Electromagnetic Mouse Click Assembly for Faster Key Plate Rebound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mice register key clicks at a slower speed due to the distance the key plate plunger travels to contact and depress the switch plunger, and the time it takes to return to the neutral position, limiting the user's click speed.

Innovation Solution

An electromagnetic spring back system is implemented, utilizing an electromagnet and a permanent magnet to reduce the distance the key plate plunger travels by magnetic attraction and increase the return speed by magnetic repulsion, enhancing the click registration speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the key plate plunger travels a longer distance to contact and depress the switch plunger, then the switch can be reliably actuated, but the click registration speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch actuation reliabilityVSAvoidclick registration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-back system with an electromagnetic system. An electromagnet positioned beneath the key plate interacts with a ferromagnetic element in the key plate plunger, providing controlled magnetic attraction to assist the mechanical spring in returning the plunger to its neutral position. This electromagnetic assistance reduces the travel distance and time while ensuring reliable switch actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the key plate assembly by introducing magnetic properties. A ferromagnetic element is incorporated into the key plate plunger, changing its magnetic susceptibility. The electromagnet's coil can be energized to create a magnetic field that attracts the ferromagnetic element, altering the dynamics of the plunger's movement and reducing its return time to the neutral position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the key plate returns to neutral position faster, then click speed increases, but the distance to travel remains fixed by mechanical design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey plate return speedVSAvoidkey plate plunger travel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field to assist the mechanical return process. The electromagnet, when energized, creates a magnetic attraction force that pulls the ferromagnetic element in the key plate plunger toward the electromagnet, thereby accelerating the return to the neutral position without requiring a change in the mechanical travel distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnet is activated in a periodic manner - energized during the return phase to accelerate the key plate plunger back to neutral, and de-energized during the depression phase when the user clicks. This periodic electromagnetic assistance optimizes the timing of the return motion, reducing overall cycle time while maintaining reliable switch actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 electromagnetic spring back system decreases the distance the key plate plunger travels to depress the switch plunger and increases the speed at which the key plate returns to the neutral position, resulting in faster and more accurate mouse click registration.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing an electromagnet and a permanent magnet to reduce the distance the key plate plunger travels by magnetic attraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

increase the return speed by magnetic repulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12572224B2System and method of assembling an electromagnetic spring back rapid click mouse

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An electromagnetic spring back rapid click mouse for an information handling system comprising a key plate forming a portion of a top cover for receiving downward force by a user of a key plate click actuation, a permanent magnet operatively coupled to a bottom surface of the key plate and an electromagnetic spring back system electromagnet operatively coupled to a mouse printed circuit board (PCB) where the electromagnet includes a solenoid coil wrapped around a ferromagnetic bar that is magnetized when the solenoid coil receives a current pulse to repel the permanent magnet and urge the permanent magnet and the key plate to rebound to a neutral position after the key plate click actuation. A key plate plunger of key plate switch on the mouse PCB receives the key plate click actuation and a mouse controller detects the key plate click actuation from the key switch via the mouse PCB.