Stick Input Device Cap Attachment Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stick type input devices, such as pointing sticks, face issues with cap detachment due to unexpected operations or excessive impact, leading to operational instability.
Innovation Solution
A configuration where the cap is attached to the operation stick using a lock part and a boss part, with the cap being embedded within the main body portion, preventing removal by utilizing an elastic body and a flange or protruding part that fits into a gap, ensuring the cap remains securely attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the cap is made removable for replacement, then ease of maintenance is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to detachment under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into a main body portion and a separate attachment portion. The attachment portion includes a boss part that can be inserted through an insertion hole in the main body portion, allowing the cap to be segmented for replacement while maintaining secure attachment during use through the interlocking boss and insertion hole structure.
2Reliability
If the cap is retained firmly to prevent detachment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure allows dynamic movement between the cap and main body portion. The boss part can be inserted through and moved within the insertion hole, enabling the cap to remain firmly attached during normal operation while allowing operational movement and adjustment of the stick through the cap.
3Ease of operation
If the cap is made elastic for flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to deformation under impact
Solution Approach 1:
The cap's material properties are optimized by selecting an elastic material with specific parameter ranges. The elastic modulus and other mechanical parameters are controlled to ensure the cap remains flexible for easy operation while maintaining sufficient reliability to prevent detachment under impact conditions.
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
Prevents cap detachment from the operation stick even under deformation or impact, maintaining operational stability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the cap may be formed of an elastic body... since the cap formed of an elastic body is retained so as to resist against removal from the main body portion, detachment from the operation stick can be prevented even when the cap deforms elastically
Data Source
AI summary
An example stick type input device is attached to a main body portion, includes a columnar operation stick, and is for sensing, using a sensor, a content of an operation performed on the operation stick. With an attachment structure of attaching a cap of the stick type input device to the main body portion, the cap is attached to the operation stick so as to enclose an upper end thereof, and the cap is retained so as to resist against removal from the main body portion.