Mouse device and method of assembling and calibrating the same

Abstract

The application provides a mouse device and an assembling and adjusting method thereof. The mouse device comprises an upper shell, a middle shell, a bottom shell, a fixing frame, a sensing switch module and an adjusting screw. The upper shell has a key. The middle shell is arranged between the upper shell and the bottom shell. The fixing frame is arranged below the middle shell. The fixing frame has a frame and a cantilever. The cantilever has a fixed end which is fixedly connected to one side of the frame. The sensing switch module is arranged on the cantilever and corresponds to the key. A part of the sensing switch module is beyond the free end of the cantilever. The adjusting screw is arranged on the other side of the frame and is adjacent to the free end of the cantilever to adjust the distance between the sensing switch module and the key. The adjusting screw is hidden by the bottom shell and is not exposed to the bottom surface of the bottom shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a mouse device and its assembly and calibration method, and more particularly to a mouse device that can be used to control a computer cursor or other operating functions, as well as a method for assembling and calibrating the mouse device. Background Technology

[0002] The operating feeling of a mouse depends on the distance between the button's actuating part and the microswitch's trigger point, which is the stroke distance.

[0003] Existing mice have a circuit board and a sensor switch (or micro switch) soldered onto the circuit board in their switching module. However, since the circuit board is attached to the lower shell of the mouse, various tolerances during manufacturing, such as assembly tolerances, lower shell molding tolerances, micro switch soldering tolerances, and circuit board thickness tolerances, can cause the distance between the button's actuation point and the micro switch's trigger point to deviate from the original design distance, thus failing to achieve a better and more consistent operating feel.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, the applicant previously applied for Taiwan Patent Publication No. TW201839560, "Mouse Device," and US Patent Publication No. US10216291B1, "Mouse device." The improvement lies in suspending the switch module inside the upper housing, locking the switch module's circuit board to the upper housing's suspension post via adjusting screws, and aligning the microswitch with the button's actuating portion. Tolerances are eliminated by fine-tuning the adjusting screws. This design eliminates several tolerances. However, other components, such as optical components, are still mounted on the circuit board. Adjusting the circuit board's position may move these components, causing additional errors. Furthermore, this suspension method has relatively high rigidity.

[0005] Furthermore, Taiwan Patent Publication No. M588279U discloses an adjustment mechanism for a mouse and its buttons. The circuit board includes a fixed end and a free end opposite the fixed end, with the fixed end fixed to the housing. A microswitch is disposed on the circuit board, located between the fixed end and the free end. The button is disposed in a first opening and aligned with the microswitch. A height adjustment device is disposed inside the housing and protrudes from a second opening. This height adjustment device is used to move the free end up and down. This adjustment structure requires an opening in the bottom housing, which is unsightly and labor-intensive. Moving the free end of the entire circuit board during adjustment may cause errors in other components.

[0006] Chinese patent publication number M450771 discloses a mouse device with adjustable button elasticity and restoring force, providing an adjusting column that pushes upwards from the bottom shell to the upper shell, allowing adjustment of the distance between the button's trigger part and the micro switch. This method still requires an opening in the bottom shell.

[0007] Therefore, improving the assembly and calibration process of mouse devices through structural design improvements to overcome the aforementioned defects has become an important issue that this technical field seeks to address. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a mouse device that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a mouse device, which includes an upper shell, a middle shell, a bottom shell, a mounting bracket, a sensor switch module, and an adjusting screw. The upper shell has a button. The middle shell is disposed between the upper shell and the bottom shell. The mounting bracket is disposed below the middle shell and has a frame and a cantilever. The cantilever has a fixed end, which is fixedly connected to one side of the frame. The sensor switch module is disposed on the cantilever and corresponds to the button, with a portion of the sensor switch module extending beyond the free end of the cantilever. The adjusting screw is disposed on the other side of the frame and adjacent to the free end of the cantilever. The adjusting screw is covered by the bottom shell and not exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom shell. The adjusting screw abuts against the sensor switch module to adjust the distance between the sensor switch module and the button.

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for assembling and adjusting a mouse device to address the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, one of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention is to provide a method for assembling and adjusting a mouse device, comprising at least the following steps: assembling a middle shell onto an upper shell, the upper shell having a button; fixing a sensor switch module to a fixing frame, wherein the fixing frame forms a frame and a cantilever, one end of the cantilever being connected to one side of the frame; fixing the fixing frame to the middle shell; setting an adjustment screw on one side of the frame; adjusting the distance between the sensor switch module and the button using the adjustment screw; and covering the middle shell with a bottom shell, wherein the adjustment screw is not exposed in the bottom shell.

