Motorized Scroll Wheel Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer mouse scroll wheels with mechanical clicking mechanisms experience wear and degradation over time due to physical contact, affecting their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A computer mouse design incorporating a motor assembly aligned with the scroll wheel axis, allowing for scroll wheel rotation without mechanical clicks, and utilizing a motor to provide haptic feedback and simulate click sensations through magnetic or electromagnetic forces, reducing wear and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical clicking mechanism is used in the scroll wheel, then click sensation is provided, but wear and degradation occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical clicking mechanism with an electromagnetic motor assembly that generates haptic feedback through magnetic fields. The motor assembly includes a rotor with magnets that interacts with a stator to produce controlled vibrations and click sensations without physical contact between wear-prone components, thereby eliminating wear while maintaining the click sensation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motor assembly as an intermediary between the user's scroll wheel rotation input and the haptic feedback output. This motor assembly acts as a mediator that converts rotational motion into controlled vibrational feedback through electromagnetic interaction, avoiding direct mechanical contact between the scroll wheel and clicking mechanism components.
2Reliability
If motor assembly is added to eliminate mechanical contact, then wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the haptic feedback function and click sensation generation into a single motor assembly unit that is integrated with the scroll wheel assembly. The motor assembly combines the rotor, stator, and control circuitry into one compact module that replaces multiple separate mechanical components (scroll wheel, clicking mechanism, spring, detent), thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding electromagnetic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides haptic feedback, generates click sensations, and enables controlled scroll wheel rotation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanical clicking mechanisms and spring-loaded detents, reducing the total number of components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
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 solution enables reliable and durable scroll wheel operation with reduced wear, providing consistent haptic feedback and click simulation without physical contact, thus extending the lifespan of the mouse and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a motor to provide haptic feedback and simulate click sensations through magnetic or electromagnetic forces
Data Source
AI summary
A computer mouse can include a scroll wheel assembly that includes a scroll wheel rotatable about a scroll wheel axis; and a motor assembly that includes a rotor aligned with the scroll wheel axis and operatively coupled to the scroll wheel.