The fact that the membrane is still vented (labeled 321 in the diagram) suggests that this will only delay, and not fix the dust ingress problem. Indeed, it could make things worse by creating a tiny pump[1] that draws particles in on each keystroke.
I don't know why they didn't vent from the bottom instead, but that's how completely sealed (i.e. waterproof) keypads are vented.
Interesting point! Patent is suggesting its a pump but won't cause ingress due to small size. Per the full patent:
> [0058] For example, FIG. 3D depicts a third alternative example of the key assembly of FIG. 3A. In this example, the membrane 213 or gasket defines a vent 320, aperture, or other hole in one of the sides 318A. When the key cap 103 is moved towards a depressed position, the membrane 213 compresses gas inside the internal area 319, forcing the gas through the vent 320. This allows the embossed area of the membrane 213 to act as a bellows mechanism, forcing gas in a direction 321. This may force contaminants away from the internal area 319 and/or out of the aperture 210. This may also reduce compression of the membrane 213, reduc- ing how much the membrane 213 affects the force curve response.
The specific point about sizing is this next section:
> In various implementations, the vent 320 may be configured with sufficiently small dimensions that gas can be forced through the vent 320 without easily allowing liquids, dust, and/or other particles to enter the internal area 319 from the aperture 210.
Also here's the Patently Apple analysis [0], which points out that this patent covers three different designs (the vented one being the third). I'm not sure the third design we're discussing is the one implemented in the 2018 models though.
What is really interesting is the up and down voting patterns as we swing around the working world. Asia/Australia is quite different to Europe which is very different to the USA. You can have a comment voted way up in one region and then massively slammed down as the sun moves into another.
I really experienced this with my anti-GDPR comments. In the afternoon EST they’d be positive and then take a nosedive in the evening / overnight, I assume as Europeans woke up and took umbrage :)
Yes GDPR is one of the topics sensitive to regional voting. Another is anything questioning if humans might not be born blank slates. Human evolution discussion is also quite sensitive to the time of day.
That would be extremely interesting to see. I really wish votelogs were public. The invisible hand is precisely why active measures [1] are so effective.
This doesn't fall under improper discourse as there was no discernible inflammatory tone. HN is a collection of critical thinkers and in this case offered an enlightening and relevant mechanical design point.
Wow. I thought I was nuts for noticing this pattern. I have seen it when criticizing various nation states, politicians, and other corporations both here and on Reddit. I guess current generation bots are dumb and have no time delay.
Concerning points, here's what works for me:
I act on the assumtion that I can't take the points with me when (I'm || HM) is dead. So... while I need enough to enable free speech, accumulating internet points is not the reason I participate in this forum.
I don't know why they didn't vent from the bottom instead, but that's how completely sealed (i.e. waterproof) keypads are vented.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaphragm_pump
Edit: wow, downvotes? Care to explain...?