Retractable Input Apparatus for Compact Gaming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices face design challenges in providing intuitive gaming input controls that are both compact and accessible, as traditional game controllers are cumbersome for pocket storage, while mobile devices often compromise on usability due to form factors that prioritize display over input accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A retractable apparatus with a support mechanism allowing two body parts to switch between closed and open configurations, positioning user input equipment behind one part to be accessible only in the open configuration, ensuring compactness and protection when closed, and enabling intuitive operation with a tilt bridge supporting keys or touchpads for gaming and other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If user input equipment is positioned on the rear side of the apparatus, then compactness and protection are improved, but accessibility during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs a dynamic hinge mechanism that transitions between a closed configuration for compact storage and an open configuration for accessible operation. The hinge allows the first and second body parts to rotate relative to each other, enabling the user to access the rear-side user input equipment only when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If user input equipment is made accessible when apparatus is closed, then ease of operation is improved, but protection and compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic hinge mechanism creates a physical state change between closed and open configurations. When closed, the user input equipment is protected from accidental activation; when open, it becomes accessible for intentional use. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction by making accessibility conditional on the apparatus state.
3Ease of operation
If traditional game controllers are designed for comfortable grip and access, then ease of operation is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the user input equipment with the rear side of the apparatus body, integrating gaming controls into the existing device structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate game controllers, providing both comfortable grip and portability by combining multiple functions into a single compact unit.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus has a first body part, a second body part, and a support mechanism configured to keep the first and second body parts together while enabling a user to move the first and second body parts between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second body parts are stacked and the support mechanism is sandwiched between the first and second body parts. The apparatus further has user input equipment positioned such that the user input equipment is behind the first body part and accessible to the user when the first and second body parts are in the open configuration and the user input equipment is not accessible to the user when the first and second body parts are in the closed configuration.