Key Structure Flow-Guiding Bevel Glue Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keyboard key structures face issues with uneven glue material distribution during the attachment of protective covers, leading to excess glue overflow and contamination of non-coated areas, which can hinder keycap movement and affect tactile feel.

Innovation Solution

The key structure incorporates a flow-guiding bevel surface on the keycap to contain excess glue material, preventing it from spreading to other regions and ensuring proper attachment of the protective cover without contaminating the stretchable part, thus maintaining smooth operation and tactile feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If glue material is coated on the region between the protective cover and the keycap, then the protective cover is fixed on the keycap, but the excess glue material overflows through the gap and contaminates other regions on the keycap surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidglue contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The keycap surface is divided into different functional zones: a top surface region for glue application and attachment, and a stretchable part region that remains free of glue. The flow-guiding bevel surface creates a clear boundary between these zones, ensuring glue is confined to where it is needed while protecting the stretchable region from contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flow-guiding bevel surface acts as an intermediary structure between the glue application zone and the stretchable part. It guides the excess glue material along its inclined surface and prevents it from reaching the stretchable region, thus mediating the conflict between secure attachment and contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the region of the protective cover designed to be elastically stretched is contaminated by glue material, then the protective cover is fixed in place, but the upward/downward movement of the keycap is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective cover attachmentVSAvoidkeycap movement smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The keycap surface is segmented into distinct functional areas: the top surface for glue attachment and the stretchable part for elastic deformation during keycap movement. This local differentiation ensures that the stretchable region remains free of glue contamination, maintaining its elasticity and operational smoothness while still achieving secure attachment in the glued region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If manual or machine coating procedure is used, then the protective cover can be attached to the keycap, but the glue material cannot be coated evenly and overflows to non-required positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment process simplicityVSAvoidglue coating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to prevent glue overflow through complex coating control systems, the invention accepts that overflow will occur and provides a flow-guiding bevel surface to channel the excess glue in a controlled manner. This converts the harmful overflow effect into a beneficial self-contained feature, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise glue confinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 flow-guiding bevel surface effectively retains excess glue, minimizing contamination and ensuring the protective cover is properly attached, allowing for unhindered keycap movement and maintaining the tactile feel and operational integrity of the key structure.

Implementation Method 1

the flow-guiding bevel surface can prevent the glue material from spreading to other regions on the surface of the keycap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

When a glue material overflows through a gap between a protective cover and the keycap, the excess portion of the glue material can be retained on the flow-guiding bevel surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11456129B1Key structure

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD

AI summary

A key structure includes a protective cover and a keycap. The keycap includes flow-guiding bevel surface. When the protective cover and the keycap are adhered on each other through a glue material, an excess portion of the glue material is retained on the flow-guiding bevel surface. Consequently, the excess portion of the glue material will not spread to other regions.