Magnetic Keyswitch Assembly for Thin Notebook Keyboard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards for notebook computers face challenges in achieving a thin and small size due to the need for mechanical space for elastic components like rubber domes, which provide tactile sensation but occupy more height.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic keyswitch assembly that recovers a keycap using magnetic force, with the direction of magnetic attraction or repulsion perpendicular to the keycap's movement direction, incorporating a movable keycap, support plate, magnetic elements, and a switch component to reduce height and provide tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic components like rubber domes are used in conventional keyboards, then tactile sensation is provided to users, but the keyboard height increases due to the mechanical space required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical rubber dome component with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetic elements are positioned to generate attractive or repulsive forces that provide tactile feedback to the user without requiring the physical depth of a rubber dome, thereby reducing keyboard height while maintaining tactile sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and interaction mechanism from mechanical elastic deformation to magnetic force interaction. By adjusting magnetic field strength and positioning, the system achieves tactile feedback with reduced spatial requirements, solving the contradiction between tactile sensation and keyboard thickness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If magnetic elements are positioned to attract or exclude the keycap, then the keycap can be recovered, but the magnetic force direction must be perpendicular to the keycap movement direction requiring precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions magnetic elements such that the magnetic force acts perpendicular to the keycap movement direction. By utilizing the lateral dimension for magnetic force application rather than the vertical dimension, the system achieves keycap recovery while maintaining a compact vertical profile, though it requires precise lateral positioning of magnetic elements.
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 keyswitch assembly achieves reduced height and tactile sensation similar to rubber domes, aligning with the trend of thin and small notebook computer keyboards while conserving mechanical space.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic element attracts the metal part, and a direction of a magnetic attractive force between the magnetic element and the metal part is perpendicular to a movement direction of the movable keycap
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic keyswitch assembly includes a movable keycap, a support plate, a magnetic element, a frame and a switch component. The movable keycap includes a pivot and a metal part. The support plate supports the pivot. The magnetic element attracts the metal part, and a direction of a magnetic attractive force between the magnetic element and the metal part is perpendicular to a movement direction of the movable keycap. The frame is for accommodating the magnetic element. The switch component is disposed beneath the movable keycap. The magnetic element attracts the metal part so as to make the switch component in an OFF state as the movable keycap is undepressed. The movable keycap moves downward to trigger the switch component as the movable keycap is depressed to exceed a force threshold.