Motorized Scroll Wheel With Electro-Permanent Magnet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users experience inefficiency and discomfort when scrolling through long documents and webpages using traditional scroll wheels, as they require frequent interaction and can result in a jerky navigation experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of motorized scroll wheels in input devices, such as computer mice, which automate the scrolling process by using electro-permanent magnet motors to drive the rotation of the scroll wheel, allowing for adjustable speed, acceleration, and deceleration, as well as stopping at desired positions, thereby simplifying and smoothing the scrolling experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional scroll wheel is used for navigating long documents and webpages, then the device structure remains simple, but the user experience becomes jerky and time-consuming due to frequent manual interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual scroll wheel with a motorized system. A small motor (such as a stepper motor or DC motor) is integrated to automatically rotate the scroll wheel based on user input signals, eliminating the need for continuous manual rotation and providing smooth, controlled scrolling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized scroll wheel system performs the scrolling function automatically once triggered by user input. The motor continuously rotates the wheel without requiring further user intervention, and the system self-regulates to stop at appropriate positions, making the scrolling process self-sufficient after initial activation.
2Productivity
If manual scroll wheel rotation is used, then the device consumes minimal energy, but the scrolling process requires frequent user interaction and loses time
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized scroll wheel operates in periodic cycles: it remains idle until user input is detected, then activates to perform scrolling, and finally stops when the scrolling task is complete. This on-demand operation pattern allows the system to consume energy only when needed, rather than continuously running.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor provides more scrolling capability than manually achievable (excessive action), enabling rapid navigation through long documents. However, this enhanced capability is only activated partially - only when users need fast scrolling - rather than running continuously, thus balancing speed improvement with energy conservation.
3Extent of automation
If the scroll wheel is motorized to automate scrolling, then user interaction is reduced and scrolling is smoothed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is integrated within the compact structure of the input device, with the scroll wheel nested around the motor shaft. The motor housing is embedded within the device body, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes space requirements and reduces overall device complexity despite adding motorization.
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 motorized scroll wheels significantly reduce user interaction, enhance scrolling speed and smoothness, and provide a more comfortable navigation experience, especially when dealing with lengthy interfaces, by matching or adjusting the scroll speed to user input and automatically stopping at document or webpage ends.
Implementation Method 1
using electro-permanent magnet motors to drive the rotation of the scroll wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral device may include a body. The device may include a scroll wheel rotatably coupled with the body. The scroll wheel may include a ferromagnetic rotor. The rotor may be generally annular and may define an open interior. The rotor may define a first plurality of teeth arranged about a periphery of the open interior. The device may include a stator disposed within the open interior. The stator may define a second plurality of teeth that are alignable with the first plurality of teeth. The stator may include a plurality of electro-permanent magnets. Each of the electro-permanent magnets may be disposed within a conductive coil. The device may include a position sensor that is configured to detect an angular position of the rotor. The device may include control circuitry that controls delivery of current to the electro-permanent magnets of the stator to controls a speed of the scroll wheel.