DE10018933C5 - Button element with island symbolism and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

Key element with island symbolism for an electrical device, in particular a car radio, with the following features:
- The key element (11) has a key base body (1) made of metal and an at least partially transparent filler (10) made of plastic;
- In the key base body (1) at least one of the key front side (4) visible island symbol (3) is impressed such that a metallic symbol island (6) is formed, which connected to the back of the key (2) with at least one deformable pin (7) is and which is spaced from the key body (1) by a symbol web (9);
- The symbol web (9) between the key body (1) and symbol island (6) is completely filled by the partially transparent filler (10).

Description

The The invention relates to a key element with island symbolism for an electrical Device, in particular a car radio, and a method for its production.

electrical Audio and video equipment show for design reasons often Key elements on which the symbolism in the key element itself imprinted is and becomes visible by illumination in the dark. absolutely necessary are key concepts with such night design with car radios to the Operation for to facilitate the vehicle user at night.

today Key concepts with night design for electric equipment are complete made of plastic, wherein the key body by a non-transparent Plastic is formed and provided for the symbolism Areas of the button with an at least partially transparent plastic are filled. Such plastic buttons that allow night design are manufactured by a common plastic injection molding process produced. With such a method it is also possible to use plastic keys to produce with so-called island symbols. Under island symbols are understood symbols in which so-called symbol islands of completely enclosed in the symbol exterior become. Such island symbols are z. B. "O", "P", "4", etc.

Such a key element is off DE 41 14 286 A1 known.

In DE 147 37 417 A1 is a translucent, metallized rubber key having a base part of silicone rubber, a layer of translucent ink, a first protective layer, a metal film engraved with a letter by laser engraving, and a second protective layer.

So far however, no metal key concepts are known which are one of the above Island symbolism with sufficient, d. H. even illumination of the island symbols allow. At present, therefore, only metal button elements without island symbolism possible.

task The present invention is therefore metal keys with island symbolism to provide a uniform illumination of the symbols allow and where the symbol islands can not fall out. Further it is the object of the invention to provide a process for the preparation specify such metal keys.

The Button-related task is inventively by a key element with the features of claim 1. The procedural Task is achieved by a method with the features of claim 4 solved.

The key element according to the invention has a metallic key body and an at least partially transparent filler made of plastic. In the key body an island symbol is impressed such that a metallic symbol island is formed, which is the back of the key ( 2 ) with at least one deformable pin ( 7 ) and spaced from the key body by a symbol land completely filled by the partially transparent packing. In the method for producing such keys, when the symbol stamp is imprinted in the metallic base body, a wall which holds the base body together is left, which is removed with plastic only after the key has been ejected. Thus, according to the invention, metal keys with island symbols can be produced in a simple way, which enable a uniform illumination of the island symbols.

Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the inventions are the dependent claims and the following description.

The Invention will now be described with reference to the single-ended figure of the drawing explained in more detail. The FIG. 1 shows the method according to the invention on the basis of partial figures (a) to (d) for producing a key element according to the invention. In all Sub-figures (a) to (d) are the same or functionally identical elements have been provided with the same reference numerals.

In (A) is with 1 a metallic key body illustrated. In the key body 1 is via the back of the button 2 a stamp with island symbolism 3 imprinted (see (B) ). The stamp with the island symbol gets so deep in the body 1 imprinted on the front of the button 4 another thin wall 5 remains. The wall 5 serves the purpose of a later developing symbol island 6 to hold or fix. In addition, the icon island points 5 one or more in the direction of the back of the key 2 protruding, deformable pins 7 on. These pens 7 serve the purpose of later attaching the symbol islands 6 to allow, so that they can not fall out of the plastic.

After impressing the island symbol 3 arises within the key body 1 an interior 8th , This interior 8th is then back-injected with an at least partially transparent plastic ( (C) ). It is important to ensure that the plastic at least for the island symbol 3 intended areas, ie the symbol bars 9 , completely filled.

