Optical Keyswitch Structure for Wear-Free Triggering in Thin Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane and mechanical keyswitches face issues such as damage, poor tactile feedback, and reduced lifespan due to wear and rust, and are not suitable for portable electronic devices due to complexity and size constraints.
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 operated, but the membrane circuit is easily damaged and difficult to repair when frequently used or operated by improper forces
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into an upper circuit board and a lower circuit board that are separable. The upper circuit board can be detached and replaced independently when damaged, while the lower circuit board remains fixed. This segmentation enables easy repair by simply swapping the upper circuit board rather than repairing the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional membrane circuit with an optical circuit system consisting of an emitter, receiver, and light-shielding component. This optical system eliminates the need for direct mechanical contact between circuit layers, preventing damage from improper forces while maintaining switching functionality through light blockage detection.
2Reliability
If mechanical keyswitch is used based on metal piece and metal contact conduction, then the triggering function is achieved, 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 contact system (metal piece and metal contact) with an optical detection system. The emitter emits light that is detected by the receiver, and pressing the keycap blocks the light path to generate the triggering signal. This eliminates mechanical wear from friction and impact, significantly extending the keyswitch lifespan while maintaining reliable triggering functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional mechanical keyswitch is used, then the triggering function is achieved, but the structure is more complicate and bigger in volume, not suitable for portable electronic devices having higher thinning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the upper circuit board with the keycap structure, integrating the circuit functionality directly into the keycap assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate complex mechanical structures and reduces the overall volume of the keyswitch, making it suitable for thin portable electronic devices while maintaining reliable triggering through the optical system.
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 compactness requirements for portable electronics.
Implementation Method 1
the emitter emits 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
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.