Toolless Mouse Housing with Central Lock for Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling systems and peripherals are difficult to disassemble and recycle due to their complex assembly with screws and adhesives, making repair and reuse cost-prohibitive and often resulting in entire systems being discarded rather than recycled.
Innovation Solution
The system is designed with modular components that can be assembled and disassembled toollessly, using materials like extruded aluminum and magnets, eliminating the need for screws and adhesives, allowing for easy breakdown into recyclable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional assembly methods with screws and adhesives are used, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of disassembly and recycling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is divided into distinct modular components (housing, circuit board, sensor assembly, buttons, scroll wheel) that can be easily separated. The housing itself is segmented into multiple pieces that snap together, allowing tool-free disassembly while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical fastening methods (screws, adhesives, welds) are replaced with snap-fit plastic connectors and friction-based mechanical joints. These provide sufficient holding strength during normal use but can be easily released by applying force to release latches or breaking the snap-fit connections.
2Ease of repair
If modular components are used for easy disassembly, then the ease of repair and recycling are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit connector design serves multiple functions: it provides structural assembly, maintains alignment of components, and enables easy disassembly. The same mechanical feature that joins parts together also serves as the release mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fastening and releasing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional requirements (structural support, component alignment, easy disassembly) are merged into a single snap-fit mechanical joint design. The housing pieces are molded with integrated connectors that simultaneously provide all these functions without requiring additional separate components.
3Productivity
If tool-free disassembly is implemented, then the productivity of recycling processes is improved, but the strength of connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connections transition from a static locked state during normal use to a dynamic release state during disassembly. Force applied to release latches or twisting motions transform the rigid connections into separable joints, enabling tool-free breakdown while maintaining strong connections during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection strength parameter is changed based on the operational state. During normal use, the snap-fit connectors maintain high strength through elastic deformation of the plastic material. During disassembly, applying force changes the physical state of the connectors, reducing their holding strength and allowing easy separation.
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
This approach simplifies the disassembly of information handling systems and peripherals, making repair, reuse, and recycling more economically feasible by allowing for logical and efficient separation of components based on material type and function.
Implementation Method 1
The printed circuit board is captured between upper and lower housing portions that are assembled together with a single central lock.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system mouse couples upper and lower housing portions with a central lock that insert though an opening of the lower housing portion to rotationally engage opposing cam surfaces. The upper and lower housing portions capture a printed circuit board that provides mouse functions without any screws or adhesives used to couple the mouse together. The mouse other than the printed circuit board is made of recyclable plastic that readily disassembles.