The Vault is a Let’s Split case built to protect your keyboard’s precious switches and keycaps. Like many others, I became attracted to the Let’s Split for its approachability and ease of use. Since beginning the design process as a university senior project in 2018, I have iterated this design multiple times to arrive at the current architecture. The goal with this project is to create a keyboard you can enclose, throw into your bag, and take to work, school, or anywhere life takes you.
Having been a member of the keyboard community for over five years, I have built my fair share of keyboards and grown a decent collection of keycaps and switches. My biggest issue with mechanical keyboards is that while beautiful and incredibly funcitonal, they are hard to transport. Sure, we have cases and sleeves, but I was looking for something that I could collapse, throw into my bag, and forget about until I needed it. The Vault sandwiches your keycaps and switches between its two halves and turns into a small impenetrable box when collapsed.
I have a collection of current renders, a prototype, and a full write up/powerpoint on the design process. The powerpoint includes many alternative designs and materials that were deferred. I was very excited to arrive at a two piece enclosure with plate mounted switches. The design of the case is very close to done, with only a few challenges left, such as the adhesion system for the two halves when closed and choice of material. I am looking to gauge interest and see if anybody has feedback. Although the basic concept has been determined and the architecture has been figured out, I am open to any and all suggestions as far as design and functionality. I am hoping to move this into the early stages of production within the next month or so. If anybody has experience with this part of the process, I would love to talk and make sure I am on the right track.
Renders: https://imgur.com/gallery/yM4wH4rPowerpoint Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Y35r00jsip-hyW9PDOGni3EoA***Chvi6_kWaLavShM/edit?usp=sharing(Name has been changed to The Vault)
This powerpoint tries to sell the product to an audience unfamiliar with mechanical keyboardsFull Write Up:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bnyt6id1wedsmxp/A%20Better%20Mechanical%20Keyboard.pdf?dl=0There is a lot of fluff in this write up since it was my final thesis for university, but there is some interesting information if you’re interested in diving deep into the designFeatures/technical information:
Let’s Split case (QMK compatible)
Two piece (each side) construction
Protective sandwich enclosure
Let me know what you think in this thread and in the survey.
SURVEY: https://forms.gle/v9RWY1kdUCCZmKoS7PS: I’ve done some research and testing on creating a fully wireless solution for this board, but am going to stick to just creating an enclosure, and possibly will work on a wireless let's split pcb set in the future.
