Keyboard Key Structure with Stabilizer Bar for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard key structures with stabilizer bars suffer from noise generation due to collisions between the keycap and stabilizer bar, and assembly interference caused by manufacturing tolerance, leading to a less-than-ideal user experience.
Innovation Solution
A key structure design that eliminates the gap between the keycap and stabilizer bar by using a frame member with hooks, clamping members, and leg parts, allowing only controlled movement and rotation, thereby reducing noise and assembly interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a gap is reserved at the junction between the stabilizer bar and the keycap to avoid assembly interference, then assembly tolerance is accommodated, but collision or movement between the keycap and stabilizer bar is readily generated causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilizer bar as an intermediary component between the keycap and the keyboard body. The stabilizer bar includes a shaft portion that fits into a shaft hole and leg portions that extend under the keycap, acting as a mediator that connects and stabilizes the keycap while accommodating manufacturing tolerances without causing noise
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer bar is designed with dynamic characteristics where the shaft portion can rotate within the shaft hole and the leg portions can flexibly support the keycap. This dynamic design allows the stabilizer bar to adapt to manufacturing variations while maintaining stable keycap operation and preventing collision noise
2Adaptability or versatility
If the multiple key is made with much larger length than width, then the key provides special appearance and functionality, but the key is readily tilted and even jammed when pressed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stabilizer bar into distinct functional portions: a shaft portion for vertical support and rotation, and leg portions for lateral stabilization under the keycap. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function, preventing the long keycap from tilting or jamming while maintaining its extended functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer bar extends the stabilization mechanism from a single-point support to a multi-dimensional structure with the shaft portion providing vertical support and the leg portions providing lateral support in horizontal dimensions. This dimensional expansion stabilizes the long keycap against tilting and jamming
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a frame member, a keycap and a stabilizer bar. The keycap includes first and second clamping members. The first clamping member includes a first upper stopping part, a first lower stopping part and a first lateral stopping part. The second clamping member includes a second upper stopping part, a second lower stopping part and a second lateral stopping part. The stabilizer bar includes a shaft part, a first leg part and a second leg part. The shaft part is received within a hook of the frame member. The first leg part is received within the first clamping member. The second leg part is received within the second clamping member. The first lateral stopping part is pushed against the first leg part along a first direction. The second lateral stopping part is pushed against the second leg part along a second direction.