Keyboard Apparatus Elastic Engaging Unit Friction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard apparatuses struggle to provide a natural key depression feeling with a definite and positive load change, especially in compact and lightweight designs, due to variations in key depression feeling and interference with essential components.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard apparatus featuring a support member with pivots, keys, a key return device, and a key touch feeling mechanism that includes an elastic engaging unit with one end held by the key operating part and another end slidably engaged with a receiving part, which changes frictional state to provide a reaction force and load change, allowing for natural key depression feeling and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is provided to realize natural key depression feeling, then the key depression feeling is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a reaction force-creating mechanism (elastic engaging unit) that generates reaction force through elastic deformation, and a let-off feeling-creating mechanism (frictional engagement between guide rail and engaging unit) that produces the sudden release sensation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve natural key depression feeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism employs dynamic frictional engagement between the elastic engaging unit and the guide rail. The frictional state changes from static to dynamic during key depression, creating the let-off feeling. This dynamic interaction allows the mechanism to adapt its characteristics during operation, providing a more natural and varied key depression experience.
2Ease of operation
If individual key touch feeling-imparting mechanisms are constructed for each key, then the key depression feeling is improved, but the variations between keys increase and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a common base structure that houses receiving parts for multiple keys, allowing the same elastic engaging unit design to be used across different keys. This universal approach ensures consistent key depression feeling across all keys while reducing manufacturing complexity and part variations.
3Ease of operation
If a key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is added to provide reaction force, then the key depression feeling is improved, but the mechanism may interfere with essential key function-realizing components
Solution Approach 1:
The key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is nested within the existing key structure. The elastic engaging unit is positioned to engage with the key operating part, while the guide rail is integrated into the support member. This nesting arrangement allows the mechanism to occupy minimal space without interfering with essential key components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension for the elastic engaging unit's movement and engagement, while the guide rail provides lateral guidance. This dimensional arrangement allows the mechanism to function effectively within the limited space available in the keyboard apparatus without interfering with horizontal component layouts.
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 achieves a natural key depression feeling with reduced variations between keys, simplified construction, and reduced weight, while avoiding interference with essential components, providing a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic engaging unit is bent during a forward stroke of key depression caused by a key depressing operation to give a reaction force to the associated key
Implementation Method 2
the elastic engaging unit suddenly decreases in an amount of bend thereof due to a change in a sliding frictional state between the other end thereof and the receiving part
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard apparatus which is capable of imparting a natural key depression feeling with a definite and positive load change, with a simplified construction. A key touch feeling-imparting mechanism imparts a predetermined key touch feeling to a key when it is depressed. The key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is comprised of a receiving part provided on a support member, and an elastic engaging unit that has one end thereof held by a key operating part of an associated key and another end thereof slidably engaged with the receiving part. The elastic engaging unit is disposed such that the elastic engaging unit is bent during a forward stroke of key depression caused by a key depressing operation to give a reaction force to the associated key, and the elastic engaging unit suddenly decreases in an amount of bend thereof due to a change in a sliding frictional state between the other end thereof and the receiving part during the forward stroke of key depression, to thereby decrease the reaction force given to the associated key.