Key Structure With Magnetic Hinge Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key structures with scissor designs are difficult to assemble, have longer pressing strokes, and are not suitable for thinning designs, leading to poor sensitivity and inability to reduce structural height, which is a challenge in ultra-thinning portable computer keyboards.
Innovation Solution
A key structure featuring a bridge assembly with a V-shaped hinge design, an attractable element, and a magnet, which allows for a shorter pressing stroke, increased sensitivity, and the ability to store the key structure when not in use by rotating the hinge parts and using magnetic forces to switch between releasing and storing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scissor structure is used to support the key cap, then the key cap can be restored to its pre-pressing position, but the pressing stroke becomes longer and the overall height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge assembly is divided into a first hinge part and a second hinge part that rotate relative to each other around an axis. This segmentation allows the key cap to be restored through rotational movement rather than linear scissor expansion, significantly shortening the pressing stroke while maintaining the restoration function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a linear scissor expansion mechanism to restore the key cap, the invention inverts the approach by using rotational movement of hinge parts around an axis. The attractable element and magnet system provides the restoring force through magnetic attraction, converting the restoration mechanism from linear to rotational motion.
2Reliability
If a scissor structure is used for the key cap, then the key cap can be supported, but the structure becomes difficult to assemble and the overall height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge assembly is segmented into distinct hinge parts that rotate relative to each other, simplifying the support structure compared to a scissor mechanism. Each hinge part can be independently positioned and assembled, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining key cap support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical scissor structure with a simpler rotational hinge system combined with a magnetic field system. The magnet and attractable element provide the necessary forces without requiring complex mechanical linkages, significantly reducing assembly difficulty and overall structure height.
3Reliability
If the downward force is insufficient in the key structure, then the bi-layer circuits cannot come into contact, but increasing the force may damage the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field system provides a controllable and adjustable restoring force through the interaction between the magnet and the attractable element. The magnetic attraction force can be precisely tuned to ensure sufficient downward force for circuit contact while preventing excessive force that could damage the structure, offering optimal balance between reliability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the restoring force from a fixed mechanical spring force to a controllable magnetic force. By adjusting the magnetic field strength and the position of the attractable element, the downward force can be optimized to ensure reliable circuit contact without risking structural damage, providing precise control over the force applied.
4Length of moving object
If the key structure is designed for ultra-thinning, then the overall height is reduced, but the key structure cannot be stored to reduce height when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge assembly employs dynamic hinge parts that can rotate relative to each other around an axis, allowing the key structure to change its configuration. When not in use, the hinge parts can rotate to a storage position that reduces the overall height, providing adaptability for ultra-thinning designs while maintaining full functionality during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement in a different dimension (angular rotation around an axis) to achieve storage capability. Instead of simply compressing the structure vertically, the hinge parts rotate to reconfigure the bridge assembly, reducing the overall height when not in use while maintaining the necessary pressing stroke when activated.
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
The solution results in a lightweight, thin key structure with reduced overall height, improved sensitivity, and easier assembly, addressing the limitations of conventional designs by enabling efficient contact between bi-layer circuits and reducing structural height for portable computer keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
The magnet is correspondingly located under the attractable element for providing a magnetic force, so that the attractable element is attracted and positioned by the magnetic force.
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a key cap, a bridge assembly, a first supporting part, a second supporting part, an attractable element and a magnet. The bridge assembly includes first and second hinge parts. The first hinge part has a first pivot coupling portion and a first connecting portion. The second hinge part has a second pivot coupling portion and a second connecting portion, wherein the first and second connecting portions are connected on an axis, and the first and second hinge parts rotate with respect to the axis. The first and second supporting parts are coupled to two ends of the first and second pivot coupling portions, respectively. The attractable element is disposed on the second hinge part. The magnet is correspondingly located under the attractable element for providing a magnetic force, so that the attractable element is attracted and positioned by the magnetic force.