Stepped Key Input Structure for Ergonomic and Quiet Typing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key input devices do not effectively accommodate the ergonomic needs of users, leading to fatigue and inconsistent key operability and sound feedback.
Innovation Solution
A key input device with sloped key tops and a top casing design featuring parallel surfaces with stepwise height changes and nonwoven fabric sheets to absorb keystroke sounds, ensuring uniform operability and reduced fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If key tops are arranged on a flat surface, then manufacturing is simple, but user comfort deteriorates due to fatigue from inconsistent key heights
Solution Approach 1:
The top casing transitions from a flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional sloped surface. The casing includes a sloping panel part that inclines from the front toward the back, creating varying key heights that conform to hand contours. This dimensional change allows keys at different positions to be at different heights, improving ergonomic comfort while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece casing structure.
2Ease of operation
If key heights vary to fit hand contours, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a consistent inclination angle parameter to the sloping panel part. By defining the slope as a uniform angular parameter rather than varying heights for each key, the manufacturing process becomes more controllable. The sloped surface is formed as a continuous geometric progression, ensuring that key height differences are predictable and consistent, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining ergonomic benefits.
3Ease of operation
If keys are arranged on an inclined surface, then ergonomic comfort improves, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top casing is segmented into distinct functional zones: a front flat panel part for display or additional controls, and a back sloping panel part for the main keyboard. This segmentation allows the inclined ergonomic surface to be applied only where needed (under the keys), rather than throughout the entire device. The sloped portion is confined to the keyboard area, minimizing the overall volume increase while maintaining ergonomic benefits for key operation.
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 design enhances user comfort by fitting key heights to hand contours and reduces keystroke noise, providing uniform operability and sound absorption.
Implementation Method 1
nonwoven fabric sheets to absorb keystroke sounds
Data Source
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AI summary
A key input device (1) includes keys (14) and a member (10) having surfaces (102A, 102B, 102C, 102D, 102E) parallel to each other, the surfaces each having at least one first through hole (101) among first through holes (101). The keys are inserted to the corresponding first through holes. The member has a first end side, a second end side, a third end side, and a fourth end side, the first end side being opposite the second end side, the third end side being perpendicular to the first end side and opposite the fourth end side. The surfaces of the member are flat from the first end side toward the second end side. The member has a step between a surface on the third end side and a surface on the fourth end side among the surfaces.