Keyboard Key Top Protrusion Prevents Fingernail Insertion and Light Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard structures face issues with fingernail insertion between key tops leading to key top removal and non-uniform illumination due to thick cylindrical fitting portions and light leakage from gaps between key tops.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard structure with a sheet-shaped member having a protrusion integrally formed with the key top, which prevents fingernail insertion and ensures uniform illumination by closing the gap between key tops, thereby preventing light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical fitting portion is formed on the key top to couple it to the movable plate, then the key top can be securely fixed, but the fitting portion becomes thick causing non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the fitting structure into two parts: a thin protrusion integrated into the key top body for illumination, and a separate coupling mechanism (elastic member engagement) for mechanical fixation. This segmentation allows the protrusion to remain thin for uniform light transmission while the coupling mechanism provides secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion is designed with locally optimized properties: it is thin and transparent in the region requiring light transmission, while the coupling function is achieved through a separate mechanism (elastic member with engagement portion) that provides fixation without interfering with illumination uniformity.
2Illumination intensity
If light is emitted from the entire back plate to illuminate key tops, then illumination function is achieved, but light leaks from gaps between key tops
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the light emission function from the entire back plate and concentrates it to specific light emitting portions positioned at key locations. This extraction eliminates light leakage from gaps between key tops while maintaining effective illumination coverage through strategic light source placement.
3Reliability
If a sheet-shaped elastic member is disposed between key tops to prevent fingernail insertion, then key top removal is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the key top itself: the protrusion serves both as a mechanical coupling element and as a light transmission component. The elastic member is integrated with the key top assembly rather than being a separate layer, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining prevention of key top removal.
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
Prevents fingernail insertion and key top removal, achieves uniform illumination, and maintains water-proof properties while reducing the overall height and cost by integrating the sheet-shaped member with the key top and link mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet-shaped elastic member is disposed between the key top and the movable plate
Implementation Method 2
the back plate directs the incident light toward the key top
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a keyboard structure capable of preventing a fingernail of a user from being inserted between key tops and achieving uniform illumination without illumination leakage. A key top body portion (120a) and an upper sheet (120b) are integrally formed to form a key top (120) and a flange portion (120d) is formed by protruding the upper sheet (120b) from the key top body portion (120a) toward an outer circumferential direction. A frame (122) is disposed between the adjacent key tops (120) and a gap is closed by the flange portion (120d) of the upper sheet (120b) and a flange portion (122a) of the frame (122).