Adjustable Palm Rest Module for Keyboard Adaptability to Hand Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available keyboard devices with fixed palm rests fail to accommodate users of varying hand sizes, leading to inadequate wrist and arm support, resulting in discomfort and muscle tension.

Innovation Solution

A keyboard device with a movable and rotatable palm rest module, featuring an adjustable pedestal, casing, and guiding tracks, allowing for customizable positioning and angle adjustment to suit individual user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the palm rest is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different user hand sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different user hand sizesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed palm rest into a movable and rotatable structure. The palm rest module is designed to be adjustable in both position and angle, allowing it to adapt to different user hand sizes and preferences. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing versatility without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the keyboard device into distinct modules: a keyboard module and a separate palm rest module. This segmentation allows the palm rest to be independently adjusted and positioned, providing adaptability to different users while keeping the overall structure organized and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the palm rest is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ease of operation for different users is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operation for different usersVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable and rotatable palm rest module provides dynamic adjustment capabilities that enhance ease of operation for different users. The adjustment mechanism allows users to customize the palm rest position and angle according to their hand sizes and preferences, significantly improving operational comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates preliminary action by providing pre-designed adjustment mechanisms and guiding tracks that enable users to easily adjust the palm rest without requiring complex assembly or disassembly. The structure is designed to facilitate user-friendly adjustment while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the palm rest is made movable and rotatable, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of palm rest position and angleVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the palm rest module movable and rotatable through a carefully designed mechanism. The guiding tracks and positioning blocks work together to enable smooth adjustment while maintaining structural integrity, achieving high adaptability with controlled complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting element serves as an intermediary component between the guiding tracks and the palm rest module. It coordinates the movement and rotation, simplifying the overall mechanism while enabling precise positioning and angle adjustment, thus improving adaptability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If the palm rest is made adjustable, then the user comfort is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the user's adjustment actions and the palm rest positioning. It incorporates guiding features that work with the guiding tracks to achieve precise positioning without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding tracks and positioning blocks are pre-designed with specific geometric features that guide the adjustment process. These preliminary structural arrangements ensure that the palm rest achieves accurate positioning through the adjustment mechanism itself, reducing the need for post-manufacturing precision adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11455001B2Keyboard device and palm rest module thereof
Publication Date: 2022.09.27 PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD
  • US11455001B2 patent drawing
  • US11455001B2 patent drawing
  • US11455001B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A keyboard device includes a keyboard module and a palm rest module. The palm rest module is arranged beside a lateral side of the keyboard module, and supports a wrist of a user. The palm rest module includes a pedestal, a casing and an adjusting element. The casing is disposed on the pedestal. The adjusting element is arranged between the pedestal and the casing. A position of the casing relative to the pedestal is adjustable through the adjusting element. In a first usage state, the casing is moved toward the keyboard module or moved away from the keyboard module through the adjusting element. In a second usage state, the casing is rotated about the adjusting element and relative to the keyboard module, so that an included angle is formed between the casing and the lateral side of the keyboard module.