[0012] One of the advantages of this invention is that the mouse device and its assembly and adjustment method provided by this invention have the advantage that the bottom housing is assembled after adjusting the distance between the inductive switch and the touch part of the button. In this embodiment, the bottom housing does not require adjustment openings. Furthermore, this invention provides a sub-circuit board at the bottom of the inductive switch, separate from the main circuit board (not shown). The adjustment process does not require moving to the main circuit board, thus avoiding displacement of other components.

[0013] To further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the mouse device of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is another exploded perspective view of the mouse device of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the mouse device of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged view of part IV.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an exploded top view of the mounting bracket and inductive switch module of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is an exploded bottom view of the mounting bracket and inductive switch module of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a top view of the mounting bracket and the inductive switch module of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation methods disclosed in this invention. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this invention from the content disclosed in this specification. This invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this invention. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings of this invention are for simple illustrative purposes only and are not depictions of actual dimensions; this is stated beforehand. The following embodiments will further describe the relevant technical content of this invention in detail, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.

[0022] It should be understood that while terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are primarily used to distinguish one component from another, or one signal from another. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein should, as appropriate, include any combination of one or more of the related listed items.

[0023] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This invention provides a mouse device comprising an upper housing 10, a middle housing 20, a bottom housing 30, a mounting bracket 40, a pair of sensor switch modules 50, and an adjusting screw 60. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, some components, such as the scroll wheel, are not shown.

[0024] The upper housing 10 has two buttons 12, which can be located at the same height or ergonomically positioned at different heights. Each button 12 extends downwards with an actuating portion 122, which passes through the middle housing 20 and extends to abut against the inductive switch module 50. In its structural design, this invention includes a small gap (see...). Figure 4 The distance D) is between the actuating part 122 and the inductive switch module 50 to allow for subsequent adjustments to manufacturing errors caused by deformation after plastic molding. During assembly, the present invention further adjusts the actuating part 122 to ensure accurate contact with the inductive switch module 50 through subsequent adjustment steps. This part will be described in detail later.

[0025] The middle housing 20 is located on the bottom surface of the upper housing 10. A distance is provided between the button 12 and the top surface of the middle housing 20 for a certain pressing stroke. The middle housing 20 is located between the upper housing 10 and the bottom housing 30. Multiple connecting posts 241 and 242 extend downward from the middle housing 20 to secure the mounting bracket 40.

[0026] A mounting bracket 40 is located below the middle housing 20. The mounting bracket 40 carries the internal components of the mouse. The mounting bracket 40 has a generally square body portion 48, with two frames 41 and two cantilever arms 42 extending forward from the front side of the body portion 48. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket 40 is secured to the connecting posts 241 and 242 below the middle housing 20 using four screws S1. Specifically, the frame 41 has multiple mounting screw sleeves 49 connected to the outer surface of the front wall 411 (i.e., the outer sides of the two frames 41) and the rear side of the body portion 48, and is connected to the middle housing 20 by multiple fixing screws S1. The cantilever arms 42 are disposed within the frame 41, each cantilever arm 42 having a fixed end 421 and a free end 422. The fixed end 421 is fixedly connected to one side of the frame 41; in this embodiment, it is connected to the inner side of the frame 41. The free end 422... In this embodiment, the inductive switch module 50 is mounted on the cantilever 42 and corresponds to the position of the button 12. A portion of the inductive switch module 50 extends beyond the free end of the cantilever 42.

[0027] One technical feature of this embodiment is that an adjustment screw 60 is provided on the other side of the frame 41, near the free end of the cantilever 42. The adjustment screw 60 is covered by the bottom housing 30 and not exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom housing 30. The adjustment screw 60 abuts against the inductive switch module 50 to adjust the distance D (refer to reference) between the inductive switch module 50 and the button 12. Figure 4 ).

[0028] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the mounting bracket 40 also has a threaded sleeve 46, which is connected to the bottom of the front wall 411 of the frame 41. An adjusting screw 60 passes through the threaded sleeve 46, and the top surface of the threaded sleeve 46 is at the same height as or lower than the top surface of the cantilever 42. With the above arrangement, the present invention utilizes the mounting bracket 40 as a stable foundation.

