Optical Matrix Keyboard with Flange-Through Support Layer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards generate noise due to mechanical interactions between key caps and the keyboard body, and electrical membrane contacts can wear out and fail due to dust and water contamination.
Innovation Solution
A keyboard design featuring a key cap flange that extends through a support layer via without contacting it, combined with a rubber dome and optical sensors, particularly time-of-flight (TOF) sensors, to detect key actuation without physical contact, thereby reducing noise and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical key switches with electrical contacts are used, then key actuation detection is reliable, but noise is generated and contacts wear out due to physical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key switches with optical sensors that detect key actuation through non-contact means. The optical sensor system uses light beams and reflective surfaces to detect when a key is pressed, eliminating the need for physical contact between moving parts and electrical contacts, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system between the user and the keyboard controller. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the system uses optical fields as intermediaries to transfer information about key actuation, allowing detection without physical interaction that causes wear and noise.
2Reliability
If electrical membrane contacts are used for key detection, then key actuation can be detected, but contacts fail due to dust and water contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical membrane contacts with optical sensors that detect key actuation through light interaction. This replacement eliminates vulnerable electrical contacts that are susceptible to dust and water contamination, as the optical system can detect key presses without physical contact points that accumulate contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or representation of the key actuation event through light reflection patterns. Instead of relying on physical contact that can be contaminated, the system captures optical information about the key state, effectively copying the actuation event in a form that is immune to environmental contaminants.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If optical sensors are used to detect key actuation, then noise is reduced and contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical sensor system to serve multiple functions: detecting key actuation, determining key position, and providing contamination resistance. By making the optical system multi-functional, the patent justifies the increased complexity through the elimination of separate mechanical components, effectively consolidating functions into a single integrated 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 design significantly reduces noise during key actuation and prevents damage from contaminants, leading to a more durable and quiet typing experience.
Implementation Method 1
a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor matrix to detect actuation of a keyboard key
Data Source
AI summary
A keyboard includes a keyboard key cap of a keyboard key among a plurality of keyboard keys on the keyboard, where the keyboard key cap includes a key cap flange extending from a bottom surface of the keyboard key cap and a rubber dome formed under the keyboard key cap at a key location on the keyboard. A support layer is formed under the rubber dome with the support layer including a key cap flange via for the key cap flange to pass through when a user actuates the keyboard key cap. A bottom chassis is formed under the support layer to house an optical sensor in an optical sensor cavity to detect the key cap flange extending through the support layer in the key cap flange via based on reflection of light from the key cap flange to identify the keyboard key actuated.