Keyboard Structure With Segmented Elastomer Protrusions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key structures in electronic products face challenges in maintaining a comfortable pressing feel and avoiding offset issues when reducing height, leading to uncertain key press completion and potential noise generation due to rigid materials and misalignment of elastomer and metal elastic pieces.
Innovation Solution
A key structure with a key cap, support board, and elastic element featuring first and second protrusion portions on the elastomer, where the key cap presses the first protrusion to deform, and subsequently the second protrusion deforms the elastic piece to generate a key signal, avoiding direct pressing of the elastic piece and reducing noise, while ensuring stable pressing strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the height of the key structure is reduced to make electronic products lighter and thinner, then the volume of the keyboard is reduced, but the pressing feel of the key is lost and users cannot determine whether pressing is completed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing stroke is segmented into two distinct stages: first the elastomer deforms (first pressing stroke), then the elastic piece deforms (second pressing stroke). This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the overall pressing feel, maintaining a comfortable and detectable key press experience even when the total height is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the elastic elements by using different materials (elastomer vs. metal elastic piece) with different deformation characteristics. The elastomer provides initial soft deformation while the elastic piece provides subsequent rigid deformation, creating a multi-stage pressing feel that is detectable by users.
2Ease of operation
If a protrusion structure directly presses the metal elastic piece to maintain pressing feel, then the pressing feel is maintained, but noises are generated during pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer serves as an intermediary between the key cap and the elastic piece. During pressing, the elastomer first deforms and absorbs impact, then transmits force to the elastic piece. This intermediary role prevents direct rigid contact between the key cap and elastic piece, reducing noise generation while maintaining pressing feel.
3Ease of operation
If both the key cap and metal elastic piece are rigid structures to maintain pressing feel, then the pressing feel is maintained, but the pressing feel becomes too rigid and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element uses a composite structure combining elastomer (softer, more compliant material) and elastic piece (stiffer, more rigid material). This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both soft and rigid characteristics during pressing, creating a balanced and comfortable pressing feel rather than purely rigid feedback.
4Ease of manufacture
If the key is mounted by first adhering the metal elastic piece onto the thin film switch and then disposing the elastomer on the metal elastic piece, then the assembly process is completed, but offset between the elastomer and metal elastic piece may occur resulting in key function failure or changed pressing stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer and elastic piece are merged into a single integrated elastic element. This merging eliminates the interface between two separate components, preventing offset and misalignment issues that would occur during assembly. The integrated structure ensures consistent positioning and reliable key function while simplifying the assembly process.
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 provides a stable and comfortable pressing experience with two distinct stages of deformation, reducing noise and offset issues, and allowing for adjustable pressing feel by varying protrusion heights, enhancing manufacturing yield by pre-adhering the elastic piece into the elastomer.
Implementation Method 1
the first protrusion portion is pressed by the key cap and generates a deformation, so as to form a first pressing stroke
Implementation Method 2
the key cap presses the second protrusion portion to enable the elastic piece to generate a deformation, so as to form a second pressing stroke
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a key structure, including: a key cap, a support board, an elastic element, and a support element. The elastic element includes an elastomer and an elastic piece. The elastomer has a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface includes a first protrusion portion and a second protrusion portion. The support element is connected the key cap and the support board and surrounds the elastic element. When the key cap descends, the first protrusion portion is pressed by the key cap and generates a deformation, so as to form a first pressing stroke, and subsequently, the key cap presses the second protrusion portion to enable the elastic piece to generate a deformation, so as to form a second pressing stroke.