Keyboard Key Structure With See-Through Slots for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical keyboard key structures face challenges in complex assembly and high production costs due to intricate design requirements, leading to difficulties in demolding and limited appearance design options for the upper casing during plastics injection molding.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard key structure incorporates see-through slots in the upper casing, allowing for simplified assembly with the lower casing and reduced design size, enabling easier demolding and greater freedom in appearance design, while maintaining the internal cavity structure with a press shaft and spring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the assembly structure between the upper casing and the lower casing is complex, then the mechanical strength and stability are improved, but the demolding difficulty increases and appearance design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The upper casing is segmented into a main body and a separate decorative cover, allowing the main body to be molded with simple geometry for easy demolding, while the decorative cover provides the complex appearance design. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating structural simplicity from aesthetic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative cover is nested onto the upper casing main body, creating a layered structure where the simple main body ensures easy demolding while the nested decorative cover provides appearance freedom. This nesting approach maintains assembly stability without complicating the molding process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the assembly structure between the upper casing and the lower casing is complex, then the mechanical strength and stability are improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the upper casing into a simple main body and a separate decorative cover, the invention reduces the complexity of the molded structure while maintaining appearance design freedom. The simple main body structure lowers production cost and improves demolding ease, while the decorative cover provides the necessary aesthetic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative function is extracted from the main structural body, allowing the upper casing main body to be molded with simple geometry for low cost and easy demolding. The decorative cover is added separately to provide appearance design freedom without complicating the core molding process.
3Volume of moving object
If the upper casing design size is reduced, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the assembly stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative cover is nested onto the upper casing main body, allowing the main body to be compact and cost-effective while the nested cover provides structural reinforcement and appearance design. This nesting maintains assembly stability despite the reduced overall size.
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 design simplifies the assembly process, reduces production costs, and enhances yield and design flexibility for mechanical keyboards, allowing for more efficient manufacturing and aesthetic customization.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, which is contained in the cavity and elastically supported between the lower casing and the press shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard key structure comprises a lower casing, an upper casing, a press shaft and a spring; the lower casing comprises a base and two hooks extend upward from the base; the upper casing comprises a top wall, an annular peripheral wall around the periphery of the top wall, and a through opening from the top wall, and is further provided with two see-through slots arranged on both sides of the through opening and the hooks are buckled in the see-through slots so that the lower casing and the upper casing are assembled vertically to form an internal cavity; the press shaft is contained in the cavity, and the top of the press shaft passes through the through opening; and the spring is contained in the cavity and elastically supported between the lower casing and the press shaft.