Key Switch Resilient Portion for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical keyboard key switches with enlarged keycaps experience noise issues due to the collision between support rods and the baseplate during key presses, requiring a solution that reduces noise while maintaining structural strength.
Innovation Solution
A key switch design incorporating a resilient portion that buffers the collision between the support rod and the baseplate, utilizing a combination of sublayers and a film to absorb the impact and reduce noise, while ensuring the structural integrity and proper electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support rods are designed to be in direct contact with the baseplate to enhance structural strength, then the structural strength of keycaps is improved, but undesirable noises are generated due to collision between the support rod and baseplate
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the support rod and the baseplate. This resilient portion absorbs the collision impact when the keycap is pressed, preventing direct contact between the support rod and baseplate, thereby eliminating the harmful noise while preserving the structural support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion is pre-installed between the support rod and baseplate to provide cushioning before collision occurs. When the keycap is pressed downward, the resilient portion deforms to absorb the impact energy, preventing the harmful collision noise from generating in the first place.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a resilient portion is introduced to buffer collision and reduce noise, then typing noise is reduced, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters (thickness, elasticity modulus, dimensions) that allow it to provide adequate cushioning for noise reduction while maintaining sufficient structural strength to support the keycap during pressing operations.
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 key switch effectively reduces noise during key presses by using resilient portions to absorb the impact, maintaining the structural strength and enabling proper electrical signal activation with minimal strain, thus addressing the noise issue in frequently used consumer electronics.
Implementation Method 1
the first resilient portion extends beneath and abuts against the second portion so that the first resilient portion buffers the collision between the second portion and the baseplate
Data Source
AI summary
A key switch includes a baseplate, a circuit layer, a keycap and a support rod. The baseplate has a hook and a first through hole neighboring to the hook. The circuit layer includes a plurality of superimposed sublayers disposed above the baseplate and having a through hole structure passing through the sublayers; a portion of one of the sublayers extends in the through hole structure over the first through hole and forms a resilient portion neighboring to the hook. Two sides of the resilient portion connect to the circuit layer. The keycap is disposed above the baseplate and can move upward and downward in respect to the baseplate. The support rod has a first portion, movably connecting to the keycap, and a second portion, engaged with the hook. The resilient portion extends beneath and abuts against the second portion for buffering a collision between the second portion and the baseplate.