JP2000215748A - Light emitting type sheet key top - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate any deformation of characters and improve the abrasion resistance by arranging a key top in the upper part of a press button switch, providing a light shielding layer on the surface of an upper resin film, and forming a light emitting display part on the key top panel, or the light shielding layer by a laser process. SOLUTION: A light transparent layer 2 is provided in the rear face of a polyimide film as a resin film 1. The resin film 1 is set in a metal mold for molding a key top body 3, and polycarbonate is injection molded to fill the resin film so that the key top body 3 is molded. A light shielding layer 4 is formed on the surface of the sheet key top by spray coating in such a state that the film thickness becomes 20 μm after setting, and a laser beam is irradiated thereon so as to remove the light shielding layer 4 into a shape of the display part of a prescribed character or symbol. This sheet key top is covered with a mask 5 except for the key top panel and thermosetting urethane coating is laminated thereon by spray coating as a polymer protecting layer 6 in such a state that the layer thickness after setting becomes 50 μm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illuminated sheet-like key top disposed above contact switches used for various keyboards such as a cellular phone, a portable information terminal, a remote controller for various home appliances, a card remote controller, and the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the structure of a push button switch in which a resin film on which a display portion is printed and a molded resin key top main body are integrated is known as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-54656. is there. This push button switch has been noticed in the market because it can be easily made thinner and lighter.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The manufacturing method described in No. 4656 discloses that a display portion is printed on the back surface of a resin film in advance, the resin film is sandwiched between injection molding dies, and the resin film is stretched with a molten thermoplastic resin. Since the push button switch is molded by being deformed into a curve, the stretch rate of the resin film is large, for example, the key top is high, the stretch rate of the resin film is not constant on the top of the key top,
For example, it is difficult to control the enlargement and distortion of characters and symbols on the display unit when the top of the keytop has an irregular shape such as a triangle or a quadrangle.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems by forming a display portion of characters, symbols, etc. by using a laser processing method on a light shielding layer provided on the surface after molding a key top. In addition, there is no distortion in the display of characters and symbols for all keytop shapes and heights, and a polymer protective layer is laminated on the surface of the illuminated display to provide abrasion resistance. It is a key top.

That is, according to the present invention, a light shielding layer provided on the surface of a resin film of a sheet-like key top obtained by combining a resin film on the upper surface side of a key top made of a molded resin is formed by using a laser processing method. An illuminated sheet-like keytop characterized by forming a display portion for characters, symbols, and the like. Further, the present invention is the illuminated sheet key top, wherein a light transmitting layer is provided between the illuminated display section formed on the light shielding layer by laser processing and the resin film.

The purpose of providing the light transmitting layer is to prevent the laser from directly hitting the resin film by providing the light transmitting layer when forming an illuminated display portion by applying a laser to the light shielding layer.
An object of the present invention is to prevent a resin film from being deformed by heat of a laser. Further, the present invention is an illuminated sheet-like keytop, wherein a polymer protective layer is laminated on the surface of the illuminated display section.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail. The illuminated sheet-like key top of the present invention may be obtained by printing a desired layer including a light-shielding layer on the front and / or back surface of the resin film, and then subjecting the resin film to deformation by injection molding or simultaneously with deformation of the resin film. After filling and solidifying the resin that has been heated and melted by compression molding or the liquid uncured resin from the back side of the resin film to form the key top body, letters and symbols are applied to the light shielding layer using laser processing from the top of the key top. And the like to form an illuminated display section.

Alternatively, if necessary, after printing a desired layer on the back surface of the resin film, after the resin film is deformed or simultaneously with the deformation of the resin film, the resin or liquid melted by injection molding, compression molding or the like is melted. After filling and solidifying the uncured resin from the back side of the resin film to form the key top body, a light transmitting layer is provided on the surface of the key top, and a light shielding layer is further provided thereon, from the top of the key top A method of forming an illuminated display portion of characters, symbols, and the like on the light-shielding layer by using laser processing and manufacturing the same, and the like.
Further, a polymer protective layer is laminated on the surface of the manufactured keytop to manufacture the illuminated sheet-like keytop of the present invention.

