Keyboard Hinge Design for Key Rolling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of the keyboard device structure and the need for additional guiding members to prevent key rolling result in high product costs and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard device design featuring hinges with a pair of base parts separated by a gap in the width direction and a connection part in the longitudinal direction, increasing the rigidity to curb key rolling without the need for additional guiding mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate restricting wall members and restricted wall members are provided to guide key rocking and prevent rolling, then key stability is improved, but device complexity and product costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the rocking axis for key operation, guides the rocking motion through its base part configuration, and prevents key rolling through the dimensional relationship between the connection part and base parts. This eliminates the need for separate restricting wall members and restricted wall members, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining key stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a rotational joint for key depression, a guiding mechanism through its base part arrangement, and a rolling prevention device through its connection part dimensions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the keyboard device.
2Reliability
If separate restricting wall members and restricted wall members are provided to guide key rocking and prevent rolling, then key stability is improved, but product costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the functions of key support, motion guidance, and rolling prevention into a single hinge component, the number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled is reduced. This leads to lower manufacturing costs and simplified production processes.
3Reliability
If separate guiding members are provided to prevent key rolling, then key stability is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge consolidates multiple functions into one component, reducing the number of parts that can fail or require adjustment. With fewer separate guiding members and restricting walls, there are fewer potential failure points and less complex maintenance procedures needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard device is provided, and includes multiple keys and multiple hinges. Each of the keys is supported by a support member. Each of the hinges has: a pair of base parts, joined to the support member and separated from each other with a predetermined gap therebetween in a width direction of the keys, and a connection part, connecting the pair of base parts and each of the keys to each other in a longitudinal direction of the keys. A dimension of the connection part in the longitudinal direction of the keys is set to be larger than dimensions of the base parts in the width direction of the keys.