Thin Keyboard Structure With Elastic Substrate Protrusions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyboard structures are bulky, costly, and time-consuming to assemble due to the use of scissors-shaped supporting units and separate elastic elements, which occupy significant space and material.
Innovation Solution
A thin keyboard structure utilizing a substrate with protruding portions that deform to create electrical connections when a keycap is pressed, eliminating the need for separate elastic elements and allowing integration of circuits onto a single flexible printed circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If scissors-shaped supporting unit and separate elastic elements are used, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as the base structure, contains the elastic protruding portions that replace separate elastic elements, and provides the supporting function previously requiring scissors-shaped units. This merging of functions reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate becomes a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, elastic deformation for electrical connection, and positioning for keycaps. This universal component replaces multiple specialized parts (scissors-shaped supporting units, separate elastic elements, and base structure), simplifying the overall device.
2Stability of the object's composition
If scissors-shaped supporting unit and separate elastic elements are used, then structural stability is improved, but volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as the base structure, contains the elastic protruding portions that replace separate elastic elements, and provides the supporting function previously requiring scissors-shaped units. This merging of functions reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic protruding portions are integrated within the substrate itself, with the electrical contacts nested within the substrate structure. This nesting eliminates the need for separate elastic elements and supporting units, reducing overall keyboard volume while maintaining structural stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as the base structure, contains the elastic protruding portions that replace separate elastic elements, and provides the supporting function previously requiring scissors-shaped units. This merging of functions reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contacts are pre-integrated into the substrate during substrate manufacturing, rather than being assembled separately. The protruding portions are pre-formed with elastic properties, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing assembly time while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
4Reliability
If separate elastic elements are used, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate integrates multiple functions: it serves as the base structure, contains the elastic protruding portions that replace separate elastic elements, and provides the supporting function previously requiring scissors-shaped units. This merging of functions reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is made from a homogeneous elastic material that provides both structural support and elastic deformation for electrical connection. This eliminates the need for separate elastic elements made from different materials, reducing material costs while maintaining electrical connection reliability through the integrated elastic protruding portions.
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 reduces material costs and physical volume, enabling easier assembly and miniaturization while maintaining functionality, thus addressing the bulkiness and cost issues of prior art keyboards.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first portion and the second portion may be forced to deform, so that the first end can contact the second end
Data Source
AI summary
A thin keyboard structure comprises a substrate, a flexible circuit and a keycap. The substrate comprises a base, a first portion with a first end, and a second portion with a second end. At least one of the first portion and the second portion protrudes from the base at an included angle. The first end is aligned with the second end and separated from the second end by some distance. The flexible circuit comprises a first contact fixed on the first end and a second contact fixed on the second end. The keycap having at least one connecting device is fixed on the portion that protrudes from the base.