[0009] The resin film of the present invention is made of a heat-resistant material such as polyimide, polyetherketone, polyetherimide, polyarylate, aramid, polyphenylene sulfide, or fluorine, which is used for processing the illuminated display section by irradiating a laser to the light-shielding layer. It is desirable that there is a resin film. When providing a light-transmitting layer between the illuminated display portion and the resin film, the material of the resin film is not limited to a heat-resistant resin film, in addition to the resin film, polyester, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyamide, 1, 2
-Thermoplastic resin films such as polybutadiene, polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate are also included.

The resin of the key top body of the present invention has a composition,
The elastic modulus and color tone are not particularly limited, and polymethyl methacrylate having good transparency, polycarbonate, amorphous polyester, amorphous nylon, urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, and ester-based thermoplastic elastomer are preferable, and crystalline nylon, ABS resin, Translucent or slightly colored resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene may be used. In addition, it is also possible to use a thermosetting resin, a photocuring resin, a moisture-curing resin, or the like, such as a silicone resin, a phenol resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, and an acrylic resin.

The thickness of the light transmitting layer of the present invention is preferably 60 μm or less. If the thickness is more than 60 μm, light is not transmitted when light is applied from the back surface, which is not preferable. The method for forming the light-transmitting layer, such as spray coating, dipping, screen printing, pad printing, gravure printing, and offset printing, is not particularly limited.

The thickness of the light-shielding layer of the present invention is preferably 5 to 60 μm. By laser processing, characters and symbols without distortion and enlargement can be formed. If the thickness of the light-shielding layer is less than 5 μm, the top and side surfaces of the key top will be transparent when exposed to light from the back, and will not work as a light-shielding layer.
When the thickness is larger than m, the processing time becomes longer when forming a display portion of characters, symbols, and the like by laser processing, and a step at a portion where the illuminated display portion is formed becomes large, which is not preferable in appearance.

The protective layer of the present invention has a thickness of 5-1.
The layers are laminated so as to have a thickness of 00 μm. The type of protective layer, lamination method, curing method is not particularly limited,
Laminate and cure by spray coating, various printing, potting, and other methods using acrylic, urethane, epoxy, ester, etc. monomers and oligomers such as thermosetting, light curing, and moisture curing types. Is formed. If the thickness of the protective layer is less than 5 μm, the mechanical properties of the protective layer are weak and easily broken, and the function as the protective layer cannot be sufficiently satisfied. The display part looks deep,
It is not preferable because visibility is poor.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described specifically with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As the resin film 1, a light-transmitting layer 2 (IPS Ink Teikoku Ink Co., Ltd.) was provided on the back surface of the polyimide film by screen printing. This resin film 1 is set in a mold for molding a key top body, and polycarbonate (Panlite L1225L) is set.
Injection molding of Teijin Chemicals Ltd.
And the key top body 3 was molded. A light-shielding layer 4 (manufactured by Planet PH Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is spray-coated on the surface of the sheet-like key top to form
The light-shielding layer was formed to have a thickness of 0 μm, and was irradiated with a laser beam to remove the light-shielding layer into the shape of the display portion such as predetermined characters and symbols. The sheet-shaped key top is covered with a mask 5 except for the top surface of the key, and a thermosetting urethane-based coating (Plavac T Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is spray-coated as a polymer protective layer 6 to have a layer thickness of 50 μm after being cured. It laminated so that it might become. The obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had no character distortion and was preferable in appearance.

[0015]

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. A thermoplastic polycarbonate film is set as a resin film 1 in a mold for molding a key top body, and polycarbonate (Panlite L1225L manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) is injection-molded. Molded. The light transmitting layer 2 (IP
S ink (manufactured by Teikoku Ink Co., Ltd.) is provided by PAD printing, and a light-shielding layer 4 (manufactured by Planet PH Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is formed by spray coating so that the layer thickness becomes 20 μm after curing, and is irradiated with a laser beam to a predetermined thickness. The light-shielding layer was removed in the shape of the display portion such as characters and symbols. A thermosetting urethane-based paint (Plavac T Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) was applied as a polymer protective layer 6 on the surface of the sheet-like key top as a PA.
It was transferred by D printing and laminated so that the film thickness after curing was 50 μm. The obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had no character distortion and was preferable in appearance.

