Extendable Mouth Stylus With Adjustable Length Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available mouth styli are of fixed length, making it difficult for quadriplegic and tetraplegic patients to interact with touch screen devices due to the need to compensate for varying distances between their mouth and the device.
Innovation Solution
Development of an extendable mouth stylus with both mechanical and electromechanical actuation methods, allowing users to adjust the stylus length using bite pressure or tongue manipulation, enabling use on both capacitive and resistive touch screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed length mouth stylus is used, then the device structure is simple, but the user cannot adapt to varying distances between mouth and touch screen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic length adjustment mechanism that allows the stylus to transition between extended and retracted states. This is achieved through a telescoping shaft design with locking mechanisms that enable the stylus length to be changed based on the user's positioning needs, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stylus shaft is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can be extended or retracted independently. This segmentation allows the device to achieve variable length while maintaining a compact form when retracted, addressing both the adaptability requirement and the desire for structural simplicity.
2Device complexity
If mechanical actuation is used, then the device structure is simpler, but user comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical actuation with an electromechanical system that uses a small DC motor to control the telescoping mechanism. This substitution provides more comfortable and less strenuous operation for users with limited limb control, while the motor's compact design keeps the overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motor as an intermediary between the user's control input and the mechanical telescoping action. This intermediary provides mechanical advantage and reduces the force required by the user, improving comfort while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If electromechanical actuation is used, then controllability and pressure application are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a small DC motor that can precisely control the extension and retraction parameters of the stylus shaft. By changing the electrical parameters (voltage, current direction) to the motor, the system achieves fine control over stylus position and pressing force, managing complexity through electronic control rather than mechanical complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the stylus length is extended to reach the touch screen, then the user can interact with the device, but the stylus may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism that stabilizes the stylus shaft at various extended positions. The locking mechanism engages at specific intervals along the telescoping shaft, providing stability when the stylus is extended to reach the touch screen, while still allowing smooth transition between positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a spring-loaded locking mechanism that provides pre-compression and stability to the extended stylus shaft. The spring mechanism cushions potential impacts and maintains consistent contact pressure against the touch screen, preventing instability during use.
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 extendable mouth stylus provides greater controllability and comfort for users, allowing them to interact effectively with touch screens by adjusting length to match the user's mouth position, enhancing usability for individuals with limited limb control.
Implementation Method 1
the locking mechanism is mechanically coupled to a spring loaded mouthpiece assembly such that applying bite pressure to the mouthpiece assembly causes the locking mechanism to release
Implementation Method 2
an electromechanically actuated mouth stylus uses a small direct current (DC) motor coupled to a linear actuator
Implementation Method 3
applying bite pressure to the mouthpiece assembly causes the locking mechanism to release allowing the moveable portion to move relative to the stationary portion by application of either gravity or blowing pressure
Implementation Method 4
allowing the moveable portion to move relative to the stationary portion by application of either gravity or blowing pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable stylus operated with a mouth, the stylus having an extending portion configured to have an adjustable length, a conductive tip that can interface with a touch screen device, the conductive tip located at a first end of the extending portion, a mouthpiece that engages the mouth of a user, wherein the mouthpiece is located at a second end of the extending portion opposite the first end and a control mechanism disposed at or near the second end of the extending portion, wherein the control mechanism is configured to control the length of the extending portion based on an operation by the mouth of the user.