Scissor Key Module with Pivot Connection for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scissor-type key structures in slim keyboards suffer from tilting and instability, leading to ineffective vertical travel distance and poor electrical conduction, requiring human labor for assembly, which is slow and prone to errors, and necessitates additional metal stabilizer links that increase noise and production complexity.
Innovation Solution
A key module with a base and scissor-type unit featuring dual fixed-rotation axes and a pivot connection unit, allowing even force distribution and reduced lateral movement, enabling automated assembly and minimizing the need for stabilizer links, thus enhancing rigidity and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional scissor-type key structure with sliding joint and pivot joint is used, then the keycap can be pressed down, but the sliding end moves ineffective transverse and vertical distances before effective stroke, causing tilting and flipping of the keycap
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the keycap with integrated pivot connection units, the scissor-type unit with first and second frames, and the base with restricting units. Each segment has a specific function that contributes to eliminating the ineffective movement. The pivot connection unit segments the rotation function from the sliding function, allowing precise control of the keycap's movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the keycap through the pivot connection unit, which rotates about a pivot axis during key pressing. This rotational movement in conjunction with the scissor-type mechanism's sliding motion transforms the keycap's movement from a simple linear press to a controlled compound motion, eliminating the ineffective transverse and vertical distances while maintaining smooth operation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional key structure with fixed end and sliding end is used, then the keycap can be pressed, but the force applied is not evenly distributed, causing tilting and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The keycap is designed with universal pivot connection units that can rotate about pivot axes, providing both the pressing function and the stabilizing function. These pivot connection units serve multiple purposes: enabling key depression, distributing force evenly, and preventing tilting. The scissor-type unit also serves dual functions of providing mechanical advantage and guiding the keycap's movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot connection units are positioned and configured to create equipotential force distribution during key pressing. The rotational mechanism ensures that force applied at any point on the keycap is evenly distributed through the pivot axes and scissor-type mechanism, eliminating the force concentration and tilting problems of conventional designs.
3Ease of operation
If conventional key structure with long ineffective sliding distance is used, then the keycap can be pressed, but the effective vertical travel distance is insufficient for super slim keyboards
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure employs dynamic motion through the rotating pivot connection units working in conjunction with the scissor-type mechanism. The keycap's movement is not a simple linear translation but a dynamic compound motion involving rotation and sliding, which maximizes the effective vertical travel distance within the constrained space of super slim keyboards.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the motion parameters of the keycap by introducing rotational movement about pivot axes. This parameter change from pure linear motion to compound rotational-sliding motion allows the keycap to achieve sufficient effective vertical travel distance while maintaining the slim profile, as the rotation component efficiently converts lateral force into vertical displacement.
4Ease of manufacture
If human labor is used for assembling keycap to scissor structure, then assembly can be completed, but assembly speed is slow and assembly quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The key structure is segmented into modular components with standardized interfaces: the keycap with pivot connection units, the scissor-type unit with clearly defined sliding and pivoting interfaces, and the base with restricting units. This segmentation with standardized interfaces enables automated assembly by allowing robotic systems to easily grasp, position, and assemble the components without complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The key structure components are designed to self-align and self-assemble through their geometric features. The pivot connection units and sliding interfaces are configured so that when components are brought together, they automatically align and engage without requiring precise manual positioning or complex assembly tools, making the process suitable for automation.
5Stability of the object's composition
If additional metal stabilizer links are added to conventional key structure, then tilting and instability are reduced, but noise increases and production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connection units and scissor-type mechanism serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable key pressing, distribute force evenly, prevent tilting, and guide movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stabilizer links, as the primary structural components already provide the necessary stability. The design integrates stabilization functions into the existing mechanism rather than adding separate stabilizing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the stabilization function with the key pressing mechanism. The pivot connection units and scissor-type structure that enable key depression also inherently provide stability and prevent tilting through their geometric constraints and force distribution. By combining multiple functions into unified components, the design eliminates the need for additional stabilizer links and reduces overall structural complexity.
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 achieves stable and efficient vertical keycap movement with reduced noise and improved assembly speed, suitable for super slim keyboards with enhanced rigidity and reduced production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The shaft hole has a travel distance therein for the shaft to move within the shaft hole along a predetermined direction
Implementation Method 2
a key structure 1 (key module 100) includes a keycap 3, a scissor-type unit 2 and a base 1
Data Source
AI summary
A key module and a keyboard having the key module are provided. The key module includes a base, a scissor-type unit and a keycap. The scissor-type unit has a first frame and a second frame. The first frame has a connection shaft rotatably pivotally connected to a shaft hole of the second frame. The shaft hole has a travel distance therein for the shaft to move within the shaft hole along a predetermined direction. The first and second frames respectively have a first side pivotally connected to a pivot connection unit of the key cap, and a second side slidably connected to a restricting unit of the base. Through the above-mentioned design, the first frame can rotate with respect to the second frame, so that the keycap can move up and down with respect to the base.