Keyboard Key Structure with Nested Spring Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Key structures in keyboards using spring shafts are prone to deflection and damage due to exposure, leading to operational instability.
Innovation Solution
A key structure design that incorporates a scissor mechanism, a spring, a positioning base, a first cover, and a second cover, where the spring is protected by the positioning base and covers, guiding the compression and recovery directions to prevent deflection and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a compression spring is used as the spring shaft with exposed ends, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spring is easily damaged and deflection occurs during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the compression spring inside a protective cavity formed by the upper and lower plates. The spring is positioned within the cavity space, with its ends abutting against the inner surfaces of the plates. This nested structure protects the spring from external damage while maintaining the simplicity of the overall design, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the compression spring and the external environment. This cavity mediates the protection of the spring, preventing direct exposure to damaging forces while allowing the spring to function normally. The cavity walls guide the spring's compression and recovery directions, preventing deflection during operation.
2Device complexity
If the spring is exposed to the outside, then the structure is simple, but the spring is prone to damage and key cap deflection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The compression spring is nested within the protective cavity formed by the upper and lower plates. This nesting approach provides strength and protection to the spring without significantly increasing device complexity. The cavity structure is integrated into the existing key switch components, adding minimal complexity while substantially improving spring protection and preventing key cap deflection.
3Reliability
If the spring is covered and protected by positioning base and covers, then the spring is less likely to be damaged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective cavity structure with the existing upper and lower plates of the key switch. The cavity is formed as an integral part of these plates, combining the protective function with the structural components already present in the device. This merging approach improves reliability by protecting the spring while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the protection is achieved through integration rather than adding separate components.
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 enhances operational stability by protecting the spring from damage and guiding its compression and recovery, reducing the likelihood of key cap deflection during use.
Implementation Method 1
The spring abuts against the key cap. Another part of the spring abuts against the second cover... the engagement of the positioning base, the first cover and the second cover can be used to guide the compression and recovery directions of the spring
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a base plate, a key cap disposed above the base plate, a scissor abutting against the base plate and the key cap, a spring abutting against the key cap, a positioning base connected to the key cap, a first cover connected to the positioning base and a second cover slidably connected to the first cover. The scissor, the spring, the positioning base, the first cover and the second cover are located between the base plate and the key cap. The positioning base has a positioning groove and a part of the spring is located in the positioning groove. The first cover has a through hole overlapped with the positioning groove, and the spring penetrates the through hole. The second cover penetrates the through hole and abuts against the base plate, and another part of the spring abuts against the second cover.