Optical Keyboard Switch with Varying Aperture for Pressing Degree Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current keyboards cannot determine the pressing degree of a keyswitch, which affects the user's pressing experience and the feedback provided.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design incorporating an elastic element, a light emitter, a light receiver, and a pressing element with a varying opening width along the optical path, allowing the light receiver to determine the pressing action and degree by varying luminous flux, and improving user experience through a specific force-stroke profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional keyswitch is used to detect pressing actions, then the keyboard can determine whether a key is pressed, but it cannot determine the pressing degree
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical switch contact detection method with an optical detection system. A light emitter emits light through a varying width opening in the pressing element, and a light receiver detects the luminous flux. As the pressing element moves down, the opening width changes, modulating the light flux to encode pressing degree information, thereby achieving precise pressing degree measurement without complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of a light emitter, a varying width opening, and a light receiver. The varying width opening acts as a mediator that translates the mechanical pressing motion into optical signal variations. The light flux through the opening serves as an intermediary carrier that conveys pressing degree information from the pressing element to the detection circuit.
2Measurement precision
If the opening width is kept constant in the pressing element, then the structure is simple, but the light receiver cannot accurately determine pressing degree
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the opening width in the pressing element non-uniform. Specifically, the opening has a varying width along the pressing direction, with different sections having different widths. This local variation in opening width creates corresponding variations in light flux at different pressing depths, enabling the light receiver to distinguish different pressing degrees through the modulated optical signal.
3Ease of operation
If the elastic element provides linear force-stroke characteristics, then the pressing feel is consistent, but the user experience is less engaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by designing the elastic element with non-linear force-stroke characteristics. The elastic element is configured to provide different force levels at different pressing stages: a first force in a first stroke range and a second force (different from the first) in a second stroke range. This dynamic force variation creates a more engaging and informative pressing experience, allowing users to感知 different phases of the pressing action through 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
Enables the keyboard to accurately determine pressing actions and degrees, enhancing user feedback and preventing damage by adjusting the pressing element's position and force correlation, thus improving the overall pressing experience.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitter is disposed above the elastic element. The light receiver is disposed above the elastic element. The pressing element has a first inner wall located on an optical path between the light emitter and the light receiver
Implementation Method 2
When a force toward the bottom case is applied to the top surface, a relationship between a force to move the top surface and a distance from the top surface to the bottom case is in a negative correlation in a path of the top surface moving with respect to the bottom case from a first position to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard includes an elastic element disposed above a bottom case, a light emitter, a light receiver, a pressing element, and a keycap. When a force toward the bottom case is applied to a top surface of the elastic element, a relationship between a force to move the top surface and a distance from the top surface to the bottom case is in a negative correlation in a path of the top surface from a first position to a second position, and a relationship between a force to move the top surface and a distance from the top surface to the bottom case is in a positive correlation in a path of the top surface from the second position to a third position. The light emitter, the light receiver, and the pressing element are disposed above the elastic element. The keycap is disposed above the pressing element.