Planar Peak Spring for Thin Keyboard Tactile Response
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thin keyboards struggle to accurately replicate the tactile response and resistive force of conventional mechanical keyboards, as dome springs used in them are difficult to calibrate without altering thickness or height, leading to suboptimal user experience and manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
The development of springs with a substantially planar peak and multiple arcuate legs that provide a customizable resistive force, allowing for a shorter stroke while approximating the tactile feel of mechanical springs, and can be tuned without changing material thickness or height, enabling a reduced keyboard thickness and improved user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If dome springs are used in thin keyboards to reduce thickness, then keyboard thickness is reduced, but the tactile response and resistive force cannot accurately match conventional mechanical keyboards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the spring (planar peak configuration, arcuate leg shapes, leg spacing) to achieve the desired resistive force characteristics. By modifying the spring's physical geometry rather than material properties, the tactile response can be tuned to match conventional mechanical keyboards while maintaining the thin profile needed for modern keyboards.
2Force
If dome spring material thickness or height is modified to change resistive force, then resistive force can be adjusted, but keyboard thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves resistive force adjustment through geometric parameter changes in the spring structure (leg curvature, peak planarity, leg dimensions) rather than changing material thickness. This allows the resistive force to be tuned independently of the keyboard's overall thickness, resolving the contradiction between force adjustment and thickness maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical springs with long stroke are used, then tactile response and user confidence are improved, but keyboard thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs arcuate (curved) legs in the spring structure, which allows the spring to provide adequate resistive force over a shorter linear stroke distance. The curved geometry enables progressive engagement of the spring material, creating a tactile response similar to conventional mechanical springs while accommodating a reduced overall stroke that fits within thin keyboard constraints.
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 solution provides a customizable resistive force that matches conventional mechanical keyboards, enhancing user experience and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs by allowing for a thinner keyboard design with improved ergonomics and tactile response.
Implementation Method 1
one or more springs configured to provide a resistive force (i.e., 'spring force') in response to application of and/or receipt of a corresponding key stroke force
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods associated with a touch-sensitive input device including a plurality of keys, wherein each key of the plurality of keys includes at least one spring. Such a spring may include a substantially planar peak located at a central portion of the spring, a first substantially arcuate leg extending from the peak in a first direction, and a second substantially arcuate leg extending from the peak in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment, a resistive force provided by the at least one spring decreases after the peak travels a first distance from an initial position of the peak. In such an embodiment, the first distance is less than or equal to approximately ⅕ of a range of travel of the peak.