Wireless Mouse Generator With Compact Epicyclic Speed Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer pointing devices, particularly wireless mice, face challenges in efficiently harvesting energy for operation without disposable batteries, while maintaining a compact design and providing a pleasing tactile experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an angled and/or offset transmission, preferably using epicyclic gear trains, to increase rotational speed between a rotary element and a generator, enhancing energy harvesting efficiency and enabling a compact, battery-free design with a pleasing tactile operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a direct coupling between the rotary element and the generator is used, then the device structure is simple, but the energy harvesting efficiency is insufficient and the device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
An epicyclic gear train is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the rotary element and the generator. This gear train includes a sun gear, planet gears, and a ring gear, which work together to provide both speed multiplication and structural compactness. The intermediary transmission system resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient energy harvesting while maintaining a manageable device complexity through its well-defined mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The epicyclic gear train employs a nested configuration where planet gears are positioned around the sun gear and mesh with the ring gear, creating a compact, space-efficient arrangement. This nesting principle allows multiple gear stages to be integrated within a small volume, achieving high speed multiplication ratios without proportionally increasing the overall device size or complexity.
2Power
If the transmission ratio is increased to improve energy harvesting, then the rotational speed at the generator increases, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epicyclic gear train transitions the transmission arrangement from a linear/axial layout to a radial/dimensional configuration. By arranging gears in a radial pattern around a central sun gear, the system achieves high transmission ratios without extending the axial length of the device. This dimensional reorganization allows the generator to receive high rotational speed while the overall device remains compact in length.
3Volume of stationary object
If a compact design is pursued to reduce device size, then the housing volume decreases, but the transmission mechanism becomes more difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The epicyclic gear train is divided into distinct functional segments: the sun gear attached to the rotary element, the planet gears mounted on a carrier, and the ring gear forming the outer boundary. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, simplifying the manufacturing process despite the compact overall design. The modular nature of the segmented gears makes the transmission mechanism easier to implement while maintaining small housing volume.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves highly efficient energy harvesting, allowing a wireless computer mouse to operate without disposable batteries, while maintaining a slim design and providing a satisfying user experience through improved rotational speed and tactile quality.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator for converting at least part of the rotation of the rotary element to electrical power
Implementation Method 2
an epicyclic gear train, also known as planetary gear, comprising a sun gear, one or more planet gears on a carrier, and a ring gear
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a computer pointing device (1), in particular a wireless computer mouse, comprising a rechargeable electric accumulator (16), such as a rechargeable battery and/or a capacitor, a rotary element (3), in particular a scroller wheel, operable by an external force, such as a human (index)finger, and an electric generator (9) for converting at least part of the rotation of the rotary element (3) to electrical power to be stored in the accumulator (16) and/or to be used to operate the device (1). The pointing device comprises an angled and/or offset transmission (4, 5) and a transmission (8) to increase rotational speed between, on the one hand, the rotary element (3) and, on the other hand, the generator (9).