EP0847068B1 - Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch - Google Patents

Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0847068B1
EP0847068B1 EP97309838A EP97309838A EP0847068B1 EP 0847068 B1 EP0847068 B1 EP 0847068B1 EP 97309838 A EP97309838 A EP 97309838A EP 97309838 A EP97309838 A EP 97309838A EP 0847068 B1 EP0847068 B1 EP 0847068B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coloured
layer
rubber
keypad
surface layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97309838A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0847068A1 (en
Inventor
Katori R & D Ctr. of Polymatech. Co. Ltd. Masaya
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Polymatech Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Polymatech Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Polymatech Co Ltd filed Critical Polymatech Co Ltd
Publication of EP0847068A1 publication Critical patent/EP0847068A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0847068B1 publication Critical patent/EP0847068B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H01H9/182—Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H01H2009/187—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks having symbols engraved or printed by laser

Description

  • The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a colour keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch in mobile communication systems and electrical equipment for car loading. See for example DE-A-3509519.
  • A manufacturing method of a keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch made of rubber which illuminates only either characters or figures is already well known through the Japan Patent Publication No. HEISEI 5-32850. In this method, a laser beam is irradiated so that the laser beam energy is absorbed into a coloured surface layer in the shapes of characters and burns them off.
  • In order to remove the coloured surface layer by means of the laser beam, it is necessary to arrange materials such as carbon black on the surface so that the laser beam is readily absorbed into the coloured layer. Therefore the available keypads manufactured by irradiating laser beam currently have only dark colours such as black or gray or the like as the coloured surface layer. It is possible to emit the laser beam on the coloured surface layer of any colours which are not black or gray and to burns them off; on the contrary, the incomplete removal thereof is readily caused within the coloured surface layer because the coloured surface layer does not completely absorb the laser beam. Moreover, if by increasing the irradiation dose of the laser beam the coloured surface layer is removed, removal or burning thereof is caused on the lower coloured light permeable layer; thus by using the recent laser beam unit, it is difficult to obtain high quality products and the marketing can not be realized.
  • It is the purpose of the present invention to manufacture a keypad having colour variations which are much needed, especially by women and young people, for colour keypads for illuminated character contacts in mobile communication systems and electrical equipment for car loading.
  • The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a keypad for a contact character illumination rubber switch composed of a surface enriched in colour design variations, comprising the steps of forming a black or gray intermediate layer over a surface section of a colour keypad member for a contact character illumination switch of mobile communication systems, electric equipment or the like, forming a coloured surface layer thereon with any colours, and applying a laser beam from the upside thereof for burning up and removing the intermediate layer and the coloured surface layer.
  • The invention provides a method of manufacturing a keypad for a contact character illumination switch, as defined in claim 1.
  • The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
  • FIG 1 is a cross section view of a keypad according to the present invention; and
  • FIG 2 is a cross section view of a conventional keypad,
