Electrically-Deformable Keyboard Actuation for Haptic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rapid typing keyboard technologies face limitations in providing adequate user feedback due to high actuation force, limited travel distance, and the form factor constraints imposed by rubber dome technology, which restricts the design and usage environments of keyboards.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrically-deformable materials, such as electroactive polymers, to provide haptic feedback through multi-vectored movement of keyboard elements, simulating a snapover effect by applying voltages to different areas of the material, allowing for reduced actuation force, increased travel distance, and enhanced tactile feedback without the thickness limitations of traditional dome technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rubber dome technology is used for key actuation, then tactile snapover feedback is achieved, but keyboard thickness is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rubber dome system with an electrically-deformable material system. The electrically-deformable material is actuated by applying voltage across it, causing it to deform and provide tactile feedback without requiring the thick mechanical dome structure. This substitution of mechanical actuation with electrical actuation resolves the contradiction between providing tactile snapover feedback and maintaining thin keyboard profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the material from passive mechanical rubber dome to active electrically-deformable material. By changing the material properties and actuation mechanism from mechanical compression to electrical field-induced deformation, the system achieves tactile feedback with reduced thickness, resolving the contradiction between tactile feedback quality and keyboard thickness.
2Ease of operation
If rubber dome technology is used to achieve snapover, then tactile response is provided, but actuation force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-force mechanical rubber dome actuation system with a low-force electrical actuation system. The electrically-deformable material responds to applied voltage by deforming and providing tactile feedback, eliminating the need for high actuation forces required by mechanical domes. This substitution resolves the contradiction between providing adequate tactile response and reducing actuation force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation parameter from mechanical force to electrical voltage. By using voltage as the actuation parameter instead of mechanical force, the system achieves tactile response with significantly reduced actuation force, resolving the contradiction between tactile response quality and actuation force magnitude.
3Ease of operation
If sufficient travel distance is provided for dome collapse, then snapover is achieved, but keyboard thickness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dome collapse mechanism with an electrically-deformable material system. The electrically-deformable material can achieve the necessary deformation for snapover effect without requiring the same travel distance as mechanical domes, because the deformation is induced by electrical fields rather than mechanical compression. This substitution resolves the contradiction between achieving snapover effect and maintaining thin keyboard profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the deformation mechanism from mechanical compression requiring long travel distance to electrical field-induced deformation. The electrically-deformable material achieves necessary deformation with smaller displacement when actuated by voltage, resolving the contradiction between snapover effect achievement and keyboard thickness limitation.
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 keyboards with reduced actuation force and increased travel distance, providing effective haptic feedback that enhances user experience while allowing for a more compact design, addressing the limitations of traditional rubber dome technologies.
Implementation Method 1
utilize an electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. The electrically-deformable material may be utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide keyboards that utilize electrically-deformable material as an actuating mechanism to provide haptic feedback to a user of the keyboard. In at least some embodiments, the electrically-deformable material is utilized to impart, to a depressed key or keyboard element, a multi-vectored movement that produces a perceived acceleration of the key or keyboard element thus providing a user with haptic feedback which simulates a snapover movement.