JP2000331554A - Stereoscopic pattern of key top in illumination key and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance visibility of an illumination key by stereoscopically forming a pattern of a character, a symbol, or a graphic in the thickness direction from the back of a key top made of light transmitting resin or a light transmitting rubber material. SOLUTION: A key top 1 made of light transmitting resin or a light transmitting rubber material and a stereoscopic pattern are molded at the same time with an injection molding machine. Mask printing is conducted on the back of the key top obtained by molding, a shading film 1b of black for example for shading light is formed in a portion other than a cavity 6a and a blanked letter 1a. Light transmitting colored films 6b, 6c are formed on the whole back surface of the key top 1 and the whole top surface and the whole side surface of the cavity 6a by spray coating for example. Either one having high frequency in use of the stereoscopic pattern and the blanked letter 1a is used as the stereoscopic pattern. After the key top 1 is molded in one body, the cavity 6a is preferably formed on the back of the key top 1 whose whole back surface is flat by after work by laser.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional pattern such as a three-dimensional character, graphic, or symbol of a key top in an illuminated key for various mobile communications such as a portable telephone and a car telephone, or an electronic notebook or other various illuminated terminals. The present invention relates to a three-dimensional pattern such as a three-dimensional character of a key top of a key and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional illuminated key, for example, a transparent silicone rubber keypad mounted on a printed circuit board is composed of an operating part and a non-operating part. And a transparent resin key top on which a pattern of so-called letters or the like, such as the Japanese syllabary of Aueo and the alphabets and figures such as A, B, and C, is bonded via an adhesive.

[0003] However, it is known that the visibility of a pattern such as a character, a figure, or a symbol of a transparent resin key top changes due to a change in the thickness of the key top. When the thickness of the key top is too large, there is an inconvenience such that characters and the like appear partially missing. On the other hand, if the thickness of the key top is too thin, characters and the like are too flat, so-called characters and the like become flat and have no profound feeling, and there is a problem that simply changing the color of the characters and the like lacks fashionability.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and allows characters and the like to be viewed three-dimensionally by forming a three-dimensional pattern such as characters, symbols, and figures on a key top. Characters, etc., are in a raised state and can be clearly seen from any position.The characters etc. have a solid feeling, and by changing the depth from the back of the key top, the characters can be changed according to the frequency of use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key which is rich in fashionability, changes a feeling of floating of the key, and enhances usability.

[0005]

The three-dimensional pattern of the key top in the illuminated key according to the present invention is three-dimensionally extending in the thickness direction from the back surface of the key top made of a light-transmitting resin or a light-transmitting rubber material. A three-dimensional pattern such as characters, symbols, and figures is formed.

The three-dimensional pattern of the key top in the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that the three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like is provided in the same key top with different depths from the back surface or the same. It is formed at a depth.

Further, the three-dimensional patterns of the characters, symbols, figures, etc. are provided in the same keytop with different depths from the back surface or are formed at the same depth, and are formed from the back surface of the keytop to a predetermined depth position. At least the top surface of the formed cavity is formed of a translucent colored film.

Further, the three-dimensional patterns such as the characters, symbols, and figures are provided in the same keytop with different depths from the back surface or formed at the same depth, and are provided from the back surface of the keytop to a predetermined depth position. In the formed hollow portion, no translucent colored film is formed on either the top surface or the side surface.

In the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional pattern of the key top is a three-dimensional pattern of characters and symbols extending in the thickness direction from the back surface of the key top made of a light-transmitting resin or a light-transmitting rubber material. The phosphorescent pigment is formed at a predetermined thickness on at least the top surface of the cavity for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as a figure.

According to the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key according to the present invention, a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like is formed so as to be hollow from a back surface to a predetermined depth position in a thickness direction. The key top with the cavity formed therein is integrally molded with a light-transmitting resin or a light-transmitting rubber material, and then printed to form a light-shielding film on the back surface of the key top, and then the entire inner surface of the cavity is formed. Alternatively, spray coating or ink dripping for forming a light-transmitting colored film only on the top surface is performed.

