Split Keyboard Support Assembly With Adjustable Tenting Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyboards lack flexibility and user acceptance due to limited adjustment options, high manufacturing costs, and inadequate ergonomic design, leading to user discomfort and inefficiency, as well as insufficient programming capabilities and accessory support.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable keyboard assembly with pivotable keying modules, modular mounting systems, and driverless hot keys, allowing for customizable tenting angles, easy setup, and integration with external structures, along with a USB OTG port for programming functions without drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If adjustable keyboards provide more flexible adjustments, then user comfort and ergonomics are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard is divided into separate key modules that can be independently adjusted and positioned. Each key module can be individually angled and spaced, allowing flexible ergonomic configuration without requiring complex integrated adjustment mechanisms across the entire keyboard structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyboard employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where key modules can be repositioned and reangled during use. The adjustment mechanism allows users to change the configuration on-demand, providing adaptability without permanent complex structural modifications that would increase manufacturing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional keyboards use fixed designs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but user acceptance and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the keyboard into modular key units, the design maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized components while enabling users to customize the configuration to their preferences, thereby improving user acceptance without significantly increasing production complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized key modules serve multiple functions - they can be arranged in various configurations, angled differently, and positioned to suit different users' ergonomic needs. This multi-functionality of simple modular components provides adaptability without requiring complex specialized parts for each configuration.
3Ease of manufacture
If keyboard adjustment mechanisms are simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adjustment flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into simple, standardized connection points and mounting features on each key module. These simple segmented features enable flexible reconfiguration through basic assembly operations rather than complex integrated adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized mounting interfaces and connection elements act as intermediaries between key modules and the support structure. These simple intermediary components enable flexible adjustment and reconfiguration while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardization and ease of assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable keyboard assembly and support mounts and keying layout are provided allowing a user to orient keying modules of the assembly in a variety of desired configurations. In one embodiment, the assembly includes pivoting support plates that allow the flexible adjustments. In another embodiment, at least one lift module is utilized to allow achieving multiple tenting angles expediently. In yet another embodiment, a modular support mount assembly is provided to allow the user to mount keying modules to a structure such as a chair using modular mounts that allow for easy and effective peripheral device supports and reconfiguration of the modular support mount assembly to support keying modules and peripheral devices of various sizes and shapes. Furthermore, a keying layout and assembly is provided to improve efficiency and intuitiveness of using a keying module and for programming the keying modules without use of a separate computer.