Photoelectric Keyboard Button With Rotating Light Path Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photoelectric switch keyboards suffer from low photoelectric coupling efficiency, dust sensitivity, and lack of tactile feedback due to inadequate light path design and exposure to external dust.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric keyboard key design featuring a guided light path between a transmitting and receiving element, with a toggle mechanism and light path switch on a ram that rotates to open/close the light path, providing tactile feedback and shielding against dust and external light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no light path collimation and light concentration design is implemented between transmitter and receiver, then the structure is simpler, but the photoelectric coupling efficiency is lower
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the transmitting element and receiving element. The light guide receives light from the transmitter and guides/concentrates it toward the receiver, improving coupling efficiency without requiring complex direct optical alignment between the elements
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitting element, receiving element, and light guide are nested within the key structure, with the light guide positioned to receive light from the transmitter and direct it to the receiver, creating a compact integrated optical system
2Reliability
If the optocoupler assembly is exposed without shielding, then the structure is simpler, but dust deposition reduces sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
A dust-proof film is used to cover the optocoupler assembly, creating a barrier against dust deposition while allowing light transmission. This thin film structure provides protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dust-proof shielding structure, while adding complexity, protects the sensitive optocoupler from dust that would otherwise degrade performance over time, thereby improving long-term reliability and maintaining sensitivity
3Ease of operation
If the key uses a simple press structure, then the device complexity is lower, but the hand feeling and touch sense are not obvious
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure is segmented into multiple functional components: key cap, press shaft, ram, toggle mechanism, and spring. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to the tactile feedback experience through controlled movement and mechanical interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle mechanism and spring combination creates mechanical vibration and audible click feedback when the key is pressed, enhancing the tactile sensation and touch sense without requiring complex electronic feedback systems
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
Enhances tactile feedback, improves photoelectric coupling efficiency, and reduces dust accumulation, resulting in a more reliable and responsive key press experience.
Implementation Method 1
uses photoelectric coupler technology, which uses the principles of optics and the photoelectric coupling technology
Implementation Method 2
the upper end and the lower end of which are connected to the press shaft and the guide basket through springs respectively
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a photoelectric keyboard button, comprising: a circuit board (1) for providing a circuit connection, a mounting hole (11) being provided on the circuit board; an optocoupler assembly (2) provided on the circuit board and comprising a transmitting element (21) and a receiving element (22) provided on a side of the mounting hole; a button base (3), which is mounted into the mounting hole and is opened from the top to the bottom to form a guide basket (31), wherein a light passing groove (32) is provided on the guide basket for allowing the transmitting element and the receiving element to form a light passage; a pressing shaft (4), which is mounted into the guide basket and can slide up and down along the guide basket; and a hammer (5) vertically provided inside the guide basket, wherein the two ends thereof are respectively connected to the pressing shaft and the guide basket via springs (6, 7), a shifting block (51) connected to the pressing shaft is provided on a side surface of the hammer, and the hammer is provided with a light pathway switch (52). When being pressed down or bouncing up, the pressing shaft pushes the hammer to rotate horizontally and reciprocally via the shifting block, so as to rotate the light pathway switch to respectively switch on or off the light passage between the transmitting element and the receiving element. The photoelectric keyboard button can present an evident feeling for the difference between pressing and touching operations and a key press sound, has a higher coupling efficiency, and does not easily gather dust.