JP2000340059A - Key top for illuminated type key and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key top for an illuminated type key wherein characters and the like can stereoscopically be viewed and clearly be seen from any positions by forming stereoscopic patterns of the letters and the like on the key top, which provides a deep feeling and varies a projecting feeling of the characters and the like depending on use frequencies by changing the depth from the back face of the key top, is enhanced in the ease of use and affluent in fashionableness, and does not give a sense of variation in thickness at any positions of the key top when it is tapped, and provide its manufacturing method. SOLUTION: For this key top 1 for an illuminated type key, the key top formed of a transparent or translucent resin or a rubber material is formed into a double layer structure comprising a bottom side layer 1a and a remaining button part layer 1b excluding the bottom side layer, projecting parts 6a are formed by varying them in height or by equalizing the height in order to form stereoscopic patters of characters and the like on the upper surface of the bottom side layer, a print layer of the characters and the like is formed on the upper surfaces of the projecting parts, and the bottom side layer and the remaining button part layer are thermally welded and jointed to each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional illuminated key, for example, a transparent silicone rubber keypad mounted on a printed circuit board, comprises an operating part and a non-operating part. Numerical values and the Japanese syllabary and A,
A transparent resin key top on which a communication information pattern such as so-called characters such as alphabets and graphics such as B and C is printed 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. Furthermore, if a cavity for a three-dimensional pattern is formed in the keytop itself to achieve a three-dimensional pattern of characters or the like, the thickness of the cavity will change between the cavity and other parts, and the finger will be delicately struck when the keytop is hit. You will feel the change.

[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. It can be seen from any position, and the letters etc. can be clearly seen from any position, and the letters etc. have a solid feeling and by changing the depth from the back of the key top, the letters according to the frequency of use Provide a key top for illuminated keys with high fashionability and a method of manufacturing the key.Also, the thickness of the key top does not change at any part of the key top when hit. It is to provide a key top without discomfort.

[0005]

The key top of the illuminated key according to the present invention is a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material. It has a two-layer structure with the button part layer, and a protrusion for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as characters, symbols, figures, etc. on the upper surface of the bottom layer is changed or formed in the same way, and the protrusion is formed A printed layer of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is formed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer excluding the bottom layer are heat-sealed to each other.

In the key top of the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention, the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer except for the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials.

The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 1 of the present invention is such that the bottom layer and the remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and And a colored light-transmitting coating film formed on the back surface of the layer.

The key top of the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer except for the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and Of the layer corresponding to a pattern, such as characters, symbols, and figures, or a non-pattern equivalent portion.

Further, the key top of the illuminated key according to the present invention comprises a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material and a bottom layer and a button part layer other than the bottom layer. With a two-layer structure, a flat protruding portion for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as characters, symbols, figures, etc. is formed on the upper surface of the bottom side layer at a predetermined height excluding the peripheral portion, and on the upper surface of the flat protruding portion A printed layer of characters, symbols, figures, and the like is formed, and the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer excluding the bottom layer are thermally fused to each other.

The key top of the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that the bottom layer and the remaining button part layer except for the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials.

In the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention, the bottom layer and the remaining button layer other than the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and the bottom layer is formed of a transparent material. And a colored light-transmitting coating film formed on the back surface of the layer.

The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 1 of the present invention, wherein the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer except for the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and Of the layer corresponding to a pattern, such as characters, symbols, and figures, or a non-pattern equivalent portion.

The method of manufacturing a key top in an illuminated key according to the present invention is a method of manufacturing a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material by forming a bottom layer and a remaining button section layer excluding the bottom layer. When forming a two-layer structure, the height of the protruding part for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as letters, symbols, figures, etc. on the top surface is changed, or the bottom side layer formed in the same way is formed as a primary molded product Then, after printing patterns such as characters, symbols, and figures on the upper surface of the protruding portion, the remaining button portion layer to be formed on the bottom layer is heat-sealed by secondary molding. .

