Key Preloading Structure for Consistent Pressed Feel
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic products like mice, large-sized keys integrally formed with the housing lead to inconsistent pressed feel, making it difficult to assure the absence of dead zones and virtual presses due to varying key press sensations.
Innovation Solution
A key preloading structure featuring a base, switches, and keys with rotating shafts and actuators, where the actuators preload the switches with a force less than the triggering force, ensuring consistent contact and preventing extra clearance during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the keys are integrally formed with the housing in one piece, then the overall consistency and aesthetics are improved, but the pressed feel becomes inconsistent and dead zones or virtual presses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure is divided into separate components: the housing, the key cap, and the internal loading mechanism. This segmentation allows the key cap to be integrally formed with the housing for aesthetic consistency, while the internal mechanism provides reliable pressed feel through controlled mechanical interaction with the switch.
2Area of moving object
If the key size is increased to meet functional needs, then the functional capacity is improved, but the pressed feel becomes harder to assure and dead zones appear
Solution Approach 1:
The loading mechanism applies a preliminary preload force to the switch before the key is pressed. This preliminary action ensures that the switch is already in a pre-compressed state, making the pressed feel consistent and eliminating dead zones regardless of the key size.
3Area of moving object
If the keys are made larger, then the functional needs are met, but extra clearance is generated during assembly causing virtual press problems
Solution Approach 1:
The loading mechanism changes the force parameter by applying a controlled preload to the switch. This force parameter adjustment ensures consistent contact between the key and switch throughout the assembly process, eliminating virtual press problems that occur with larger keys.
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 ensures consistent pressed feel, reduces the burden of key pressing, and eliminates dead zones and virtual presses by maintaining contact between keys and switches, thereby improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the actuators preloads the set of switches with a force less than a triggering force for starting the set of switches
Data Source
AI summary
A key preloading structure including a base, a set of switches and a set of keys is provided. The set of switches is arranged on the base. The set of keys has a rotating shaft and two actuators. The rotating shaft is assembled on the base. One end of each actuator is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and another end is disposed on a switch of the set of switches. Each of the two actuators preloads the set of switches with a force less than a triggering force for starting the set of switches.