Segmented Elastic Key Structure for Slim Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key structures with scissors-type connecting elements are limited by the volume of the elastic element, restricting the travel distance to greater than 1 mm, which fails to provide a sufficient touch feeling for users.
Innovation Solution
A key structure design featuring a circuit board with a switch and an elastic element comprising upper and lower support portions and elastic portions, where the lower elastic portion has sections with specific angles and thicknesses, allowing for a travel distance of less than or equal to 1 mm while maintaining sufficient touch feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scissors-type connecting element is used in the key structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the travel distance is restricted to greater than 1 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is segmented into multiple portions: an upper elastic portion connecting the triggering part to the upper support portion, and a lower elastic portion with first and second sections connecting the upper support portion to the lower support portion. This segmentation allows each portion to contribute to the overall travel distance, enabling a total travel distance of ≤1 mm while maintaining structural stability through the distributed elastic configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower elastic portion is designed with a specific angular configuration (angle between first section and second section is larger than 120 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees), utilizing angular/dimensional arrangement to maximize the travel distance within a compact vertical space. This angular design allows the elastic element to expand horizontally while providing vertical key travel, effectively reducing the travel distance to ≤1 mm.
2Length of stationary object
If the travel distance is reduced to less than or equal to 1 mm, then the device slimness is improved, but the touch feeling may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element is designed to dynamically expand into predefined vacant spaces during key actuation. The lower elastic portion can protrude externally into a first vacant space, and the upper elastic portion can protrude into a second vacant space above the circuit board. This dynamic expansion into three-dimensional space allows the key to provide sufficient tactile feedback and touch feeling while maintaining a slim profile when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is configured to nest within the key structure housing and circuit board assembly in its resting state, utilizing vacant spaces efficiently. During actuation, the elastic portions expand into these nested spaces, providing the necessary travel distance and touch feeling without increasing the overall device thickness. The nested configuration allows maximum space utilization within the constrained volume.
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 key structure achieves a low travel distance of less than or equal to 1 mm while providing a sufficient touch feeling, meeting modern design requirements for lightweight and slim electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
While the keycap is pressed down, the lower space is compressed, and the first section of the lower elastic portion is subjected to deformation and protruded externally
Implementation Method 2
The upper elastic portion is connected between the triggering part and the upper support portion. The lower elastic portion is connected between the upper support portion and the lower support portion
Data Source
AI summary
A key structure includes a circuit board, a triggering part and an elastic element. The elastic element includes an upper support portion, a lower support portion, an upper elastic portion and a lower elastic portion. The lower support portion is located beneath the upper support portion and connected to a peripheral region of the circuit board. The upper elastic portion is connected between the triggering part and the upper support portion. The lower elastic portion is connected between the upper support portion and the lower support portion. The lower elastic portion includes a first section and a second section connected to each other. The first section is connected to the upper support portion. The second section is connected to the lower support portion. There is a vacant space between the second section and the circuit board.