Scissors keyboard: description, operating principle, advantages and disadvantages

The keyboards, despite the fact that they perform the same function, are very different from each other. The main difference is in the mechanism of keystrokes, which determines the durability and tactile sensations during work. In this regard, the leading positions are occupied by scissor keyboards. The principle of operation of such devices is based on the action of membrane keyboards. Therefore, they can not be considered separately.

Scissors and membrane keyboards

The vast majority of computer keyboards are equipped with a membrane mechanism of keystrokes. It is a small silicone domed cap, turned upside down, which is fixed to the back edge of the key and is located directly above the three-layer membrane. When pressed, the contacts are closed, and a certain set of signals is transmitted to the computer. The reverse movement of the key occurs due to the elastic forces that arise in the silicone cap. A scissors keyboard, which has a scissor mechanism in its design, should be included in a separate category. As in the keyboard with gaskets-caps, the closing of contacts occurs when the walls of the three-layer membrane come into contact, but the plastic "scissors" are responsible for holding the key in the designated place. The introduction of this mechanism into the design of keyboards significantly improved their characteristics.

Principle of operation

Structurally, the keys of the scissor keyboard are plastic "caps", which have semi-cylindrical grooves that connect them with a scissor mechanism. The lower edge of such "caps" comes into contact with the plastic cap, but it is not connected with it rigidly, as, for example, in classical membrane keypads. Silicone caps "cover" a three-layer membrane.

When you press the button on the keyboard until it stops, the silicone cap presses on the top layer of the membrane, pushes it through a special hole in the lower layer, resulting in a short circuit that sends a signal to the computer. Unlike conventional membrane devices, the keys of scissors are constantly in a "suspended" state: miniature "scissors" pull the keys down, and the membrane pushes it up. Thanks to this "confrontation" to operate a relatively small effort.

Advantages of scissor keyboards

Any keypad is characterized by several indicators: the trigger power, the volume of the sound released when the sound is pressed, the service life and the key stroke, that is, the distance to which the button should "fail" to send a PC signal.

By operating force, scissor keyboards are almost identical to devices with silicone caps only. Depending on the brand of the manufacturer, it is from 25 to 100 grams / force, but on average this figure is in the range of 60-80 grams. The main advantage of scissor keyboards is the extended service life. If the keys of the classic membrane device are able to "overpower" only up to 1 million presses, then the buttons on the keyboard with "scissors" can withstand at least 5 million operations. When using high-quality materials in the manufacture of this figure increases to 10 million.

The stroke length of the scissor keys is usually within 1-2.5 mm, which is 1.5-3.0 mm smaller than that of the classic membrane keypads. This reduces the percentage of key jamming and their malfunction when pressed to zero.

Disadvantages of scissor keyboards

The main disadvantage of scissor keyboards is a complex, in comparison with the membrane devices, design: here the keys are much more immovable. In addition, in the cross-plastic framework, "love" to get stuck hairs, fiber fabrics, which are then very difficult to extract.

At the same time, the scissors keyboard, due to better fitting of the buttons to each other, is less susceptible to dust contamination. The second insignificant minus can be called the noise level, issued during work. A smaller amount of silicone in the design of the keys reduces the degree of depreciation, because of what you hear the sound of the buttons touching the base of the keyboard. In addition, due to the less elasticity of the rubber caps, a characteristic click appears when the key is returned to its original position. Membrane keypads also work absolutely noiselessly.

Who will use the scissor keyboard?

The scissor keyboard, due to the less effort required to trigger the keys, is best suited to people whose profession is associated with a set of voluminous texts - copywriters, compositors and all those who type on the keyboard a few tens of thousands of characters every day. At the same time, the load on the hands during operation of such a device will be much lower than behind the mechanical keyboard. If you are an ordinary office worker, secretary or like to occasionally play computer games in the evening, then it makes sense to look at the membrane types. Due to the low price it is available to everyone, at the same time, its resource is enough for a long time.

For e-sportsmen, gamers and those who are seriously engaged in video games, the scissors keyboard is not suitable - the risk of accidental activation of the keys is great. For this category of people the best option will be mechanical devices.

Manufacturers of scissor keyboards

Among all the variety of devices to choose a truly worthwhile really difficult. And among the popular manufacturers of keyboards with a scissor mechanism is:

• A4Tech - a Chinese company that produces high-quality peripherals for PCs, should pay attention to the models KV-300H, KX-5MU, KX-6MU and KX-100;
• Dialog - the oldest organization operating in Russia, mainly specializes in audio devices, among the keyboards, see the copies of KR-112, KR-113 and KR-114;
• Gigabyte - Taiwan manufacturer of computer technology, is recognized as one of the leading manufacturers of professional gaming accessories. When selecting devices, pay attention to the model GK-K7100.

It is necessary to be guided at the choice of the keyboard's purpose, as well as the sensations obtained by pressing the keys - do not be afraid to try. And remember - if during the test the keyboard with the scissor mechanism of the keys something embarrasses you, then it is better to abandon it, because you will have to work on it for more than a dozen hours.