Segmented Ergonomic Keyboard with Ball and Socket Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards often require users to contort their wrists and arms, leading to discomfort and stress due to ulnar deviation and pronation, with limited ergonomic solutions available for portable computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard with two mutually pivotable segments connected by a ball and socket joint that allows horizontal and vertical movement, featuring a locking mechanism for adjustable positions, reducing ulnar deviation and pronation by allowing the keyboard to be tented and splayed for improved ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional unitary keyboard design is used, then the keyboard structure is simple and stable, but the user experiences ulnar deviation and pronation of the wrists leading to discomfort and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned. Each segment contains a portion of the keys and can be adjusted relative to other segments, allowing the user to configure the keyboard layout to reduce wrist deviation and pronation while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
2Ease of operation
If an adjustable ergonomic keyboard with multiple segments is used, then wrist ergonomics are improved by reducing ulnar deviation and pronation, but the keyboard structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned. Each segment contains a portion of the keys and can be adjusted relative to other segments, allowing the user to configure the keyboard layout to reduce wrist deviation and pronation while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard segments are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The segments can be repositioned and locked into different configurations, providing dynamic adaptability to user needs while using simple mechanical joint structures that do not overly complicate the overall design
3Weight of moving object
If a portable computing device is used, then portability is improved, but ergonomic keyboard options are limited compared to desktop setups
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is designed to function in multiple contexts - it can be used as a standalone peripheral device or integrated with portable computing devices. The adjustable segment design provides ergonomic versatility that adapts to both portable and desktop environments, allowing the same keyboard structure to serve multiple functions and usage scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys is formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative-to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint. The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.