Flexible Electrical Connection for Keycap Integration
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Summary
Problems
Traditional keyboards lack an effective electrical connection at the keycap level, which hinders the integration of active elements like displays and sensors due to space constraints, mechanical interference, and reliability issues with existing connection methods such as wires or custom switches, leading to compromised tactile feel and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation solutions
A conductive external element, like rip-stop woven fabric coated with conductive material, is attached to the dome structure to provide a flexible and robust electrical connection from the base to the keycap, allowing for the integration of displays without altering the tactile feel or increasing the keyboard's thickness, and using existing keyboard components with minimal modifications.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If wires or custom switches are used for electrical connection at the keycap level, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the tactile feel is compromised and maintenance needs increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from traditional wires and custom switches, integrating it directly into the dome structure through conductive coatings. This eliminates the need for separate connection components that interfere with tactile feedback, allowing the dome to serve both mechanical and electrical functions simultaneously.
Principle concept:
If wires or custom switches are used for electrical connection at the keycap level, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the tactile feel is compromised and maintenance needs increase
Why choose this principle:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the dome structure by applying conductive coatings directly to the dome. This combination allows the same component (the dome) to provide both mechanical tactile feedback and electrical connectivity, eliminating the need for separate wires or switches that would compromise tactile feel.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A conductive external element, like rip-stop woven fabric coated with conductive material, is attached to the dome structure to provide a flexible and robust electrical connection from the base to the keycap, allowing for the integration of displays without altering the tactile feel or increasing the keyboard's thickness, and using existing keyboard components with minimal modifications.
Abstract
There is disclosed in an example a key having a tactile element; and a flexible and conductive external element disposed over the tactile element. There is also disclosed an example method of manufacturing the key, and an electronic device comprising a plurality of active keys, including at least one of the key.