Mouse Acoustic Isolation Enclosure for Quiet Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling system mice face challenges in recyclability, durability of scroll wheels and input buttons, power management, and audio quality, particularly in quiet environments and during videoconferences, where environmental noise interferes with voice capture.
Innovation Solution
A mouse design featuring a plastic chassis without screws for easy recycling, a variable magnetic scroll wheel for tactile feedback, electropermanent magnets for configurable button responses, a motion power switch for efficient power management, and a keyboard with directional microphones and AI-filtered audio capture to enhance voice clarity and reduce noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mouse is built with screws for durable construction, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to recycling complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is divided into modular components (chassis, scroll wheel, buttons, circuit board) that can be easily separated without screws. The chassis uses snap-fit mechanisms and friction-based retention, allowing components to be detached manually for recycling while maintaining structural integrity during use.
2Reliability
If a metal spring is used in the scroll wheel for tactile feedback, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to wear and failure over time
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical spring-based tactile feedback system is replaced with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the scroll wheel interact with a magnetic sensor on the circuit board, providing tactile feedback through magnetic force variations without physical contact or wear between moving parts.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical spring or cantilever is used in input buttons for motion, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear and degradation of tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical spring or cantilever system in input buttons is replaced with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the button components interact with magnetic sensors, providing tactile feedback through magnetic force variations without physical wear, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and long-term reliability.
4Ease of operation
If click sound is generated for input feedback, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to noise distraction in quiet environments
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical click sound generation system is replaced with a magnetic field-based tactile feedback system. The magnetic interaction between embedded magnets and magnetic sensors provides haptic feedback without generating audible click sounds, eliminating noise distraction while maintaining operational feedback.
5Quantity of substance
If environmental noise is captured by microphones, then quantity of substance (audio input) is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to interference with voice capture
Solution Approach 1:
The audio capture system uses directional microphones with different pickup patterns positioned at specific locations on the keyboard. This creates localized sensitivity zones that prioritize voice frequencies from the user's direction while naturally attenuating environmental noise from other directions, improving voice capture clarity without requiring complex post-processing.
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 provides a durable, recyclable mouse with improved tactile feedback and power efficiency, along with high-quality audio capture and noise reduction, enhancing user experience in quiet environments and videoconferences.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field directs the magnetic force towards a ferromagnetic wheel having spikes and valleys
Implementation Method 2
electropermanent magnets for configurable button responses
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system mouse includes an acoustic isolation enclosure coupled proximate a switch and having a first position that suppress actuation sound of the switch and a second position that directs actuation sound of the switch out from the mouse. In one embodiment, the acoustic isolation enclosure has a first portion in a fixed position around the switch and a second portion in sliding engagement with the first portion and having an opening that is blocked in the first position and exposed in the second position.