  • Now the present invention will be described more in detail referring to the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A body of a keypad 1 is formed with transparent or semi-transparent elastic material. Such elastic material includes natural rubber (polyisoprene rubber), butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitryl rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, acrylic rubber, silicone rubber, fluoric rubber, urethane rubber, other synthetic rubber, or styrene base, olefin base, ester base, urethane base thermoplastic elastomer. Over the face thereof, a coloured translucent layer 2, a black or gray dark coloured intermediate layer 3 and a coloured surface layer 4 are formed by painting or printing with polyester base, silicone base or various liquid rubber (urethane base, diene base, polybutene base). For painting method, reciprocation, air, rotary or other well-known methods are employed, while for printing, screen, offset, PAD or other well-known methods are employed.
  • Thereafter, a laser beam is applied to the intermediate layer from the upper side of this coloured surface layer 2, to remove characters or graphic pattern shape portion. When this intermediate layer is removed, the coloured surface layer will be also removed at the same time. Thus, a keypad is realized with its coloured surface with any colours.
    • Example
  • A transparent or semi-transparent silicone rubber is molded by a metal die of keypad shape and a coloured translucent layer 2 is coated using silicone ink white (made by Toshiba Silicone Ltd.) in order to form a coloured translucent layer base. At that time, 20 parts by weight of hardener is added to 100 parts by weight of silicone ink.
  • Next, as an intermediate layer 3, silicone ink black (made by Toshiba Silicone Ltd.) is formed thereon in the shape of key top by silk screen printing. At this time, the key top printing may also be applied with gray silicone ink mixing conveniently white ink and black ink (made by Toshiba Silicone Ltd.) as the intermediate layer 3.
  • Finally, 30 parts by weight of Colour Master Red (made by Toshiba Silicone Ltd.) are added to 100 parts by weight of Silicone Ink Clear (made by Toshiba Silicone Ltd.) as an ink used for the coloured surface layer 4, the liquid obtained as the result is mixed adequately, diluted with solvent and coated on the key top surface. Moreover, on this occasion, 20 parts by weight of the hardener are added to 100 parts by weight of silicone ink.
  • About the silicone rubber keypad coated as mentioned above, the intermediate layer 3 and the coloured surface layer 4 at the same time are removed by a laser marker (made by Fuji Electric Ltd.). As the result, the coloured surface layer and the intermediate layer can be removed in the same shape of the given character and/or symbol as the keypad for conventional black, gray or other character illuminating rubber switch contacts.
  • Similar results are obtained, using blue, green and brown as the coloured surface layer 4. Moreover, a wide variety of colour variation can be realized by preparing colour masters of the coloured surface layer.
  • The thickness of the coloured surface layer 4 is set within the range of 50 µm or less depending on the laser output energy conditions of the laser machine; however, preferably 20 to 30 µm is appropriate. At 15 µm or less, in some cases, the colour of the intermediate layer 3 becomes visible through the coloured surface layer and the colour is not distinct in respect of the outside appearance. At 50 µm or more, the energy efficiency of the intermediate layer is deteriorated, the processing time increases and the removal of some coloured surface layer may occur.
  • By using this method of manufacturing, any colours other than black can be selected for the coloured surface layer having the widest area in respect of the outside appearance, permitting to enrich the variation of key top colour design.
  • Additionally, at that time, products presenting desired qualities, and strongly demanded especially by women and young people, can be manufactured without suffering deterioration of any characters or figures such as discolouration due to the fading of the coloured transparent or translucent layer.

