Key Dome Assembly with Elevating Members for Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturized keyboards in handheld electronic devices often lack noticeable tactile feedback due to the direct contact of dome-shaped elements with the mounting surface, which hinders user input registration and feedback.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elevating members around the periphery of the dome-shaped resilient element to elevate it from the mounting surface, increasing the travel distance and area for force application, enhancing tactile feedback and reducing friction, while allowing for a smaller footprint and improved air venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the dome-shaped element is miniaturized to reduce keyboard size, then portability is improved, but tactile feedback becomes less noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension by elevating the dome-shaped element above the mounting surface using support members. This allows the dome to have greater travel distance in the vertical direction while maintaining a small horizontal footprint, thereby restoring tactile feedback in miniaturized keyboards.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome assembly is segmented into distinct components: the dome-shaped element, the support members, and the mounting surface. This segmentation allows the dome to be elevated and isolated from direct contact with the mounting surface, enabling greater movement and improved tactile feedback in a compact configuration.
2Device complexity
If the dome-shaped element contacts the mounting surface directly, then structural simplicity is maintained, but friction increases and tactile feedback is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Support members are introduced as intermediary elements between the dome-shaped element and the mounting surface. These support members elevate the dome, reducing frictional contact with the mounting surface while maintaining structural support, thereby improving tactile feedback without excessive complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the dome assembly is miniaturized, then device portability is improved, but air venting becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By elevating the dome-shaped element vertically above the mounting surface using support members, the invention creates vertical space for air to escape during dome collapse. This resolves the air venting issue in miniaturized designs without increasing the horizontal footprint.
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 solution significantly enhances tactile feedback, improves input registration accuracy, and adapts well to reduced keypad designs by increasing the dome's collapsibility and reducing frictional constraints, resulting in a more responsive user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a key dome assembly 50 including a dome shaped resilient element 52... When an actuation force is applied to the apex of the dome assembly, the dome assembly collapses, completing an electrical circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A dome assembly for use in a keyboard assembly of an electronic device is provided. The dome assembly includes a deflectable dome shaped element (52) having a concave surface terminating at a periphery (56) and a number of elevating members (58) disposed on the element adjacent the periphery and protruding away from the concave surface. The elevating members serve to space the periphery from a mounting surface. The element is movable between an undeflected position and a deflected position.