The key top of the illuminated key according to the present invention is composed of a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material, a bottom layer and a remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer. With a layer structure, letters, symbols,
The button part layer and the bottom layer, in which the protrusion for the three-dimensional pattern such as a figure is formed with a different height or formed in the same manner, and the concave part in the closely fitted state is formed in the three-dimensional pattern protrusion, are heated mutually. It was obtained by fusion bonding.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the key top of the illuminated key is provided between the protrusion for the three-dimensional pattern and the concave portion which is closely fitted to the three-dimensional pattern protrusion, and between the button part layer and the bottom layer. A colored light-transmitting coating film is formed at the joint.

In the method of manufacturing a key top in an illuminated key according to the present invention, a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material is formed by removing a bottom layer and a remaining button section layer excluding the bottom layer. In the formation of a two-layer structure, after the primary molding of a button portion layer having a concave portion for fitting into the projection portion for a three-dimensional pattern in a close contact state, the projection portion for a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is raised. Alternatively, the bottom layer formed in the same manner is formed secondarily so that the concave portion and the protruding portion are fitted to each other so as to be heat-fused and joined.

The key top of the illuminated key according to the present invention has a hologram processed on a back surface of the key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material for obtaining a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like. A three-dimensional vapor-deposited film is attached.

The key top in the illuminated key according to claim 13 is provided by changing the height of a pattern floating in the key top by using a three-dimensional vapor deposition film.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 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 transparent or translucent resin or rubber material, and 2 is a rubber sheet made of silicone rubber or the like, which has an operating part 2a and a non-operating part 2b.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a printed wiring board, and 4 denotes a dome disposed between the operating portion 2a and the printed wiring board 3.
An off operation is performed. 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).

The key top 1 has a two-layer structure including a bottom layer 1a and a remaining button section layer 1b excluding the bottom layer 1a. The layer 1a on the bottom side is formed as a primary molded product, and the protrusions 6a for forming the three-dimensional pattern 6 such as characters, symbols, and figures on the upper surface are changed in height, for example, depending on the frequency of use, or the same. Form. Next, after printing a pattern 6b such as a character, a symbol, or a figure on the upper surface of the protrusion 6a of the bottom layer 1a, which is a primary molded product, the protrusion 6a is embedded by secondary molding on the bottom layer 1a. Thus, the remaining button portion layer 1b is formed and heat-bonded (see FIG. 1).

The key top 1 in the illuminated key according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a bottom layer 1a and a bottom layer 1a.
The remaining button portion layer 1b excluding a is formed of mutually transparent materials. In this case, the three-dimensional pattern 6 can be recognized in a state of being raised in the transparent material.

The key top of the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that the bottom layer 1a and the remaining button portion layer 1b excluding the bottom layer 1a are formed of mutually transparent materials, In addition, a colored translucent coating film 7 of red, blue, yellow or the like is formed on the back surface of the layer 1a on the bottom side. In this case, the three-dimensional pattern 6 such as a character is recognized as the same color or a different color by receiving light from the back.

In the illuminated key according to the first aspect of the present invention, the key top 1 comprises a bottom layer 1a and a button portion layer 1b other than the bottom layer 1a formed of transparent materials. In addition, a portion corresponding to a pattern, such as a character, a symbol, or a figure, or a portion corresponding to a non-pattern on the back surface of the bottom layer 1a is mask-printed 8. Therefore, the masked portion blocks light from the back surface, and the light passes from the unmasked portion to illuminate the pattern portion or illuminate the non-pattern portion.

