Key Assembly with Blocking Member for Thin Electronic Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern keypad and keyboard designs in handheld electronic devices face challenges in providing stable, non-wobbly keys with adequate tactile feedback and visual separation within a thin profile, often resulting in keys that are prone to damage due to the use of dome switches.
Innovation Solution
A key assembly featuring single-piece keycaps with deforming portions and actuators that include a blocking member to limit rotational movement, stabilizing the dome switches and providing tactile feedback while maintaining a thin profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If dome switches are used to provide a thinner device profile, then device thickness is reduced, but key stability deteriorates and keys become wobbly and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The keycap is divided into multiple key portions separated by deforming portions, allowing each key portion to be independently supported by its own actuator while maintaining overall keycap integrity. This segmentation prevents wobbling by ensuring each key area has dedicated structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The key assembly uses a composite structure combining a rigid keycap with flexible deforming portions and actuators. The keycap provides structural stability while the deforming portions allow controlled movement, creating a composite system that maintains both stability and functionality.
2Length of moving object
If dome switches are used to reduce device profile, then device thickness is reduced, but key reliability deteriorates and keys become prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is positioned in advance to prevent excessive rotational movement of the actuator before damage can occur. This preliminary constraint protects the dome switch and actuator assembly from damage during normal key operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as a protective constraint that limits the range of motion of the actuator, cushioning against potential damage from unbalanced forces or excessive movement before such damage can occur to the dome switch.
3Ease of operation
If actuators are allowed free movement to activate dome switches, then key operation is smooth, but key twisting and upward movement occur due to unbalanced forces
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member serves as an intermediary element between the actuator and the keycap, mediating the movement by allowing necessary actuation motion while preventing harmful rotational or lateral movements that would cause key twisting.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a key assembly for use in an electronic device. The key assembly comprises a plurality of dome switches and one or more single-piece keycaps. Each keycap has a plurality of key portions separated by deforming portions. The key assembly further comprises a plurality of actuators for activating the dome switches. Each actuator has a stem portion and an enlarged rigid blocking portion. The key assembly also comprises one or more rigid blocking members disposed between the blocking portion of the actuators and the keycaps and in close proximity to the blocking portion of the actuators. The blocking members form a barrier to limit a rotational movement of the actuators away from the dome switches.