Optical Navigation Module Alignment Flange Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical navigation tools in mobile devices often suffer from imprecision in electrical connector length, leading to tilting and poor tactile feel due to inadequate support in the z-direction, affecting navigation accuracy and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigation module with an alignment flange featuring holes for alignment pins, providing precise alignment and improved tactile feedback through a rigid flange design that includes a dome overlay and actuator for enhanced support in the z-axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connectors are used to couple the optical navigation tool and processor, then the optical navigation tool can be communicatively coupled to control navigation, but imprecision in the length of electrical connectors causes tilting and poor tactile feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment flange as an intermediary component between the optical navigation tool and the mobile device housing. This alignment flange includes alignment features that mediate the connection, ensuring precise alignment and proper support in the z-direction, thereby resolving the tilting issue caused by electrical connector length imprecision while maintaining good tactile feel
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment flange is designed with pre-formed alignment features (such as protrusions or holes) that establish the correct positional relationship between components before final assembly. This preliminary alignment action prevents tilting from occurring during assembly, ensuring both alignment precision and proper tactile feedback
2Ease of manufacture
If the electrical connector is longer than desired, then the optical navigation tool can be coupled, but the side with the coupled electrical connector becomes higher than the opposite side
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange serves as a mediator that compensates for variations in electrical connector length. By providing a standardized interface with alignment features, it allows connectors of varying lengths to be accommodated while maintaining consistent alignment accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly flexibility and manufacturing precision
3Ease of manufacture
If the electrical connector is shorter than desired, then the optical navigation tool can be coupled, but the side with the coupled electrical connector becomes lower than the opposite side
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange acts as a compensatory intermediary that ensures consistent alignment regardless of electrical connector length variations. The alignment features on the flange establish the correct positional relationship, allowing short connectors to be used without compromising alignment accuracy, thereby maintaining both assembly flexibility and manufacturing precision
4Manufacturing precision
If alignment features are added to the optical navigation module, then alignment precision and tactile feel are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange is merged with the existing structure of the optical navigation module, integrating alignment features into a single component rather than adding separate alignment mechanisms. This merging approach provides the necessary alignment precision and tactile support while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An optical navigation module comprising a rigid flange having a top surface. An optical navigation unit can be coupled to the top surface of the rigid flange with an electrical connection electrically coupled to the optical navigation unit. An alignment flange can be coupled to the rigid flange with the alignment feature including one or more alignment features. The alignment feature can be a hole adapted to receive an alignment pin to hold and align the optical navigation module.