Foldable Mouse With Pivoting Plates And Flexible Side Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mice are bulky and difficult to carry due to their ergonomic design, which occupies excessive space in carrying bags when used with notebook computers, especially when the bag is not sufficiently thick, affecting the appearance and convenience of carrying.
Innovation Solution
A foldable mouse design featuring interlocking plates and flexible side edge covers that allow for relative movement and stacking, reducing the overall volume by pivoting and fastening structures, enabling easy carrying and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mouse is designed with ergonomic thickness for comfortable grip, then user comfort is improved, but the volume increases making it difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse employs flexible side edge covers that can be folded or unfolded. When folded, the mouse achieves a compact thin profile for easy carrying; when unfolded, it provides sufficient thickness for ergonomic grip comfort during use. This dynamic transformation allows the same object to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different times.
2Ease of operation
If the mouse is made thick to provide ergonomic grip, then comfort is improved, but the space occupied in carrying bag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible side edge covers can be folded during storage to reduce the mouse's thickness, allowing it to fit comfortably in thin carrying bags without causing bulging. During use, the covers are unfolded to provide the necessary ergonomic thickness for comfortable grip.
3Volume of moving object
If the mouse is made thin for easy carrying, then portability is improved, but grip comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse transitions between two states: a compact folded state for portability and an unfolded state for use. The flexible side edge covers, when unfolded, provide sufficient thickness for ergonomic grip comfort, while when folded, they minimize volume for easy carrying.
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 foldable design significantly reduces the mouse's volume, making it more convenient for carrying and storing, while maintaining functionality and comfort during use.
Implementation Method 1
The first top plate has a first end and a second end, in which the first end pivots to a side of the first bottom plate away from the second bottom plate. The second top plate has a third end and a fourth end, in which the fourth end pivots to a side of the second bottom plate away from the first bottom plate.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable mouse including a first bottom plate, a second bottom plate, a first top plate, a second top plate, and two flexible side edge covers is provided. The first bottom plate and the second bottom plate are partially stacked together, and are suitable for relative movement. The first top plate has a first end and a second end, in which the first end pivots to a side of the first bottom plate away from the second bottom plate. The second top plate has a third end and a fourth end, in which the fourth end pivots to a side of the second bottom plate away from the first bottom plate. The two flexible side edge covers are connected to two side edges of the first top plate and the second top plate and two side edges of the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate.