Single Hand Controller Ergonomic Design for Situational Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Two-handed controllers disrupt situational awareness, posing safety risks, especially in military operations, and prevent users from employing weapons for self-defense.
Innovation Solution
A single-handed controller with a rectangular cross-section design, featuring a thumb-operated joystick, proportional plunger, and series of switches, allowing for the operation of remote equipment like unmanned ground vehicles, with a communication interface for interconnection and ergonomic design for comfortable single-handed use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-handed controller is used to operate remote equipment, then control functionality is achieved, but situational awareness is disrupted and weapon readiness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to be operated by a single hand, segmenting the control function from the other hand which remains free for weapon handling. The controller body (101) with all controls (joystick 112, plunger 113, switches 114-119) can be operated by one hand, freeing the other hand for situational awareness and self-defense capabilities.
2Reliability
If a single-handed controller is designed, then situational awareness and weapon readiness are maintained, but control precision and operational capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single compact controller body (101). The joystick (112), proportional plunger (113), and multiple switches (114-119) are integrated into one unit that can be operated by a single hand, combining complex control capabilities into an ergonomically designed single-handed interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller utilizes the three-dimensional space of a single hand effectively. Controls are arranged in vertical and horizontal dimensions on the controller body (101), with the joystick (112) and plunger (113) positioned for thumb and index finger access respectively, maximizing control precision within the constraints of single-handed operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A single hand controller including a front surface and a back surface, with a first and second side surface there between and an upper surface and bottom surface. The upper surface includes a joystick, and the front surface has a proportional plunger and one or more switches. The controller is grasped by placing a user's finger tips on the front surface, with user's index finger operating the proportional plunger and remaining fingers operating the switches. The thenar eminence group of muscles of the user's hand rests against the back surface, whereby the user's thumb is disposed so as to operate the joystick.