According to the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional pattern of a keytop in an illuminated key according to the present invention, the keytop is integrally formed of a light-transmitting resin or a light-transmitting rubber material, and then is formed in a thickness direction from the rear surface of the keytop. After forming a cavity portion that becomes a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. by laser irradiation so as to be a cavity to a predetermined depth position toward, and then performing printing to form a light shielding film on the back surface of the key top In addition, spray coating or ink dripping for forming a light-transmitting colored film on the entire inner surface or only the top surface of the hollow portion is performed.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that hatching is partially omitted in the cross-sectional views of each drawing. FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a three-dimensional pattern of a keytop in an illuminated key according to the present invention. 1 is a key top made of a translucent resin or a translucent rubber material, 2 is a rubber sheet made of silicone rubber or the like,
It has an operation part 2a and a non-operation part 2b. Reference numeral 3 denotes a printed wiring board, and reference numeral 4 denotes a dome arranged between the operating portion 2a and the printed wiring board 3. The dome 4 performs an on / off operation. 5 indicates a frame. The key top 1 and the upper surface of the operating portion 2a of the rubber sheet 2 are bonded by a transparent adhesive (not shown).

Reference numeral 6 denotes a three-dimensional pattern composed of characters, symbols, figures, and the like, which is formed by a cavity 6a formed from the flat back surface of the key top 1 to a predetermined depth position. And is formed at a predetermined depth in a shape along the shape of. Even if a light-transmitting colored film is not formed on the inner surface of the cavity 6a, characters and the like can be visually recognized due to the difference between the cavity and the resin or rubber material. However, at least the top surface of the inner surface of the cavity 6a may be formed of a translucent colored film 6b of red, blue, yellow or the like. In particular, when the translucent colored film 6b is formed only on the top surface of the inner surface of the cavity 6a, when the cavity 6a is thin and narrow, it can be realized by dropping ink. Transparent colored films 6b and 6c of red, blue, yellow, etc. on the inner top surface and all side surfaces of the cavity 6a
In this case, characters and the like emerge more by tie-up with illumination from a light source (not shown). As an example, the three-dimensional pattern 6 is a three-dimensional character or the like as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B ((a) when the character “A” is viewed from the back side, (b) shows the numerical value of “1”). This is the case where it is shown).

The key top 1 and the three-dimensional pattern 6 are formed by one-color molding. FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a one-color molding back coating method. The formation of the key top 1 and the three-dimensional pattern 6 is simultaneously performed by an injection molding machine. In the case of using an injection molding machine, the cavity 6a may have a complicated character, graphic, symbol, or the depth of the cavity 6a,
In the case where the hole portion a is narrow, the difficulty increases. The key top 1 obtained by molding is subjected to mask printing on the back surface, and a black light-shielding film 1b that blocks light is formed in portions other than the cavity 6a and the blank characters 1a. Next, the translucent colored films 6b and 6c are formed on the entire back surface of the key top 1 and the entire top surface and side surfaces of the cavity 6a by painting such as spraying. In this way, the three-dimensional pattern 6 and the blank character 1a are formed on one key top 1, and the one that is used more frequently is referred to as the three-dimensional pattern 6. Various patterns can be changed by changing the depth of a solid in the order of use frequency within one key top 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view in the case where the depth of the three-dimensional pattern 6 is changed in the order of use frequency within one key top 1. The deeper part of the cavity 6a is used as the numerical value of the ten-key, which is frequently used, and the characters, symbols, figures, and the like when inputting / outputting data and the like are used as the lower ones. The difference in the feeling of floating characters and the like makes the key operator more convenient to use and easy to use. In this example, the case where two hollow portions 6a are provided is shown, but three or more hollow portions 6a may be provided.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a case where the cavity 6a is formed in the key top 1 by laser processing. A cavity 6a is formed on the back surface of the key top 1 whose entire back surface is flat by injection molding by laser post-processing. In the case of laser processing, even if the cavity 6a is a complicated character, figure, or symbol, or the cavity 6a is deep or the hole of the cavity 6a is narrow, it can be manufactured relatively easily. it can.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view when a luminous pigment is formed on the top surface of the cavity formed in the keytop. From the back of the key top 1, characters are three-dimensionally oriented in the thickness direction,
A luminous pigment 7 is formed at a predetermined thickness on at least the top surface of the cavity 6a for forming the three-dimensional pattern 6 such as a symbol or a figure. As the phosphorescent pigment 7, a material such as zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate is used. The luminous pigment 7 is a luminous phosphor that emits light for several hours to tens of hours by irradiating sunlight or light of a fluorescent lamp for about several minutes or tens of minutes. In order to increase the brightness, it is necessary to form the phosphorescent pigment 7 to a thickness of 100 μm or more. The key top 1 in which the luminous pigment 7 is formed in the hollow portion 6a is provided at a key position used first such as a power key.

