Magnetic Keyboard Switch Layout for Quiet Tactile Key Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard keys using springs produce noise and suffer from fatigue and reduced elasticity over time, affecting performance, while magnet-based layouts can disrupt hand feeling.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic switch key design featuring a movable shaft with magnets and a conducting mechanism that includes a circuit board, infrared elements, or a Hall element to induce movement and produce electric signals, ensuring consistent magnetic attraction and adjustable hand feeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are used to provide resilience and tactile sensation, then the key can return to its original position, but noise is produced and the spring suffers from fatigue and reduced elasticity over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical resilience system with a magnetic field-based system. Fixed magnets mounted on the keycap interact with a Hall element sensor to detect key press depth and provide tactile feedback without physical contact, eliminating spring fatigue and noise generation while maintaining key return functionality through magnetic force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Hall element sensor as an intermediary between the mechanical key press and the electronic signal generation. The Hall element detects the position of the movable magnet on the keycap, converting mechanical displacement into electrical signals without requiring direct mechanical contact, thus eliminating wear and noise while preserving tactile feedback.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If magnets are used to replace springs, then noise is reduced, but the layout rationality may affect the hand feeling of the keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnetic field interaction dynamic and adjustable by allowing the Hall element to detect varying positions of the movable magnet throughout the key press range. The magnetic force and tactile feedback characteristics can be adjusted by changing the distance between the Hall element and the movable magnet, enabling optimization of hand feeling while maintaining noise reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables adjustment of magnetic interaction parameters by varying the gap distance between the Hall element and the movable magnet on the keycap. This parameter change allows fine-tuning of the magnetic force strength and tactile feedback characteristics, optimizing hand feeling while preserving the noise-free operation achieved through magnetic replacement of springs.
3Force
If the movable magnet is positioned too close to the Hall element, then strong magnetic attraction is achieved, but the keycap may stick and fail to return properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies magnetic force partially rather than continuously by positioning the Hall element at an optimal distance from the movable magnet. This partial action ensures sufficient magnetic attraction for tactile feedback and key return while avoiding excessive force that would cause sticking, achieving the right balance between magnetic pull strength and smooth keycap operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential magnetic field distribution by carefully positioning the Hall element relative to the movable magnet. This positioning ensures that the magnetic force remains within an optimal range throughout the key press cycle, providing consistent tactile feedback without creating zones of excessive attraction that would cause the keycap to stick and fail to return properly.
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 switch key provides a quiet, durable, and comfortable typing experience with consistent magnetic attraction, enhancing user comfort and key functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Opposite sides of the two fixed magnets and the movable magnet are opposite in polarities... Magnetic attraction force of the fixed magnets and the movable magnet can remain all the time
Implementation Method 2
The conducting mechanism is a Hall element. The Hall element is arranged inside the shell. The movable magnet gets close to the Hall element when the movable shaft moves downwards. A magnetic field changes to produce electric signals.
Implementation Method 3
The conducting mechanism includes an infrared transmitting element, an infrared receiving element and a shield. The infrared transmitting element and the infrared receiving element are both arranged on an inner side wall of the shell.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of keyboard keys, and a magnetic switch key is provided. The magnetic switch key comprises a shell and a movable shaft. A perforating hole is formed in a top wall of the shell. The movable shaft is inserted into the perforating hole to be capable of reciprocating motion. The magnetic switch key is more reasonable in magnet layout. The movable magnet can drive the movable shaft to reset in absence of external force. A paragraph hand feeling or linear hand feeling can be realized through the height adjustment of the magnets, so that the using comfort feeling is greatly promoted.