Key Switch Plate Assembly With Side Contacts for Ultra-Thin Keyboards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional key switches have a complex structure and high production cost, making them unsuitable for ultra-thin keyboards and industrial equipment due to their height and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A static and movable plate assembly with integrally formed and bent support arms on both plates, allowing electrical connection from the side, reducing overall height, and enabling a simpler, more cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elastic portions on the movable plate and static plate are extended downwards to contact the external circuit board, then electrical connection is achieved, but the overall height of the key switch increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidoverall height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the direction of electrical connection from vertical (downwards to circuit board) to lateral (outwards to side contacts). The support arms extend laterally with bent portions that contact side-mounted circuit traces, eliminating the need for vertical elastic portions and reducing overall height while maintaining electrical connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending elastic portions downwards from the plates to reach the circuit board, the patent inverts the approach by extending support arms laterally outward to reach side-mounted circuit contacts. This inversion of the connection direction resolves the height issue while achieving the same electrical connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the movable plate and static plate structure is designed with separate elastic portions and support components, then electrical connection is reliable, but the structure becomes complicated and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support function and electrical connection function into a single integrated support arm structure. The support arms are integrally formed with bent portions that simultaneously provide mechanical support and electrical contact, eliminating the need for separate elastic portions and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical support for the plates, act as electrical conductors through their bent portions, and enable lateral contact with the circuit board. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure while ensuring reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240347291A1Static and movable plate assembly of key switch

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 DONGGUAN CITY KAIHUA ELECTRONICS

AI summary

The present utility model discloses a static and movable plate assembly of a key switch, comprising a static plate and a movable plate, wherein the movable plate and the static plate are contacted or separated under the push of an external force: the movable plate comprises a support arm of the movable plate which is integrally formed and bent twice to the outside of the side; It has a simple structure and reduces the production cost.