Adjustable Key Mechanism for Variable Force Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with keys, such as smart car keys, face challenges in efficiently depressing the key mechanism due to varying force requirements and mechanical complexities, which affect the reliability and usability of the device.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a housing with a printed circuit board and an adjusting member system, where the key is partially received in a through hole, and the adjusting members are movably coupled to the housing, allowing for different force applications and mechanical support points, enabling precise depression of the key by varying the position of the adjusting members within limiting grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the key mechanism uses a fixed mechanical support point, then the structure is simple, but the force application is not adaptable to varying depression requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the support point movable rather than fixed. The adjusting member can move along the side wall within a limiting groove, allowing the support point position to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the key mechanism to adapt to varying force requirements by changing the lever arm length, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the support point along the side wall to achieve different mechanical advantages. By adjusting the position of the adjusting member within the limiting groove, the system can optimize the force application point, allowing the same mechanical structure to handle varying depression forces without increasing overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the adjusting member position is fixed, then the manufacturing is simple, but the force needed for key depression cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into multiple components (first cover, second cover, side wall with limiting groove) that allow the adjusting member to be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation enables easier assembly and adjustment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled with the adjusting member positioned at optimal locations.
3Reliability
If the key is depressed with high force, then the key activation is reliable, but the mechanical efficiency decreases due to excessive force requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By making the support point dynamically adjustable, the system can optimize the lever arm length to achieve the same key activation force with less input force. This dynamic adjustment improves mechanical efficiency by reducing the energy loss while maintaining reliable key activation through optimal force application points.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting member acts as an intermediary that transfers and optimizes the force application. By positioning this intermediary at different points along the side wall, the system can reduce the input force required while maintaining the same output effect on the key, thereby reducing energy loss while preserving activation reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device can include a housing, a printed circuit board received in the housing, a key, and an adjusting member. The housing defines a through hole. The key is coupled to the housing and partially received in the through hole. The adjusting member is across the through hole. The adjusting member is movably coupled to the housing and contact the key.