Split Keyboard With Adjustable Wrist Support And Thumb Cluster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer keyboards cause strain on users' hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders due to inefficient key arrangements, leading to health issues like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and repetitive strain injuries, despite efforts from ergonomic designs that often fail to provide sufficient comfort and adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A split keyboard design with adjustable primary and thumb cluster sections, where each half has a columnar key array and a wrist support, allowing for customizable orientation and reduced strain through adjustable legs and a collapsible structure for comfort and ergonomic typing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional keyboard arrangements are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but health issues such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and repetitive strain injuries occur due to strain on hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into two separate halves with independent key arrays, allowing each half to be positioned at optimal angles for the user's hands. This segmentation enables the thumb clusters to be offset from the primary key arrays, creating a more natural hand position that reduces strain on wrists and arms while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard design introduces vertical dimensionality by offsetting the thumb cluster keys from the plane of the primary key array. This creates a multi-level surface where thumb keys are positioned at a different height and angle, allowing thumbs to type in a more natural position parallel to the palm rather than perpendicular, thereby reducing wrist extension and strain
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ergonomic keyboard designs are implemented, then strain on the body is reduced, but device complexity increases due to adjustable components and multiple sections
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard incorporates adjustable support legs that allow users to dynamically modify the angle and position of each keyboard half to match their hand geometry. The thumb cluster section can be independently positioned relative to the primary key array, enabling real-time adaptation to different users' ergonomic needs without requiring complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the keyboard have specialized structures optimized for their specific functions: the primary key array has a standard layout for finger typing, while the thumb cluster section features offset positioning and different key geometry. Each section can be independently adjusted, allowing local optimization of ergonomics without making the entire device overly complex
3Device complexity
If fixed keyboard designs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different hand sizes and preferences is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard design incorporates universal adjustability features that allow a single device to accommodate multiple users with different hand sizes and typing preferences. The adjustable support legs and independently positionable thumb clusters enable the same keyboard to be customized for various ergonomic requirements, making it universally adaptable without requiring multiple fixed designs
Data Source
AI summary
A split keyboard is disclosed that has wrist support members that are pivotally attached to the front of key array sections and thumb cluster sections that are pivotally attached to the key array sections on a transitional side that extends in diagonal direction from a front side of the key array section to a lateral side of the key array section.