Mouse Scroll Wheel Shaft Gradient Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mouse structures face issues with the scroll wheel being easily shifted due to a V-shaped structure formed by the brackets during injection molding, affecting both appearance and tactile feeling.
Innovation Solution
A mouse structure design featuring a base plate, first and second plates, and a shaft with gradient sections that maintain a narrow gap between the scroll wheel and the plates, restricting its sideward movement and enhancing usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the brackets are designed with a V-shaped structure for easy demolding during injection molding, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the scroll wheel becomes easily shifted and the tactile feeling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple subsidiary shafts (first, second, third subsidiary shafts) with different diameters, each fitting into corresponding openings of different plates. This segmentation allows each shaft to independently restrict movement in specific directions, achieving precise position control while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the shaft have different diameters (first diameter > second diameter > third diameter), creating local variations in geometry. The first subsidiary shaft with larger diameter restricts radial movement, while smaller subsidiary shafts allow controlled axial movement. This local quality differentiation enables the structure to simultaneously achieve stable scroll wheel positioning and easy demolding
2Shape
If the brackets are positioned farther apart for structural design, then the mouse structure becomes more open, but the scroll wheel shifts more easily between brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft acts as an intermediary element between the scroll wheel and the brackets/plates. It transfers and restricts movement through its gradient sections that engage with openings in the plates. This intermediary mechanism provides stable scroll wheel positioning even when brackets are positioned farther apart, as the shaft maintains continuous contact and control
3Manufacturing precision
If a narrow gap is maintained between the scroll wheel and plates, then the scroll wheel position is restricted effectively, but the manufacturing tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft employs gradient sections with progressively changing diameters (first diameter > second diameter > third diameter). This parameter change creates a tapered fit that naturally guides the scroll wheel into proper position during assembly. The gradient profile compensates for manufacturing tolerances by providing a self-aligning mechanism, reducing the need for tight tolerance control while maintaining effective position restriction
Data Source
AI summary
A mouse structure includes a base, a wheel, a shaft, a first and a second plates. The first and the second plates are disposed on the base. The shaft penetrates through an opening defined by a first lower surface and two first upper surfaces of the first plate and an opening defined by two second upper surfaces of the second plate. A first and a second sections of the shaft respectively connect between the first and the second sub-shafts and between the first and the third sub-shafts of the shaft. The first sub-shaft penetrates through the wheel. A distance between the first lower surface and the axis diminishes away from the second plate. A distance between the second upper surfaces diminishes away from the first plate. Profiles of the first and the second sections respectively match with the first lower surface and the second upper surfaces.