Retractable and/or variable depression force key assemblies and methods for using the same
US10574233B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
25References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2017 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/96042
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Key assemblies are disclosed herein that are retractable and/or that present a variable key assembly depression force to a user. In one example, one or more key assemblies may be provided that each employ one or more electro-permanent magnets (EPMs) together with permanent magnet and/or magnetically permeable (e.g., ferromagnetic) key assembly components to control key retraction and extension, and/or to control peak depression force (e.g., typing force) required to depress and displace a key assembly from an extended position to a lower position that causes the key assembly to produce a digital or analog output signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.