[0029] In this embodiment, the inductive switch module 50 includes an inductive switch 52 and a sub-circuit board 54. The inductive switch 52 is usually a micro switch. The inductive switch 52 is disposed on the sub-circuit board 54. The sub-circuit board 54 is placed within the frame 41. The sub-circuit board 54 can be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. The area of the sub-circuit board 54 is approximately equal to the bottom area of the inductive switch 52, or can be slightly larger or slightly smaller than the bottom area of the inductive switch 52. The sub-circuit board 54 is connected to a main circuit board (not shown in the figure, which can be located within the body portion 48 of the fixing bracket 40) through a flat cable (not shown in the figure). In other words, when adjusting the distance between the inductive switch 52 and the actuating portion 122 of the key 21 in the present invention, the entire main circuit board will not be moved, preventing displacement of other components (such as optical sensing components) on the main circuit board, such as rollers and optical sensing components, and causing assembly errors of other components. The inductive switch 52 has multiple pins 521, and the multiple pins 521 pass through the sub-circuit board 54. Correspondingly, the cantilever 42 forms multiple pin holes 420, and the multiple pins 521 correspondingly pass through the multiple pin holes 420.

[0030] Refer Figures 5 to 7 , for the body portion 48 of the fixing bracket 40, the frame 41 has a pair of side walls 413 and a front wall 411. The pair of side walls 413 are connected to one side of the body portion 48. The front wall 411 is opposite to the body portion 48 and is connected to the edges of the pair of side walls 413. The fixed end 421 of the cantilever 42 is adjacent to the body portion 48 and is connected to the pair of side walls 4i3 and is connected to the body portion 8. The free end 422 of the cantilever 42 is close to the front wall 411. The fixed end 421 of this embodiment is generally in a straight shape, and the free end 422 is in a bifurcated shape. The cantilever 42 gradually narrows from the free end 421 towards the fixed end 421, and the cantilever 42 is generally slightly in a Y shape. Thereby, the free end 422 of the cantilever 42 can elastically displace within the frame 41.

[0031] In this embodiment, the free end 422 of the cantilever 42 is in a bifurcated shape to form a notch 4220. The screw joint cylinder 46 extends into the notch 4220, and the sub-circuit board 54 extends to cover the notch 4220 and the screw joint cylinder 46. In other words, when rotating the above-mentioned adjustment screw 60, the adjustment screw 60 can protrude from the top surface of the screw joint cylinder 46 and abut against the bottom surface of the sub-circuit board 54 of the inductive switch module 50 to push up the inductive switch module 50, so that the actuating portion 122 of the key 12 can indeed contact the trigger point of the inductive switch 52. In other words, reducing the distance D to zero can prevent the key from having an idle stroke.

[0032] Supplementary note, the frame 41 further has a reinforcing plate 414. The reinforcing plate 414 extends from one of the side walls 413 and is connected to the body portion 48. Thereby, the stability and rigidity of the frame 41 can be enhanced, and the frame 41 is less likely to deform.

[0033] Refer to Figures 1 to 7 As shown, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for assembling and adjusting a mouse device, which includes at least the following steps:

[0034] The middle housing 20 is assembled onto the upper housing 10, which has a button 12. Each button 12 extends downward with an actuating part 122, which passes through the middle housing 20 and extends to abut against the inductive switch module 50.

[0035] Two inductive switch modules 50 are fixed to the mounting frame 40, for example, by adhesive. Specifically, the mounting frame 40 forms two frames 41, each frame 41 accommodating one inductive switch module 50, and a cantilever 42 is formed at the bottom of each frame 41. One end of the cantilever 42 is a fixed end 421, which is connected to one side of the frame 41; the other end of the cantilever 42 is a free end 422, meaning it can be elastically displaced.

[0036] The mounting bracket 40 is fixed to the middle housing 20. Specifically, the mounting bracket 40 is secured to the connecting posts 241 and 242 below the middle housing 20 using four screws S1. After assembling the mounting bracket 40, subsequent adjustment steps are performed to ensure that the actuating part 122 accurately contacts the inductive switch module 50.

[0037] An adjusting screw 60 is provided on one side of the frame 41. The adjusting screw 60 is adjacent to the free end of the cantilever 42. Specifically, the mounting bracket 40 also has a threaded sleeve 46, which is connected to the bottom of the front wall 411 of the frame 41. The adjusting screw 60 passes through the threaded sleeve 46, and the top surface of the threaded sleeve 46 is at the same height as or lower than the top surface of the cantilever 42.