FIG. 2 shows a key top 1 made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material having a two-layer structure of a bottom layer 1a and a remaining button part layer 1b excluding the bottom layer 1a. A case is shown in which a flat protruding portion 6c for forming a three-dimensional pattern 6 such as characters, symbols, and figures is formed at a predetermined height except for the peripheral portion on the upper surface of the side layer 1a. On the upper surface of the flat protruding portion 6c, a printed layer of a pattern 6c such as a character, a symbol, and a figure is formed. In this case, because a wide flat surface is formed,
Printing work is easy. Bottom side layer 1a to be primary molded
And the remaining button-formed layer 1 except the bottom layer 1a
b is heat-bonded to each other so that the flat protrusion 6c is buried. Also in this case, when the two-layer structure of the bottom layer 1a and the button layer 1b are both made of a transparent material, in addition to the case where the back surface of the bottom layer 1a is a colored translucent coating film, Is a case where mask printing 8 is performed on the back surface of the layer 1a on the bottom side.

FIG. 3 shows a two-layer structure of a key top 1 made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material, comprising a bottom layer 1a and a remaining button portion layer 1b excluding the bottom layer 1a. ,
The three-dimensional pattern 6 is directly obtained without pattern printing by the three-dimensional pattern protruding portion 6d such as a character, a symbol, and a figure on the upper surface of the layer 1a on the bottom side to be formed secondarily. The height of the three-dimensional pattern projecting portion 6d is changed according to the frequency of use or the like, or is formed in the same manner. The three-dimensional pattern protruding portion 6b is formed by thermoforming the bottom-side layer 1a which is secondarily formed with respect to the button portion layer 1b, which is a primary molded product in which a concave portion 1c is formed in close contact with the protruding portion 6b in advance. For thermal fusion bonding. In this case, the three-dimensional pattern protruding portion 6 d rises three-dimensionally in the key top 1 and is recognized as a pattern.

Colored and translucent coating is applied between the three-dimensional pattern projection 6d and the recess 1c which is in close contact with the three-dimensional pattern projection 6d, and the joint between the button layer 1b and the bottom layer 1a. By forming the film 7, the three-dimensional pattern receives light from the back surface, and a colored pattern appears in the transparent portion, thereby increasing the solid feeling.

FIG. 5 shows a hologram processing for obtaining a three-dimensional pattern 6 such as characters, symbols and figures on the back surface of the key top 1 made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material. The case where the transparent translucent three-dimensional vapor-deposited film 9 is adhered is shown. By changing the height of the pattern floating in the key top 1 by the three-dimensional vapor deposition film 9, a pattern corresponding to the frequency of use can be obtained in one key top 1. in this case,
Holographically processed 3D evaporated film 9 as key top 1
The three-dimensional pattern 6 can be easily obtained simply by sticking on the back surface of. The hologram obtains a three-dimensional pattern by recording not only the intensity of light but also the direction in which light comes by interference of two lights. Also, for example, character keys can be made visible on the bottom surface of the three-dimensional vapor deposition film 9 by previously using a combination of the three-dimensional vapor deposition portion 9a and the flat vapor deposition portion 10 during vapor deposition.

[0028]

According to the present invention, as can be seen from the above description,
By forming a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, and the like on the keytop, characters and the like can be visually recognized three-dimensionally in the keytop. 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.

Also, by changing the height of the three-dimensional pattern in one key top, the floating feeling of numbers, characters, etc. is changed according to the frequency of use, and for example, used as a ten-key frequently used in one key. Numerical values from 0 to 9 in this case enhance the three-dimensional effect, and the use of the Japanese syllabary, symbols, and figures when used as data keys can be further enhanced by lowering the three-dimensional effect. 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. In addition, it is possible to prevent the thickness from being changed at any part of the key top at the time of tapping, and it is possible to provide a key top without a sense of incongruity.

