Keyboard Key Stabilizer Noise Reduction via Plastic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large key devices on keyboards, which use metal stabilizers, generate loud noise due to resonance vibrations and potential striking against the base board when a computer plays sound through a built-in speaker.
Innovation Solution
A key device design featuring a keycap, a supporting plate, first and second stabilizing members made of plastic, and supporting members that allow the keycap to move without tilting or wobbling, with the stabilizing members sliding and rotating to reduce noise by using a plastic material and rotatable mounting sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If metal stabilizers are used in the key device, then the keycap can move smoothly without tilting or wobbling, but loud noise is generated due to resonance vibrations and striking against the base board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the stabilizers from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the acoustic properties and damping characteristics. This material substitution reduces resonance vibrations and eliminates the striking noise against the base board while preserving the stabilizing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a damping element as an intermediary component between the stabilizer and the base board. This damping element absorbs vibrations and prevents direct contact between the stabilizer and base board, thereby eliminating the striking noise while maintaining the stabilizing effect.
2Strength
If the stabilizers are made of metal material, then the structural strength is sufficient, but resonance vibrations occur when the computer plays sound through a built-in speaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the acoustic properties and damping characteristics. Plastic materials have higher internal damping, which suppresses resonance vibrations while providing sufficient structural strength for the stabilizing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the stabilizers, combining plastic base material with potential reinforcement elements. This composite approach achieves the necessary mechanical strength while maintaining the vibration-damping properties of the plastic material.
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 significantly reduces noise generation by using plastic materials and rotatable mounting sections, preventing excessive noise from vibrations and resonance, ensuring the keycap moves smoothly without striking the base board.
Implementation Method 1
vibrations of the stabilizers and the base board caused by resonance may generate loud noise
Data Source
AI summary
A key device for a keyboard includes a circuit board, a keycap located over the circuit board, a supporting plate disposed under the circuit board, a first stabilizing member, a second stabilizing member and two supporting members. The supporting plate includes two first mounting seats cooperatively defining a rotating axis extending in a first direction. Each of the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member is made of a plastic material, slidably engages the keycap, and is rotatably mounted to the first mounting seats. When the keycap is pressed toward the supporting plate, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member rotate relative to the supporting plate about the rotating axis.