Membrane Keyboard Flexible Circuit Deformation Through Spacer Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane keyboards face issues with key displacement and conduction failure due to improper pressing or damaged elastic devices, limiting input functionality.
Innovation Solution
A membrane keyboard structure featuring a membrane circuit body with flexible sheet bodies, flexible circuit layers, and a spacer layer with through holes, allowing deformation and contact between surrounding portions for conduction at any angle, enabling flexible key presses and maintaining functionality even with skewed or damaged elastic elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional elastic devices are used in keyboard structure, then the keyboard can provide mechanical feedback and key displacement, but the key cannot be displaced normally when pressed improperly or when elastic device is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible circuit layers with conductive patterns instead of rigid elastic devices. The flexible circuit layer can deform in multiple directions and angles, allowing the pressing part to contact the conduction point even when pressed improperly or at skewed angles. This flexible film structure replaces the traditional elastic device while maintaining conduction reliability and improving pressing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic structure where the flexible circuit layer can adapt its deformation path based on the pressing force and angle. The conductive pattern on the flexible circuit layer moves and deforms dynamically to maintain contact with the conduction point, allowing the system to adjust to improper pressing or damage in real-time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid keyboard structure with fixed conduction points is used, then the structure is stable, but the key cannot be displaced normally when pressed at skewed angles
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit layer acts as a flexible film that maintains structural stability through its adhesive bonding to the keyboard substrate while providing adaptability through its ability to deform at various angles. The conductive pattern on this flexible film can stretch and bend to accommodate pressing at different angles while maintaining electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conduction path into multiple flexible segments along the conductive pattern. When pressed at skewed angles, these segmented conductive paths can deform independently to maintain contact, allowing the structure to remain stable overall while adapting locally to various pressing angles.
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
Facilitates easier and more convenient input by ensuring contact and conduction at any angle, enhancing usability and reliability by allowing deformation through the spacer layer's through holes, thus maintaining functionality regardless of pressing angle or elastic element damage.
Implementation Method 1
the first surrounding portion can be deformed and passed through the through hole to be in contact with the second surrounding portion to achieve conduction
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane keyboard structure and a conductive method thereof allows a first surrounding portion of a first flexible circuit layer to be deformed to pass through an through hole to be in direct contact and conduction with a second surrounding portion temporarily when it is pressed through the coordination of a first flexible sheet body, first flexible circuit layer configured on the first flexible sheet body, spacer layer positioned on one side of the first flexible sheet body adjacent to the first flexible circuit layer, second flexible sheet body configured on one side of the spacer away from the first flexible circuit layer and second flexible circuit layer configured on one side of the second flexible sheet body adjacent to the spacer layer. Whereby, the present invention can achieve the contact and conduction anywhere to make the use thereof easier and more convenient.