Keyswitch with Adjustable Tactile Feedback via Movable Extending Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards provide only a single type of tactile feedback, which cannot meet the diverse needs of users in different operation situations, leading to the need for multiple keyboards with varying feedback types, resulting in increased costs and storage concerns.
Innovation Solution
A keyswitch structure with an adjustable tactile feedback system, featuring a base, cover, plunger, restoring unit, tactile feedback member, and adjusting unit, allowing for different deformations and positioning changes to alter the tactile feedback experience, including varying pressing forces and types such as dome-collapse-like and linear feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a keyboard provides only a single type of tactile feedback, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the adaptability to different user needs and operation situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tactile feedback by making the extending arm movable and adjustable. The adjusting unit allows the extending arm to be repositioned along the moving path of the cam portion, enabling the same keyswitch to provide different tactile feedback characteristics (e.g., dome-collapse-like feedback when the extending arm intersects the cam path, or linear feedback when the extending arm is positioned away from the cam path). This dynamic adjustability resolves the contradiction by allowing one device to adapt to multiple user needs without requiring multiple fixed-configuration keyboards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple keyboards with different tactile feedback types are purchased to satisfy diverse user needs, then the adaptability improves, but the cost and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a keyswitch structure that can perform multiple tactile feedback functions within a single device. The adjustable extending arm mechanism allows the same keyswitch to provide different tactile feedback types (dome-collapse-like, linear, or intermediate feedbacks) by simply repositioning the extending arm, eliminating the need for users to purchase and store multiple specialized keyboards. This multi-functional design directly addresses the contradiction by reducing the quantity of devices needed while maintaining tactile feedback variety.
3Ease of operation
If the extending arm is positioned to intersect the moving path of the cam portion, then dome-collapse-like tactile feedback is generated, but the pressing force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing users to adjust the position of the extending arm along the moving path of the cam portion. This positional parameter can be changed to optimize the balance between tactile feedback characteristics and pressing force. For example, users can position the extending arm to achieve dome-collapse-like feedback when desired, or move it away from the cam path to reduce pressing force for more comfortable typing. This parameter adjustability resolves the contradiction by allowing users to select the optimal operating point based on their specific needs.
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
Enables users to select from multiple tactile feedback options within a single keyboard, reducing the need for multiple devices and providing customizable feedback experiences without the associated costs and storage issues.
Implementation Method 1
a restoring unit disposed between the base and the plunger to provide a restoring force to enable the plunger to move along a direction away from the base
Implementation Method 2
a pressing force required for the cam portion to pass the extending arm when the plunger moves toward the base is changed
Data Source
AI summary
A keyswitch structure includes a base having a positioning means, an cover combined with the base, a plunger with an cam portion movably coupling with the cover relative to the base, a restoring unit disposed between the base and the plunger to provide a restoring force to enable the plunger to move along a direction away from the base, a tactile feedback member having a positioning portion positioned by the positioning means and an extending arm extending across a moving path of the cam portion, and an adjusting unit being movable to drive the positioning portion to shift, so that the tactile feedback member has a first deformation or a second deformation, and a pressing force required for the cam portion to pass the extending arm when the plunger moves toward the base is changed.