Frameless Keyboard Shielding Structure for Hidden Through Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frameless keyboard designs compromise user experience by allowing direct visibility of the base plate and through holes under the keycaps, affecting tactile feedback and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a membrane switch element with a shielding portion and a non-translucent film layer that covers the through holes between keycaps, preventing direct sight of the base plate and fixing structures from outside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frameless design is adopted to increase space for press-keys, then the keyboard can accommodate more press-keys, but the user can directly view the base plate and through holes under the press-keys, affecting user experience
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the keycaps and the base plate. This shielding portion blocks the line of sight from the exterior to the through holes and internal components, thereby preventing the harmful visual exposure while preserving the frameless design's space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new dimensional element (the shielding portion extending from the membrane switch element) to block the visual path. By introducing this intermediate structure in the vertical dimension, the design maintains the frameless aesthetic while preventing direct viewing of internal components through the gaps between keycaps
2Ease of operation
If through holes are provided in the base plate for supporting structures, then the keycaps can move up and down, but the through holes are visible from outside, affecting aesthetics and user feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding portion acts as a mediator that conceals the through holes from external view while allowing the supporting structures to function normally. The keycaps can still move up and down through the through holes, but the shielding portion blocks the visual exposure of these holes and internal components
3Strength
If supporting structures are placed between keycaps and base plate, then structural strength is improved, but the internal components become visible through gaps between keycaps
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding portion serves as an intermediary element that blocks the visual exposure of supporting structures and through holes. It is disposed between the keycaps and base plate, effectively concealing internal components while allowing them to maintain their structural function
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding portion is strategically positioned only in the regions where visual exposure occurs (through the gaps between keycaps), providing localized concealment. This allows the supporting structures to maintain their structural strength while preventing harmful visual exposure only where necessary
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard including a base plate, a plurality of keycaps, a plurality of supporting structures and a membrane switch element is provided. The base plate has a through hole. The keycaps are disposed on the base plate. The supporting structures are respectively disposed between the keycaps and the base plate. The membrane switch element is disposed on the base plate. The vertical projection of two adjacent keycaps of the keycaps relative to the base plate overlaps the through hole, and the membrane switch element has a shielding portion covering the through hole.