Nested Cylinder Mechanical Switch for Tactile Feedback and Low Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical type keyboards lack a noticeable tactile feedback and have a higher total height compared to membrane type keyboards, with the existing spring structure providing a curve in elasticity graph that results in a poor tactile sensation and limited repairability of individual keys.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical switch structure featuring a keycap, support plate, scissor unit, receiving housing, guiding outer cylinder, rotating inner cylinder, and elastic element, where the guiding outer cylinder and rotating inner cylinder interact to provide a distinct tactile feedback through a sliding mechanism, reducing the overall height and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional spring structure is used in mechanical keyboards, then the keyboard provides tactile feedback, but the total height becomes higher and the tactile sensation becomes less apparent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the rotating inner cylinder inside the guiding outer cylinder, with the elastic element nested within the hollow receiving space of the outer cylinder. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the total height of the mechanical switch while maintaining all necessary functions including tactile feedback generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic elements including the rotating inner cylinder that rotates during key pressing to generate tactile feedback, and the elastic element that dynamically compresses and rebounds. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to produce apparent tactile sensations without requiring a tall static spring structure, resolving the contradiction between height and tactile quality.
2Reliability
If a traditional spring structure is used in mechanical keyboards, then the mechanical switch functions, but the tactile sensation of bump feedback is not apparent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates tactile feedback through mechanical vibration and impact forces. When the keycap is pressed, the rotating inner cylinder rotates and its outer surface impacts the inner wall of the guiding outer cylinder, creating vibration and bump feedback. The elastic element also contributes to this by rapidly compressing and rebounding, producing apparent tactile sensations that enhance ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotation of the inner cylinder during key pressing creates time-varying contact forces and vibrations that provide rich tactile feedback. This dynamic mechanism transforms the单调 spring compression into a multi-stage tactile experience with apparent bump sensations, improving ease of operation without sacrificing mechanical switch reliability.
3Length of stationary object
If membrane type keyboard is used, then the total height is reduced, but the circuit membrane cannot be repaired when damaged and the tactility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the keyboard into independent modular units: individual keycaps, scissor units, and mechanical switches. Each mechanical switch is a self-contained module with its own elastic element and cylinders. When a key is damaged, only that specific module needs to be replaced, not the entire circuit membrane, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining low height and good tactility.
4Ease of operation
If the guiding outer cylinder and rotating inner cylinder interact through positioning bumps and sliding bumps, then the tactile feedback becomes more apparent, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the interacting cylinders: the guiding outer cylinder provides both guidance and tactile feedback generation, while the rotating inner cylinder combines rotation, positioning, and impact functions. The positioning bumps and sliding bumps are integrated features of these cylinders rather than separate components. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining apparent tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding outer cylinder and rotating inner cylinder serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide keycap movement, generate tactile feedback through their interaction, provide positioning through bumps, and enable rotation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving excellent tactile feedback.
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 solution provides a noticeable tactile feedback with a click ratio of about 50% and reduces the total height of the mechanical switch, offering improved tactility and operational stability while allowing for a more apparent bump sensation during key presses.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element is disposed underneath the rotating inner cylinder, so as to provide the rotating inner cylinder with an elastic force toward the keycap
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure with mechanical switch includes a keycap, a support plate board disposed under the keycap, a scissor unit, a receiving housing, a guiding outer cylinder, a rotating inner cylinder and an elastic element. The scissor unit guides the keycap up or down along a pressing direction. The receiving housing has a plurality of sectional boards and a plurality of sectional cutouts. The guiding outer cylinder is movably received in the receiving housing along the pressing direction, and abuts against a bottom surface of the keycap. The guiding outer cylinder has a plurality of positioning bumps and a plurality of lodging recesses. The rotating inner cylinder is received in the guiding outer cylinder and has a plurality of sliding bumps. The elastic element is located in the rotating inner cylinder to provide elasticity toward the keycap. The present disclosure also provides a mechanical switch.