Abstract:
A low travel switch assembly and systems and methods for using the same are disclosed. The low travel dome may include a domed surface having upper and lower portions, and a set of tuning members integrated within the domed surface between the upper and lower portions. The tuning members may be operative to control a force-displacement curve characteristic of the low travel dome.
Abstract:
A key mechanism including one or more butterfly hinges. Each butterfly hinge may include a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. Hinged coupling mechanisms couple respective arms of the wings together. Additionally or alternatively, a key mechanism can include one or more half-butterfly hinges. Each half-butterfly hinge includes a double wing design operative to move between a depressed position and non-depressed position. A hinged coupling mechanism couples one set of corresponding arms of the wings together, while the other set of corresponding arms are not coupled together.
Abstract:
Keyboard assemblies having reduced thicknesses and methods of forming the same. A keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a single membrane sheet adhered directly to the PCB. The single membrane sheet may substantially cover the PCB. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the single membrane sheet. Another keyboard assembly may include a group of conductive pads and a group of membrane pads. Each of the group of membrane pads may be adhered directly to a corresponding one of the group of conductive pads. The keyboard assembly may also include a group of dome switches coupled directly to the membrane pads. Each of the group of dome switches may be coupled directly to a corresponding one of the group of membrane pads.
Abstract:
A key mechanism for an electronic device includes a switch housing and a hinged structure. As one example, the hinged structure can be a butterfly hinge. The switch housing includes switch pin retaining mechanisms on opposing sides of the switch housing. The hinged structure includes two separate wings that are positioned adjacent to each other such that a cavity is formed between the two wings. The two wings are coupled together by coupling elements. The wings of the hinged structure can include switch housing pins on each arm of the wing that extend into the cavity and couple to the switch pin retaining mechanisms in the switch housing. Various configurations of switch pin retaining mechanisms and switch housing pins can be used to attach the hinged structure to the switch housing.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing illumination to illuminable portions of keys associated with a keyboard are described. A key includes a light guide positioned below a keycap. The light guide includes one or more sidewalls that exhibit high internal reflection. In many examples, light guide sidewalls are formed with one or more prisms.
Abstract:
A venting system for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A keyboard assembly including a printed circuit board defining a set of apertures, and a group of switch housings coupled to the printed circuit board. Each switch housing of the group of switch housings may define a switch opening positioned above one of the set of apertures of the printed circuit board. The keyboard assembly may also include a shield defining at least one channel of a venting system formed below the printed circuit board. The at least one channel may be in fluid communication with at least one aperture, and at least one of the switch openings positioned above the at least one aperture.
Abstract:
A dome switch utilized in a keyboard assembly is disclosed. The keyboard assembly may include a printed circuit board having a first electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board, and a second electrical connector formed in the printed circuit board adjacent the first electrical connector. The keyboard assembly may also include an inner contact component contacting the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. The inner contact component may be in electrical communication with the second electrical connector of the printed circuit board. Additionally, the keyboard assembly can include a dome switch surrounding the inner contact component. The dome switch may contact and may be in electrical communication with the first electrical connector of the printed circuit board.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling electronic devices using force sensors include a plurality of force sensors configured such that they are operable to support one or more housings on one or more surfaces. When force is exerted on the housing, this force is measured by the force sensors as force data. This force data is interpreted as at least one input for an electronic device. In some implementations, the electronic device may include various different statuses. In such implementations, the status of the electronic device may be determined and the input that the force data is interpreted as may depend on the determined status of the electronic device. In various cases, the status of the electronic device may be a combination of one or more different statuses.
Abstract:
Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures.
Abstract:
Described is an illumination structure for a key of a keyboard. The illumination structure is used to uniformly illuminate the key and any glyphs that are present on the key. The illumination structure includes a light guide having various features that increase total internal reflection and also illuminate the glyphs of the key.