Side Key Assembly With Elastic Protrusions for Stable Click Feel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The side key in electronic devices can move unintentionally due to a fine gap between the key assembly and the key hole, leading to a deterioration in the feeling of clicking.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a key hole designed such that its length in one direction is longer than in a perpendicular direction, featuring a key assembly with a cover member and a pressing member that includes elastic protrusions to prevent movement by contacting the inner wall of the key hole, ensuring the key assembly remains stable during clicks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fine gap is formed between the key assembly and the key hole to facilitate assembly, then the key assembly can be easily installed, but the key assembly may move unintentionally in the key hole
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is divided into multiple functional parts: a body portion, elastic protrusions extending from the body, and a pressing portion. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the elastic protrusions provide positioning and prevention of unintended movement, while the pressing portion actuates the switch, and the body connects these functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic protrusions are designed with specific local properties - they are formed from an elastic material and have a predetermined shape that allows them to elastically deform. This local elasticity at the protrusion locations provides the necessary compliance to prevent unintended movement while maintaining stable positioning in the key hole.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the key assembly is tightly fitted in the key hole to prevent movement, then the key assembly remains stable, but the feeling of clicking is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic protrusions change their physical state - they elastically deform when the key assembly is pressed during normal operation. This parameter change (deformation) allows the protrusions to temporarily yield to the pressing force, enabling the clicking action, while returning to their original shape to maintain stable positioning when not in use.
3Stability of the object's composition
If elastic protrusions are added to the pressing member to prevent movement, then unintended movement is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic protrusions are integrated directly into the pressing member as an integral part, rather than being separate components. This merging of functions (positioning and pressing) into a single component reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies assembly, while still providing the necessary stability.
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 prevents the side key from moving unintentionally while maintaining the tactile feedback of a click operation, enhancing user experience by adjusting the degree of overlap between the protrusions and the key hole.
Implementation Method 1
the first protrusions are brought into contact with an inner wall of the key hole and have elasticity such that at least parts of the first protrusions are capable of elastic deformation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises a housing having a key hole formed therein and comprising a switch disposed therein, the key hole being formed such that a length extending in a first direction is longer than a length extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a key assembly coupled to the housing, at least part of the key assembly being disposed inside the key hole. The key assembly comprises a cover member, at least part of which is exposed outside the housing through the key hole and a pressing member that is coupled to the cover member and that presses the switch. The pressing member comprises first protrusions protruding from opposite longitudinal end portions of the pressing member in the first direction, and the first protrusions are brought into contact with an inner wall of the key hole and have elasticity such that at least parts of the first protrusions are capable of elastic deformation. Besides, it may be permissible to prepare various other embodiments speculated through the specification.