Keyboard Key Structure with Segmented Connecting Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current keyboard key structures suffer from insufficient structural strength, unreliable pressing contact, and manufacturing challenges due to the use of scissor-style connecting components and metal bending rods, which lead to deformation, abrasion, and noise issues.

Innovation Solution

A key structure featuring a frame body with independent connecting members, including pivoting and sliding rods, that focuses actions on the frame body for enhanced structural strength and smooth movement, eliminating the need for holes and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a scissor-style connecting component with a U-shaped stand is used, then the key structure can accommodate an elastic member, but the structural strength is insufficient causing deformation during pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidconnecting component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting component is divided into two separate parts: a frame body that provides structural support and connecting members that enable movement. This segmentation allows the frame body to be designed with optimal structural strength while the connecting members handle the mechanical connections, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member is extracted from the connecting component structure and positioned separately, allowing the frame body and connecting members to focus on providing structural strength and smooth movement without the complexity of accommodating the elastic member within the connecting component itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a scissor-style connecting component is used, then the key can move downward when pressed, but the pressing contact is unreliable due to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing contactVSAvoidconnecting component stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the frame body from the connecting members, the design ensures that the frame body remains stable and undeformed while the connecting members provide the necessary movement. This segmentation maintains the stability of the overall structure, ensuring reliable pressing contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the U-shaped stand forms two axis holes for connecting components, then the connecting members can be positioned, but other types of connecting components cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting component compatibilityVSAvoidframe body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame body is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different types of connecting members through standardized connection interfaces. This universality allows various connecting components to be used while maintaining a simple frame body structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If the lower end foot of the connecting component rubs the substrate, then the key structure is compact, but abrasion occurs between plastic and metal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A buffer component is introduced as an intermediary between the connecting member and the substrate. This buffer prevents direct contact and abrasion between the plastic connecting member and the metal substrate, thereby improving durability while maintaining the compact structure and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Strength

If the connecting component forms an opening for the elastic member, then the elastic member can move, but the structural strength is insufficient causing slanting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting component strengthVSAvoidelastic member movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame body and connecting members are segmented separately, with the frame body providing structural strength and the connecting members enabling elastic member movement. This segmentation allows both structural integrity and operational smoothness to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

6Ease of operation

If many holes are formed in the circuit layer and substrate for fixing the U-shaped stand, then the connecting component can be positioned, but waterproof and dust-proof performance is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidwater and dust infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting members are extracted from the U-shaped stand structure and positioned independently, reducing the number of holes required in the circuit layer and substrate. This extraction minimizes openings that could allow water and dust infiltration while maintaining accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

7Device complexity

If a metal bending rod is used as the connecting component, then the key structure is simple, but manufacturing precision is hard to control affecting yield rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnecting component structureVSAvoidbending rod precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting member is designed as a composite structure combining a plate sheet with integrated pivoting and sliding rods. This composite design provides stable structure and precise dimensions that are easier to control during manufacturing, improving yield rate while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design provides improved structural strength, smooth key pressing movement, and reliable contact, while reducing manufacturing costs and noise, and enhancing waterproof and dust-proof performance.

Implementation Method 1

Each pivoting rod pivots on one of the pivoting portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

Each sliding rod is slidably limited in one of the sliding grooves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSliding: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The elastic member is disposed between the keycap and the carrying body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9831049B2Key structure and keyboard having the same

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A key structure includes a carrying body, a frame body, a keycap and at least two independent connecting members. The frame body is disposed on the carrying body and forms plurality of sliding grooves. The keycap has a plurality of cap edges and is disposed with a plurality of pivoting portions. The at least two connecting members are each connected between the keycap and the frame body, corresponding to two of the cap edges opposite to each other. Each connecting member includes a pivoting rod and a sliding rod. Each pivoting rod pivots on one of the pivoting portions, and each sliding rod is slidably limited in one of the sliding grooves. This design has preferred structural strength, smooth pressing movement and reliable pressing contact.