[0018]

According to the present invention, as can be seen from the above description,
By forming a three-dimensional pattern such as a character, a symbol, and a figure on the keytop, the character or the like can be visually recognized three-dimensionally. In the three-dimensional pattern, characters and the like emerge in the key top, and can be clearly seen from any position, and the solid feeling for the characters and the like also increases.

By changing the depth of the cavity for the three-dimensional pattern from the back surface of the key top in several steps, the feeling of floating characters and the like is changed in accordance with the frequency of use. Numerical values from 0 to 9 when used as a numeric keypad are used by making the depth of the cavity deep, and when used as a data key, the Japanese syllabary, symbols, figures, etc. are used by making them shallower than the depth of the numerical cavity. Self-help can be further enhanced. In addition, the three-dimensional pattern can exert its effect as a key top in an illuminated key that is rich in fashion. Further, the key top having the above configuration can be manufactured rationally and easily. By forming the phosphorescent pigment to a predetermined thickness in the cavity, a clear three-dimensional character or the like can always be visually recognized in a dark place such as at night, in addition to a three-dimensional effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing a three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are examples of a three-dimensional pattern;
(A) is the letter “A” viewed from the back, and (b) is “1”.
This is the case where the numerical value of is shown.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which the depth of a three-dimensional pattern is changed in the order of use frequency within one keytop.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a cavity is formed in a key top by laser processing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a luminous pigment is formed on the top surface of a cavity formed in a keytop.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Key top made of translucent resin or translucent rubber material 1a Unprinted character 1b Light-shielding film 2 Rubber sheet 2a Working part 2b Non-working part 3 Printed wiring board 4 Dome 5 Frame 6 Three-dimensional pattern 6a Hollow part 6b Transparent colored Film 6c Transparent colored film 7 Luminescent pigment

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An illuminating type wherein a three-dimensional pattern such as a character, a symbol or a figure is formed three-dimensionally from a back surface of a key top made of a translucent resin or a translucent rubber material in a thickness direction. The three-dimensional pattern of the key top on the key. 2. The illumination according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional patterns such as characters, symbols, and figures are provided in the same keytop with different depths from the back surface or formed at the same depth. The three-dimensional pattern of the key top in a formula key. 3. The three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like is provided in the same keytop with different depths from the back surface or is formed at the same depth, and from the back surface of the keytop to a predetermined depth position. 3. The three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein at least a top surface of the formed cavity is formed of a translucent colored film. 4. The three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like is provided in the same keytop with different depths from the back surface or formed at the same depth, and from the back surface of the keytop to a predetermined depth position. 3. The three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein the formed hollow portion is not formed with a translucent colored film on either the top surface or the side surface. 5. A hollow portion for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as a character, a symbol or a figure three-dimensionally in a thickness direction from a back surface of a key top made of a translucent resin or a translucent rubber material. The three-dimensional pattern of a keytop in an illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein a phosphorescent pigment is formed on the surface to a predetermined thickness. 6. A key top having a hollow portion forming a three-dimensional pattern such as a character, a symbol, and a graphic so as to form a hollow from a back surface to a predetermined depth position in a thickness direction, using a translucent resin or a translucent resin. Molded integrally with a conductive rubber material, and then subjected to printing to form a light-shielding film on the back surface of the key top, and then sprayed to form a light-transmitting colored film on the entire inner surface or only the top surface of the cavity. A method for producing a three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key, wherein a paint coating or dropping of ink is performed. 7. After forming the key top integrally with a translucent resin or a translucent rubber material, characters and symbols are formed so as to form a cavity from the back surface of the key top to a predetermined depth position in the thickness direction. After forming a hollow portion that becomes a three-dimensional pattern such as a figure by laser irradiation, and then performing printing to form a light-shielding film on the back surface of the key top, a translucent color is formed on the entire inner surface or only the top surface of the hollow portion. A method for producing a three-dimensional pattern of a key top in an illuminated key, wherein spray coating or ink dripping for forming a film is performed.