Adjustable Trackball Mouse with Pivoting Planar Base
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer input devices, such as mice, often lead to muscle fatigue and repetitive strain injuries due to poor ergonomic design, particularly affecting the wrist and forearm, as they require prolonged horizontal pronation of the hand.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable computer input device with a trackball that features a wedge-shaped bottom surface with multiple planar regions and a spine, allowing for tilting configurations to reduce strain, including a neutral and inclined position, secured by magnetic forces or hinges, to align the user's hand and forearm more naturally, thereby distributing pressure away from the wrist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional horizontal mouse design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it causes muscle fatigue and wrist strain due to poor ergonomics
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the housing is designed with multiple planar regions at different angles (first planar region at 0-15 degrees, second planar region at 15-30 degrees, third planar region at 30-45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis), allowing the device to dynamically adapt to different ergonomic positions. The platform can pivot relative to the housing, enabling transition between different tilting configurations to match user hand and wrist angles during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom surface is segmented into multiple distinct planar regions (first, second, and third planar regions) with different orientations, each optimized for specific ergonomic positions. This segmentation allows users to select the most comfortable configuration for their hand anatomy, reducing muscle fatigue and wrist strain while maintaining structural organization
2Ease of operation
If the platform is made adjustable with multiple planar regions, then ergonomic comfort is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to pivot relative to the housing, enabling dynamic adjustment between different tilting configurations. This mechanical pivoting mechanism allows the platform to transition between neutral and inclined positions, accommodating various hand and wrist angles during operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates magnetic elements that can be adjusted or repositioned to change the tilt angle parameters of the platform. By modifying magnetic field strength or magnet placement, the platform's inclination angle can be varied to optimize ergonomic comfort for different users and usage scenarios
3Stability of the object's composition
If magnetic elements are added to secure the platform, then the platform stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical fasteners or adhesives are replaced with magnetic elements to secure the platform to the housing. The magnetic attraction provides sufficient holding force to maintain platform stability during use, while allowing for easier assembly, disassembly, and potential repositioning compared to permanent mechanical attachments
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic elements serve multiple functions: they secure the platform to the housing, enable easy attachment and detachment of the platform, and potentially allow for angle adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate securing mechanisms, actually simplifying the overall device structure while improving stability
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
The adjustable design significantly reduces muscle fatigue and the risk of repetitive strain injuries by aligning the hand and forearm in a more neutral position, distributing pressure and reducing strain on the wrist, with potential reductions in muscle activity by up to 35% and wrist pressure by 50%.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of magnets disposed in the first planar region of the housing and a second set of magnets disposed in the second planar region of the housing, where the platform can be comprised of a metal. In such cases, the platform can be secured to the first planar region according to a first magnetic force provided by the first set of magnets when the computer mouse is at the first angle relative to the work surface, and the platform can be secured to the second planar region according to a second magnetic force provided by the second set of magnets
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments include a computer mouse including a housing having a bottom surface and a trackball disposed in the housing, where the bottom surface of the housing includes a first planar region, a second planar region, and a spine both common to and dividing the first and second planar regions. The first and second planar regions can be on different planes, where, when in operation, the computer mouse is configured to rest on a work surface, when the computer mouse is configured such that the first planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a first angle relative to the work surface, and when the computer mouse is configured such that the second planar region of the bottom surface is parallel to the work surface, the computer mouse is tilted at a second angle relative to the work surface.