Keyboard Key Module Wire Clamp for Tactile Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard key modules lack an efficient and cost-effective means to provide both tactile and acoustic feedback, often requiring complex housing structures and labor-intensive assembly processes for spring-based mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A key module design utilizing a wire bracket with a curved shape and bending points, exclusively integrated into the key plunger, which provides tactile and acoustic feedback without the need for a complex housing, allowing for easy and inexpensive manufacturing and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a leg spring or torsion spring is used to provide tactile and acoustic feedback, then feedback function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to complex housing structures and fixed clamping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback-providing function from the complex spring mechanism and housing structure, and implements it using a simple wire bracket that can be directly inserted into the key plunger. This removes the need for complex housing structures and fixed clamping mechanisms, while still providing reliable tactile and acoustic feedback through the wire bracket's elastic deformation and clicking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the feedback mechanism by using a thin wire bracket instead of a bulky spring system. The wire bracket's dimensions, material properties, and bending geometry are optimized to provide the necessary elastic response and clicking sound, achieving the same feedback function with significantly reduced complexity and different physical characteristics.
2Reliability
If a leg spring or torsion spring is used to provide tactile and acoustic feedback, then feedback function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase due to labor-intensive assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback function from the complex spring assembly process and implements it through a simple wire bracket that can be easily inserted into the key plunger. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive assembly operations required for traditional spring mechanisms, while maintaining reliable feedback functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire bracket is designed to be self-installing into the key plunger through a simple insertion process. The bracket's geometry allows it to automatically position itself and provide feedback functionality without requiring complex assembly tools or procedures, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly time.
3Reliability
If traditional spring mechanisms are used, then tactile and acoustic feedback is provided, but space consumption increases due to the need for complex housing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feedback function from the space-consuming spring mechanism and housing structure, and implements it using a compact wire bracket that fits within the key plunger's existing geometry. This significantly reduces the space required for the feedback mechanism while maintaining its functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire bracket is nested within the key plunger's structure, utilizing the available internal space efficiently. The bracket's compact design allows it to be housed within the plunger without requiring additional external housing or increasing the overall key module dimensions, thereby reducing space consumption.
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 wire bracket design offers reliable and cost-effective tactile and acoustic feedback, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity while saving space, enabling precise control over the force-distance curve and feedback properties.
Implementation Method 1
The wire bracket can be curved and, for example, have at least one bending point
Implementation Method 2
Advantageously, in particular a haptically or tactilely noticeable click can be provided as tactile feedback and optionally additionally an acoustically perceptible click as acoustic feedback
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a key module (110) for a keyboard. The key module (110) has a key lifter (220) which has a coupling section for coupling a key cap for the key module (110). The key module (110) also has a module housing (230) which is designed to movably receive the key lifter (220) in order to allow a translational actuation movement of the key lifter (220) between a rest position and an actuation position relative to the module housing (230). The key module (110) also has a wire clamp (560) for providing a tactile and/or acoustic feedback. The wire clamp (560) can be elastically deflected in the course of the actuation movement. The wire clamp (560) is bent at a total bend angle of less than 360 degrees, and the wire clamp (560) is fixed to the key lifter (220).