Pivotable Key Structure for Ergonomic Mouse Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer mouse designs lead to awkward hand movements, numbness, and reduced control sensitivity due to fixed finger positions and the need to lift the palm when using multi-touch gestures, compromising user convenience and operating habits.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable key structure with a housing body, a touchpad module, and a pivotable member that pivots about a central axis, allowing for left and right movements to identify touch control and sense multi-finger gestures, featuring a switch module and elastic members for enhanced control and ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mouse buttons are designed with fixed positions for index and middle fingers, then the mouse structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user experiences awkward hand movements and numbness due to fixed finger positions and bending/stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the key structure pivotable rather than fixed. The key body can rotate about a pivot axis, allowing the left and right keys to move dynamically to accommodate different finger positions and gestures, thereby improving user comfort while managing structural complexity through a centralized pivot mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the key structure into a key body, pivotable member, and switch module. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component - the key body for ergonomics, the pivotable member for movement, and the switch module for actuation - resolving the contradiction between comfort and complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mouse uses a one-surface touch control design for multi-touch gestures, then the device integrates scrolling and gesture controls, but the sensitivity of user's fingers to mechanical key states is reduced and control sensitivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges touch control and mechanical key control into a single integrated structure. The pivotable member combines the touchpad surface for multi-touch gestures with mechanical keys for precise input, allowing both functionality to coexist in one unified component that responds to different types of user input
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable member acts as an intermediary between the touchpad module and the switch module. It translates touch gestures and key presses into mechanical movements that actuate the switches, preserving control sensitivity while enabling multi-touch functionality through this mediating component
3Ease of operation
If the mouse is designed to pivot back and forth for natural hand movement, then the mouse follows natural pivoting motion, but when pressed down towards the front portion, the rear portion naturally pivots up causing the palm to lift off the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the key structure pivotable rather than fixed. The key body can rotate about a pivot axis, allowing the left and right keys to move dynamically to accommodate different finger positions and gestures, thereby improving user comfort while managing structural complexity through a centralized pivot mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic members as counterbalancing elements that offset the leverage effect causing the rear portion to pivot up. These elastic members provide a counteracting force that keeps the mouse body stable during front-portion pressing operations, preventing the harmful palm-lifting effect while preserving natural hand movement
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotable key structure includes a housing body, a pivotable unit, a switch module, and a carrier. The pivotable unit has a touchpad module and a pivotable member. The pivotable member is engaged to the touchpad module thereunder. The pivotable member is disposed on the carrier through two pivot axle as a pivot point to relatively pivot on the carrier. The carrier has a switch module corresponding to two pivot axles. The pivotable member has two operating portions which are protrusions, each respectively correspond to the switch module. The housing body has an opening so that the pivotable member can pivot horizontally and be exposed through the opening. Thereby, through the pivoting movements of the pivotable unit toward the switch module, the operating protrusions can contact the switch module and generate a corresponding control signal.