Magnetic Keyboard Key Structure With Optical Cap Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboards are limited in their ability to provide continuous control over speed, strength, direction, and action, and require users to switch between different keyboards for various usage scenarios, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A key structure with a light sensing module and magnetic member that allows the cap to be easily replaced, using a magnetic attracting force for assembly or detachment, and determines the cap type based on reflected light, enabling the keyboard to adapt to different functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a keyboard uses traditional mechanical switches with caps, scissor feet, and elastic members, then the switching function is reliable, but the keyboard volume increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into modular key structures that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each key structure includes a base, carrier, and cap that can be separately manufactured and then combined, allowing for compact design while maintaining functional reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The key structure employs a nested arrangement where the carrier is positioned within the base, and the cap fits over the carrier. This nested configuration minimizes the overall volume of each key component, enabling keyboard miniaturization while preserving the switching mechanism's reliability
2Device complexity
If a keyboard provides only turning on and turning off functions, then the structure is simple, but it cannot meet the needs of e-sports gaming requiring continuous control
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard incorporates adjustable key travel distance and pressing force parameters, transforming the static switching mechanism into a dynamic system. Users can adjust the key structure's travel distance to achieve different control effects, enabling continuous control over speed, strength, and direction for e-sports applications
Solution Approach 2:
The key structure allows modification of physical parameters such as key travel distance and pressing force through adjustable components. By changing these parameters, the keyboard can adapt to different gaming scenarios, providing continuous control capability while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation
3Adaptability or versatility
If users need to switch between different keyboards for different usage scenarios, then each keyboard can be optimized for its specific function, but user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard employs universally compatible key structures with standardized interfaces between bases and carriers. Different caps with varying characteristics can be assembled onto the same carrier, allowing a single keyboard to perform multiple functions across different usage scenarios without requiring users to switch between multiple specialized keyboards
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attraction mechanism creates a spherical or radial force field around the carrier, allowing the cap to be attracted from any direction and assembled easily. This curved force field approach simplifies the assembly process and enables quick replacement of caps for different usage scenarios, greatly enhancing user convenience
4Strength
If a magnetic member is placed directly over the light sensing module, then the cap assembly is strong, but the light sensing module cannot detect the cap type
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic member is positioned at a specific location on the carrier that provides strong magnetic attraction for cap assembly, while the light sensing module is positioned at a different location to detect cap type. This spatial differentiation of functional zones allows both strong magnetic attachment and accurate optical detection to occur simultaneously without interference
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
Enables convenient replacement of caps for different usage scenarios, allowing the keyboard to provide corresponding key functions and continuous control over speed and action, enhancing user convenience and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The cap is adapted to be assembled to the carrier via a magnetic attracting force of the magnetic member or adapted to be detached from the carrier via overcoming the magnetic attracting force of the magnetic member
Implementation Method 2
After the light sensing module projects light to the cap, the cap projects reflected light to the light sensing module
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure including a base, a light sensing module, a carrier, a magnetic member, a cap, and a scissor structure are provided. The light sensing module is disposed at the base. The carrier is located above the base. The magnetic member is disposed on the carrier. The cap is adapted to be assembled to the carrier via a magnetic attracting force of the magnetic member or adapted to be detached from the carrier via overcoming the magnetic attracting force of the magnetic member. The scissor structure is connected between the base and the carrier. The carrier and the cap disposed thereon move up and down relative to the base via the scissor structure. An orthogonal projection of the magnetic member on the base is not overlapped with an orthogonal projection of the light sensing module on the base. A keyboard is also provided.