CN1191379A - Illumination key and method of manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure of a luminescent key is provided with a key top which is made from transparent resin, a film which is provided with printed design (character) at one side, is hot-melt at the upper and the lateral surfaces of the key top and is cut at the lower edge of the lateral surface of the key top, and a key operation part which is made from transparent silica gel and is fixed at the inner surface of the key top by mucilage glue.

Description

Key light and its manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a kind of various device for mobile communication that are used for, as: the networking telephone, mobile phone and such as on the various terminal installations of electronic notebook or the like so that its button can descried luminous key under night and low-light level condition.The invention still further relates to the method for making this luminous key.

In the prior art, the manufacture method of this type of luminous key is that elder generation forms a printing pattern layer in the inside top of the key made from light-transmissive resin, such as a character or the symbol similar with it, then, again with the operation part of a silica gel keys by the good adhesive securement of silica gel and adhesion properties on this printing pattern layer dorsal part.

In addition, form under the situation such as the printing pattern layer of character or simileys at the key top surface, the etching of this character is finished by a laser beam, so just makes the luminous key of prior art involve great expense.

In addition, because this printed patterns (character) layer is to form on the inner surface at this light-transmissive resin key top, thereby when being a bending at this key top, this printed patterns (character) just is difficult to see in above-mentioned luminous key.

Moreover, when a printed patterns (character) is formed at a side that is arranged on the film on some light-transmissive resin keys top and is heat-fused on its top and the side surface, because this key top interconnects by film, thereby, key of operation relatedly can produce misoperation when having operated another in abutting connection with key when pushing up.

For overcoming above-mentioned the problems of the prior art, one object of the present invention just provides a kind of luminous key, this key can guarantee even can both pick out printed patterns (character) reliably when key pushes up to inclination or case of bending, wherein the operation part of key has a kind of striking sensitiveness of rubber like and a kind of elasticity of rubber like, this key top portion is made with animi resin, and forms a kind of reliable strong binding between the operation part of this key and key top.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of key light and its manufacturing method, it can produce printed patterns without laser ablation at an easy rate, and can make it carry out on/off operation reliably and not influence any operation in abutting connection with key, wherein the operation part of key has a kind of striking sensitiveness of rubber like and a kind of elasticity of rubber like, this key top portion is made with animi resin, and forms a kind of reliable strong binding between the operation part of this key and key top.

For achieving the above object, luminous key according to the present invention comprises the key top of a light-transmissive resin material; The film that forms printed patterns (character) in the one side, is heat-fused in the top on this key top and side surface and separates with this key top surface lower limb; And make and be bonded in key operation part on this key top inner surface with adhesive by printing opacity silica gel.

In this structure, the thickness of this film is 100 microns to 200 microns (100 μ m～200 μ m), and this printed patterns is produced on the top or the bottom of this film.

In addition, manufacture method according to luminous key of the present invention, to be arranged within the metal die at the film that the one side is formed with printed patterns (character), carry out injection moulding in the mode of light-transmissive resin being injected in this cavity then, to make a key top, like this, the film that has a printing pattern layer is heat-fused in the upper surface on this key top.Then after the lower edge that this film is pushed up from this key with a mould cut, the inner surface that this key is pushed up with bonding agent was bonded in the key operation upper surface partly that printing opacity silica gel is made.

In addition, in luminous key of the present invention, can on all surfaces except that the inner surface of light-transmissive resin key top, form colourless or similar reflection layer, printed patterns (character) is arranged in this reflection layer.In this case, except that printed patterns (character) part, make a light non-transmittable layers again to cover the top and the side surface on this key top, this light non-transmittable layers is covered by a protective clear layer again.Again as described above, with bonding agent the inner surface on this key top and the key operation of printing opacity silica gel are partly bonded together.

In addition, among luminous key according to the present invention, the thin key top that can use colourless resin or similar resin to make, this printed patterns (character) is formed on the surface on the key top except its inner surface.At this moment, except printed patterns (character) part, make a light non-transmittable layers again to cover the last and side surface on this key top, the last and side surface of this light non-transmittable layers is covered by a protective clear layer.Preceding for another example described, with bonding agent that the upper surface of the operation part of this key top inner surface and printing opacity silica gel keys is bonding.

