Introduction to the common structure of mechanical keyboards

 With the advancement of technology, various structural designs in mechanical keyboards have offered users a diverse range of keystroke experiences. From the simple Tray mount to the complex Gasket mount, each structure seeks a unique balance between the keyboard's hand feeling, sound, and appearance. This article aims to introduce several common mechanical keyboard structures.

Tray Mount

Tray mount is a very simple and widely used structure. There is no difference between an upper and lower shell, generally consists of the bottom shell, PCB, and a positioning plate. The bottom plate of the keyboard shell has screw holes, screws through the positioning plate and PCB to fix the entire keyboard. Its compatibility is very good, basically standard specifications.

TOP Mount

The positioning plate is directly fixed to the shell. The plate has installation clips with screw holes that can be screwed to the top cover and the bottom case, completing the assembly of the keyboard. Although it is a rigid structure, there is still some flexibility.

Bottom Mount

In contrast to Top mount, PCB is fixed to the edge of the bottom shell. Similar to Tray mount but not fixed to the bottom shell, it achieves more uniform rigid structural support. At the same time, this structure does not require the involvement of the top cover and can be designed to have a floating appearance.

Sandwich Mount

The positioning plate is firmly fixed between the top cover and bottom shell, suppressing bottom vibrations for a pleasant keystroke sound. The plate's edges must seamlessly align with the shell to ensure that the plate is perfectly centered while still providing some space for cushioning.

Integrated Mount

The top cover and positioning plate are integrated into a single design. There is no interchangeable plate to match the color of the top cover or the bottom shell, as they are made from the same piece of aluminum, pc, titanium, etc., achieving a rigid keystroke sensation akin to a sandwich mount. However, it is only constrained at the top and tends to have larger dynamic and static characteristics.

Gasket Mount

Gasket structure, screws only pass through the outer shell, and the positioning plate relies on the pressure between the two shells. Because of the rubber strip fixed, providing cushioning in both vertical directions for a smoother feeling. Gasket structure up and down with silicone pads of the groove, in order to secure the positioning plate instead of screws.

Plateless Mount

This is a design without a steel plate or positioning plate. It can be Top mount, Bottom mount, Gasket mount, or even Tray mount, and the only difference between it and the others is that there is no positioning plate. This unique design offers a distinctive hand feeling. Meanwhile, it demands high precision in PCB opening and generally does not support hot-swapping.

In conclusion, the structural diversity of mechanical keyboards provides users with personalized options. Whether for professional keyboard enthusiasts or ordinary users, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different mechanical keyboard structures, you can better choose the product that meets your needs.