Keyboard Soundproofing with Sealed Surround Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard devices generate unpleasant noise due to collisions between key components, which affects user comfort and experience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of surround-type soundproof elements on a light guide plate, base plate, or membrane circuit board to create a sealed space around each key, absorbing kinetic energy and blocking sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional keyboard structure with scissors-type connecting elements and stabilizer bars is used, then key structural strength and stability are improved, but noise is generated due to collisions between components
Solution Approach 1:
A soundproof element is introduced as an intermediary component between the keycap and the base plate/membrbrane circuit board. This soundproof element absorbs collision forces and blocks sound transmission, preventing noise generated by component collisions from propagating outward while still allowing the key mechanism to function properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful collision noise into a beneficial effect by using the collision energy to compress the soundproof element, which then absorbs and dissipates the energy while blocking sound transmission. The harmful kinetic energy from collisions is transformed into compressive force on the soundproof material, turning noise into a useful damping effect.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If surround-type soundproof elements are added to block noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The soundproof element is designed as a thin, flexible ring-shaped component that can be easily integrated into the existing key structure. This flexible film-like structure provides effective sound blocking without adding significant complexity, as it can be simply positioned between the keycap and the base plate or membrane circuit board.
Solution Approach 2:
The soundproof element is segmented into a ring shape that corresponds to the perimeter of the keycap, allowing it to be integrated into each key independently. This segmentation enables noise reduction at the individual key level without requiring system-wide structural changes, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Significantly reduces noise generation during keypress, enhancing user comfort and operating experience by blocking sound within the sealed space defined by the keycap and soundproof elements.
Implementation Method 1
the keycap is moved downwardly to compress the elastic element, the corresponding membrane switch is pushed and triggered by the contacting part... While the keycap of any key is depressed and moved downwardly relative to the base plate, the first frame and the second frame of the scissors-type connecting element are switched from an open-scissors state to a stacked state
Implementation Method 2
When the keycap of the key is no longer depressed, the keycap is moved upwardly relative to the base plate in response to an elastic force of the elastic element
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard device includes a light guide plate, a base plate, plural keys and plural surround-type soundproof elements. The base plate is located over the light guide plate. The plural keys are connected with the base plate. The membrane circuit board is arranged between the plural keys and the base plate. The plural surround-type soundproof elements are aligned with the corresponding keys. Each surround-type soundproof element is disposed on the light guide plate, the base plate or the membrane circuit board. While one of the plural keycaps is depressed and moved downwardly relative to the base plate, a sealed space is defined by the corresponding keycap and the corresponding surround-type soundproof element.