User-Repairable Mouse Assembly with Modular Sensor Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mouse assemblies require replacement of the entire unit when individual components like the scroll wheel, sensor, or power source need upgrading or replacement, leading to waste and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A modular, user-repairable mouse design with interchangeable components such as a user-replaceable mouse sensor assembly, scroll wheel, and wireless/wired bottom cover, allowing easy disassembly and upgrade of individual parts without discarding functional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire mouse assembly is replaced when individual components need upgrading, then the functionality and performance are improved, but waste increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is divided into separate modular components including a replaceable sensor assembly, scroll wheel, and bottom cover. Each component can be independently replaced without affecting the others, allowing users to upgrade only the necessary parts rather than the entire device, thereby reducing waste while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables users to discard only the specific component that has degraded or needs upgrading while recovering and continuing to use the remaining functional components. This extends the overall lifespan of the mouse system and minimizes material waste.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire mouse assembly is replaced, then performance upgrades are achieved, but manufacturing resources and energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mouse into modular components with standardized interfaces, the design enables selective replacement of individual parts. This reduces the manufacturing energy required compared to producing entirely new mice, as only the specific upgraded components need to be manufactured rather than the complete assembly.
3Ease of repair
If modular components are designed for easy replacement, then user repairability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mouse is segmented into distinct modules (sensor assembly, scroll wheel, bottom cover) that can be independently accessed and replaced. This segmentation, while increasing structural complexity, is offset by simplified replacement procedures that improve ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components utilize universal standardized interfaces and attachment mechanisms that simplify the replacement process. This universality allows different components to be interchanged using the same basic methods, reducing the complexity burden of modularity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user-repairable mouse for an information handling system comprising a board-to-board connector comprising a sensor printed circuit board (PCB) connector first side bridged to a mouse main PCB connector and a user-replaceable mouse bottom cover having a user-replaceable mouse scroll wheel and scroll wheel encoder operatively coupled to the mouse main PCB having a mouse controller. The user-replaceable mouse bottom cover has a replaceable mouse sensor aperture to receive a user-replaceable mouse sensor assembly that includes an optical sensor operatively coupled to a sensor PCB and an optical sensor lens, wherein the sensor PCB includes sensor board side connector contacts for removable coupling to a first side of a sensor PCB connector on the board-to-board connector, and a user-replaceable mouse top cover operatively coupled with the user-replaceable mouse bottom cover.