Fig. 1 is the generalized section of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is the generalized section of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is the generalized section of further embodiment of this invention.

Fig. 4 is the generalized section of yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is the generalized section of yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is the generalized section of yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 (a)-(g) is the schematic diagram of expression according to the process of luminous key manufacture method of the present invention.

Being described in detail as follows of preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, printing opacity key mat 1 has an operation part 1a and a not operation part 1b, and these two parts are made an integral body by silica gel.In addition, except that example shown in Figure 1, promptly divide 1c by the thin skirt section of kicking up and integrally be supported in the example that the key top support section 1d on thin branch top, skirt section constituted along the lower bevel of the side surface of not operation part 1b except the operation part 1a shown in the figure, operation part 1a also can be by shown in Figure 2 and constitute, wherein this oblique skirt section branch is cancelled, and key top support section 1d is flatly stretched out by the thicker side surface of not operation part 1b.Here should give attention, the present invention is not limited only to these structures, also can adopt any all other structures that support key top 2.Under the situation that provides skirt section 1c, this skirt section 1c carries out the striking action.

In addition, operation part 1a is located on the substrate (not shown), the position is corresponding with fixing contact point on this substrate, simultaneously, a conductive contact piece is set in the inboard of this operation part 1a forms a rubber striking structure, or make a metal striking structure with metal dome switch (not shown).

By the thermoplastic resin material, the key top 2 usefulness bonding agents of making as ABS, Merlon, acrylic resin etc. 3 are fixed on this key top support section 1d top partly.Here, the upper surface on key top 2 can be a different shape, such as the crooked shape of tilting to a direction.In addition, the bottom on key top 2 can comprise marginal portion 2a, as shown in Figure 3, or does not comprise this marginal portion.In a word, for making light by key top 2, a kind of colourless material that light is therefrom passed through with certain intensity, can be adopted here in the transparent or light transmissive material making key top 2 of (such as in the scope of 0.8mm～1.5mm) that available about 1mm is thick.Under these key top 2 situations about making, need not to make a kind of following reflective membrane 4a by colourless material.

Bonding agent 3 is a kind of being used for key top 2 of being made by materials such as thermoplastic resin material such as ABS, Merlon, acrylic resins and the bonding agent that is connected with the integrally formed silicon key mat 1 of not operation part 1b by operation part 1a.Here, bonding agent 3 can be any can be with two kinds of bonding agents that different materials is glued together: such as, can use silicon type bonding agent or analog.

In addition, except that inner surface, on the surface on key top, adopt any following method to form a printed patterns (character) layer 4.

In a method, but on all surface of light-transmissive resin key top 2 except its inner surface, form a reflective membrane 4a with light tone reflected white-light or the like.Such as, can adopt colourless coating as reflective membrane.Then, the layer of seal on the spot 4b all, except the pattern part that is covered by black non transparent film 4c carried out the color printing on the spot of red, blue, yellow or the like color, to form a pattern that includes letter, symbol, figure or the like.In addition, this opaque coating 4c and the 4b of seal layer on the spot that include pattern (character etc.) by one with such as urethanes or similarly the transparent protective film 5 made of transparent resin cover.

This printing pattern layer 4 both can be the formpiston state, promptly had only character (pattern) the part coverlet colour printing of etching, also can be the former state, promptly except the character (pattern) of etching part all printing pattern layers 4 all by color printing.

Another does not comprise that on the surface on resin key top 2 method for making of its inboard printed patterns (character) layer 4 is by shown in Fig. 7 (a)～(g).In this method, one is arranged among the metal-resin mould by making such as Merlon or the like lucite and having thick films 6 printed patterns (character), 100 microns～200 microns (100 μ m～200 μ m) in the one side, carry out injection moulding to form key top 2 resin is injected this hole then, the film 6 that has printing pattern layer 4 with this this by hot melt on the surface on key top 2.

Here should notice that this printed patterns surface both can also can form at the upper surface of this film 6 on its lower surface.If this printed patterns surface is formed at the upper surface of this film 6, then to provide one by the protective layer of making such as transparent urethanes coating 5 on the top on this printed patterns surface.In addition, be necessary that thickness with film 6 fixes on 100 microns～200 microns (100 μ m～200 μ m) and goes up and give film 6 with enough intensity when operating in metal die 7 inside.

