Keyboard Key Assembly Link Member Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard link members generate noise due to collisions with keycaps when pressed or vibrated by low-frequency sounds, as they lack stable support, leading to unwanted movement and noise production.
Innovation Solution
A key assembly design featuring a link member rotatably disposed in a pivot hole with a protruding member between the keycap and link member, which compensates for size differences and provides stable support, reducing the likelihood of noise generation by minimizing contact and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a link member is rotatably disposed in a pivot hole without additional support structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the link member collides with the keycap and generates noise
Solution Approach 1:
A protruding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the link member and the keycap. This protruding member extends from the inner surface of the keycap toward the link member, providing a stable support surface that prevents direct collision between the link member and the keycap, thereby reducing noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding member can be integrated with the keycap as a simple structural feature rather than a separate complex component. This integration approach reduces overall device complexity while still providing the necessary noise reduction function through a straightforward geometric modification.
2Device complexity
If the protruding member is integrated with the keycap, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding member is merged with the keycap as an integrated structure, reducing the total number of separate parts. This integration simplifies assembly while the specific dimensional tolerances (0.02-0.04mm height difference) are controlled during the keycap manufacturing process itself, such as through injection molding or precision machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The height of the protruding member is precisely controlled within a specific range (0.02-0.04mm difference from the link member contact point). This parameter control ensures proper support function while accommodating normal manufacturing variations, balancing precision requirements with manufacturability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the link member is supported by the protruding member, then the stability is improved, but the friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding member provides localized support at a specific point on the link member rather than extensive contact surfaces. This concentrated support point stabilizes the link member's position while minimizing the contact area and corresponding friction, allowing smooth rotational movement.
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 effectively reduces noise generation when the keycap is pressed or exposed to low-frequency vibrations, enhancing audio quality by stabilizing the link member and minimizing unwanted movement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, which is pushed down when the keycap is pressed down and pushes the keycap upward when a pressing force on the keycap is removed
Implementation Method 2
The link member is rotatably disposed in the pivot hole... the link member contacts a part of the link member pivoting portion near the opening on a wall surface surrounding the pivot hole
Data Source
AI summary
A key assembly includes a bottom plate, a keycap disposed on the bottom plate, an elastic member disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap, a link member, and a protruding member. The keycap has an inner surface facing the bottom plate and includes a link member pivoting portion protruding from the inner surface. The link member pivoting portion has a pivot hole and an opening communicating with the pivot hole and away from the inner surface. A size of the opening is smaller than a size of the pivot hole. The link member is rotatably disposed in the pivot hole. The protruding member is disposed between the inner surface of the keycap and the link member. The link member is supported by the protruding member and contacts a part of the link member pivoting portion near the opening on a wall surface surrounding the pivot hole.