Foldable Mouse Substrate Dynamics for Ergonomic Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mice are bulky and inconvenient to carry due to their arched shape, which causes local uplift when placed in small bags or packages, making them difficult to store and transport.
Innovation Solution
A foldable mouse design featuring a substrate with folding lines that divides it into sections, allowing it to be compactly folded and unfolded, incorporating a thin-film battery, touch module, signal processing module, and communication module on a circular substrate with a through hole, utilizing carbon nanotube films for touch control and supported by rotatable plates for ergonomic use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mouse is designed with an arched shape for ergonomic use, then the comfort and usability are improved, but the volume increases making it inconvenient to carry in pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse employs a flexible substrate that can dynamically change its shape between a flat state for storage and an arched state for use. The substrate includes a first region that bends to form an arch, transforming the mouse from a flat configuration suitable for pocket storage to an ergonomic arched configuration during operation, thus resolving the contradiction between portability and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouse is constructed with a flexible substrate that can be bent and folded without damage. This flexible substrate includes a first region configured to bend and form an arch, allowing the mouse to transition between flat and arched shapes. The flexibility enables the mouse to maintain ergonomic form during use while collapsing to a thin profile for portability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mouse is placed in small bags or packages, then portability is improved, but the arched shape causes local uplift making it difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse can dynamically transition between arched and flat configurations. When not in use, the substrate returns to its flat state, eliminating the arch and allowing the mouse to lie flat in bags and packages without causing local uplift. This dynamic shape transformation enables the mouse to adapt to different storage conditions.
3Volume of moving object
If the mouse is made compact for easy carrying, then the volume is reduced, but the ergonomic design and functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse maintains full ergonomic functionality in its expanded arched state while achieving compact volume in its collapsed flat state. The flexible substrate allows the mouse to assume the appropriate shape for each condition: arched for ergonomic operation and flat for compact storage, thus resolving the contradiction between size and functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable mouse comprises a substrate, a thin-film battery, a touch module, a signal processing module, and a communication module. The substrate is a foldable structure. The thin-film battery is electrically connected to the touch module, the signal processing module, and the communication module; the signal processing module drives the touch module, receives signals from the touch module, and sends the signals to the communication module. The substrate comprises a main body structure sandwiched between a first support plate and a second support plate. The first support plate and the second support plate are symmetrically located at two opposite sides of the main body and foldable connected to the main body structure. The main body structure comprises a first surface and a second surface, and a minidisc is integrated on the second surface.