VR Controller Flexible Palm Housing Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality (VR) controllers lack intuitive methods for performing actions like capturing or picking up, as they rely on button presses which are not naturally aligned with hand motions.
Innovation Solution
A VR controller design featuring a handle, side housing with a flexible portion that deforms to trigger a switch when held and a force is applied, mimicking natural hand movements, along with additional features like position sensing, actuator feedback, and pressure sensors to enhance user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a button press mechanism is used for triggering actions, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the user experience is not intuitive for actions like capturing or picking up
Solution Approach 1:
The side housing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with a flexible portion that can deform under applied force. This dynamic structure allows the housing itself to participate in the triggering mechanism, providing intuitive feedback when users perform gripping motions, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion of the side housing changes its physical state (deformation) in response to user input. When force is applied to the flexible portion, it deforms and triggers the switch, creating an intuitive connection between the user's gripping motion and the trigger action. This parameter change approach maintains relatively simple device structure while dramatically improving intuitiveness
2Ease of operation
If a flexible portion is added to the side housing to improve trigger intuitiveness, then user experience is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion of the side housing serves multiple functions: it maintains the ergonomic contour of the controller, provides structural support, and acts as the triggering mechanism. By making the side housing multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex components while still achieving intuitive trigger action, thus limiting the increase in device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure sensors and position sensing portions are added, then interaction capability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (pressure sensing and position sensing) into a single integrated controller structure. The pressure sensor is embedded within the side housing, and the position sensing portion is integrated onto the handle, merging multiple sensing capabilities into one unified device. This merging approach enhances interaction capability while managing manufacturing complexity by avoiding separate sensing devices
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
Provides a more intuitive trigger action for delivering instructions in VR, improving user experience by aligning actions with natural hand movements and providing tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible portion is deformed to trigger the switch when the handle and the side housing are held and a force is applied to the flexible portion relative to the handle
Implementation Method 2
The pressure sensor senses an amount of deformation of the side housing when the handle and the side housing are held and a force is applied to the side housing relative to the handle
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual reality (VR) controller includes a handle, a side housing, and a switch. The side housing has a fixed portion and a flexible portion. The fixed portion is fixed to the handle, and a contour of the side housing extending toward the handle conforms to a shape of a palm. The switch is disposed between the handle and the side housing. The flexible portion is deformed to trigger the switch when the handle and the side housing are held and a force is applied to the flexible portion relative to the handle. In other words, the flexible portion abutting against the palm is deformed to trigger the switch when the handle and the side housing are held and a force is applied, relative to the flexible portion, to one side of the handle far away from the flexible portion.