Keyboard Groove Structure for Reliable Corner Key Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
The input efficiency of laptop keyboards is affected when the corner end of keys with large lengths, such as the spacebar or shift key, is pressed, leading to invalid inputs due to the reduced distance between the key and the substrate, causing the electrical contacts to fail to connect.
Innovation Solution
A groove is provided in the substrate to increase the distance between the second key and the substrate, ensuring that the electrical contacts remain connected even when the corner end of the key is bent and deformed under pressure, by designing the groove depth to be greater than the maximum deformation deflection of the key.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a key with large length is pressed at the corner end, then the key can be actuated, but the distance between the key and substrate decreases causing invalid input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a groove structure specifically at the corner end of the key, rather than uniformly across the entire key or substrate. This localized structural modification increases the distance between the key and substrate precisely where corner pressing occurs, allowing the electrical contacts to maintain contact during corner actuation while preserving normal key function elsewhere.
2Reliability
If the groove depth is increased to prevent key deformation, then input reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the substrate structure by introducing a groove that divides the substrate into different height levels. This segmentation creates a stepped configuration where the groove portion provides increased clearance for corner key actuation, while the rest of the substrate maintains its original plane, thus adding minimal complexity only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent solves the problem by transitioning from a two-dimensional flat substrate to a three-dimensional stepped substrate with a groove. This dimensional change creates vertical clearance space that accommodates key deformation during corner pressing, allowing the electrical contacts to remain in contact without requiring excessive groove depth or complex mechanisms.
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 design ensures successful key inputs by maintaining contact between the electrical contacts, reducing the impact of invalid inputs and enhancing input efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Each key is retractably arranged on a substrate of the keyboard by an elastic member
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a keyboard and an electronic device, which can solve a problem in the related art that an input may fail when a corner end of a key with a large length is pressed, which affects the input efficiency. According to the keyboard provided in the embodiments of this application, a distance between a second key and a substrate is increased by providing a groove for mounting the second key in the substrate. In addition, in a case that distances between first electrical contacts of keys and corresponding second electrical contacts are consistent, a depth of the groove is designed to be greater than a maximum deformation deflection of the second key, so that even if a corner end of the second key is bent and deformed under a pressure, a minimum distance between the second key and the substrate can still be greater than the distance between the first electrical contact of the second key and the corresponding second electrical contact. Before the second key continues to be pressed to touch a groove bottom of the groove, the contacts are in contact to enable the second key to implement an input successfully, thereby reducing the impact of an invalid input on input efficiency.