Keycaps Positioning Mechanism for Thin Chassis Error Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic apparatuses with thinner chassis designs face interference issues between the display and keyboard units when closed, leading to potential erroneous key inputs due to keycap pressing during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard unit with keycaps that move between use and non-use positions via a biasing force, controlled by a key-position setting mechanism and sensor system, which disables key inputs when keycaps are pressed down to prevent interference and erroneous inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If keycaps are pressed down during closing of the display chassis to avoid interference, then the chassis can be thinner, but erroneous key input signals may be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The key-position setting mechanism performs preliminary action by moving the keycaps to the second position (pressed-down state) before the display chassis fully closes, preventing interference between the display and keyboard. The controller disables key input signals during this transition phase, so any accidental pressing during closure does not generate erroneous inputs. This preliminary positioning resolves the contradiction by preparing the system in advance to avoid both interference and false inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the key-position setting mechanism to control the validity of key input signals. When the mechanism detects that keycaps are being moved to the second position during display closure, it provides feedback to the controller to disable key input processing. This feedback loop ensures that the system responds appropriately to the mechanical state, preventing erroneous inputs while maintaining the ability to detect legitimate key presses when keycaps are in the first position.
2Reliability
If keycaps are kept in the first position for normal operation, then key input functionality is maintained, but the chassis thickness increases due to interference with the display
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the position of the keycaps between the first position (for normal operation) and the second position (for thin chassis configuration). The key-position setting mechanism allows the keyboard unit to adapt its state based on the display chassis angle, being elastically movable between positions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either key input functionality or chassis thickness depending on the operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the keycaps from the first position to the second position based on the display chassis rotation angle. When the display is closed or at small angles, the keycaps are moved to the second position to reduce chassis thickness. When the display is open for normal use, keycaps return to the first position to maintain full functionality. This parameter change allows the system to resolve the contradiction between thickness and functionality.
3Reliability
If a key-position setting mechanism is added to move keycaps between positions, then erroneous inputs are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key-position setting mechanism is merged with the existing hinge mechanism that connects the display chassis to the main body chassis. The key-position setting mechanism interlocks with the hinge mechanism rotation, so that a single rotational motion simultaneously controls both the display position and the keycap position. This merging reduces overall device complexity by combining two functions into one integrated mechanism rather than adding an independent system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects the display chassis to the main body, enables display rotation, and simultaneously drives the key-position setting mechanism to move keycaps between positions. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by making the hinge mechanism universal, eliminating the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
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 a thinner chassis design while preventing erroneous motions or inputs by ensuring keycaps are only active at the use position, enhancing operational reliability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a keyboard unit having a plurality of keycaps configured to move upward and downward between a first position where the keycaps move upward due to a biasing force of an elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus having a thinner chassis by pressing keycaps and capable of avoiding an erroneous motion or an erroneous input. An electronic apparatus includes: a key-position setting mechanism configured to interlock with a rotation of a display chassis and a main body chassis via a hinge mechanism to move keycaps from a first position to a second position; and a controller configured to enable a key input signal from the keycaps when the keycaps are at least at the first position and to disable a key input signal from the keycaps when the key-position setting mechanism moves the keycaps to the second position.