Flat Electric Lock Keypad Module with Spacer Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric locks with push-button keypads are limited by structural constraints, preventing them from having a flat appearance similar to touch keypads, which restricts design flexibility and user input experience.
Innovation Solution
The electric lock incorporates a keypad module with a key panel, an electrode pad, a circuit board, and a spacer, allowing for a flat appearance while generating key signals with reduced force and stroke, similar to touch keypads, by using protruded structures on the electrode pad that contact the circuit board only upon pressing, and adjustable gaps for optimal input feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a push-button keypad structure is used, then the keypad can receive press input from users, but the appearance cannot be flat like a touch keypad due to structural limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode pad is divided into multiple independent key electrodes corresponding to different key positions. Each key electrode can be independently pressed to generate a key signal, allowing the keypad to maintain a flat appearance while preserving press input functionality through segmented electrode structures.
Solution Approach 2:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrode pad and the circuit board. The spacer creates a controlled gap that allows the electrode pad to be pressed without direct contact with the circuit board, enabling flat appearance while maintaining press input capability through the intermediary spacing structure.
2Device complexity
If the electrode pad is placed close to the circuit board, then the structure is compact, but the key circuits cannot be properly isolated from the key electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical support and electrical isolation between the electrode pad and the circuit board. It creates a controlled gap that prevents direct contact between key electrodes and key circuits, ensuring reliable electrical isolation while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer creates localized gaps at specific key positions where electrical isolation is needed, rather than uniformly separating the entire electrode pad from the circuit board. This localized isolation approach maintains structural compactness while providing reliable electrical separation where required.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric lock includes a housing, a keypad module and a lock assembly. The keypad module is arranged on the housing. The keypad module includes a key panel, an electrode pad, a circuit board and a spacer. The key panel is marked with a plurality of key characters. The electrode pad is arranged on an inner side of the key panel, and the electrode pad has a plurality of key electrodes corresponding to the plurality of key characters respectively. The circuit board includes a plurality of key circuits. Each of the key circuits is configured to generate a key signal when contacting a corresponding key electrode. The spacer is configured to form a gap between each of the key circuits and the corresponding key electrode. The lock assembly is electrically connected to the keypad module for performing locking and unlocking operations according to the key signal.