Thin Keyboard Base Plate Retaining Member Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thin-type capacitive keyboards face structural strength issues due to the trend of thinner designs, leading to breaking of hooks in the base plate, which compromises the durability of the keyboard apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The thin keyboard apparatus incorporates a base plate with a unique design featuring retaining openings and members, a pressing unit with pivotable supporting frames, and a keycap that moves relative to the base plate, enhancing structural strength by distributing stress and avoiding stress concentration through broken holes and connecting walls, allowing for a thinner and durable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the plate body is made thinner to achieve a thinner design, then the thickness of the keyboard is reduced, but the structural strength of the hooks is reduced leading to breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickness of keyboardVSAvoidstructural strength of hooks

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The plate body is divided into multiple regions (first, second, third, fourth regions) with retaining members distributed across these regions. Each retaining member segments the stress distribution, preventing stress concentration at any single hook location while maintaining overall structural integrity in a thin plate body configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Retaining members are strategically positioned in specific regions of the plate body based on stress distribution patterns. The retaining members have specific geometric features (first and second connecting walls forming acute angles with the plate body) that provide localized reinforcement where needed, allowing the overall plate to remain thin while maintaining strength at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If the plate body is made thinner to achieve a thinner design, then the thickness of the keyboard is reduced, but the durability is compromised due to hook breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickness of keyboardVSAvoiddurability of keyboard

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The plate body is divided into multiple regions (first, second, third, fourth regions) with retaining members distributed across these regions. Each retaining member segments the stress distribution, preventing stress concentration at any single hook location while maintaining overall structural integrity in a thin plate body configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Retaining members are strategically positioned in specific regions of the plate body based on stress distribution patterns. The retaining members have specific geometric features (first and second connecting walls forming acute angles with the plate body) that provide localized reinforcement where needed, allowing the overall plate to remain thin while maintaining strength at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11362659B2Thin keyboard apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 SUNREX TECH

AI summary

A thin keyboard apparatus includes a base plate and a supporting unit. The base plate has a plate body which is formed with four retaining openings and four retaining members. Each retaining opening is bordered by a peripheral edge which has first and second edge sections extending along two different and intersecting directions. Each retaining member has an upper wall, a first connecting wall interconnecting the upper wall and the first edge section, a second connecting wall interconnecting the upper wall and the second edge section, and a broken hole dividing the first edge section from the second edge section. The supporting unit is slidably pivoted to the retaining members.