Claims (1)

  1. A method of manufacturing a keypad for a contact character illumination rubber switch made of rubber or other elastic materials, in which a coloured transparent or translucent layer of any colour is expressed and formed, comprising the steps of:
    forming a coloured transparent or translucent layer (2), over a surface portion of a keypad member (1) for contact made up of rubber molded by using transparent or semi-transparent elastic materials,
    applying a black, gray or other dark colour layer thereon as an intermediate layer (3) for enhancing optical energy absorption;
    additionally forming thereon a coloured surface layer (4) with any colour(s) other than black and gray;
    thereafter irradiating with a laser beam said coloured surface layer in the shapes of characters or figures;
    burning up said intermediate layer (3) by absorption of laser beam energy; and
    at the same time, burning up and removing said coloured surface layer (4) by said burning heat.
EP97309838A 1996-12-06 1997-12-05 Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch Expired - Lifetime EP0847068B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP8340427A JPH10172378A (en) 1996-12-06 1996-12-06 Manufacture of color key pad for character illuminationtype rubber contact
JP340427/96 1996-12-06
JP34042796 1996-12-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0847068A1 EP0847068A1 (en) 1998-06-10
EP0847068B1 true EP0847068B1 (en) 2000-07-19

Family

ID=18336862

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97309838A Expired - Lifetime EP0847068B1 (en) 1996-12-06 1997-12-05 Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0847068B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH10172378A (en)
KR (1) KR100456746B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69702585T2 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10116633A1 (en) * 2001-04-04 2002-10-10 Valeo Schalter & Sensoren Gmbh Button or panel, in particular button or panel for a switch, and method of manufacture
KR20020080687A (en) * 2001-04-17 2002-10-26 김영호 Key-pad manufacturing process of Cellular Phone to injection mold
DE10210913C1 (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-07-03 Silcos Gmbh Operating- and display panel component with illuminated symbol openings, has translucent covering which contains colored material
DE10339842B4 (en) * 2003-08-29 2008-02-14 Angell-Demmel Europe Gmbh Method of making buttons, ornamental and instrument panels with fine symbolism and a button made by the method
KR101034137B1 (en) 2004-09-20 2011-05-13 엘지전자 주식회사 Fabricating method for key pad of portable terminal
KR100951721B1 (en) 2008-03-03 2010-04-09 주식회사 엘티에스 Apparatus and method for manufacturing a key pad for a portable terminal
DE102008026719A1 (en) * 2008-06-04 2009-12-10 Silcos Gmbh Method for applying coating on e.g. silicone elastomer substrate in form of characteristic symbol for catheter, involves printing substrate using ink jet printing process, in which ink without silicon content is used
JP2011141957A (en) * 2010-01-05 2011-07-21 Seiko Epson Corp Method for manufacturing translucency display
JP5479297B2 (en) * 2010-10-08 2014-04-23 信越ポリマー株式会社 Pushbutton switch member, key panel, electronic device, and manufacturing method of pushbutton switch member
KR101351814B1 (en) * 2011-12-23 2014-01-15 김수균 Wiring device with design element and manufacturing method thereof

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3509519A1 (en) * 1985-03-16 1986-09-18 Richard Heinze Kunststoff-Spritzgießwerke GmbH & Co, 4900 Herford Key body and process and device for the production thereof
GB2246099A (en) * 1990-07-18 1992-01-22 Silitek Corp Marking indicia on keytops
JP2657160B2 (en) * 1992-02-14 1997-09-24 信越ポリマー株式会社 Method of manufacturing cover member for illuminated push button switch
US5510782A (en) * 1992-08-03 1996-04-23 Itt Corporation Back lit keypad

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0847068A1 (en) 1998-06-10
KR19980063561A (en) 1998-10-07
DE69702585D1 (en) 2000-08-24
KR100456746B1 (en) 2005-02-02
DE69702585T2 (en) 2001-03-08
JPH10172378A (en) 1998-06-26

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6180048B1 (en) Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch
EP0847068B1 (en) Manufacturing method of color keypad for a contact of character illumination rubber switch
US6084190A (en) Illuminated keypad key and method of manufacture thereof
EP0593804B1 (en) Illuminated button key
EP0845795B1 (en) Keytop plate and method for producing the same
US4937408A (en) Self-illuminating panel switch
JPH10312726A (en) Pressing member for illuminated push button switch, manufacture thereof, and the illuminated push button switch
KR960703345A (en) PLAY BALL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
CN109786158A (en) A kind of production method of the keycap applied on illuminated keyboard and the keycap
GB2279915A (en) Making illuminatable keytops
JP4685440B2 (en) Key top, key sheet, and push button device
CN205395411U (en) Button and bat printing equipment
JP2596144Y2 (en) Illuminated push switch lighting structure
JP3597024B2 (en) Method of manufacturing cover member for push button switch
JPH0532850B2 (en)
JP2003257275A (en) Character illuminating key top structure
JP3092841B2 (en) Cover member for push button switch and method of manufacturing the same
JP2670016B2 (en) Rubber switch member
JP2625566B2 (en) Manufacturing method of cover member for rubber illuminated switch
JP2772316B2 (en) Method of manufacturing cover member for push button switch
JPH1127362A (en) Illumination key and its manufacture
JPH05323064A (en) Forming method of indication mark
JP2000011790A (en) Lighted-type key and its manufacture
KR100458433B1 (en) Structure for keypad of mobile and manufacturing method thereof
JP2020019441A (en) Illumination panel for vehicle and its manufacturing method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FI GB SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19980826

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE FI GB SE

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE FI GB SE

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990531

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FI GB SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69702585

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20000824

EN Fr: translation not filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20081212

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20081205

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20091202

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20091203

Year of fee payment: 13

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091205

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091206

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20101205

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69702585

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110701

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110701

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20101205