Advantageously, however, almost the entire interior 8th injected with plastic. By the ejection of the interior 8th Plastic creates a plastic filler 10 , When spraying the interior 8th with plastic, make sure that the pins 7 at least in part from the Kunststoffüllkörper 10 protrude so that they can then be bent or stamped or deformed. This will become the symbol island 6 kept automatic. Finally, at the front of the button 4 the top layer 12 worn away until the island symbol 3 fully revealed.

In this way, a key element according to the invention 1 provided, which has a metallic key body 1 and its interior 8th and its symbol bars 9 filled with plastic ( (D) ). Will this key element now from the back of the key 2 illuminated with a light source (not shown in the figure), then a uniform illumination of the island symbol from the front of the disk 4 to see.

The making of the island symbol 3 in the key body 1 can be done by extrusion or by casting. However, any other common manufacturing method would be conceivable.

As already mentioned, it is imperative that the symbol islands 6 to the back of the button 2 out with at least one pen 7 are connected. About these pins can be the symbol island 6 attach to a device housing or fix such that the symbol island 6 not from the key element 11 can fall out. For this purpose, the pins 7 before or after the injection of the key body 1 bent, stamped, compressed or otherwise deformed in a suitable manner, thereby securing the symbol islands 6 to enable. However, it would also be conceivable that the pins 7 only after the injection of the key body 1 bent or deformed. Condition for this is that the pins 7 are formed sufficiently long. Typically, the pins should 7 then at least on the back of the button 2 of the key element 11 protrude.

The The present invention is not limited to metal keys with Island symbolism applicable, but can be applied to all Metal buttons with or without island symbolism as well as on procedures for Apply production of such metal keys. In addition, the present Invention also not exclusive limited to metal buttons with a single icon, but let yourself advantageously on metal keys with any number on a button Apply arranged symbols.

1

Tastengrundkötper

2

Keys back

3

island icon

4

Button front

5

thin wall

6

Symbol island

7

pen

8th

inner space

9

Symbol webs

10

(Plastic) filler

11

key element

12

ablated layer

Claims (6)

Button element with island symbolics for an electrical device, in particular a car radio, having the following features: the button element ( 11 ) has a key body ( 1 ) made of metal and an at least partially transparent filler ( 10 made of plastic; - in the key body ( 1 ) is at least one of the key front ( 4 ) visible island symbol ( 3 ) imprinted such that a metallic symbol island ( 6 ) is formed, which to the back of the key ( 2 ) with at least one deformable pin ( 7 ) and the key body ( 1 ) by a symbol bridge ( 9 ) is spaced; - the symbol bridge ( 9 ) between key body ( 1 ) and symbol island ( 6 ) is completely separated from the partially transparent filler ( 10 ) completed. Button element according to claim 1, characterized in that the deformable pin (s) ( 7 ) via the back of the keyboard ( 2 ) of the key element ( 11 ) protrudes / protrude. Method for producing a key element ( 11 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following method steps: (1) a key base body ( 1 ) made of metal is provided; (2) into the back of the key ( 2 ) of the key body ( 1 ) a stamp with at least one island symbol ( 3 ) stamped so deeply that on the front of the key ( 4 ) a thin wall ( 5 ) for holding the symbol islands resulting from the embossing ( 6 ) and the symbol islands ( 6 ) each with at least one deformable pin ( 7 ); (3) the interior space thus created ( 8th ) of the key body ( 1 ) is back-injected with teiltransparent plastic such that at least in the keys basic body ( 1 ) embossed symbol webs ( 9 ) are filled with plastic; (4) on the front of the key ( 4 ) of the key body ( 1 ) the top layer ( 12 ) until the / the island symbols ( 3 ) fully come to light. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the pins ( 7 ) before the back of the key body ( 1 ) are suitably bent, embossed, compressed or deformed with plastic in order thereby to secure a later attachment of the symbol islands ( 6 ). Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the pins ( 7 ) after the back of the key body ( 1 ) are suitably bent, embossed, compressed or deformed with plastic in order thereby to secure a later attachment of the symbol islands ( 6 ). Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the production of the island symbols ( 3 ) in the key body ( 1 ) takes place by means of extrusion or by casting.