Flexible Thumb Trigger Assembly for Back-of-Hand Scanners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-mounted scanners for warehouse pick and pack environments face challenges in ergonomic placement and efficient triggering, with current solutions being cumbersome, battery-draining, or prone to unintended scan events, particularly when worn on the back of the hand.
Innovation Solution
A removable and reversible trigger switch assembly with a flexible arm mounted on the back of the hand, allowing ergonomic placement of the trigger button for comfortable activation by the thumb, and customizable for left or right-handed use, using hook-and-loop fasteners or straps for attachment to gloves or wristbands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a button is placed on the same hand as the scanner for triggering, then the triggering operation becomes more efficient, but finding an ergonomic and durable button position that fits various hand sizes and handedness becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger switch assembly is segmented into separate components: a trigger button, a flexible arm, and a mounting mechanism. This allows the button to be positioned optimally for ergonomics while the flexible arm provides the triggering mechanism, resolving the conflict between triggering efficiency and ergonomic placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arm component allows dynamic adjustment of the trigger button position and orientation. This enables the same device to adapt to different hand sizes, shapes, and handedness (left or right hand), making the triggering operation ergonomic and efficient for various users without requiring multiple fixed-position designs.
2Productivity
If the scanner is mounted on the back of the hand for ergonomic scanning, then scanning efficiency improves, but the trigger button placement becomes constrained and difficult to position optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger switch assembly extends in multiple dimensions from the scanner body. The flexible arm can project forward, sideways, or at various angles, adding dimensional flexibility to the button placement. This allows optimal ergonomic positioning of the trigger button while keeping the scanner mounted on the back of the hand for efficient scanning.
3Reliability
If a rigid trigger assembly is used for durability, then the device becomes more robust, but it cannot be customized for different users and handedness
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible arm provides a dynamic solution that combines durability with adaptability. The flexibility allows the arm to bend and adjust to different user configurations and handedness, while the overall assembly remains structurally sound and durable for repeated use in warehouse environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger switch assembly is designed as a universal component that can be configured for left-handed or right-handed use, and can adapt to various hand sizes and shapes. This single multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized rigid assemblies, maintaining durability while providing user customization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for triggering a back-of-the-hand-worn electronic device (such as a scanner) via a trigger button toward the end of a removable flexible trigger button assembly or arm that is left/right-handed reversable in accordance with the preference of the user. The flexible trigger button assembly has at least a portion that is user bendable and twistable over a wide range to a desired user-customized static configuration for optimal ergonomic placement of a trigger button relative to the user's thumb. In a second embodiment, the flexible trigger button assembly instead has a simple cable terminating in a trigger button ring assembly that can be secured on the user's forefinger. Both embodiments allow each user to press the trigger button more easily, comfortably, and repeatedly.