Ergonomic Mouse Contouring for Wrist Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional computer mice force users to maintain unnatural hand and wrist positions, leading to muscle strain, fatigue, and increased risk of repetitive motion injuries such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when used for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
The design of an ergonomic computer mouse that positions the hand in a neutral, relaxed posture with reduced pronation and wrist extension, featuring a contoured shape with negative slopes and a thumb-supporting surface to minimize stress on the wrist and fingers, allowing for comfortable finger mobility and reduced pressure on the carpal tunnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional horizontal mouse design is used, then the mouse can be easily manufactured and is simple in structure, but it forces the hand and wrist into twisted positions causing muscle strain and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse body is designed with a curved, contoured surface that conforms to the natural shape of the hand and wrist. The upper surface includes a crown portion and sloped regions that guide the hand into a neutral position, eliminating the need for wrist twisting while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouse employs asymmetric geometry with a V-shaped bottom portion and angled surfaces that are not symmetrically distributed. The left and right sides of the mouse have different angles and contours optimized for the natural curvature of the human hand, allowing the wrist to remain in a neutral position during use.
2Ease of operation
If the hand is positioned horizontally on the mouse, then the mouse structure remains simple, but pressure sores develop on the wrist and finger tension increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the mouse surface are designed with locally optimized properties. The crown portion provides support for the hand, while the V-shaped bottom portion and sloped regions distribute pressure away from the wrist. The inner side surface includes a thumb support at a different elevation than the outer side surface, creating localized pressure distribution zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouse design incorporates three-dimensional contouring with multiple elevation levels. The thumb support is positioned at a different height than the finger support areas, and the V-shaped bottom creates angular dimensions that redirect force vectors away from the wrist, adding spatial complexity to achieve ergonomic pressure distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mouse is designed for right-handed use only, then the ergonomic optimization is maximized for that hand, but it cannot be used by left-handed users
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is designed with symmetric enough characteristics and adjustable contours to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed users. The V-shaped bottom portion and contoured upper surface can adapt to the natural curvature of either hand, making the single device universally applicable to different users while maintaining ergonomic benefits for each.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device for a computer is described that positions the user's hand in a more ergonomically desirable position, i.e., at an angle of about 45° to the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the input device accommodates either a user's left or right hand, and in either case, positions the hand in an ergonomically desirable position. In another embodiment, the length of the input device of the present invention is adjusted for the size of the user's hand. In further embodiments, the input device of the present invention provides a palm rest. Other desirable features included in preferred embodiments include lateral buttons that are positioned one above the other.