Conductive Dome for Keycap Electrical Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
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 Solution
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.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
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
Solution Approach 1:
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.
Solution Approach 2:
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.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active elements like displays are integrated into keycaps, then keyboard functionality is enhanced, but space constraints and mechanical interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by integrating displays into the keycap structure without increasing horizontal footprint. The conductive dome structure provides electrical pathways that accommodate display integration while maintaining the original keyboard plane, effectively adding functionality in the vertical dimension rather than expanding the horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the display element within the keycap structure, utilizing the existing keycap volume and electrical pathways. The conductive dome provides embedded electrical connections that accommodate the display without requiring additional external space, effectively nesting the display functionality within the existing keyboard architecture.
3Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the keyboard thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wire connections with a conductive coating applied directly to the dome structure. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky wire routing and connectors, achieving reliable electrical connectivity through a thin conductive layer that maintains the original keyboard thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin conductive coating on the dome structure to provide electrical connectivity. This thin film approach replaces thick mechanical connection methods, achieving reliable electrical contact while maintaining a sleek, thin keyboard profile without the bulk of traditional wiring.
4Reliability
If custom switches are used for electrical connection, then connectivity is achieved, but assembly complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the dome structure multi-functional by integrating both mechanical switch functionality and electrical connection capabilities into a single component. The conductive coating on the dome provides electrical pathways without requiring separate custom switches, simplifying the overall structure and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from separate custom switches and integrates it directly into the dome structure through conductive coatings. This elimination of separate components reduces assembly steps and maintenance requirements while achieving the same electrical connectivity function.
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
This solution enables interactive and customizable keyboards with embedded displays that maintain the tactile feedback and reliability of traditional keyboards, reducing power consumption and assembly complexity while minimizing maintenance, and allowing for multi-million cycle operations without additional weight or bulk.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and robust electrical connection from the base to the keycap
Data Source
AI summary
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.