Optical Navigation Module Alignment Flange
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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 support, which affects alignment and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An optical navigation module with an alignment flange featuring holes for alignment pins, providing improved alignment and z-axis support through a rigid flange and alignment features, enhancing tactile feel and reducing tilting issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical navigation tools are used without alignment features, then device assembly is simpler, but alignment precision deteriorates causing tilting and poor tactile support
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange is pre-formed with alignment holes and features during manufacturing, so that when the optical navigation module is assembled to the housing, the alignment pins automatically engage with the alignment holes to establish precise alignment before the module is fully assembled. This preliminary preparation of alignment features eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
An alignment flange is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical navigation module and the housing. This flange includes alignment holes that receive alignment pins, serving as a mediator to transmit and enforce precise alignment between the module and housing without requiring direct precision in the electrical connector or other component interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If electrical connector length is made longer to accommodate navigation tool, then navigation functionality is improved, but tilting and alignment precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange acts as an intermediary that compensates for variations in electrical connector length. By providing a dedicated alignment interface with alignment holes and pins, the system can accommodate longer electrical connectors without sacrificing alignment precision, as the alignment features maintain the correct spatial relationship between components regardless of connector length variations.
3Reliability
If rigid flange with alignment features is added, then alignment and tactile support are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment flange is pre-formed with integrated alignment holes and rigid structure during the module manufacturing process. This preliminary creation of alignment features allows for straightforward assembly to the housing, as the alignment pins simply need to be inserted into the pre-formed holes, reducing the complexity of the overall assembly process despite the added structural element.
Data Source
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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.