Keyboard Key Structure With Protective Frame for Easier Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional keyboard key structures have exposed supporting elements and elastic components that are prone to damage and contamination during assembly and use, and the manufacturing process is inefficient due to the complex assembly requirements.

Innovation Solution

A key structure and keyboard design that incorporates a frame with grooves to secure the end part of the supporting element, which is fixed to the base via fastening or adhesion, ensuring the supporting and elastic components are covered and protected, simplifying assembly and manufacturing by using a unitary plastic frame with grooves to house the end parts of the supporting elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the supporting elements are disposed and pivot on the base between the keycap and base, then the keycap can move upward and downward relative to the base, but the supporting elements and elastic element are exposed and easily broken or smudged by solids or exposed to liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeycap movementVSAvoiddamage and contamination to supporting elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the frame as a protective enclosure that covers the supporting elements and elastic element, similar to how flexible shells protect internal components. The frame acts as a barrier between the exposed components and harmful external factors (solids and liquids), resolving the contradiction by maintaining keycap movement functionality while protecting the vulnerable supporting elements from damage and contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The frame serves as an intermediary protective structure between the keycap assembly and the base, enclosing the supporting elements and elastic element. This intermediary structure allows the keycap to move relative to the base while preventing direct exposure of the supporting elements to harmful factors, thus resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the supporting elements are disposed and pivot on the base between the keycap and base, then the key structure can function, but manufacturing assembly is not very convenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey structure functionalityVSAvoidassembly convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the frame with the base into an integrated structure where the frame is disposed on the base. This combination simplifies manufacturing assembly by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled, while still maintaining the functional integrity of the key structure. The integrated frame-base assembly provides both structural support and protective enclosure without requiring complex multi-step assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20090174579A1Keyboard and key structure thereof

Publication Date: 2009.07.09 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A keyboard and key structure thereof includes a keycap, an elastic element, a supporting element, a base and a frame. The elastic element is located below the keycap. The supporting element has a supporting part, a connecting part and an end part, wherein the supporting part supports the keycap and the connecting part connects the supporting part and the end part. The base supports the elastic element. The frame secures the end part on the base. A keyboard includes a plurality of key structures.