Side-Mounted Controller Key Design for Compact Portable Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional controllers face challenges in operability and portability due to restricted key placement and size, which affects inputting operations, especially for users with varying hand sizes, and require a solution that enhances key detection and reduces housing thickness and size.
Innovation Solution
A controller design featuring a key with an extension along the side face that protrudes and retreats, allowing for increased contact area and reduced thickness, along with a biasing member and restricting portions to prevent rocking motion and interference, enabling stable and certain input operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing size is reduced to improve portability, then the thickness and size of the controller decrease, but the key depression position varies depending on user hand size and gripping manner, reducing inputting certainty
Solution Approach 1:
The key is designed to be movable, capable of protruding and retracting along the side face of the housing. This dynamic structure allows the key to adjust its position automatically, ensuring reliable input detection regardless of variations in user hand size or gripping manner, while maintaining a compact controller form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The key extends along the side face of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the front and rear faces, utilizing the thickness dimension of the housing. This dimensional approach allows the key to provide adequate depression distance and contact area without increasing the overall footprint of the controller
2Adaptability or versatility
If keys are disposed on the upper face for operation by forefingers, then the number of keys can be increased, but the key structure becomes complex with multiple locking means and receiving portions
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure is divided into distinct functional segments: the body portion that engages with the opening in the side face, the extension portion that provides the depressed surface, and the integrated locking means. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the required functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means is integrated directly into the key body, eliminating the need for separate locking components. The key engages with receiving portions formed on the housing through this integrated locking mechanism, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining operational reliability
3Ease of operation
If the key is made longer to extend beyond the opening for better operability, then the contact area increases, but the key may interfere with other components or increase housing thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The extension of the key beyond the opening is localized to the specific region where user contact is needed on the side face. The key body remains compact within the housing, while only the necessary contact portion extends outward, providing adequate operability without unnecessarily increasing overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The key is designed to protrude and retract dynamically along the side face. This movement capability allows the key to provide sufficient contact area when needed while retracting into the housing when not in use, preventing interference with other components and maintaining a compact form factor
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 improves operability by ensuring key inputs can be made with certainty and reduces the controller's thickness and size, enhancing portability and usability across different hand sizes without relying on specific finger positions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member and restricting portions to prevent rocking motion and interference
Data Source
AI summary
A controller includes a housing and at least one key provided for protruding and retreating movement on the housing. The key includes: a body formed in a transversely elongated configuration elongated in a first direction; and a first stem positioned on one end side of the body in the first direction and extending along a third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and a second direction which is a protruding direction of the key from the housing. The housing includes: a biasing member for biasing the key in the second direction; and a first restricting portion positioned on the second direction side with respect to the first stem for engaging with the first stem biased by the biasing member.