Keyboard Link Member Geometry for Flatness and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing scissor-type connection members in keyboards are difficult to manufacture and assemble, leading to unpredictable stroke lengths and increased labor costs, and can affect the flatness of low-keystroke keys due to manufacturing tolerances.
Innovation Solution
The keyboard device employs first and second link members with short swing arms, connected between the keycap and substrate, which are separate components, reducing assembly steps and labor costs, and allowing for precise prediction of keycap height and reduced material usage, thereby maintaining keycap flatness even with low keystrokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional scissor-type connection member with outer frame and inner frame is used, then the keycap can be guided to move up and down, but the manufacturing complexity increases and labor costs increase due to manual assembly of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outer frame and inner frame of the traditional scissor-type connection member into a single integrated link member. This link member includes a pivot arm and two swing arms that are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for manual assembly of separate components while maintaining the keycap movement guidance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The link member is divided into functional segments (pivot arm and swing arms) that are integrated into a single component. This segmentation within integration allows each part to perform its specific function while reducing overall assembly complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional scissor-type connection member with large outer frame and inner frame is used, then the keycap can be guided to move, but the stroke length becomes hard to estimate and predict
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the link member, specifically making the length of each swing arm less than half the length of the pivot arm. This parameter configuration enables accurate prediction and estimation of the stroke length, improving measurement precision while maintaining the keycap movement guidance function.
3Ease of operation
If traditional scissor-type connection member with long swing distance is used, then the keycap can be guided to move, but the stroke is hard to estimate and predicted
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring the swing arm length to be less than half the pivot arm length, the patent creates a link member with optimized swing distance that is easy to estimate and predict. This reduces design time and allows for easier calculation of stroke length without compromising the keycap movement guidance capability.
4Ease of operation
If traditional scissor-type connection member is used, then the keycap can be guided to move, but labor costs increase due to manual assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outer frame and inner frame into a single integrated link member that can be installed as one component. This eliminates multiple manual assembly steps, reduces labor costs, and improves assembly efficiency while maintaining the keycap movement guidance function.
5Ease of operation
If traditional scissor-type connection member with large size is used, then the keycap can be guided to move, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the outer frame and inner frame into a single link member with optimized geometry (swing arm length less than half the pivot arm length), the patent reduces the overall material required while maintaining the structural integrity and movement guidance function.
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 simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing tolerances, and ensures the flatness of keycaps by using shorter link members that transmit pressing forces directly and efficiently, maintaining keycap stability and uniformity across all keystrokes.
Implementation Method 1
The first pivot arm is pivotally connected to a bottom portion of the first side portion of the keycap, and each of the first short swing arms is swingably connected to the substrate
Implementation Method 2
the first link member and the second link member are separated components and are respectively connected between the corresponding side portions of the keycap and the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard device includes a substrate, a keycap on the substrate, a first link member connected between the substrate and the keycap and is adjacent to the first side portion of the keycap, and a second link member connected between the substrate and the keycap and is adjacent to the second side portion of the keycap. The two first short swing arms of the first link member are respectively connected to two ends of the first pivot arm of the first link member. A length of each first short swing arm is less than half of a length of the first pivot arm. The two second short swing arms of the second link member are respectively connected to two ends of the second pivot arm of the second link member. A length of each second short swing arm is less than half of a length of the second pivot arm.