Keyboard Flexible Rod Connecting Portion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard apparatuses face challenges in reducing size while allowing key movement and deformation in various directions, often requiring larger thin plates that increase the load when bent, or smaller plates that are heavy, and struggle to maintain positional accuracy due to manufacturing errors and changes over time.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard apparatus featuring a flexible rod-like connecting portion with a bent neutral axis, allowing pivotal movement of keys by incorporating a first straight rod portion, a second straight rod portion, and an intermediate curved rod portion, which enables flexibility in multiple directions and reduces the impact of key deformation on the visible portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If larger thin plates are used to reduce load when bent, then the keyboard apparatus needs to be made larger, but if smaller thin plates are used, then the load when bent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connecting structure into multiple segments: a first connecting portion with a horizontal thin plate for pivotal movement, and a second connecting portion with a vertical thin plate for movement in the direction keys are arranged. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized independently, reducing the load on each while maintaining overall structural integrity without increasing the total apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using a single horizontal thin plate to a two-dimensional arrangement by adding a vertical thin plate connected in series. This dimensional change allows the system to handle both pivotal movement and lateral movement separately, reducing the bending load on each individual plate while maintaining compact size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thin plates are connected in series to allow movement in multiple directions, then key movement flexibility is improved, but the region required for arrangement of thin plates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure is segmented into a first connecting portion for pivotal movement and a second connecting portion for lateral movement. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each movement type while maintaining a compact overall arrangement that does not significantly increase the required region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of pivotal movement and lateral movement into a single integrated connecting structure composed of two thin plates connected in series. This combination allows the system to achieve multi-directional key movement flexibility within a compact region by efficiently utilizing spatial arrangement.
3Area of stationary object
If smaller thin plates are used to reduce size, then the keyboard apparatus size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to heavy load on small plates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connecting structure into multiple thin plates, each plate can be smaller in size while maintaining adequate load bearing capacity. This segmentation reduces the bending moment on each individual plate, allowing for smaller dimensions without compromising structural integrity or requiring excessive manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters by using multiple thin plates connected in series rather than a single large plate. This parameter change distributes the mechanical load across multiple components, reducing the stress on each individual plate and allowing for smaller sizes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility and positional accuracy.
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
This configuration allows for reduced size and weight of the keyboard apparatus while maintaining high positional accuracy and durability, as the flexible rod-like member can absorb deformation effects, stabilizing key movement and improving touch sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member having a rod shape and having flexibility that enables the key to pivot with respect to the frame. The flexible member includes a portion that, in entirety of a range of pivotal movement of the key, maintains a state in which a neutral axis of the flexible member is bent.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard apparatus includes: a key; a frame; and a connecting portion configured to connect the key and the frame to each other. The connecting portion includes a flexible member having a rod shape and having flexibility that enables the key to pivot with respect to the frame. The flexible member includes a portion that, in entirety of a range of pivotal movement of the key, maintains a state in which a length of a line extending along a neutral axis of the flexible member between two points located on the neutral axis is greater than a length of a straight line connecting the two points to each other.