Apple investigating more durable Mac, iPad keyboards that are membrane-sealed

Apple has filed for a patent (number US 20240047156 A1) for a “Membrane-Sealed Keyboard” that shows the company is investigating way to make Mac and iPad keyboards more durable.

About the patent filing

In the patent filing, Apple points out that (of course) keyboards typically have a number of moving keys. Liquid ingress around the keys and into the keyboard can damage internal electronics. Residues from such liquids, such as sugar, may corrode or block electrical contacts, prevent key movement by bonding moving parts, and so on. Solid contaminants (such as dust, dirt, food crumbs, and the like) may lodge under keys, block electrical contacts, and obstruct key movement. 

What’s more, the keys on a conventional keyboard are spaced apart to provide key definition. Key definition is a property of a keyboard that describes how easily a user can tell where a key is located by sight or touch. 

Apple says that, typically, strong key definition correlates with large gaps or grooves between the keycaps since those gaps or grooves help orient the user’s fingers on the keyboard. However, spacing apart the keys produces gaps through which liquid and particles can pass into the keyboard. Additionally, due to manufacturing tolerances, keycaps can be slightly misaligned when they each are supported by separate switches, domes and related key mechanisms, thereby leading to an imprecise and noisy visual appearance.

Apple says that “there are many challenges and areas for improvements in input devices such as keyboards.” The company thinks that one solution may be keyboards with flexible membrane layers stretched across them.

Summary of the patent filing

Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “Keyboards and other input devices are provided with at least one flexible layer that extends over or under the keycaps. The flexible layer spans interkey spaces and lies between inner and outer keycaps. The flexible layer prevents intrusion of invasive material to the keyboard mechanisms and simplifies the appearance of the keyboard area. 

“Some flexible layers help align keycaps by connecting inner and outer keycaps or by providing a mechanical connection interface for the keycaps. Some membranes used in the flexible layer have a layered or composite construction that increases durability and tear resistance by attaching or infusing a mesh material or other tough material to a less durable, elastic material.”