Slim Key Structure Using Metallic Pressing Plate and Elastic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slim-type keyboards face challenges in reducing thickness while maintaining structural strength, as the scissors-type connecting elements are essential but reduce the key structure's durability.
Innovation Solution
The key structure incorporates a metallic pressing plate and a metallic elastic element, replacing the keycap and scissors-type connecting element, respectively, along with an illumination module and a covering member to achieve slimness and enhanced structural strength, with the metallic pressing plate allowing light to pass through for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the key structure is reduced to achieve slimness, then the keyboard becomes thinner and more compact, but the structural strength is reduced and the key structure becomes readily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a metallic pressing plate with a metallic elastic element. The metallic pressing plate provides rigidity and structural strength, while the metallic elastic element provides flexibility and resilience. This composite construction allows the key structure to achieve slimness without compromising structural integrity, as the metal materials provide high strength-to-weight ratios and damage resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional scissors-type connecting element mechanism with a direct metallic pressing plate and metallic elastic element system. This substitution eliminates the complex scissors mechanism that required more thickness, while the metallic elastic element provides the necessary mechanical function through its inherent elasticity, achieving both slimness and durability.
2Strength
If the scissors-type connecting element is used to connect the keycap and base plate, then the key structure achieves adequate structural strength, but the thickness of the key structure increases and slimness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the scissors-type connecting element from the key structure. By removing this thickness-consuming component, the design achieves slimness while compensating for structural strength through the direct use of a metallic pressing plate supported by a metallic elastic element, which provides adequate strength without the intermediate mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic elastic element functions as a flexible component that replaces the rigid scissors-type connecting element. This flexible element can deform elastically to provide the necessary mechanical function while occupying minimal thickness, enabling the overall key structure to achieve a slim profile without sacrificing structural adequacy.
3Strength
If metallic materials are used for the pressing plate and elastic element, then structural strength and damage resistance are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the key structure into distinct functional components: a metallic pressing plate for structural strength and user interaction, and a separate metallic elastic element for providing restoring force. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and optimized independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite using metallic materials, as each part has a clear, singular function that can be produced through standard metal forming techniques.
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 new design results in a thinner keyboard with increased structural strength, reduced damage risk, and added luminous efficacy due to the metallic materials and illumination module, addressing the limitations of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic elastic element is subjected to deformation to trigger the switch circuit board, or the metallic elastic element provides an elastic force
Implementation Method 2
The illumination module is disposed on the base plate, and emits a light beam. The light beam passes through the switch circuit board, the opening and the light-transmissible region sequentially
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a base plate, an illumination module, a switch circuit board, a metallic elastic element, a supporting element, a metallic pressing plate and a covering member. The metallic elastic element is disposed on the switch circuit board. The supporting element is located beside the metallic elastic element. An edge of the metallic pressing plate is fixed on the supporting element. As the metallic pressing plate is swung relative to the base plate to push the metallic elastic element, the switch circuit board is triggered by the metallic elastic element. The covering member covers the base plate and the metallic pressing plate. The covering member has a light-transmissible region. A light beam from the illumination module passes through the light-transmissible region. Consequently, the key structure is illuminated.