Keyboard Key Guide Member and Stopper Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing keyboard apparatus designs face limitations in design freedom due to the spatial constraints imposed by the placement of guide members and stoppers on both sides of the key shaft, which restricts the arrangement of other components and affects the playing feel and assembly of keys.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard apparatus incorporates a guide member with a recess on its rear surface and a stopper with a hook that overlaps the guide member's surface, allowing the stopper to be integrated within the key's cavity, reducing the size of the guide member and enhancing design flexibility while maintaining effective key displacement guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide members and stoppers are disposed on both front and rear sides of the key shaft, then key displacement guidance and key fall prevention are achieved, but arrangement space for other members is limited and design freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member and stopper are merged into a single integrated component. The guide member includes both the guided surface for displacement guidance and the stopper surface for preventing key fall, eliminating the need for separate components disposed on both sides of the key shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member performs multiple functions: it guides key displacement through the guided surface and prevents key fall through the stopper surface. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate guide members and stoppers, freeing up arrangement space.
2Reliability
If guide members are disposed on both sides of the key shaft, then key displacement is guided, but the size of the guide member increases and arrangement space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper function is combined with the guide member, allowing the stopper to be formed as an integral part of the guide member. This integration reduces the overall volume required compared to having separate guide members and stoppers disposed on both sides of the key shaft.
3Reliability
If stopper is disposed on the rear side of the key, then key fall off is prevented, but arrangement space on the rear side is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is merged with the guide member, forming a single component that provides both guidance and prevention functions. This integration eliminates the need for separate stopper components disposed on the rear side, freeing up arrangement space.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed to perform both displacement guidance and key fall prevention functions through its multiple surfaces, reducing the need for additional components and optimizing the use of available arrangement space.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a keyboard apparatus including: a key, displaced about a key axis and having a cavity opening downward formed therein; and a guide member, having a guide inserted into the cavity of the key and guiding displacement of the key by contact between a guided surface of the key and the guide. The key includes a stopper formed within the cavity. The stopper includes a base connected to the key and extending downward, and a hook formed on a lower end side of the base and displaced in a position vertically side by side with the key axis. The guide includes a recess formed on a rear surface of the guide, and the hook is inserted into the recess. The hook is formed in a position overlapping the guided surface or a position vertically side by side with the guided surface in a left-right view of the key.