Trigger Button Sensor Stack for VR Handheld Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld controllers in virtual reality systems fail to detect detailed hand movements and gestures due to their traditional button configurations, which do not effectively capture individual finger movements and opened or closed hand movements.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensor stack between the finger-engaging portion and the rear member of the trigger button, comprising a compressible layer, a sensor layer, and a backing layer, minimizes the gap between the sensor and the control member, enhancing the detection of finger presence and movements by using capacitive touch-sensitive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional button configurations are used in handheld controllers, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the measurement precision of hand movements and gestures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The button assembly is segmented into multiple functional layers: a control member with finger-engaging portion, a sensor stack containing multiple sensors (capacitive, pressure, flex), and a rear member. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specifically to detection precision while maintaining overall structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor stack is nested between the control member and rear member, with multiple sensor types nested within the same spatial footprint. This nesting approach enables enhanced detection capabilities without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the button assembly.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor stack with multiple layers is integrated into the trigger button, then the detection sensitivity of finger gestures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor stack is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously using different sensor types (capacitive sensors for finger presence, pressure sensors for force detection, flex sensors for deformation). This multi-functionality approach enhances gesture detection sensitivity while consolidating multiple sensing capabilities into a single integrated stack, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Speed
If the gap between sensor and control member is minimized through compressible layer, then the responsiveness of trigger button is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A compressible layer is introduced between the control member and sensor stack, allowing the gap distance parameter to change dynamically based on button compression. This parameter change enables the gap to be larger in the unpressed state (easing manufacturing tolerances) while becoming minimal during active use (improving responsiveness), thus resolving the contradiction between speed and manufacturing precision.
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 configuration improves the responsiveness and sensitivity of the trigger button, allowing for precise detection of finger gestures and movements, such as trigger-pull gestures, thereby enhancing the interaction with virtual environments.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the detection of finger presence and movements by using capacitive touch-sensitive sensors
Implementation Method 2
The trigger button is configured so that the finger engaging portion presses against the compressible layer so as to minimizing any gap between the sensor support layer and control member
Data Source
AI summary
Handheld controllers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller includes a main body and a sensor assembly at least partially disposed in the main body. The sensor assembly can include a control surface (e.g., a button) configured to receive at least a portion of a user's finger. A sensor portion can be disposed between the control surface and a rear member. The sensor portion can comprise a foam layer, a backing layer and a sensor layer between the foam layer and the backing layer. The foam layer can be compressed toward the control surface to minimize an air gap between the sensor layer and the control surface.