Magnetic Linkage Key Structure for Silent Click Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current keyswitches fail to provide effective silencing while maintaining click feedback, as existing silencing designs often compromise on sound due to inadequate plunger silencing and reliance on cushion materials that still generate noise from contact or collision.
Innovation Solution
A key structure incorporating a linkage mechanism with rotatable linking members and a magnetic unit to restrict rotation ranges and provide displacement limitation, reducing sound from collisions and offering silent click feedback through controlled movement and magnetic attraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cushion materials are used to achieve silencing effect, then the silencing effect is improved, but sound is still generated due to contact or collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cushion material-based silencing system with a magnetic field-based system. The magnetic unit generates a magnetic field that provides restoring force and tactile feedback without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating collision sounds while maintaining the silencing effect. This substitution of mechanical interaction with magnetic field interaction directly resolves the contradiction between achieving silencing and avoiding contact-induced sound.
2Ease of operation
If click feedback is desired, then tactile feedback is improved, but the keyswitch is easy to generate sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical click feedback mechanisms with a magnetic field-based feedback system. The magnetic unit provides tactile feedback through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces, creating a satisfying click sensation without the mechanical impact sounds. This allows the keyswitch to maintain excellent click feedback while achieving silent operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If linkage mechanism is used to restrict rotation range, then displacement limitation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to achieve displacement limitation without complex mechanical linkages. The magnetic unit interacts with the movable member through magnetic attraction and repulsion, providing precise displacement control and rotation range restriction. This magnetic intermediary simplifies the overall structure by replacing complex mechanical linkage mechanisms while maintaining precise displacement limitation.
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 effectively reduces abnormal sounds from collisions and provides a satisfying tactile feedback, enhancing user experience by limiting displacement without collision and utilizing magnetic forces for silent operation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic unit including a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The first magnetic member is disposed on the movable member, and the second magnetic member is disposed corresponding to the first magnetic member to generate a magnetic attraction force
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a base and a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism includes a plurality of linking members movably connected to each other. The plurality of linking members includes at least two linking members rotatably positioned on the base, respectively. When a pressing force is applied to the linkage mechanism, the plurality of linking members move associated with each other to restrict a rotation range of the plurality of linking members with respect to the base.