Keyboard Key Stem With Elastic End Stops For Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Keyboard key modules made of hard plastic materials generate significant noise during actuation and return due to the hard plastic surfaces striking each other, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A key stem with integrated rubber elements, featuring elastically deformable end and return stop elements, is designed to reduce noise by using a combination of hard and soft material components, allowing these elements to absorb the impact at both end points of key movement, thus minimizing noise during actuation and return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard plastic materials are used for key module components, then structural strength and durability are improved, but noise during key actuation increases due to hard plastic surfaces striking each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using hard plastic material for most of the key stem (coupling section and most of guidance section) to maintain structural strength, while selectively using soft material only for the end stop and return stop elements where noise reduction is needed. This localized material differentiation resolves the contradiction by having different material properties in different locations based on functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating both hard plastic and soft material (such as rubber) into a single key stem component. The hard plastic provides structural strength and durability, while the soft material portions at the end stops and return stops reduce noise during actuation. This composite approach allows both strength and noise reduction requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If soft material elements are integrated into the key stem, then noise during key actuation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hard plastic key stem body with soft material end stop and return stop elements into a single integrated component. This combining of materials and functions within one piece reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity while still achieving noise reduction through the soft material elements.
Solution Approach 2:
By using composite materials that can be molded as a single integrated component, the patent achieves noise reduction through soft material elements without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity. The composite structure allows both material types to be incorporated in one manufacturing process rather than requiring separate assembly of multiple parts.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the key stem design is modified to reduce noise, then noise during key actuation is reduced, but compatibility with standard key module assemblies may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific portions (end stop and return stop elements) of the key stem while leaving the majority of the structure (coupling section and guidance section) unchanged. This localized modification approach maintains compatibility with standard key module assemblies while achieving noise reduction in the specific areas where material contact occurs during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by implementing noise reduction measures only where necessary (at the end stops and return stops where contact with hard plastic surfaces occurs) rather than modifying the entire key stem. This partial modification maintains adaptability and compatibility with standard assemblies while still achieving the desired noise reduction effect.
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 solution effectively reduces noise during key actuation and return while maintaining standard characteristics of the key module, allowing for minor modifications to existing key module assemblies and production processes, thereby achieving a low-noise keyboard operation without altering the standard module assembly or production facilities significantly.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section, and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem has been actuated into the actuation position, and at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section, and is designed to bear against at least one return stop section of the key module when the key stem has been actuated back into the standby position
Data Source
AI summary
A key stem for a key module of a key for a keyboard is proposed. The key stem has a coupling section for coupling a key button thereto, and a guidance section for guiding a key stem into a receiving section of the key module when the key stem is actuated between a standby position and an actuation position. The key stem is includes at least one elastically deformable end stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one end stop section of the key module when the key stem is actuated into the actuation position. The key stem also includes at least one elastically deformable return stop element, which is disposed on the guidance section and is designed to bear against at least one return stop section of the key module when the key stem has been actuated back into the standby position.