[0016]

Third Embodiment FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A light-transmitting layer 2 (IPS ink manufactured by Teikoku Ink Co., Ltd.) was provided on one side of a thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate film as a resin film 1 by screen printing. This resin film 1 is set in a mold for molding a key top body such that the light-transmitting layer 2 becomes the key top surface, and polycarbonate (Panlite L) is used.
1225L (manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited) was injected and filled into the resin film 1 to form the key top body 3.
A light-shielding layer 4 (manufactured by Planet PH Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is formed on the surface of the sheet-like key top by spray coating so that the layer thickness becomes 20 μm after curing, and is irradiated with a laser beam to display predetermined characters, symbols, and the like. The light-shielding layer was removed in the shape of the part. The sheet-shaped keytop is covered with a mask 5 except for the top surface of the key, and a thermosetting urethane-based coating (Plavac T Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is spray-coated as a polymer protective layer 6 to a thickness of 50 μm after being cured by spray coating. Were laminated as follows. The obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had no character distortion and was preferable in appearance.

[0017]

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A light-transmitting layer 2 and a light-shielding layer 4 (IPS ink manufactured by Teikoku Ink Co., Ltd.) were provided on one side of a thermoplastic polyamide film as a resin film 1 by screen printing. This resin film 1 is set in a mold for molding a key top body such that the light shielding layer 4 is on the key top surface, and polycarbonate (Panlite L122) is set.
5L (manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited) was injected and filled into the resin film 1 to form the key top body 3. The surface of this sheet-like key top was irradiated with laser light to remove the light-shielding layer into the shape of the display portion such as predetermined characters and symbols. The sheet-shaped keytop is covered with a mask 5 except for the top surface of the key, and a thermosetting urethane-based coating (Plavac T Origin Electric Co., Ltd.) is spray-coated as a polymer protective layer 6 to a thickness of 50 μm after being cured by spray coating. Were laminated as follows. The obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had no character distortion and was preferable in appearance.

[0018]

Comparative Example 1 FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to Comparative Example 1 of the present invention. A predetermined character or symbol printing layer 7 was screen-printed on the back surface of the thermoplastic polycarbonate film as the resin film 1. This resin film 1 was set in a mold for molding the key top body 3, and polycarbonate (Panlite L1225L manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) was injection-molded and filled into the resin film 1. The characters of the obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had large distortion and were not preferable in appearance.

[0019]

Comparative Example 2 FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an illuminated sheet-like key top according to Comparative Example 2 of the present invention. A predetermined character or symbol print layer 7 was screen-printed on the surface of the thermoplastic polycarbonate film as the resin film 1. This resin film 1 was set in a mold for molding the key top body 3, and polycarbonate (Panlite L1225L manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) was injection-molded and filled into the resin film 1. The characters of the obtained illuminated sheet-like key top had large distortion and were not preferable in appearance.

[0020]

According to the present invention, a light-shielding layer is laminated on the surface of an illuminated sheet-like key top of a push button switch composed of a resin film on the upper surface side of a molded resin key top, and characters and symbols are provided. By using a laser processing method to form an illuminated display unit such as a laser-processed method, and by further laying a protective film on the surface of the key top, a hard illuminated sheet-like key top with no character distortion and excellent wear resistance is obtained. Is to give.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top of Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an illuminated sheet-like key top of Comparative Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Resin film 2 Translucent layer 3 Key top main body 4 Light shielding layer 5 Mask 6 Polymer protective layer 7 Character or symbol printing layer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sheet-like key top of a push button switch formed by combining a resin film on the upper surface side of a molded resin key top main body, wherein a light-shielding layer is further provided on a surface of the resin film on the upper surface. An illuminated sheet-like key top, characterized by having an illuminated display section formed by laser processing on the top surface of the key top. 2. The illuminated sheet-like keytop according to claim 1, wherein a light-transmitting layer is provided between the illuminated display section and the resin film. 3. The illuminated sheet-like keytop according to claim 1, wherein a polymer protective layer is laminated on the surface of the illuminated display section.