Keyboard Construction with Diagonal Key Motion and Capacitive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressable touch surfaces in input devices, such as keyboards, lack improved usability, flexibility, and tactile feedback, with conventional snap domes or rubber domes providing limited tactile response and mechanical design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard assembly with a biasing mechanism and sensor substrate that allows keycaps to move diagonally, combining vertical and lateral motion for enhanced tactile feedback, using magnetically coupled components and planar translation mechanisms to simulate greater key travel and improve usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional snap domes or rubber domes are used for key mechanisms, then tactile feedback is provided, but device thickness and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical snap domes or rubber domes with a capacitive sensing system. The key cap includes a capacitive sensor that detects key press events through electrical capacitance changes, eliminating the need for thick mechanical dome structures while maintaining tactile feedback capabilities through software-generated haptic responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a force feedback mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the key press detection system. This force feedback mechanism provides tactile sensation through controlled resistance forces, allowing thin capacitive sensors to deliver realistic tactile feedback without requiring thick mechanical dome structures.
2Ease of operation
If diagonal key motion is implemented to enhance tactile feedback, then key travel is increased, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical diagonal motion mechanisms with a capacitive sensing system that detects key press events. The diagonal motion effect is achieved through software processing of sensor data and generation of corresponding haptic feedback responses, eliminating the need for complex mechanical guide structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from purely mechanical diagonal key motion to a multi-dimensional sensing approach using capacitive sensors that detect key press events in multiple directions. The system processes sensor data from multiple axes to reconstruct diagonal motion patterns, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining tactile feedback quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensor substrate is positioned below chassis layer, then manufacturing is simplified, but sensor detection precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a chassis layer as an intermediary between the capacitive sensor substrate and the key cap. This chassis layer with its conductive elements acts as part of the capacitive sensing system, maintaining high detection precision while allowing the sensor substrate to be positioned below the chassis for simplified manufacturing and assembly.
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 enhances tactile feel by increasing key travel and providing a more intuitive pressing experience through diagonal motion, allowing for thinner designs and flexible industrial layouts while maintaining effective key press detection.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor substrate is positioned below the keyboard chassis and has sensor electrodes configured to sense that one or more keycaps of the plurality of keycaps is in a pressed position
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard having a sensor layer below a chassis layer is described. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes a keyboard chassis and a plurality of keycaps positioned above the keyboard chassis. Each of the plurality of keycaps has a touch surface for receiving a press force. A sensor substrate is positioned below the keyboard chassis and has sensor electrodes configured to sense that one or more of the plurality of keycaps is in a pressed position.