Resilient Back Shell for Button Control and Battery Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless video game controllers face challenges in user operation and battery replacement due to complex designs and inaccessible battery compartments.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held video game controller design featuring a removable unitary back shell that is resilient and can flex to depress underlying buttons, allowing for easy access to battery compartments, facilitating user operation and battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the controller uses a fixed back shell design, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the battery compartment accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The back shell is divided into a removable cover portion and a base portion, allowing the cover to be separated for battery access while the base remains integrated with the controller body. This segmentation enables easy battery replacement without compromising the overall structural integrity of the controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The back shell incorporates a resilient flexing mechanism that allows dynamic movement between a closed position (maintaining structural integrity) and an open position (providing battery access). The resilient nature enables the shell to return to its original form after flexing, maintaining durability while improving accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the controller includes multiple buttons on the back, then the user operation versatility is improved, but the button accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Buttons are positioned on the back surface of the controller, utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than only the front surface. This allows users to access buttons by pressing into the back of the controller, providing ergonomic advantages and improved accessibility without reducing the number of control functions available.
3Ease of repair
If the back shell is made resilient and removable, then the battery replacement ease is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back shell is manufactured as separate components (cover and base) that can be produced using standard injection molding techniques. The segmented design allows each part to be manufactured independently with conventional processes, then assembled together, avoiding the need for complex single-piece manufacturing while enabling easy battery replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A latch mechanism serves as an intermediary component that connects the removable cover to the base. This simple mechanical latch enables easy attachment and detachment of the cover without requiring complex bonding or fastening processes, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving easy battery replacement.
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 by providing accessible buttons and battery compartments, improving usability and convenience in handling and maintaining the controller.
Implementation Method 1
the back shell is resilient and can flex to depress underlying buttons
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held video game controller includes a controller body having a front and a back, with at least one front control on the front of the controller body. A removable and resilient unitary back shell is removably attached to the back of the controller body. At least one back control button underlies the unitary back shell, and is depressible by flexing of the unitary back shell into contact with that back control button. At least one battery compartment may underlie the unitary back shell, and may be accessible by removal of the removable unitary back shell.