Magnetic actuation for impact-based feedback effects in a key structure

Abstract

A keyswitch for a keyed device, the keyswitch comprising: a housing with an inner structure defining a cavity within; a plunger protruding from a top side of the housing and extending into the cavity, the plunger operable to be depressed and travel along a linear range of motion within the cavity of the housing; a slug comprised of magnetic material and configured at a bottom section of the cavity; and a conductive coil, wherein the conductive coil is operable to generate a magnetic field in response to receiving an electrical current, the magnetic field operable to magnetically move the slug within the cavity causing the slug to impact a portion of the housing or the plunger, wherein the impact causes a feedback effect that mechanically translates through the keyswitch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.