Magnetic Hinge Touchsurface Assembly for Thin Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressable touchsurfaces in input devices, such as keyboards and touchscreens, often lack improved usability, leading to suboptimal tactile feedback and increased device thickness, complexity, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A touchsurface assembly comprising a base, a keycap, and a magnetically coupled keycap coupler that allows the keycap to pivot away from a magnet when pressed, enabling vertical-lateral travel and enhancing tactile feedback through planar translation, while using a ready/return mechanism for efficient key operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional metal snap domes or rubber domes are used for key mechanisms, then tactile feedback can be achieved, but device thickness and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key mechanisms (metal snap domes, rubber domes, springs, levers) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the keycap and corresponding magnetic sensors in the base detect key presses through magnetic field changes, eliminating the need for thick mechanical components while maintaining tactile feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic key mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback through magnetic attraction/repulsion forces, enables key press detection through magnetic field changes, and allows for thin device design by eliminating mechanical complexity. The same magnetic components enable both the tactile response and the detection function.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical key mechanisms are used, then key press detection is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precision mechanical components (snap domes, rubber domes, springs, levers) with simpler magnetic components. The magnets can be embedded using standard manufacturing techniques, and the magnetic sensors are integrated into the base, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining reliable key press detection.
3Device complexity
If magnetic key mechanism is used, then device thickness is reduced, but magnetic force must overcome to enable key press
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic magnetic force characteristics where the magnetic attraction holds the keycap in the unpressed position, but when sufficient force is applied, the keycap can overcome the magnetic force and move to the pressed position. The magnetic force is designed to be strong enough to provide tactile feedback but weak enough to allow easy key pressing.
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 provides improved tactile feedback, thinner device designs, reduced complexity, and lower production costs by enabling vertical-lateral travel and efficient key operation, thereby enhancing user experience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A keycap coupler has a first portion magnetically attracted to the magnet and a second portion cantilevered from the magnet to support the keycap in an unpressed position. When a press force applied to the keycap overcomes a magnetic force pulling the keycap coupler toward the magnet, the keycap coupler pivots away from the magnet to allow the keycap to move toward a pressed position.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for a touchsurface assembly such as a key assembly are described. The touchsurface assembly includes a base, a keycap and a magnet physically coupled to the base near to the keycap. A keycap coupler has a first portion magnetically attracted to the magnet and a second portion cantilevered from the magnet to support the keycap in an unpressed position. When a press force applied to the keycap overcomes a magnetic force pulling the keycap coupler toward the magnet, the keycap coupler pivots away from the magnet to allow the keycap to move toward a pressed position.