Mouse Scroll Wheel Magnetic Ratchet Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mouse devices with scroll wheels cannot be rotated quickly without increasing the manufacturing cost by adding a motor for speed control.
Innovation Solution
A mouse device with a roller module that incorporates a magnetic ratchet and permanent magnets, allowing for both stepped motion feel and quick rotation of the scroll wheel without the need for a motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a motor is added to drive and control the rotating speed of the scroll wheel, then the scroll wheel can be rotated quickly, but the fabricating cost is largely increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical system with a magnetic field-based system. Permanent magnets interact with a magnetic ratchet mechanism to enable the scroll wheel to rotate quickly without requiring a motor, thereby reducing fabrication cost while maintaining high rotation speed capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic ratchet as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual rotation and the scroll wheel's movement. The magnetic ratchet converts continuous rotation into stepped motion through magnetic attraction and release, enabling both quick rotation and controlled stepping without a motor
2Ease of operation
If an encoder is used to generate stepped motion feel upon rotation of the scroll wheel, then the function of controlling the page scrolling action can be achieved, but the scroll wheel cannot be rotated at a fast speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic magnetic ratchet mechanism where permanent magnets create alternating attraction and release forces during rotation. This dynamic magnetic interaction generates the stepped motion feel while allowing the scroll wheel to rotate at high speeds, overcoming the speed limitation of traditional encoder-based static mechanisms
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 mouse device achieves a balanced experience of stepped motion feel and fast rotation, reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional motor components.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic attractive force between the plural tooth structures and the at least one permanent magnet is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A mouse device includes a casing and a roller module. The roller module is disposed within the casing. The roller module includes a scroll wheel, a supporting seat, a magnetic ratchet and a permanent magnet. The supporting seat includes a first support part and a second support part. The magnetic ratchet is arranged between the scroll wheel and the first support part of the supporting seat. As the scroll wheel is rotated, the magnetic ratchet is correspondingly rotated. The magnetic ratchet includes plural tooth structures. The permanent magnet is installed on the first support part of the supporting seat. The permanent magnet is aligned with one of the plural tooth structures of the magnetic ratchet. While the magnetic ratchet is rotated with the scroll wheel, a magnetic attractive force between the plural tooth structures and the at least one permanent magnet is generated.