Switch Device Conductive Layer Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic apparatuses, such as laptops and smartphones, experience loud collision sounds from metal switch devices, which can be disruptive in quiet public environments due to the high frequency of key operations and touch pad depressions.
Innovation Solution
A switch device is designed with a conductive layer between the fixed and movable contacts, made of a more flexible material than the contacts, to absorb and prevent metal collision sounds by interposing it between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal dome switch device is used, then the switch device provides reliable electrical contact, but it generates loud collision sounds that are disruptive in quiet environments
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal dome (movable contact) and the fixed contact. This conductive layer absorbs the collision impact while maintaining electrical conductivity, thereby reducing collision sounds without compromising electrical contact reliability. The conductive layer acts as a mediator that transfers the mechanical impact energy into conductive contact while dampening the sound-generating metal-to-metal collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the contact interface are changed by introducing a conductive layer with different physical characteristics than traditional metal contacts. This conductive layer has properties that allow it to deform more softly and absorb impact energy, changing the parameters of the contact interface from hard metal-to-metal contact to a softer, noise-dampening conductive contact while maintaining electrical functionality.
2Productivity
If the frequency of key operations and touch pad depressions is increased, then the productivity of the electronic apparatus is improved, but the collision sounds become more frequent and more disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer serves as a mediator that allows high-frequency operations to occur without generating proportional high-frequency collision sounds. By absorbing the impact energy at each operation, the conductive layer prevents the transmission of collision sounds even when operations occur frequently, thus enabling high productivity without increased noise disruption.
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 conductive layer effectively suppresses noise generation during switch activation, enhancing user experience in quiet environments by reducing the audible noise associated with metal collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The metal dome is elastically deformed by its depression operation in order to make the two fixed contacts conductive therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus having a switch device capable of suppressing collision noise is disclosed. The switch device is equipped with a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact, and a metal dome that serves as a movable contact movable in a direction to be contacted with or separated from the first fixed contact. In a configuration in which the metal dome is moved to provide an electrical contact or a separation between the metal dome and the first fixed contact, whereby the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are electrically connected therebetween, a conductive layer made of an anisotropic conductive sheet is provided between the first fixed contact and the metal dome.