Keyboard Pushbutton Sensor Module for Uniform Keypress Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pushbuttons in keyboards suffer from inconsistent keypress resistance due to varying elasticity of elastic members, leading to uncomfortable typing experiences caused by assembly errors.
Innovation Solution
The pushbutton design incorporates a sensor module with piezoresistive pressure sensors, scissor switch modules, and a main pushbutton module, allowing for even stress detection across the keycap, eliminating the need for individual elastic members and ensuring consistent keystroke registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple elastic members are used in switch modules, then stress detection coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to assembly errors causing inconsistent elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the elastic members from the switch modules entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused inconsistent stress detection. The sensing members directly contact the keycap without intermediate elastic elements, eliminating assembly errors related to elastic member installation while maintaining comprehensive stress detection across the keycap surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the elastic members and sensing members into a direct contact system. The sensing members themselves perform both the sensing function and provide the necessary mechanical coupling, eliminating the need for separate elastic members and reducing the number of assembly steps that could introduce errors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple switch modules are spaced apart, then stress detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into multiple sensing members positioned at different locations on the keycap. This segmentation allows comprehensive stress detection across the keycap surface while using simpler individual sensing elements rather than complex switch modules, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If elastic members are used in each switch module, then keypress detection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconsistent keypress resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the elastic members from the system, removing the source of inconsistent keypress resistance. The direct contact between sensing members and keycap provides uniform mechanical response across all keycap regions, ensuring consistent ease of operation while maintaining reliable keypress detection through the sensing members.
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
This design ensures uniform keypress resistance and proper keystroke detection, eliminating the discomfort caused by assembly errors and providing a consistent typing experience.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor module includes a first sensing member that is mounted to a top surface of the base and that is for sensing stress exerted thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A pushbutton includes a base extending in a longitudinal direction, a sensor module mounted to the base, a keycap disposed above the sensor module, two scissor switch modules, a main pushbutton module and two side pushbutton modules. The sensor module has a first sensing member and two second sensing members. The main pushbutton module is operable to switch between a released state, where the main pushbutton module is not in direct contact with the first sensing member such that each of the scissor switch modules would not be in direct contact with a respective one of the second sensing members, and a depressed state, where the main pushbutton module comes in direct contact with the first sensing member.