Keyswitch Cap Lateral Sliding Prevention via Involute Track

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Solution Overview

Problem

The V-shaped support mechanical design in keyswitches causes lateral sliding of the cap relative to the support members, affecting the pressing feeling and motion smoothness, which is a disadvantage in thin keyboard design.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates blocks with concave and convex structures along involute tracks to prevent cap interference with support members, ensuring proper alignment and movement, thereby preventing lateral sliding and enhancing pressing feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a V-shaped support mechanical design is used to reduce keyswitch height, then the overall height is reduced, but lateral sliding of the cap occurs affecting pressing feeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyswitch heightVSAvoidpressing feeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an involute track as an intermediary element between the cap and support members. This track guides the movement of the cap, ensuring it follows a precise path and preventing lateral sliding. The involute track acts as a mediator that maintains reliable pressing feeling while preserving the low-height V-shaped support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cap is made movable relative to the board through support members, then key input functionality is enabled, but lateral sliding occurs during pressing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey input functionalityVSAvoidcap alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an involute curve (a type of curved path) to define the movement track of the cap. This curved geometry ensures that the cap moves smoothly along a predetermined path during pressing, maintaining proper alignment and preventing lateral sliding. The curved track provides both mobility for key input and stability for cap alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Duration of action of moving object

If support members are slidably connected to the cap, then cap movement is enabled, but lateral sliding relative to support members occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap movement capabilityVSAvoidcap alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-defines the movement path of the cap through the involute track structure. By establishing this predetermined path in advance, the system ensures that the cap follows the correct trajectory during pressing, maintaining high alignment precision. The preliminary action of defining the track geometry prevents lateral sliding while enabling smooth cap movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11551890B2Keyswitch preventing lateral sliding

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A keyswitch includes a cap, first and second support members slidably connected to the cap and opposite to each other, and first and second blocks formed on the cap. The cap is movable between a non-pressed position and a pressed position. The first support member abuts against the first block when the cap is located at the non-pressed position. The first block moves away from the first support member at a first gap when the cap moves downward from the non-pressed position. The first support member abuts against the cap when the cap is located at the non-pressed position, and abuts against the second block when the cap continues moving downward to the pressed position.