Notebook Keyboard Support via Lower Casing Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin casings in notebook PCs lead to a decline in key touch feeling and reduced strength, causing the upper casing to flex and potentially damage internal components when keys are pressed, impairing the click sensation and compromising the structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A casing structure with a lower casing featuring an inner bottom and a supporting wall portion that integrates a supporting face to prevent the upper casing from flexing during key depression, enhancing key touch feeling and overall strength by providing rear-side support to the keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the upper casing is formed thinly to reduce weight, then the weight of the notebook PC is reduced, but the strength of the upper casing decreases causing flexing when keys are pressed
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the upper casing and transferred to the lower casing. The lower casing is divided into functional zones including the supporting face that specifically supports the keyboard, allowing the upper casing to remain thin while the lower casing provides structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is moved from the upper dimension (upper casing) to the lower dimension (lower casing). By providing support from beneath rather than from the upper casing itself, the design enables thin upper casing while maintaining strength through the lower casing's supporting face.
2Weight of moving object
If the upper casing is formed thinly, then the weight is reduced, but the key touch feeling deteriorates because the upper casing sinks when keys are depressed
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is separated from the upper casing and assigned to the lower casing's supporting face. This segmentation allows the upper casing to remain thin for weight reduction while the lower casing provides the necessary support to maintain key touch feeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting face acts as an intermediary structure between the keyboard and the lower casing. It provides the necessary support to prevent upper casing flexing and maintain key touch feeling, while allowing the upper casing to remain thin.
3Weight of moving object
If the upper casing is formed thinly, then weight is reduced, but the reliability decreases because strong pressure may damage internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is segmented from the upper casing and transferred to the lower casing. The lower casing's supporting face and wall portions provide structural strength to protect internal components, while the upper casing remains thin for weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is moved from the upper dimension to the lower dimension. By providing structural support and protection from the lower casing rather than the upper casing, the design enables thin upper casing while maintaining reliability through the lower casing's robust structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus of the present invention includes an upper casing 11, a lower casing 12 coupled to the upper casing 11 and forming a space for housing at least an electrical element, and a keyboard 3 disposed on the upper casing 11. The lower casing 12 includes a wall portion 13d arranged to stand from the inner bottom 12d, and a supporting face 13a formed integrally with the wall portion 13d from the wall portion 13d in a direction substantially parallel to the inner bottom 12d. The supporting face 13a is disposed at a position where the rear side of the operational side of the keyboard 13 can be supported. With such a configuration, key touch feeling of the keyboard can be prevented from declining, and an excellently robust information processing apparatus can be achieved.