A keyswitch includes a keycap, first and second base plate, a supporting device, and a bracket. The keycap moves between an upward position and a downward position through the supporting device. The bracket is movably disposed between the keycap and the first base. The second base plate is disposed opposite to the first base plate and moves between an operation position and a storage position. When the second base plate is located at the operation position, the bracket abuts against a supporting portion of the second base plate, and a magnetic attraction force produced by two magnetic areas of the first base plate and the bracket respectively keeps the keycap at the upward position. When the second base plate is located at the storage position, the bracket is separated from the supporting portion, and the magnetic attraction force keeps the keycap at the downward position.

A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a scissors support connecting the keycap and the base plate, a linking support rotatably disposed on the base plate, a movable part movably disposed relative to the base plate, and a magnetic part on the movable part. The linking support includes a magnetic portion and a driving portion. The magnetic part and the magnetic portion produce a magnetic attraction force therebetween. When the movable part is located at a first position, the magnetic part is located under the magnetic portion, and the magnetic attraction force drives the keycap through the linking support to move away relative to the base plate. When the movable part moves from the first position to a second position, the magnetic part moves away relative to the magnetic portion, so that the magnetic attraction force decreases so as to make the keycap move toward the base plate.

A keyswitch structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a lift mechanism connecting the keycap and the base plate, a movable part movably disposed relative to the base plate, a linking support, and a magnetic part on the base plate. The linking support has a pivotal connection portion, a magnetic portion, and a driving portion. The magnetic part and the magnetic portion produce a magnetic attraction force therebetween. When the movable part is located at a first position, the pivotal connection portion is rotatably disposed on a protruding portion of the movable part, and the magnetic attraction force drives the keycap through the linking support to move away relative to the keycap. When the movable part moves from the first position to a second position, the protruding portion moves away, so that the pivotal connection portion falls down and the keycap moves toward the base plate.

In one aspect, an apparatus for receiving input and/or generating output comprises a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a key cover, a magnet, and an electromagnet. The magnet is coupled to the key cover. The electromagnet is operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state. In the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field. In the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.

An electro-permanent magnet key assembly may comprise an electro-permanent magnet generating a magnetic field when a direction of current applied to an electrically conductive wire coiled around a low-coercivity magnet, and a pair of scissor plates operably connected to the electropermanent magnet, such that the scissor plates rotate away from one another in the presence of downward force on a key cap situated atop the scissor plates. The top surface of the key cap may lie flush with adjacent keys of a keyboard when the key cap is in a neutral position. The electro-permanent magnet key assembly may further comprise a ferromagnetic flange operably connected to one of the scissor plates having angled overlap protrusions situated adjacent to the electropermanent magnet when the key cap is not in the neutral position, such that the angled overlap protrusions are attracted toward the magnetic field to return the key cap to the neutral position.

The invention relates to an operating device for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element, which can be lowered by application of force; a snap dome arranged below the operating element for applying haptic feedback to the operating element when the snap dome is deformed by means of the operating element lowering; a blocking body made of an electroactive polymer arranged below the operating element and next to the snap dome, the shape of which blocking body can be altered depending on an electrical voltage applied thereto such that lowering of the operating element is blocked or lowering of the operating element for deforming the snap dome is enabled; a detection apparatus for detecting a contact position of a finger on the operating element; a control apparatus which is set up to adjust a voltage at the blocking body depending on the detected contact position of the finger. The invention further relates to a method for operating an operating device and to a motor vehicle comprising an operating device of this kind.

An electro-permanent magnet (EPM) key assembly of an information handling system may include an electro-permanent magnet (EPM) that may include a low-coercivity magnet and a high-coercivity magnet and a magnetic field sensor to detect the magnitude of the magnetic field of the EPM; and a calibration module to calibrate the magnitude of the magnetic field of the EPM by receiving a sensed magnitude value of the magnetic field of the EPM and adjusting the magnitude value of the magnetic field of the EPM when that magnitude value deviates from an established value by a threshold amount.

In one aspect, an apparatus for receiving input and/or generating output comprises a key assembly. The key assembly comprises a key cover, a magnet, and an electromagnet. The magnet is coupled to the key cover. The electromagnet is operable to displace the key cover based on whether the key assembly is in an active state or an inactive state. In the active state, the electromagnet is operable to raise the key cover to a first position based on generation of a magnetic field. In the inactive state, the electromagnet is operable to lower the key cover to a second position based on cessation of the magnetic field.

A method for selectively restricting movement of an appliance position switch from a closed position to an open position includes positioning the pin within a channel of a body portion of a switch retention device and moving the body of the switch retention device in a first direction into an opening in a face of the appliance within which the pin is moveable from the open position to the closed position. Such movement is carried out to cause movement of the pin in the first direction toward the closed position. The method further includes continuing to move the switch retention device in the first direction such that a cap thereof contacts the face, and a tab extending outwardly from the body engages with the opening to retain the switch retention device in the opening and the pin in the closed position.

A heat destructive disconnecting switch comprises a first conductive member, a second conductive member, a movable conductive member, an overheating destructive member, an operating component, and a second elastic member. The movable conductive member conducts electricity to the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The overheating destructive member is formed as an integral body on a limiting member, and a first elastic member is compressed to between a contact member and the overheating destructive member, thereby providing the first elastic member with a first elastic force. The second elastic member is provided with a second elastic force. When the overheating destructive member is destructed due to overheating, the first elastic force is smaller than the second elastic force, causing the movable conductive member to disconnect the first conductive member from the second conductive member to achieve a protective effect from overheating.