Waterproof Keyboard Mat Flexible Sealing Tolerance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing keyboard mats face challenges in achieving precise alignment and sealing with smaller key top distances due to component setting tolerance issues, leading to potential jamming and assembly blockages, especially when key tops contact the housing, and fail to maintain a dustproof and moisture-proof seal.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard mat design featuring a one-piece surface area with a tapered connecting component that performs a bellows function, allowing flexible movement to compensate for component setting tolerance and ensuring a tight seal, with an S-shaped or semicircular cross-section tapering to maintain uniformity and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between key tops is reduced to 0.2 mm to achieve compact keyboard layout, then the keyboard size is reduced, but the component setting tolerance of +/- 0.275 mm causes key tops to contact the housing and jam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible membrane structure that can dynamically adjust its position. The membrane includes a key top portion and a seal portion connected by a flexible region, allowing the key top to move relative to the seal during assembly to accommodate component tolerance variations while maintaining proper sealing contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard mat is segmented into distinct functional regions: a key top portion, a flexible connection region, and a seal portion. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently - the key top can be positioned precisely while the seal maintains contact with the housing, absorbing the tolerance mismatch.
2Manufacturing precision
If the component setting tolerance is compensated by increasing the distance between key tops to 0.4 mm, then the assembly can be completed, but the key tops no longer function unhindered and may contact the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane allows the key top to maintain its operational freedom while the seal portion ensures continuous contact with the housing for sealing. The flexibility enables the structure to adapt during key actuation without compromising either functionality or sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal is introduced between the housing and keyboard mat to prevent dust and moisture ingress, then protection is improved, but the assembly complexity increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the keyboard mat structure itself. The seal portion is an integral part of the membrane, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining effective sealing against dust and moisture.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane structure automatically ensures seal contact with the housing through its elastic properties. The seal portion naturally conforms to the housing surface and maintains contact pressure, providing self-aligning sealing that reduces assembly precision requirements.
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
Enables precise assembly and sealing of components with smaller key top distances, compensating for setting tolerance and ensuring a dustproof and moisture-proof seal, even with tight tolerances, preventing jamming and ensuring smooth functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a said perimeter (7) which delimits said surface area (4) from the rest (8) of the key mat (1) and is designed as a connecting component (9) that connects said surface area (4) and the rest (8) of the key mat (1) to one another and performs a bellows function
Data Source
AI summary
The mat (1) has a shaping (2) for a key head (3) and a planar area (4) that is free from key heads. The planar area includes a through hole (5) for installing a projecting mountable component (6) i.e. microphone component, on a printed circuit board. The component is sealed by the through hole of the planar area. A periphery (7) included at the planar area is formed as connecting components (9) that execute a hide function. The connecting components connect the planar area and the mat with each other. The mat, the connecting components and the planar area are formed as a single piece.