Keyboard Activation Assembly for Slim Buttons With Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in reducing the height of buttons while improving tactile feedback in electronic devices for slim design.
Innovation Solution
An activation assembly with a flexible guiding component and an elastic component, where the flexible guiding component has openings to avoid interference with the elastic component during deformation, allowing for a slim design and enhanced tactile feedback without additional frame components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional button structures are used, then tactile feedback can be maintained, but button height cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The button structure is divided into separate functional components: a keycap, a restoring component, an elastic component, and a flexible guiding component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, enabling reduced button height while maintaining tactile feedback through the coordinated action of the elastic component and flexible guiding component.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible guiding component serves as a thin, flexible structure that replaces traditional rigid frame components. It provides guidance and support for the elastic component while occupying minimal space, enabling significant reduction in button height while maintaining structural integrity and tactile response.
2Shape
If button height is reduced for slim design, then device profile is improved, but tactile feedback deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the button components, particularly using the elastic component with specific elasticity characteristics and the flexible guiding component with optimized flexibility. These parameter changes enable the button to provide adequate tactile feedback within a reduced height profile, achieving both slim device design and maintained operability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional frame components are added to support elastic component, then structural stability is improved, but button height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guiding component merges multiple functions into a single element: it provides structural support, guides the elastic component's movement, and maintains positional stability. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate frame components, achieving structural stability without increasing button height.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible guiding component serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a support structure for the elastic component, provides movement guidance, maintains component positioning, and enables the overall button mechanism to function within a reduced height envelope. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
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 enables a lower button height for a slim design while providing strong tactile feedback and a longer lifespan, with the flexible guiding component effectively guiding the elastic component's movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic component (200). The elastic component includes a coupling portion (210) and a plurality of support portions (220)
Implementation Method 2
The flexible guiding component includes a covering portion (110), a first contact portion (120), and a second contact portion (130)
Data Source
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AI summary
An activation assembly (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g) is configured to be assembled with a substrate (30) and a keycap (50). The activation assembly (100) includes a flexible guiding component (100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g) and an elastic component (200, 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 200e, 200f, 200g). The flexible guiding component includes a covering portion (110, 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f, 110g), a first contact portion (120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e, 120f, 120g), and a second contact portion (130, 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, 130e, 130f, 130g). The covering portion has a plurality of openings (O). The covering portion is configured to be mounted on the substrate. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are respectively located at two opposite sides of the covering portion. The elastic component includes a coupling portion (210, 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d, 210e, 210f, 210g) and a plurality of support portions (220, 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, 220e, 220f, 220g). The coupling portion is connected to the covering portion. The support portions are connected to the coupling portion and are respectively located in the openings.