Magnetically Rotating Key Switch for Adjustable Typing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboards struggle to accommodate diverse user preferences for key press feedback, making it difficult to design a single keyboard that suits a wide range of users.
Innovation Solution
A depressible key structure for a keyboard that includes a rotatable middle key stem with a magnetized element, a U-shaped metal bar, and a coil to generate a magnetic field, allowing the key stem to rotate between two positions and provide different feedback effects based on the magnetic field setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single keyboard design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but it cannot accommodate diverse user preferences for key press feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The keyswitch incorporates a rotatable middle key stem that can dynamically change its rotational position between at least two positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the same physical keyswitch to provide different feedback profiles (e.g., clicky vs. linear) by rotating the middle key stem to different angular positions, enabling a single keyboard to adapt to diverse user preferences without requiring multiple different keyboards
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rotational parameter of the middle key stem to alter the feedback characteristics. By rotating the middle key stem to different angular positions, the mechanical interaction between key components changes, producing different tactile feedback profiles. This parameter change approach allows one keyboard design to provide multiple feedback types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of keyswitch feedback profile is required, then feedback customization is achieved, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a sensor that automatically detects which application is currently running and autonomously rotates the middle key stem to the appropriate position corresponding to that application's feedback preference. For example, when a word processing application is detected, the system automatically configures the keyswitch for clicky feedback; when a gaming application is detected, it configures for linear feedback. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual user adjustment, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining feedback profile customization
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses application detection as feedback to automatically adjust the keyswitch configuration. The sensor provides information about the current application state, and this feedback is used by the control system to automatically rotate the middle key stem to the correct position, creating a closed-loop system that continuously adapts to user needs without manual intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If the upper key stem rotates with the middle key stem, then the key cap orientation changes with feedback profile, but key layout consistency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The key stem is segmented into distinct rotational components: the middle key stem that rotates to change feedback profile, and the upper key stem that remains fixed in orientation. This segmentation allows the middle key stem to independently rotate between different angular positions for different feedback types while the upper key stem and key cap maintain their original orientation, preserving key layout consistency while enabling feedback profile switching
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling between the middle key stem and upper key stem is designed asymmetrically to allow rotation in one direction (middle key stem rotation for feedback switching) while preventing rotation in the other direction (upper key stem rotation that would change key cap orientation). This asymmetric design enables feedback profile switching without altering key cap orientation, maintaining both adaptability and compositional stability
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 key structure can automatically adjust the feedback profile without requiring manual interaction, allowing users to switch between different feedback types easily, enhancing user experience by accommodating various preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a coil having a first side and a second side, the coil coupled to the metal bar, the coil, when energized by a power source, operable to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
the metal bar conducts the magnetic field from the first side of the coil, to the first end of the metal bar, to the magnetized element of the rotatable middle key stem, to the second end of the metal bar, and to the second side of the coil, making a magnetic circuit
Implementation Method 3
a second biasing element (e.g., a coiled spring, helical compression spring) that provides a restoring force that moves the key structure from a depressed position to an unpressed position
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure comprising an upper and lower key stem, a rotatable middle key stem including a magnetized element disposed therein, the rotatable middle key stem coupled between and in axial alignment with the upper and lower key stems, and a magnetic field generator configured to steer a magnetic field through the magnetized element of the rotatable middle key stem. The rotatable middle key stem is operable to be longitudinally rotatable between a first and second position, while the upper and lower key stems are rotationally fixed. The generated magnetic field, when at a first setting, applies a first magnetic force on the magnetized element causing the middle key stem to rotate to the first position, and when at a second setting, applies a second magnetic force on the magnetized element causing the middle key stem to rotate to the second position.