Keyboard With Isolated Key Haptics Using Segmented Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Information Handling Systems (IHSs) lack effective mechanisms for providing haptic feedback in a way that is both portable and efficient, particularly in thinner keyboard designs where key travel is minimized, leading to a need for innovative solutions that enhance user interaction without increasing device thickness.
Innovation Solution
The integration of mechanical actuators, sensor layers, and flexible membranes in haptic key areas of keyboards, where each key plate includes protrusions that contact the sensor layer to activate the actuator, generating localized haptic feedback and isolating it to the pressed key, while flexible membranes constructed from elastomers dampen feedback and maintain a combined thickness of less than 2.2 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If thinner keyboard designs are used to improve portability, then device thickness is reduced, but haptic feedback effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into discrete haptic key areas with individual mechanical actuators, sensor layers, and flexible membranes for each key. This segmentation allows independent haptic feedback control for each key while maintaining a thin overall profile, resolving the contradiction between reduced thickness and effective haptic feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible membranes made from elastomers are used as key plates and separation structures. These thin flexible films provide the necessary mechanical compliance for haptic feedback while maintaining a compact, thin keyboard design, enabling effective haptic feedback without increasing device thickness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If flexible membranes are used to dampen haptic feedback, then feedback isolation is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thin flexible membranes made from elastomers serve as both key plates and dampening structures. These membranes effectively isolate haptic feedback between adjacent keys while maintaining a thin profile, achieving feedback isolation without significantly increasing device thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of elastomer materials provides both structural support and haptic dampening properties in a single layer. This composite material approach achieves effective feedback isolation while minimizing the thickness required for the dampening function.
3Measurement precision
If protrusions are added to key plates for sensor contact, then key activation precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane key plates with protrusions can be manufactured as single-piece elastomer components using molding techniques. This approach achieves precise sensor contact while maintaining manufacturing efficiency, as the flexible material allows for integrated formation of both the key surface and activation protrusions.
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 solution provides precise and isolated haptic feedback to users, confirming keystrokes and supporting efficient key usage, while maintaining a low profile that allows for thinner IHS devices and the inclusion of ports, enhancing user experience without increasing device thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical actuator; wherein, when a key plate is pressed, one or more of the protrusions of the pressed key plate contact the sensor layer to trigger activation of the mechanical actuator to generate haptic feedback
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of flexible membranes that dampen haptic feedback and separate each of the haptic key plates from neighboring haptic key plates; the plurality of flexible membranes are constructed from an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide haptic feedback within areas of keyboard using a single haptic device, while isolating the feedback to keys that are being pressed. A keyboard may include multiple key areas. Each key area includes a mechanical actuator. Each key area also includes a sensor layer located below a plurality of haptic key plates and located above the mechanical actuator. Each key area also includes a flexible membrane that dampens haptic feedback and separates each of the haptic key plates from neighboring key plates. Each key area also includes haptic key plates that each include one or more protrusions. When a key plate is pressed, protrusions of the pressed key plate contact the sensor layer to trigger activation of the mechanical actuator to generate haptic feedback. The protrusions of the pressed key plate transmit the generated haptic feedback from the mechanical actuator to the key plate.