Shaftless Direction Input Mechanism With Curved Slide Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direction input devices are limited in length and flexibility, with physical rotation shafts that restrict design freedom and require additional space for biasing mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization and operability.
Innovation Solution
The direction input device employs a slide biasing portion, such as a spring, to allow the first and second slide portions to slide over curved surfaces without a physical rotation shaft, enabling a shorter axial length, enhanced degree of freedom, and improved load adjustment, while a conical coil spring is used to stabilize the components and reduce wobbling, allowing for a larger radius of rotation and improved operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a physical rotation shaft is used in the direction input device, then the structural stability is improved, but the device length in the axial direction increases and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical rotation shaft from the system entirely, extracting this component to achieve a more compact design. The shaftless configuration allows the input portion to return to its initial position through elastic recovery of the spring mechanism rather than rotational movement around a shaft, thereby reducing axial length while maintaining functional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rotation shaft system with an elastic spring-based mechanism. The spring provides both the restoring force and the rotational constraint, substituting the need for a physical shaft and separate biasing mechanism. This mechanical substitution enables compact design while preserving the stability needed for accurate input detection.
2Reliability
If a physical rotation shaft and separate biasing mechanism are used, then the reliability of the return-to-center function is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the biasing function and the rotational constraint function into a single spring component. The spring simultaneously provides the restoring force for return-to-center movement and constrains the rotational motion of the input portion, eliminating the need for separate biasing mechanisms and rotation shafts. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable return-to-center functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component performs multiple functions: it acts as the biasing element that restores the input portion to center position, serves as a rotational constraint replacing the shaft, and provides elastic energy storage for the return motion. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components and simplifies the device structure while ensuring reliable operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If ordinary coil springs are used for biasing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the space utilization and load adjustment flexibility are reduced due to axial superimposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a conical spring with asymmetric geometry instead of a conventional cylindrical coil spring. The conical shape allows the spring to spread radially when compressed axially, preventing coil superimposition and enabling better space utilization. This asymmetric design maintains ease of manufacture while improving volumetric efficiency and load adjustment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spring from a standard cylindrical shape to a conical shape with varying diameter along its length. This parameter change allows the spring to function effectively in a more compact volume while maintaining the desired load characteristics and ease of manufacture through standard spring fabrication techniques adapted to the conical geometry.
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 results in a more compact, flexible, and efficient direction input device with enhanced load adjustment and operability, allowing for precise return to the initial position and reduced sliding resistance, thereby improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the slide biasing portion biasing the first slide portion upward from below as pressing the first slide portion against the first slid surface and biasing the second slide portion upward from below as pressing the second slide portion against the second slid surface
Implementation Method 2
the conical coil spring radially spreads, on the other hand, superimposition of the conical coil spring in the axial direction at the time of compression in the axial direction can be suppressed
Implementation Method 3
the first slid surface extends in the first direction, the first slid surface being in a shape curved convexly upward, the first slide portion sliding over the first slid surface
Data Source
AI summary
A direction input device includes an input portion, a first slide portion, a second slide portion, a first slid surface, a second slid surface, and a slide biasing portion. The input portion includes an operated portion and a shaft. The first slide portion slides in a first direction. The first slide portion is provided with a first hole through which the shaft passes, the first hole extending in a second direction. The second slide portion slides in the second direction. The second slide portion is provided with a second hole through which the shaft passes, the second hole extending in the first direction. The first slid surface extends in the first direction and is in a shape curved convexly upward. The first slide portion slides over the first slid surface as the first slide portion abuts thereon from below.