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 key arrangement includes an activation element, a switch, a mechanical counterforce generating device, and a permanent magnet arrangement. The switch has at least a first state and a second state. The activation element has a basic state and an activation state and is configured to, in case of activation by a user, permit a movement from the basic state into the activation state, and in case of the movement into the activation state to permit a change in the state of the switch. The mechanical counterforce generating device is configured to generate, in case of an activation of the activation element, a first counterforce at least in certain areas. The permanent magnet arrangement is configured to generate, in case of activation of the activation element, a second counterforce at least in certain areas.

A magnetic type keyswitch includes an actuating member and a switch unit. The actuating member is movable in response to a pressing force. The switch unit includes a circuit board, a Hall sensor electrically connected to the circuit board, and a magnet spaced apart from the Hall sensor by a fixed distance. When the pressing force is not applied, the magnet enables the Hall sensor to output a first voltage, and when the pressing force is applied, the actuating member moves relative to the magnet and the Hall sensor in response to the pressing force, so that the Hall sensor outputs a second voltage different from the first voltage, and the magnetic type keyswitch generates a triggering signal.

An information handling system may include a processor; a data storage device; a power management unit (PMU); a spring-back force adjustable pointing device operatively coupled to communication with the processor, including: a pointing device housing; a key plate operatively coupled to the pointing device housing at a key plate hinge; a first magnet operatively coupled to the key plate; and a second magnet operatively coupled to an opposing magnet adjustment device to adjust the position of the second magnet relative to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet and second magnet have repelling poles facing each other to assist spring-back of the key plate when opposing magnets fields interact.

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 control apparatus includes a main body unit, a plurality of moving members each of which is movably supported by the main body unit, a magneto rheological fluid provided between the main body unit and each of the plurality of moving members or between each of the plurality of moving members, and one magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the magneto rheological fluid.

A keyswitch includes a board having a first magnetic portion and a pivot portion, a cap, a switch, and a support device including a first support member having first and second bodies connected to each other via an elastic connection arm. The first body has first and second end portions connected to the cap and the pivot portion respectively. The second body has a second magnetic portion and a triggering portion. A U-shaped slot is formed around the triggering portion to make the triggering portion form an elastic cantilever arm extending from the second body. When the cap is pressed to make the second magnetic portion away from the first magnetic portion at a specific distance, the triggering portion triggers the switch. When the cap is released, a magnetic force between the first and second magnetic portions drives the second magnetic portion to approach the first magnetic portion.

A key structure which is adjustable in pressing force required and in duration of key pushback includes a circuit board, a keycap, a first magnetic member, an elastic member, a membrane switch, and a second magnetic member. The keycap includes an extending portion. The membrane switch is spaced apart from the first magnetic member, and the elastic member buffers the first magnetic member against the membrane switch. The second magnetic member is disposed between the membrane switch and the circuit board. When energized, the second magnetic member generates magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion to the first magnetic member. A pressing force required on the key structure and a rebound force and a delay of rebound can be dynamically adjusted by a direction and magnitude of a current applied to the second magnetic member. A key device including the key structure is also disclosed.

An information handling system may include a processor; a data storage device; a power management unit (PMU); a spring-back force adjustable pointing device operatively coupled to communication with the processor, including: a pointing device housing; a key plate operatively coupled to the pointing device housing at a key plate hinge; a first magnet operatively coupled to the key plate; and a second magnet operatively coupled to an opposing magnet adjustment device to adjust the position of the second magnet relative to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet and second magnet have repelling poles facing each other to assist spring-back of the key plate when opposing magnets fields interact.

A human-machine interface comprising: —a magnetic rocker rotatably movable between a rest position wherein an implement is maintained in a neutral position and a tilted position wherein the implement is in a reclined position, —a magnetic assembly, attached to a frame, capable of cooperating with the magnetic rocker to generate a magnetic return force that constantly urges the magnetic rocker towards its rest position, —a sliding connection comprising a flange and a slide, and —the implement comprises one of the slides, and the flange and the magnetic rocker comprise the other of the slide and the flange such that the sliding connection transforms the movement of the implement towards the reclined position by moving the magnetic rocker towards its tilted position and vice versa.