Low Profile Switch with Deformable Contact Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical switches face a challenge in achieving a low profile design without compromising durability and typing experience, as reducing height typically weakens the mechanical performance.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring a housing with a protruding portion, a plunger, and elastic members that allow for a low profile appearance while maintaining smooth and responsive striking motion, incorporating a first and second contact member for electrical connection, ensuring durability and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the height of the mechanical switch is reduced to achieve a low profile design, then the appearance is improved, but the durability and mechanical performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed to extend in multiple directions: horizontally from the housing and vertically downward toward the substrate. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows the switch to achieve a low profile height while maintaining sufficient contact member length for reliable mechanical operation and electrical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is nested within the housing structure, with portions extending both outward and downward. The housing provides a cavity that accommodates the contact member's complex geometry, allowing the switch to maintain a compact external profile while housing a sufficiently long contact path internally
2Shape
If the height of the mechanical switch is reduced to achieve a low profile design, then the appearance is improved, but the typing experience and responsive motion are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed with flexible portions that can dynamically deform during actuation. The elastic section allows the contact member to bend and flex as the plunger is pressed, providing a smooth and responsive striking motion that enhances typing experience while maintaining a low profile
3Reliability
If the contact member length is increased to improve durability and responsiveness, then the mechanical performance is improved, but the switch height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member features varying cross-sectional properties along its length, with different sections having different thicknesses and flexibilities. The elastic portion has reduced thickness to allow deformation, while other sections maintain sufficient strength. This localized variation in properties allows the contact member to be both durable and flexible within a compact height
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing vertical height to accommodate a longer contact path, the contact member extends horizontally from the housing and then vertically downward, utilizing horizontal space to achieve the required contact length without increasing the overall switch profile height
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
The solution provides a low-profile switch with improved durability and responsive typing experience, maintaining mechanical performance while offering a clean design and easy assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member
Data Source
AI summary
A switch, keyboard and associated methods are provided. In one implementation, the switch includes a housing having a protruding portion configured to be received in an aperture formed on a substrate, a plunger operable to move with respect to the housing, a first contact member located in the housing, and a second contact member extending from the protruding portion of the housing. The second contact member is operable to, based at least in part on the plunger being moved in a first direction, deform to a predefined extent to electrically contact the first contact member. The switch provides a low profile appearance but not compromising the smooth and quickly responsive striking motion for a mechanical switch, such that a clean design can be provided while the input experience and durability are maintained. A keyboard is also provided.