Ergonomic Keyboard Supporting Plate Curved Arc Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ergonomic keyboards require additional mechanisms to achieve an ergonomic design, increasing manufacturing costs due to the need for complex adjustments and placements of key structures, which can lead to user discomfort and repetitive stress injuries.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard device featuring a supporting plate with a curved arc profile and perforations, where key structures are installed along this profile, eliminating the need for additional adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the manufacturing process by using a flexible circuit board that deforms to match the arc shape, allowing natural hand positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional mechanisms are added to achieve ergonomic design, then user comfort is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting plate is designed with a curved arc profile instead of a flat surface, allowing keys to be arranged in an ergonomic curved layout that naturally positions hands at the correct angle, eliminating the need for additional adjustment mechanisms while achieving ergonomic benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The ergonomic curve is integrated directly into the supporting plate structure itself, combining the support function and ergonomic positioning function into a single component, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining user comfort
2Manufacturing precision
If additional mechanisms are added to achieve ergonomic design, then key positioning accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved arc profile is pre-formed in the supporting plate during manufacturing, establishing the correct ergonomic key positions in advance, which simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while ensuring precise key positioning
3Ease of manufacture
If a flat supporting plate is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ergonomic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting plate adopts a curved arc profile that naturally guides hand positioning at the correct ergonomic angle, achieving ergonomic performance without requiring complex additional mechanisms, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving user comfort
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 ergonomic design reduces user discomfort and manufacturing costs by allowing key structures to be integrated seamlessly with the curved supporting plate, enhancing user comfort without the need for additional adjustment mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible circuit board is arranged between the bottom cover and the supporting plate... after the plural key structures are penetrated through the corresponding perforations and contacted with the flexible circuit board, the flexible circuit board is subjected to deformation according to the curved arc-shaped profile of the supporting plate
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard device includes a bottom cover, a supporting plate, a flexible circuit board and plural key structures. The supporting plate is installed on the bottom cover. The supporting plate has a curved arc-shaped profile that is bent upwardly in a direction away from the bottom cover. The supporting plate includes plural perforations. The flexible circuit board is arranged between the bottom cover and the supporting plate. The plural key structures are installed on the supporting plate. The plural key structures are penetrated through the corresponding perforations and contacted with the flexible circuit board.