Illuminated Keyswitch Spacer Layout to Prevent LED Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated keyswitch structures face issues with unevenness due to convex insulation sheets and light sources protruding, leading to structural interference and damage, which hinders smooth keycap movement and overall design aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A flat spacer is used to separate the base plate and light-emitting part, controlling the structure's size, maintaining a flat profile, and preventing the light-emitting part from interfering with other components by positioning it below the base plate's surface, thus avoiding damage and ensuring smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulation sheet is attached onto the light source and circuit board to protect the light source, then the light source is protected from electrostatic discharge, but the structure becomes convex and uneven, causing assembly difficulties and potential interference with components above the base plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flat spacer as an intermediary component between the base plate and the light-emitting part. This spacer maintains the protective insulation function while providing a flat outer surface that prevents structural interference with components above the base plate, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and flatness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a convex vertical structure to a flat planar structure by positioning the light-emitting part within a through hole of the spacer. The light source is recessed into the spacer rather than protruding, changing the dimensional arrangement from outward-protruding to inward-recessed, thereby achieving flatness while maintaining protection
2Reliability
If the light source protrudes from the circuit board to allow insulation sheet attachment, then the light source is protected, but the convex structure increases the chance of interference with components above the base plate, causing keycap movement issues or light source damage
Solution Approach 1:
The flat spacer acts as a mediator that separates the light-emitting part from the space above the base plate. This intermediary structure prevents direct interference between the light source and components like the keycap, eliminating operational issues while maintaining light source protection through the spacer's enclosing design
3Illumination intensity
If the convex insulation sheet and light source enter the opening of the base plate, then the light can pass through, but the structural configuration increases the chance of interference with supporting parts, causing keycap to fail to move smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by recessing the light-emitting part into the through hole of the spacer rather than having it protrude into the base plate opening. This dimensional reconfiguration allows light to pass through the opening while preventing the light source and insulation structure from interfering with the keycap's vertical movement, thus resolving the contradiction between light transmission and operational smoothness
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a drive circuit board under the base plate, a spacer between the drive circuit board and the base plate, and a light-emitting part on the circuit board. The spacer has a through hole communicating with an opening of the base plate in a vertical direction. The sidewall of the through hole is opaque. The light-emitting part is located in the through hole, and falls within a projection of the opening in the vertical direction. The light-emitting part has a top surface that is lower than or equal to a bottom surface of the base plate in the vertical direction. The structure of the illuminated keyswitch structure around the light-emitting part can keep flat by the spacer. The spacer can prevent the light-emitting part from structurally entering the opening, avoiding structural interference between the light-emitting part and other components above the base plate.