Reinforced Keycap Support Structure for Steady Low-Profile Key Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical keyswitch structures face issues with movement steadiness and structural rigidity, particularly in low profile designs, due to the independent operation of lift mechanisms and the use of plastic components, which can lead to skewing and poor triggering of the keyswitch.
Innovation Solution
A keycap support mechanism with an inner support featuring a reinforcement part embedded within a support body, where the elastic modulus of the reinforcement part is greater than that of the support body, enhancing structural rigidity and movement steadiness by connecting the keycap and base plate through pivotally connected outer and inner supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a balance bar is added to improve keycap levelness, then the keycap movement levelness is improved, but the installation space for lift mechanism is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The balance bar is integrated into the lift mechanism by making the balance bar a part of the lift mechanism structure, specifically the balance bar is formed as an extension of the lift mechanism's support structure. This nesting approach allows the balance bar to be disposed within the existing lift mechanism space rather than requiring additional installation space, thereby maintaining keycap movement levelness without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the balance bar and lift mechanism are merged into a single integrated structure. The balance bar is combined with the lift mechanism's support components, allowing both the lifting function and the balancing function to be performed by a unified structure, thus improving keycap levelness while avoiding additional space requirements
2Length of moving object
If low profile design is adopted to reduce thickness, then the overall structure is thinned, but the structural rigidity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lift mechanism uses a composite structure combining plastic and metal materials. The main body is made of plastic while critical load-bearing components include metal reinforcement elements, creating a composite structure that achieves high structural rigidity in a thin profile. The metal components provide enhanced stiffness and strength without significantly increasing the overall thickness
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than uniformly increasing thickness throughout the structure, metal reinforcement is applied locally at critical areas where rigidity is most needed, such as at the connection points and load-bearing sections of the lift mechanism. This localized reinforcement approach maintains the low profile design while providing sufficient structural rigidity where required
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lift mechanisms operate independently to support multi-size keycaps, then the keycap support coverage is improved, but the movement steadiness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lift mechanisms are merged through a common balance bar structure that connects them together. The balance bar serves as a linkage that synchronizes the movement of multiple lift mechanisms, ensuring they move in unison and maintain keycap levelness. This merging approach allows the system to support multi-size keycaps while achieving coordinated movement and improved steadiness
Data Source
AI summary
A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, and a keycap support mechanism that supports the keycap above the base plate in a vertical direction. The keycap and the keycap support mechanism extend lengthwise in a lengthwise direction. The keycap support mechanism includes an outer support and an inner support pivotally connected to each other. The outer support surrounds the inner support. The inner support includes a support body and a reinforcement part. The reinforcement part is embedded in the support body. The reinforcement part is greater in elastic modulus than the support body. The inner support defines a side connection section on both sides of the inner support in the lengthwise direction. Each side connection section includes at least one base plate connecting portion and at least one keycap connecting portion. The reinforcement part extends into the two side connection sections.