Slim Keyboard Key Structure with Knocking Parts for Click Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard devices, such as slim notebook keyboards, fail to generate a click sound similar to mechanical keyboards, which is an important consideration for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A key structure comprising a keycap, a scissors-type connecting element, a first knocking part, a resilience element, and a second knocking part, where the second knocking part is coupled to the keycap and moves downwardly to knock on the first knocking part when pressed, generating a click sound, and returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the resilience element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a slim keyboard structure is used, then the keyboard can be compact and portable, but it cannot generate a click sound like a mechanical keyboard
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: the keycap layer, the knocking part layer, the resilience element layer, and the base layer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the slim keyboard to generate click sounds through the coordinated action of the knocking parts and resilience elements while maintaining overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The knocking parts serve as intermediary elements between the keycap and the base. When the keycap is pressed, the knocking part is actuated and strikes the base, generating the click sound. This intermediary mechanism allows the slim keyboard to produce mechanical keyboard-like sounds without requiring the entire structure to be thick.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a mechanical keyboard structure is replicated to generate click sound, then the sound performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-film structures for the knocking parts and integrates the resilience elements in a compact manner. The keycap and surrounding components are designed as thin, flexible structures that can be pressed and return to their original positions, generating click sounds without requiring the bulkiness of traditional mechanical keyboards.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into single components. The keycap serves both as the pressing surface and as part of the knocking mechanism. The resilience elements provide both the restoring force and the acoustic feedback. This merging reduces the overall number of separate components and simplifies the structure while maintaining click sound generation capability.
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
The key structure effectively replicates the sound and feedback of a clicked mechanical keyboard, meeting consumer expectations by producing a distinct click sound and providing tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the first knocking part is moved upwardly and returned to an original position in response to an elastic force of the resilience element
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a keycap, a scissors-type connecting element, a first knocking part, a resilience element and a second knocking part. The scissors-type connecting element is coupled to a bottom surface of the keycap. The scissors-type connecting element includes an inner frame and an outer frame. The first knocking part is disposed within a space surrounded by the inner frame. The resilience element is located under the first knocking part. The second knocking part is coupled to the bottom surface of the keycap and faces the first knocking part. While the keycap is pressed down, the second knocking part knocks on the first knocking part, and the first knocking part is moved downwardly. When the keycap is not pressed down, the first knocking part is moved upwardly and returned to an original position in response to an elastic force of the resilience element.