed part has, on the right side of the first exposed part, a first inclined part (411) inclined from the right side toward the left side in a direction away the upper surface. The first shaft is arranged in the same position as the first exposed part in a left-right direction, and is accommodated in the housing so as to be rotatable in a direction in which a left end part of the first exposed part sinks when the first exposed part is pressed downward and so as to prevent an entirety of the first exposed part from moving downward. The second operation button is configured in the same way as the first operation button.