Then, with mould 8 film 6 being pushed up the cutting of 2 lower edge from key comes.Like this, owing to adopt mould 8 that film 6 is pushed up the mode that the cutting of 2 lower edge is come from key, when a key top 2 was pressed by the emperor himself, This move is the key top of related adjacency not, and can carry out on/off operation to a particular key top 2 reliably.

Next, be bonded on the upper face of the key operation part 1a that makes by printing opacity silica gel with the surface, inside of bonding agent 3 key top 2.

In addition, if this resin key pushes up the thickness that 2 housings have 1mm, just can adopt said method to form printed patterns (character) layer 4, and needn't use a colourless coating on the surface on this key top 2, as long as the housing on key top 2 can and make a certain intensity light pass through wherein with the reflection of light such as white light at the same time.

Then, after the upper face on key top 2 had formed printing pattern layer 4, the inner surface on this key top 2 was bonded in the upper surface of the key operation part 1a of key mat 1 by bonding agent 3.

So far, have after the said structure, even luminous key according to the present invention also can pick out the character (pattern) on the key top 2 reliably when having the shape of a bending or inclination on key top 2.And, because key top portion resin is made into stiffness, and this key operation partly produces a kind of striking sensitiveness and elasticity of rubber like simultaneously, and owing to can between key operation part and key top, obtain powerful bonding reliably, according to luminous bond energy of the present invention execute key operation enough reliably, prevent that misoperation and other are such as abrasion or the like problem.

In addition, the manufacture method of luminous key according to the present invention, the use of laser is cancelled and this printed patterns (character) can be at an easy rate to adopt printing technology to be made.And because the film on the film on a key top and other keys top is separated, it is any in abutting connection with the key top that the operation on a key top does not influence (operation), can carry out the on/off operation on any key top so reliably.

Therefore, the method that the present invention can provide a kind of luminous key very easy and economically and make this luminous key, wherein, key operation partly has the striking sensitiveness and the elasticity of rubber like, this key top portion is made by hard resin, and produces very reliable powerful bonding between key operation part and key top.

Particularly, said structure makes the luminous key of the present invention be suitable for use in low-profile device, as networking telephone or the like.

At last, should be clear and definite, for the foregoing description many changes and additional the change can be arranged, and these changes and change can not break away from scope of the present invention and the core concept that appended claims limits.

Claims (10)

1. luminous key comprises:

A printing opacity key top;

One has pattern and is fixed on film on this key top first surface in the one side; And

Printing opacity key operation part on second surface that is fixed on this key top.

2. according to the luminous key of claim 1, it is characterized in that this film has 100 microns to 200 microns thickness.

3. according to the luminous key of claim 1, it is characterized in that this pattern is made in the upper surface of this film.

4. according to the luminous key of claim 2, it is characterized in that this pattern is made in the upper surface of this film.

5. according to the luminous key of claim 1, it is characterized in that this pattern is made in the lower surface of this film.

6. according to the luminous key of claim 2, it is characterized in that this pattern is made in the lower surface of this film.

7. a method of making luminous key comprises the following steps:

The film that an one side is had pattern is arranged among the mould;

A kind of light transmissive material is injected in this mould to form a key top;

This film is heat-fused on the upper surface on this key top; And

The inner surface on this key top is fixed in the upper surface of the key operation part made from light transmissive material.

8. according to the method for claim 7, it is characterized in that, further comprise the following steps: and to extend the part membranectomy of this key top lower limb.

9. luminous key comprises:

A printing opacity key top;

A reflector of on this key top first surface, making;

A pattern of in the upper surface in this reflector, making;

One this key top side face and above on light non-transmittable layers that make, that do not comprise this pattern;

One at the protective clear layer made on this light non-transmittable layers and on the side surface; And

Be fixed in the printing opacity key operation part on this key top second surface.

10. luminous key comprises:

The key of a relative thin of making by colourless resin;

A pattern that on this key top upper surface, forms;

One this key top side face and above on make, do not comprise the light non-transmittable layers of this pattern;

One at the protective clear layer made on this light non-transmittable layers and on the side surface; And

A printing opacity key operation part that is fixed on this key top inner surface.

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