Optical Keyswitch With Sliding Light Blocker for Durable Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane and mechanical keyswitches face issues such as damage from frequent use, poor tactile feedback, and reduced lifespan due to wear and rust, making them unsuitable for portable electronic devices which require thin and durable keyswitch solutions.
Innovation Solution
An optical keyswitch design utilizing a switch module with an emitter and receiver, integrated with a mechanical restoring mechanism, which provides fast and accurate triggering, enhanced repairability, and improved tactile feedback, suitable for portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If membrane circuit is used to generate triggering signal, then the keyswitch can be triggered when keycap is pressed, but the membrane circuit is easily damaged and difficult to repair when frequently used or operated by improper forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical membrane circuit with an optical detection system consisting of an emitter, receiver, and movable member. The optical system detects the pressing state through light transmission/blockage rather than physical contact, eliminating the wear and damage issues of membrane circuits while maintaining the triggering function.
2Reliability
If metal piece and metal contact are used in mechanical keyswitch, then the keyswitch can be triggered based on conduction, but the metal piece and metal contact are easily worn out due to operation impact, which reduces the life of the keyswitch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical conduction-based switch with an optical detection system. The emitter emits light and the receiver detects light transmission or blockage caused by the movable member's position, eliminating physical contact and wear between components, thereby significantly extending the keyswitch lifespan while maintaining reliable triggering.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical keyswitch structure is used, then the keyswitch can provide triggering function, but it is more complicate in structure and bigger in volume and not suitable for portable electronic devices having higher thinning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the keyswitch into functionally independent modules: an optical detection module (emitter and receiver), a movable member, and a support mechanism. This segmentation allows for compact arrangement and optimization of each component's size, reducing the overall volume while maintaining the triggering function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the optical detection system directly into the keyswitch structure, combining the emitter, receiver, and movable member into a compact assembly. The movable member serves dual purposes as both the mechanical element and the optical occluder, reducing the number of separate components and minimizing volume.
4Ease of operation
If membrane circuit is used, then the keyswitch can be triggered, but the tactile feedback is less significant, which causes the pressing feeling to be poor and cannot satisfy the user's expectation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the soft membrane circuit with a mechanical keycap and support mechanism system that provides distinct tactile feedback. The movable member's movement through defined positions (first position for light transmission, second position for light blockage) creates noticeable mechanical resistance and feedback, significantly improving the pressing feeling while maintaining triggering capability.
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 optical keyswitch offers reliable and accurate triggering, improved durability, and enhanced repairability, addressing the limitations of existing keyswitch technologies while meeting the thinness and durability requirements for portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
the emitter emits an optical signal to the receiver
Implementation Method 2
the movable member is moved by the keycap or the support mechanism to block the optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical keyswitch includes a keycap, a support mechanism, and a switch module. The support mechanism is disposed below the keycap and configured to support the keycap moving upward and downward, the support mechanism comprising a first frame and a second frame, the first frame having a sliding end. The switch module includes a circuit board, an emitter, and a receiver, the emitter and the receiver are electrically connected to the circuit board, and the emitter emitting an optical signal to the receiver. When the keycap is pressed, the first frame is driven by the keycap to slide substantially parallel to the circuit board and block the optical signal with the sliding end, so the switch module is triggered to generate a triggering signal.