Thin Keyboard Keyswitch with Capacitive Sensing and Vibration Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thin-typed keyboards lack force feedback, making it difficult for users to confirm key presses, and existing force feedback solutions increase keyboard thickness, not aligning with the thin-typed design trend.
Innovation Solution
A keyswitch with a force feedback function incorporating a vibration source, switch circuit, and controller that outputs pressing and releasing vibrations based on keyswitch status changes, with a sustain period and cumulative pressing time to simulate the feel of a mechanical keyboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional mechanical keyboard with large stroke is used, then force feedback is provided, but the keyboard thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical switch structure with a capacitive sensing mechanism that detects key press status through electrical field changes rather than mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the need for thick mechanical components while maintaining the ability to detect and respond to key presses, thereby providing force feedback in a thin keyboard design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) as the substrate for the capacitive sensing elements. These thin films enable the keyboard to achieve a sleek, thin profile while still incorporating the necessary sensing and actuation components to provide force feedback functionality.
2Length of stationary object
If a thin-typed keyboard with small-stroke or touch keyswitch is used, then keyboard thickness is decreased, but force feedback is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a vibration actuator that generates tactile feedback by vibrating the keycap or keyswitch assembly when a key is pressed. This mechanical vibration provides users with sensory confirmation of key press status, effectively replacing the traditional mechanical force feedback while maintaining the thin keyboard profile enabled by capacitive sensing.
3Length of stationary object
If capacitive sensing is used to detect key press status, then keyboard thickness is reduced, but user confirmation of key press completion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that provides tactile vibration to the user upon detecting a key press through the capacitive sensor. This feedback loop confirms to the user that the key press has been registered, addressing the lack of sensory confirmation inherent in silent capacitive switching while preserving the thin keyboard design.
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
Provides users with tactile feedback during key presses and releases, enhancing the typing experience while maintaining a slim keyboard profile by using vibrations to confirm key presses and releases.
Implementation Method 1
triggering a vibration source to output a pressing vibration to the keyswitch when the keyswitch is changed from a released status to a pressed status
Data Source
AI summary
A keyswitch with force feedback function includes a vibrating source, a switching circuit and a controller. The vibrating source is connected to a cap of the keyswitch. The switching circuit is switched on according to states of the keyswitch. The controller is electrically connected to the vibrating source and the switching circuit. When the switching circuit is switched on, the controller outputs a first driving signal to the vibrating source, and the vibrating source transmits a pressing vibration to the cap of the keyswitch. A period of the first driving signal is smaller than or equal to a predetermined period, a user can feel vibration of the keyswitch due to the pressing vibration.