Magnetic Key Structure for Ultra-Thin Mechanical Keyboard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical keyboards require a thick structure to provide tactile feedback and durability, which hinders the development of ultra-thin designs and increases manufacturing costs due to the use of springs for restoring force.

Innovation Solution

A key structure incorporating a housing, a shaft body, a first magnetic component, and a second magnetic component, where the second magnetic component applies a magnetic repulsive force to provide a restoring force, allowing for adjustable keystrokes and click feedbacks while reducing the overall height and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical keyboard uses a spring to provide restoring force and tactile feedback, then the durability and tactile feel are improved, but the overall height of the key structure increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidoverall height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical spring system with a magnetic field system. The first magnetic component is disposed on the shaft body and the second magnetic component is disposed on the housing, creating magnetic repulsion that provides the restoring force. This substitution eliminates the need for a thick spring mechanism, thereby reducing the overall height while maintaining durability and tactile feedback through magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a primarily vertical (one-dimensional) spring compression mechanism to a magnetic field interaction system that operates in multiple dimensions. The magnetic components can be positioned at different locations and orientations, allowing the restoring force to be generated through magnetic repulsion in various spatial configurations, thus achieving compact design with reduced height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical keyboard uses a spring to provide restoring force, then the tactile feedback is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile feedbackVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring system with a magnetic field system. The first magnetic component is disposed on the shaft body and the second magnetic component is disposed on the housing, creating magnetic repulsion that provides the restoring force. This substitution eliminates the need for a thick spring mechanism, thereby reducing the overall height while maintaining durability and tactile feedback through magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter to provide tactile feedback. By adjusting the magnetic properties, spacing, and configuration of the magnetic components, the restoring force and click feedback can be optimized without requiring complex mechanical spring designs, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a membrane keyboard uses a rubber cap for pressing tactility, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but the durability deteriorates due to aging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rubber cap deformation mechanism with a magnetic field interaction system. The first magnetic component is disposed on the shaft body and the second magnetic component is disposed on the housing, creating magnetic repulsion that provides the restoring force. This substitution eliminates the need for a thick spring mechanism, thereby reducing the overall height while maintaining durability and tactile feedback through magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 magnetic key structure offers high durability, customizable tactile feedback, and reduced height, enhancing user experience and cost-effectiveness by utilizing magnetic components for restoring force instead of traditional springs.

Implementation Method 1

the second magnetic component applies a magnetic repulsive force component in a release direction to the first magnetic component, so as to provide a restoring force in the release direction to the shaft body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsive force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11670465B2Key structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 LITE ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LTD

AI summary

A key structure is provided, including a housing, a shaft body, a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component. The housing has a bottom portion and a top portion which are opposite to each other, and has a first opening located at the top portion. The shaft body is coupled with the housing by passing through the first opening, and the shaft body is suitable for being pressed to move in a pressing direction from the top portion to the bottom portion. The first magnetic component is arranged on the shaft body. The second magnetic component is arranged on the housing. The first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are separated by the housing.