Hall Effect Keyboard With Spring Keys and Snap-Fit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboards lack efficient tactile feedback mechanisms and often require complex assembly processes, leading to high manufacturing costs and limited user engagement.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design featuring coil springs and magnets within each key, combined with a transparent top case and display, providing tactile feedback and visual content, and utilizing a snap fit locking mechanism for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical fasteners and complex assembly mechanisms are used, then the keyboard structure is secure and reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases and assembly time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fasteners (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic field-based retention system. Magnets embedded in the keycaps interact with corresponding magnetic elements in the keyboard body, creating a secure yet easily assembled connection. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical assembly mechanisms while maintaining structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fastening function from complex mechanical assemblies and isolates it into discrete magnetic elements. The magnets are individually positioned in keycaps and corresponding positions in the keyboard body, allowing for simple snap-fit assembly without requiring additional tools or multi-step fastening procedures.
2Ease of operation
If digital keyboards use vibration units for tactile feedback, then the keyboard can provide haptic response, but the reliance on mobile device vibration units limits the quality and independence of tactile feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard becomes self-sufficient for tactile feedback by incorporating its own mechanical spring system within each keycap. The springs provide inherent resistance and haptic response during key actuation, eliminating dependency on external mobile device vibration units. Each key independently generates its own tactile feedback through the mechanical properties of the spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mechanical elements (springs) into the keycap structure that actively respond to user input with variable resistance. The spring compression and rebound create natural tactile feedback that adapts to the speed and force of key presses, providing superior haptic response compared to fixed-frequency vibration units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the keyboard aims to provide visual content through a display, then user engagement is improved, but the keyboard structure becomes more complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function with the existing keyboard structure by integrating the display into the keyboard body or keycap assembly. This consolidation allows visual content delivery without requiring separate external devices, while the display shares structural support and housing with the keyboard components, minimizing additional complexity.
4Reliability
If coil springs are used for keycap actuation, then tactile feedback is enhanced and operational life is extended, but the keycap assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides tactile feedback through mechanical resistance, enables keycap actuation through compression and rebound, and contributes to the magnetic retention system by positioning the keycap for proper magnetic alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall assembly despite the added mechanical element.
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 design offers enhanced tactile feedback, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved user engagement through visual content, while maintaining durability and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the keyboard can use the spring force provided by the coil spring under the keycap to generate tactile feedback to the user
Implementation Method 2
Each key includes a coil spring and a magnet positioned within the key
Implementation Method 3
Hall effect keyboard
Data Source
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AI summary
A keyboard includes a plurality of keys. In certain embodiments, each key includes a keycap, a coil spring extending from a top side of the keycap to a bottom side of the transparent top case, and a magnet positioned within the keycap. The coil spring biases the keycap toward an undepressed position.