[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 schematic enlarged sectional views showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a three-dimensional pattern is formed in one key top.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a three-dimensional pattern is formed in one key top.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a three-dimensional pattern is formed in one key top.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention, in which a three-dimensional pattern is formed in one key top.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 key top 1a layer on bottom side 1b button layer 1c recess 2 rubber sheet 2a working part 2b non-working part 3 printed wiring board 4 dome 5 frame 6 three-dimensional pattern 6a protruding part 6b pattern such as characters 6c flat protruding part 6d three-dimensional pattern Protrusion for use 7 Colored translucent coating film 8 Mask printing 9 Three-dimensional vapor deposition film 9a Three-dimensional vapor deposition part 10 Flat vapor deposition part

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material has a two-layer structure of a bottom layer and a remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer, and a top surface of the bottom layer The height of a projection for forming a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is changed or formed in the same way, and a printing layer of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is formed on the upper surface of the projection, A key top in an illuminated key, wherein a bottom layer and a button portion layer other than the bottom layer are heat-sealed to each other. 2. The key top in an illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer excluding the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom layer and the remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and a colored translucent coating film is formed on the back surface of the bottom layer. The key top in the illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein 4. The bottom-side layer and the remaining button part layer excluding the bottom-side layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and a portion corresponding to a pattern such as a character, a symbol, a figure, etc. on the back surface of the bottom-side layer. 2. The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 1, wherein a portion corresponding to the non-pattern is mask-printed. 5. A key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material has a two-layer structure of a bottom layer and a remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer, and an upper surface of the bottom layer A flat protruding portion for forming a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is formed at a predetermined height excluding the peripheral portion, and a printed layer of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is formed on the upper surface of the flat protruding portion. And
A key top in an illuminated key, wherein a bottom layer and a button portion layer other than the bottom layer are heat-sealed to each other. 6. A key top in an illuminated key according to claim 5, wherein the bottom layer and the remaining button portion layer excluding the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials. 7. The bottom layer and the remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and a colored translucent coating film is formed on the back surface of the bottom layer. The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 5, wherein 8. A bottom layer and a button portion layer other than the bottom layer are formed of mutually transparent materials, and a portion corresponding to a pattern such as a character, a symbol or a figure on the back surface of the bottom layer. 6. The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 5, wherein a portion corresponding to the non-pattern is mask-printed. 9. When forming a two-layer structure of a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material with a bottom layer and a remaining button portion layer excluding the bottom layer, a character,
Either changing the height of the protrusion for forming a three-dimensional pattern such as a symbol or a figure, or forming a bottom layer formed in the same manner as a primary molded product, and then forming a character or symbol on the upper surface of the protrusion A method of manufacturing a key top in an illuminated key, comprising printing a pattern such as a figure and the like, and then thermally bonding the remaining button portion layer formed on the bottom layer by secondary molding. 10. A key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material has a two-layer structure of a bottom layer and a remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer, and a top surface of the bottom layer The button part layer and the bottom side, in which the protrusions for the three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. are changed in height or formed in the same way, and the recesses in the tight fitting state are formed in the three-dimensional pattern protrusions A key top in an illuminated key, wherein the layers are heat-sealed to each other. 11. A colored light-transmitting coating film is formed between the three-dimensional pattern projection and the concave part which is closely fitted to the three-dimensional pattern projection, and at the joint between the button part layer and the bottom layer. The key top in the illuminated key according to claim 10, wherein 12. A projection for a three-dimensional pattern when a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material is formed into a two-layer structure of a bottom layer and a remaining button part layer excluding the bottom layer. After the primary molding of the button portion layer in which the concave portion for fitting in a close contact with the portion is formed, the height of the protrusion for the three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc. is changed, or the bottom side is formed in the same manner. Characterized in that the layer of (1) and (2) are subjected to a secondary molding such that the recessed portion and the protruding portion are in a fitted state so as to be thermally fused and joined to each other. 13. A hologram-processed three-dimensional vapor-deposited film for obtaining a three-dimensional pattern of characters, symbols, figures, etc., is attached to the back surface of a key top made of a transparent or translucent resin or rubber material. Key tops in illuminated keys. 14. The key top of the illuminated key according to claim 13, wherein the height of the pattern floating in the key top is changed by a three-dimensional vapor deposition film.