Rotating Sleeve Button Switch for Adjustable Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical keyswitches lack flexibility in providing adjustable tactile feedback, requiring users to purchase new keyboards or replace keyswitches to experience different types of feedback, leading to high replacement costs and limited operational convenience.
Innovation Solution
A button switch design featuring a sleeve that rotates relative to a base, allowing for adjustable tactile feedback by altering the position of a resilient arm and flexible rod configuration, enabling the switch to provide either non-clicky or clicky feedback with adjustable travel distance and triggering position, without the need for new keyswitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional mechanical keyswitch is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the tactile feedback type is fixed and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the keyswitch structure adjustable through rotation. The sleeve can rotate around the stem to change the position of the resilient arm relative to the stem, dynamically altering the tactile feedback characteristics. This allows the same physical structure to provide different feedback types (linear, tactile, clicky) based on its rotational position, resolving the contradiction between fixed feedback and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single keyswitch structure that can perform multiple tactile feedback functions. By incorporating the rotatable sleeve with convex portions at different positions, one keyswitch can provide multiple feedback types (linear, tactile, clicky) without requiring separate switches for each type. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for users to purchase multiple keyboards or replace switches to experience different feedback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users want to experience different tactile feedback types, then they can get diverse feedback experiences, but they must buy new keyboards or replace keyswitches causing high replacement cost
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustability through rotation allows users to change feedback types without any physical replacement. The sleeve can be rotated to different positions to provide various tactile feedback experiences, making the system adaptable without requiring additional purchases or replacements, thus eliminating high replacement costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyswitch provides self-service functionality by allowing users to adjust the tactile feedback type themselves through simple rotation of the sleeve. This eliminates the need for external intervention, specialized tools, or professional assistance that would be required for switch replacement, making the adjustment process as easy as pressing a key.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users want to experience different tactile feedback types, then they can get diverse feedback experiences, but operational convenience is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic rotation mechanism allows users to switch between different tactile feedback types during normal keyboard operation. The sleeve can be rotated to adjust the resilient arm position, changing the feedback characteristics without requiring the user to stop using the keyboard or perform complex adjustments, thereby maintaining operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyswitch enables users to independently adjust the tactile feedback type without requiring external tools, technical knowledge, or assistance. The rotation mechanism is designed to be operated by hand during normal keyboard use, making the adjustment process as convenient as pressing keys and eliminating barriers to operational convenience.
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
Enables users to easily switch between different tactile feedback types by rotating the sleeve, providing a cost-effective and convenient solution for customizable keyboard experiences, enhancing operational flexibility and compatibility with conventional mechanical keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient arm selectively abuts against the first convex portion at a first position or a second position with rotation of the sleeve on the pillar around the Z-axis
Implementation Method 2
When the sleeve moves downward along the Z-axis and deformation of the flexible rod caused by pressing of the protruding edge is not enough to make the flexible rod cross the protruding edge, the flexible rod deforms downward with the protruding edge. When deformation of the flexible rod is enough to make the flexible rod cross the protruding edge, the flexible rod is released and then moves upward to collide with the cover for making a sound.
Implementation Method 3
When the external force is released, the upward-force-applying member drives the sleeve to move upward relative to the pillar along the Z-axis
Data Source
AI summary
A button switch connected to a cap and includes a base having a pillar, a flexible acoustic member having fixing and flexible rods, a sleeve, an upward-force-applying member abutting against the sleeve and the base, a resilient arm, and a cover disposed on the base. The sleeve rotatably jackets the pillar, passes through the cover to be connected to the cap, and has first and second convex portions, first and second concave portions, and a protruding edge located between the second convex portion and the second concave portion. The resilient arm selectively abuts against a first or second position on the first convex portion. When the resilient arm abuts against the first position and the protruding edge is located above the flexible rod, the flexible rod crosses the protruding edge and then collides with the cover to make a sound when the sleeve receives an external force to move downward.