Gamepad with Grip-Activated Air Blowing and Palm Cooling

Patent & Production

At a glance

What the claims cover, in plain language

Claim 1 defines a gamepad with two handle portions. Each handle contains a cavity and a side-wall vent hole. An air blowing component inside the cavity blows air out of the vent onto the user’s palm. The component includes a turntable on an inner convex part, a piston tube with one-way valves, and a piston block connected via rods to the turntable. A swing rod is mounted on the outer ring of the inner convex part, extending through a slot in the handle. A torsion spring pushes the swing rod outward. When the user grips the handle, the swing rod is pushed back, rotating the turntable and driving the piston. A friction wheel driven by a motor contacts the turntable.

Claim 2 adds an adjusting assembly controlled by grip strength. Higher grip strength results in higher air blowing efficiency.

Claim 3 details the mechanical adjustment: a radial groove on the turntable holds an adjustable block connected to the connecting rod. A spring returns the block. A button on the handle pushes a conical disk against the block, changing its radial position and thus the piston stroke length.

Claim 4 specifies rolling contact (ball bearing) between the adjusting block and the conical disk.

Claim 5 offers an electronic alternative: a motor drives the turntable, controlled by a pressure sensor on the handle. Motor speed increases proportionally with grip pressure.

Claim 6 includes a sweat-absorbing sleeve on the handle exterior.

Claim 7 states the swing rod end is hard rubber and sits flush with the handle wall when retracted.

This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.

What this means for US production

This patent was filed in China and is currently in force. Making or selling this specific design in China requires the owner’s permission. However, the public record shows no US or other foreign counterpart. Therefore, this patent does not restrict manufacturing or sales in the United States.

Two points to settle early:

• Other patents may exist. The gaming controller field is heavily patented globally. While this specific Chinese patent has no US family member, similar mechanical or electronic cooling concepts for handheld devices may be covered by existing US patents. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is recommended before launching in the US market.
• Motor vs. Mechanical. Claim 1 mentions a motor-driven friction wheel, while Claims 2-4 describe a purely mechanical grip adjustment. Producing the motor version involves electronics compliance, whereas the mechanical version focuses on precision molding.

Customization and manufacturing

What can be customized

Things to plan for (US market)

• CPSC Regulations: If marketed to children under 12, strict small parts and choking hazard rules apply (16 CFR 1501).
• FCC Compliance: If the motor-assisted version (Claim 5) is used, the PCB and motor must meet FCC Part 15 for unintentional radiators.
• Battery Safety: If the motor version uses rechargeable batteries, UN 38.3 transport testing and UL certification for battery packs are required.
• Chemical Compliance: California Prop 65 warnings may be needed for certain plastics or adhesives used in assembly.

How a project runs

1. Inquiry - Define whether you need the mechanical-only or motor-assisted variant.
2. Design - CAD modeling of the piston tube, turntable, and handle cavity integration.
3. Prototype - 3D printed samples to test grip mechanics and airflow volume.
4. Pilot Run - Injection molded parts assembled for durability and drop testing.
5. Production - Mass manufacturing of housings, internal components, and final assembly.

Quantities & timeline

Tooling costs depend on the complexity of the internal cavity molds. The mechanical version requires precise fitting of the piston and valves. The motor version adds PCB assembly and battery compartment security. Development typically takes 3-5 months depending on iteration cycles. Send us your target quantity, feature set, and budget range and we will reply with options.

Production notes

Tooling and process

Injection molding is likely the primary process for the gamepad body and internal cavity components. The piston tube and turntable may require separate molds to ensure smooth sliding fits. Pad printing would be used for any branding or instructional icons on the handle surface.

Cost drivers

The number of molds is typically a key driver, especially if the internal mechanism has multiple moving parts like the adjusting block and conical disk. Electronic parts, including motors and sensors, significantly increase cost for the motor-assisted variant. Packaging must also account for potential fragile internal components.

Prototyping path

We typically start with a 3D-printed sample to verify the swing rod retraction mechanism and airflow direction. Use off-the-shelf electronics if pursuing the motor version to test speed control logic. Proceed to a functional sample with machined or molded internal parts to check piston seal integrity.

What we would change before tooling

We might simplify the adjusting block geometry to reduce mold complexity if the grip-strength variation is deemed secondary to basic cooling. Ensuring the swing rod end is perfectly flush (Claim 7) may require tight tolerance adjustments in the handle slot design.

Common failure points

Small parts like the ball bearings (Claim 4) could pose choking hazards if detached. Cracking after drops is a risk for the thin-walled piston tube. Shaft and bearing alignment issues could cause the turntable to jam, stopping airflow. Wire routing and strain relief are critical if a motor is included.

Patent drawings

Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.

Frequently asked questions

Does this gamepad need batteries?

The core mechanical design described in Claims 1-4 operates entirely on grip strength, requiring no batteries. However, Claim 5 describes an optional motor-driven version that would require power, either from internal batteries or USB connection.

How strong does the airflow feel?

The patent does not specify CFM (cubic feet per minute) values. Airflow intensity depends on the piston stroke length and turntable speed, which vary with grip strength. Functional prototypes are needed to determine actual wind speed and comfort levels.

Is it noisy?

Mechanical versions may produce some clicking sounds from the piston and gears. Motor versions will have fan-like white noise. Noise levels are not specified in the patent and would be tuned during prototyping.

Can I customize the color and logo?

Yes. The housing supports pad printing for logos and injection molding in various colors. We can also offer different finishes like matte or rubberized textures to improve grip.

What materials are used?

Typically, ABS or PC plastic is used for the durable shell and internal structures. The swing rod tip uses hard rubber as per Claim 7. Sweat-absorbing sleeves (Claim 6) can be fabric or silicone.

Is this safe for children?

If marketed to children, strict CPSC small parts regulations apply. The internal mechanism contains small components like balls and springs that must be securely enclosed to prevent choking hazards.

Can this design be made and sold in the US?

The patent was filed in China and is in force there, but the public record shows no US counterpart. This means you are not restricted by this specific patent in the US. However, other US patents in the gaming controller space may exist, so a freedom-to-operate review is recommended.

Are you affiliated with the patent owner?

No. IP2M is an independent design and manufacturing service working from the public patent document.

Request a quote

Click Request a Quote below to see our email address - copy it, or open your email app with a ready-made message. Please mention patent CN116036614B in the subject.

Helpful details to include:

• Your company and channel (gaming brand, accessory maker, distributor)
• Version preference: Mechanical only (no power) or Motor-assisted (needs electronics)
• Target price and estimated annual quantity
• Customization needs: Colors, logos, sleeve types
• Timeline - when you need samples and mass production

You can also reach us at (332) 203-9997.