[0038] The distance D between the sensor switch module 50 and the button 12 is adjusted using the adjusting screw 60. Specifically, the sensor switch module 50 includes a sensor switch 52 and a sub-circuit board 54. The adjusting screw 60 can raise or lower the sub-circuit board 54, causing the sensor switch 52 to move upwards closer to or downwards away from the actuating portion 122 of the button 12. After adjustment, the sensor switch 52 is positioned precisely against the actuating portion 122 of the button 12.

[0039] Finally, the bottom shell 30 is placed over the middle shell 20, thus completing the assembly and adjustment process of the mouse device. The adjusting screw 60 is not exposed outside the bottom shell 30.

[0040] [Beneficial Effects of the Examples]

[0041] One of the advantages of this invention is that the mouse device and its assembly and adjustment method provided by this invention have the advantage that the bottom housing 30 is assembled after adjusting the distance between the inductive switch 52 and the touch portion 122 of the button 12. In this embodiment, the bottom housing 30 does not require adjustment openings. Furthermore, this invention provides a sub-circuit board 54 at the bottom of the inductive switch 52, separate from the main circuit board (not shown). The adjustment process does not require moving to the main circuit board, thus avoiding displacement of other components. This invention utilizes the fixing frame 40 as a stable foundation, and the cantilever 42 at the bottom of the frame 41 provides appropriate elastic deformation, which provides an upward elastic force to the button 12 after it is pressed.

[0042] The content disclosed above is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings are included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mouse device, characterized in that, include: The upper casing has a button; A type of shell; A bottom shell, wherein the middle shell is disposed between the upper shell and the bottom shell; A fixed frame is provided below the middle housing. The fixed frame has a frame and a cantilever. The cantilever has a fixed end, which is fixedly connected to one side of the frame. A sensor switch module is mounted on the cantilever and corresponds to the button; a portion of the sensor switch module extends beyond the free end of the cantilever. An adjustment screw is located on the other side of the frame and near the free end of the cantilever. The adjustment screw is covered by the bottom housing and is not exposed on the bottom surface of the bottom housing. The adjustment screw abuts against the inductive switch module to adjust the distance between the inductive switch module and the button.

2. The mouse device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The inductive switch module includes an inductive switch and a sub-circuit board. The inductive switch is disposed on the sub-circuit board, which is placed within the frame. The sub-circuit board is connected to a main circuit board via a flat cable.

3. The mouse device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The inductive switch has multiple pins, which pass through the sub-circuit board. The cantilever forms multiple pin holes, and the pins pass through the pin holes accordingly.

4. The mouse device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fixing frame has a main body, a pair of side walls and a front wall. The pair of side walls are connected to one side of the main body, and the front wall is opposite to the main body and connected to the end edge of the pair of side walls. The fixed end of the cantilever is adjacent to the main body and connected to the pair of side walls, and the free end of the cantilever is close to the front wall.

5. The mouse device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The fixing frame also has a screw-in sleeve connected to the bottom of the front wall of the frame. The adjusting screw passes through the screw-in sleeve, and the top surface of the screw-in sleeve is at the same height as or lower than the top surface of the cantilever.

6. The mouse device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The free end of the cantilever is forked to form a notch, the screw sleeve extends into the notch, and the sub-circuit board extends to cover the notch and the screw sleeve.

7. The mouse device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The cantilever gradually narrows from the free end toward the fixed end.

8. The mouse device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The frame also has a mounting screw sleeve, which is connected to the outer surface of the front wall and connected to the inner housing by a fixing screw.

9. The mouse device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The frame also has a reinforcing plate that extends from one of the side walls and is connected to the body.

10. A method for assembling and adjusting a mouse device, characterized in that, Includes at least the following steps: A housing is assembled onto an upper housing, the upper housing having a button; An inductive switch module is fixed to a mounting frame, wherein the mounting frame forms a frame and a cantilever, and one end of the cantilever is connected to one side of the frame. The mounting bracket is fixed to the inner housing; Set an adjustment screw on one side of the frame; The distance between the sensor switch module and the button can be adjusted using the adjusting screw; and A bottom housing covers the middle housing, wherein the adjusting screw is not exposed in the bottom housing.

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