Ring Controller Jog Dial Nesting for Protrusion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controllers for manipulating equipment, such as game consoles, face challenges in minimizing the protrusion of operation members from the chassis while maintaining operability, particularly in achieving one-handed operation, free hand play, easy grasping and releasing, and equal operability for both right- and left-handed users.
Innovation Solution
A ring-type controller with a doughnut-shaped chassis featuring a resin surface on the outer circumference and a rubber surface on the inner circumference, incorporating a jog dial that is slidable and rotatable, and strategically positioned buttons to ensure minimal protrusion and uniform operability regardless of hand orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operating element is installed on the external surface of the chassis, then the operability is improved, but the amount of protrusion from the external surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is nested within a recess formed in the external surface of the chassis. The recess allows the operating element to be positioned below the outer surface level, reducing protrusion while maintaining accessibility and operability. This nesting approach solves the contradiction by providing operational functionality without excessive external protrusion.
2Shape
If the operating element protrudes less from the external surface, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis surface is designed with different local qualities: a recessed area for the operating element and a flush surface for aesthetic regions. The recess is strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide adequate operational access while minimizing visual impact. This local differentiation allows the operating element to be easily accessible while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing overall appearance.
3Ease of operation
If the operating element is positioned for easy one-handed operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is segmented into functional zones: a recessed operational zone for the operating element and a flush aesthetic zone. This segmentation allows the operating element to be positioned optimally for one-handed operation while containing the structural complexity within a localized recess rather than requiring complex overall chassis redesign.
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
The design allows for all four desired operation methods: one-handed play, free hand play, easy grasping and releasing, and equal operability for both hands, while minimizing protrusion and enhancing user experience through stable and intuitive control.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet provided at the jog dial; a plurality of Hall elements arranged in the case and detecting the density of magnetic flux from the magnet in a non-contact manner
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Proposed is a controller which can suppress an amount of protrusion of an operation member from an external surface of a chassis while operability of the operation member is maintained. A controller including a chassis, and an operation member which is slidable along an extension direction of the chassis with a predetermined position as a reference, and is rotatable in a circumferential direction of the chassis with the predetermined position as the reference, and at least a part of which is fitted into a recess section provided in an external surface of the chassis.