Keycap Engaging Projections with Elastic Thin Parts

Solution Overview

Problem

The reduction in keycap height to minimize electronic device thickness leads to potential permanent deformation or damage of locking parts under heavy load, causing keycaps to detach from the guide mechanism.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thin, elastic regions around engaging projections on the keycap that can bend to accommodate the guide mechanism's attachment, reducing the load on these projections and preventing deformation or damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the keycap height is reduced to minimize electronic device thickness, then the device thickness is reduced, but the locking parts are prone to permanent deformation or damage under heavy load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeycap heightVSAvoidlocking part durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cap main body is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thin part around the engaging projections that is thinner than other parts. This local variation in thickness provides elasticity specifically where needed, allowing the engaging projections to bend during attachment without compromising the overall structural integrity of the keycap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the cap main body is changed in the region around the engaging projections, creating a thin part with different mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the engaging projections to have sufficient elasticity to accommodate attachment loads while maintaining the keycap's overall rigidity and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the protrusion lengths of engaging projections are reduced to minimize keycap thickness, then the keycap thickness is reduced, but the load on engaging projections increases during attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengaging projection protrusion lengthVSAvoidload on engaging projections

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cap main body is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thin part around the engaging projections that is thinner than other parts. This local variation in thickness provides elasticity specifically where needed, allowing the engaging projections to bend during attachment without compromising the overall structural integrity of the keycap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the cap main body is changed in the region around the engaging projections, creating a thin part with different mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the engaging projections to have sufficient elasticity to accommodate attachment loads while maintaining the keycap's overall rigidity and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the locking parts are made shorter to reduce keycap height, then the keycap height is reduced, but the risk of permanent deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking part lengthVSAvoidresistance to permanent deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cap main body is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thin part around the engaging projections that is thinner than other parts. This local variation in thickness provides elasticity specifically where needed, allowing the engaging projections to bend during attachment without compromising the overall structural integrity of the keycap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the cap main body is changed in the region around the engaging projections, creating a thin part with different mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the engaging projections to have sufficient elasticity to accommodate attachment loads while maintaining the keycap's overall rigidity and compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design allows for reduced keycap thickness without risking permanent deformation or detachment, ensuring stable attachment to the guide mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The thin part around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body can be provided with elasticity. Thereby, both of the engaging projections are easily bent at the time of attaching the engaging portion of the guide mechanism into the gap between the engaging projections.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10679803B2Keycap structure with respect to engaging projections

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A keycap detachably provided on a guide mechanism of a key switch includes a cap main body having a front face pressed at the time of key input and a rear face on the opposite side to the front face; and a first engaging projection and a second engaging projection, both of which protrude from the rear face of the cap main body with a gap therebetween so that an engaging portion of the guide mechanism is detachably engaged into the gap. At least a part of an area around the first engaging projection and the second engaging projection in the cap main body has a thin part thinner than other parts of the cap main body. As a result, the falling off of the keycap can be prevented.