Magnetic Keyswitch Structure for Thin Keyboard Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional keyswitch structures face challenges in achieving stable keycap movement and sufficient feedback in thin keyboards due to structural complexity and space constraints, particularly with scissors supporting members and silicone domes.

Innovation Solution

A keyswitch structure utilizing a magnetic member and bottom plate to induce an attractive force between them, driving supports that move the keycap, thereby maintaining stability and feedback while reducing structural complexity and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a silicone dome is used as a resilient member to provide restoration force, then sufficient feedback feeling can be achieved, but the disposition space required increases and structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback feelingVSAvoiddisposition space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical resilient member (silicone dome) with a magnetic field-based restoration mechanism. The magnetic member generates magnetic attraction force to restore the keycap without requiring the physical volume of a silicone dome, thereby reducing disposition space while maintaining feedback feeling through magnetic force interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and interaction mechanism from mechanical elastic deformation to magnetic field attraction. By adjusting magnetic field strength and distribution, the system achieves sufficient feedback feeling without increasing component volume, resolving the contradiction between feedback quality and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a scissors supporting member with cross-connected supports is used, then structural strength can be maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical scissors supporting member with a simplified magnetic field-based support mechanism. The magnetic member provides necessary structural support through magnetic attraction force, eliminating the need for cross-connected mechanical supports and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the support function and restoration function into a single magnetic member, rather than requiring separate mechanical support structures and resilient members. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining necessary structural strength and restoration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If the movement stability of the keycap is reduced to accommodate thin keyboard design, then disposition space is reduced, but keycap movement stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposition spaceVSAvoidkeycap movement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical restoration mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system that provides consistent restoration force through magnetic attraction. This magnetic mechanism maintains keycap movement stability within a compact form factor, as the magnetic force acts uniformly without requiring the larger mechanical structures needed in traditional designs.

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-based keyswitch structure enables stable keycap movement and sufficient feedback in thin keyboards, overcoming the limitations of conventional designs by using a magnetic attractive force to drive the keycap's movement and provide a sufficient restoration force without increasing volume or structural complexity.

Implementation Method 1

An attractive force is induced between the magnetic member and the magnetic portion. The magnetic member and the magnetic portion induce an attractive force therebetween.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attractive force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9508505B2Keyswitch structure

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A keyswitch structure includes a bottom plate, a keycap, a first support, a second support, and a magnetic member. The bottom plate has a magnetic portion. The keycap is disposed above the bottom plate. The first support and the second support are disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap. The keycap is capable of moving up and down relative to the bottom plate through the first support and the second support. The magnetic member is disposed between the bottom plate and the keycap corresponding to the magnetic portion. The magnetic member and the magnetic portion induce an attractive force therebetween. The attractive force makes the magnetic member contact and apply force to the first support and the second support so that the first support and the second support tend to move the keycap away from the bottom plate.