Electro-Permanent Magnet Key Assembly for Variable Depression Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems lack the ability to dynamically configure key assemblies to provide variable depression forces and efficient energy usage, particularly in applications where specific key configurations and forces are required, such as gaming or data processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) in key assemblies, combined with programmable integrated circuits and custom API, allows for the selective control of key retraction, extension, and depression force, using temporary current pulses to establish and maintain magnetic fields, enabling user-configurable key maps and peak depression forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional springs or magnets are used to provide key retraction force, then the key assembly can be extended and retracted, but the energy consumption is high due to continuous power requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical springs or continuous-power magnets with electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) that use electrical pulses to magnetize permanent magnetic material. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous electrical power to maintain the magnetic field, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining key retraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic electrical current pulses to the EPM coil to magnetize or demagnetize the permanent magnetic material as needed. This periodic action allows the key assembly to be extended or retracted only when required, rather than requiring continuous power application, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electro-permanent magnets are used to control key retraction and extension, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the keyboard controller, including EPM control, key press detection, and variable depression force regulation. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated control circuits for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving energy-efficient key assembly control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the EPM control circuitry with the existing keyboard controller and integrates it with the spring mechanism and key switch assembly. This merging of components and functions reduces the overall device complexity compared to having separate independent control systems for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable depression force is implemented using multiple springs, then the depression force can be adjusted, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic field strength parameter of the EPM by varying the duration or amplitude of electrical current pulses applied to the coil. This parameter change directly controls the strength of the magnetic attraction force, allowing variable depression force without requiring multiple physical springs or mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thus simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple adjustable springs with an electro-magnetic system where depression force is controlled by electrical pulse parameters. This substitution eliminates the complexity of mechanical adjustment mechanisms and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining force variability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If retractable key assemblies are implemented, then accidental key presses are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical retraction mechanisms (such as complex spring-loaded or motor-driven systems) with electro-permanent magnets controlled by electrical pulses. This substitution reduces the number and complexity of mechanical components while achieving the same accidental key press prevention functionality through electromagnetic control.
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 users to customize key configurations and forces on a per-key basis, reducing accidental key presses and improving user experience while optimizing energy consumption by using temporary electrical pulses to control magnetic fields.
Implementation Method 1
the state of an external magnetic field of key assembly EPMs may be controlled (e.g., selectably turned ON, turned OFF, varied in polarity direction, and/or varied in strength) by temporary application of a current pulse having an appropriate strength and/or polarity to a conductive coil of a given keyboard assembly EPM
Implementation Method 2
when the EPM is turned ON it emits a magnetic field that attracts the magnetically permeable body so as to cause the magnetically permeable body to bias the key assembly upward into an extended position
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein that may be implemented to configure, provide and operate retractable key assemblies and/or key assemblies that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.