Linkage Keyswitch Structure for Silent Stem Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical keys produce sound due to components colliding during operation, making them unsuitable for silent keyboards.
Innovation Solution
A keyswitch structure with a linkage mechanism that controls the positions of the upper and bottom dead centers of the pressing stem, preventing it from hitting the casing and minimizing sound production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the pressing stem is directly blocked by the casing to realize dead centers, then the structure is simple, but the pressing stem hits the casing producing sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a linkage mechanism comprising a link and a pivot as an intermediary between the pressing stem and the casing. The link connects the pressing stem to the casing, and the pivot serves as a rotation point. This intermediary mechanism transmits the blocking force from the casing to the pressing stem without direct contact, thereby preventing the pressing stem from hitting the casing and producing sound while maintaining the dead center function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the direct blocking function into multiple components: the casing provides the blocking force, the link transmits this force, and the pivot enables rotational movement. By dividing the direct contact into separate functional elements, the pressing stem can achieve dead centers through the linkage mechanism without directly hitting the casing, thus reducing sound production.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a linkage mechanism is introduced to control dead centers, then sound production is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism with the link and pivot acts as an intermediary that mediates between the casing and the pressing stem. This intermediary system allows the pressing stem to achieve controlled movement and dead centers without direct impact on the casing, effectively reducing sound production while adding only minimal structural complexity through the introduction of two simple components.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyswitch structure includes a casing, a first support, a second support, and a pressing stem. The casing forms an accommodating space and an opening communicating with the accommodating space. The first and second supports are disposed in the accommodating space and are directly and rotatably connected with the casing; the supports are also pivotally connected with each other. The pressing stem extends into the accommodating space to be rotatably connected with the first and second supports and protrudes from the casing through the opening. The pressing stem is movable parallel to a vertical direction relative to the casing through the first and second supports. A motion of the pressing stem in the vertical direction has a top dead center and a bottom dead center. When the pressing stem is at the top dead center and the bottom dead center, it does not touch the casing in the vertical direction.