Scissor Key Structure With Collision Buffering and PCB Routing Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboard key structures generate noise and vibrations due to collisions with the base plate, and they often compromise the routing space of thin-film circuit boards, making it difficult to enhance noise cancellation and increase routing space without affecting the design.
Innovation Solution
A key structure featuring a keycap, base plate, and rotatable brackets with abutting and protruding portions that overlap with the circuit board's extension portions, allowing for noise reduction and increased routing space by minimizing collisions and utilizing the circuit board's extension to create additional space without interfering with the base plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the scissor structure is fastened to a hook of the base plate and directly collides with the base plate when the keycap is pressed, then the key structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but noise and vibrations are generated, affecting the silence of key pressing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate buffer structure between the scissor mechanism and the base plate. This buffer structure absorbs the collision impact, preventing direct contact between the scissor structure and base plate, thereby eliminating noise and vibrations while maintaining the simplicity of the overall key structure design
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer structure is pre-installed in the key structure to provide cushioning before the collision occurs. This beforehand cushioning prevents the harmful impact and noise generation during the key pressing operation, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and noise reduction
2Reliability
If the thin-film circuit board has openings to allow the scissor structure to be engaged with the hooks of the base plate, then the key structure is functional, but the routing space of the thin-film circuit board is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having the extension portion of the circuit board overlap with the through hole of the base plate in the vertical direction. This dimensional arrangement allows the circuit board to extend into the space above the base plate, increasing routing space without interfering with the horizontal engagement of the scissor structure with the base plate hooks
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is segmented into different functional portions: the extension portion that overlaps with the through hole for routing space, and the opening that allows scissor structure engagement. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function independently, maintaining functionality while maximizing routing space
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bracket is designed to keep flat when the keycap is lowered to a lowest position and stand obliquely when the keycap is raised, then noise cancellation is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a dynamic component that automatically changes its orientation based on the keycap position. When the keycap is pressed down, the bracket rotates to a flat position parallel to the base plate; when the keycap is released, it returns to an oblique position. This dynamic adaptation provides noise cancellation during key pressing without requiring complex additional mechanisms
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 effectively reduces noise and increases the routing space on the circuit board by buffering collisions and optimizing the layout to enhance noise cancellation and area utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The bracket keeps flat when the keycap is lowered to a lowest position and stands obliquely when the keycap is raised... effectively reduces noise by buffering collisions
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure including a keycap, a base plate, at least one bracket and a circuit board is provided. The base plate is arranged opposite to the keycap and includes at least one through hole located under the keycap. The bracket is rotatably connected between the keycap and the base plate, keeps flat when the keycap is lowered to a lowest position, stands obliquely when the keycap is raised, and includes at least one abutting portion and a lower protrusion. The circuit board is located between the keycap and the base plate and has at least one opening and at least one extension portion. When the keycap reaches the lowest position, the extension portion of the circuit board at least partly overlaps with the abutting portion of the bracket, and the lower protrusion of the bracket at least partly enters at least one opening of the circuit board.