Three-dimensional weaving, knitting, or braiding tools may be used to create three-dimensional fabric (24) with internal pockets (56). The pockets (56) may be shaped to receive electrical components such as switch electrodes (46A, 46B) for a switch (18). The fabric (24) may have adjacent first and second layers that are interposed between the switch electrodes (46A, 46B). The switch electrodes (46A, 46B) may be biased apart using magnets (46A-1, 46B-1) or other biasing structure. In a region of the fabric (24) that overlaps the first and second switch electrodes (46A, 46B), the first and second layers of fabric may be disconnected from each other. This allows the first and second layers to pull away from each other so that the electrodes (46A, 46B) are separated by the biasing force from the biasing structure. The switch (18) can be closed by pressing the electrodes (46A, 46B) together.

A method for assembling an electro-permanent magnet (EPM) key assembly of an information handling system may comprise disposing a pair of scissor plate mounts framed onto a base contact assembly upward through a cap support plate opening within a cap support plate comprising a printed circuit board with pressure sensors to record keystrokes for mounting the EPM key assembly, operably connecting the base contact assembly to the cap support plate, disposing a ferromagnetic flange operably coupled to rotate with at least one scissor plate about a hinge downward through the cap support plate opening, operably connecting the pair of scissor plates to the base contact assembly such that each of the pair of scissor plates may rotate away from one another in the presence of downward force on a key cap, and situating the key cap atop the pair of scissor plates.

A key switch includes a key cap, a base, a support device and a bracket. The base has a first magnetic area. The support device is disposed between the key cap and the base. The bracket is movably connected to the support device. The bracket has a second magnetic area corresponding to the first magnetic area. When the key cap is not pressed, a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic areas keeps the key cap at a non-pressed position. When the key cap is pressed by an external force, the key cap moves with the support device from the non-pressed position to a pressed position. When the external force is released, the second magnetic area moves toward the first magnetic area due to the magnetic attraction force, such that the key cap moves with the support device from the pressed position to the non-pressed position.

A keyswitch device includes a cap, a board, a first returning member, and a second returning member. The board is disposed opposite to the cap. The first returning member is disposed between the cap and the board and includes a magnet member and a magnetic member for providing a magnetic force. The second returning member is disposed between the cap and the board for providing an elastic force. When the cap is released at a lowest position, the cap moves upward via the elastic member and then arrives and stays at a highest position via the magnetic force.

A keyswitch device includes a cap, a board, a first returning member, and a second returning member. The board is disposed opposite to the cap. The first returning member is disposed between the cap and the board and includes a magnet member and a magnetic member for providing a magnetic force. The second returning member is disposed between the cap and the board for providing an elastic force. When the cap is released at a lowest position, the cap moves upward via the elastic member and then arrives and stays at a highest position via the magnetic force.

A keyboard device includes a base plate and a plurality of keyswitches disposed on the base plate. At least one of the keyswitches includes a keycap, two linkages, and two magnetic attraction members. The linkages are connected between the base plate and the keycap and configured to guide the movements of the keycap toward and away from the base plate. The magnetic attraction members are rotatably connected to the linkages, respectively, and are configured to attract each other. When the magnetic attraction members abut against each other, the keycap is at a highest position relative to the base plate. When the keycap moves toward the base plate from the highest position, the magnetic attraction members are separated from each other.

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.

An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

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.

An electro-permanent magnet (EPM) key assembly of an information handling system may comprise a pair of scissor plates operably connected to a base contact assembly including an EPM such that each of the pair of scissor plates may rotate away from one another in the presence of downward force on a key cap situated atop the pair of scissor plates for actuation of the EPM key assembly; the EPM comprising a low-coercivity magnet and a high-coercivity magnet; wherein an application of a first current pulse applied to an electrically conductive wire coiled around the low-coercivity magnet places the EPM in a first on state to assert a first magnetic field on a ferromagnetic flange operatively coupled to rotate with at least one scissor plate about a hinge; and wherein an application of a second current pulse applied to the electrically conductive wire places the EPM in a second on state to increase the magnetic field on the ferromagnetic flange.