Keycap Light Transmission via Local Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users struggle to recognize keycap characters in low-light environments, as existing keycaps do not effectively utilize light transmission to enhance visibility.
Innovation Solution
A keycap design featuring a base element, cap, and character element with a specific thickness and structure, allowing light to pass through and illuminate the character, made possible through injection molding with a film and texture structure, and through holes for liquid material flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the top area thickness is reduced to enable light transmission, then character visibility in low-light environments is improved, but structural strength and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with non-uniform thickness: the top area has reduced thickness (0.01-0.3 cm) to allow light transmission and improve character visibility, while other portions of the cap maintain sufficient thickness to ensure structural strength and durability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between light transmission and structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the character element is made more prominent to improve recognition, then character visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The character element is integrated into the cap structure through injection molding, merging two components (cap and character element) into a single molded part. This reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining prominent character features for easy recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection molding process serves multiple functions: it forms the cap structure, creates the character element with appropriate thickness, and ensures proper material distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate manufacturing processes and assembly operations.
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
Enables clear recognition of keycap characters under low-light conditions by allowing light to emit and pass through the keycap, ensuring visibility in dark environments.
Implementation Method 1
A thickness of the top area is substantially greater than or equal to 0.01 cm and substantially less than or equal to 0.3 cm... allowing light to emit and pass through the keycap
Data Source
AI summary
A keycap is provided, including a base element, a cap and a character element. The base element includes a board main portion. The cap has a top portion, and a skirt portion. The skirt portion surrounds the top portion. The character element, located between the board main portion and the top portion. An area of the top portion corresponding to the character element is a top area. The thickness of the top area is substantially greater than or equal to 0.01 cm and substantially less than or equal to 0.3 cm.