JP2001266691A - Sheet-like key top and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet-like key top and a manufacturing method thereof wherein a variety of key top designs can be achieved easily, and also high manufacturing efficiency can be achieved. SOLUTION: The sheet-like key top is formed by arranging a molded resin key top on a film, which is mounted so as to cover an upper part of a core piercing through the film.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key top and a film constituting various push-button switches such as various mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and automobile phones, fixed telephones, personal computer keyboards, controllers, AV devices, and motor input switches. And a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as electric and electronic devices have become smaller and more portable, there has been a demand for smaller, thinner, and lighter push-button switches for use in operation units thereof. In response to this demand, conventionally, a display unit is printed on the front or back surface of a film made of a synthetic resin having flexibility, and the film is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top body, and at the same time, the curved portion is formed. The key top body made of thermoplastic resin injected into the inside was directly heat-sealed, or the key top body was integrally formed in the film by fixing the key top body with an adhesive in the curved portion of the film. Sheet-like key tops are known.

[0003]

Heretofore, this type of sheet-like key top decoration has only been a method of printing on a film, and has not been able to respond to market needs such as a metal plating tone and a complicated key top shape. On the other hand, there is also known a key sheet in which a molded hard resin key top is adhered to a key pad and integrated. Hard resin key tops have variations in the decoration of the display unit, but are bonded to a flexible keypad made of an elastic sheet such as rubber or elastomer or a resin film, which increases the manufacturing process and reduces cost. It was difficult. Furthermore, in order to form a hard resin presser under the keypad,
It had to be combined as a separate part, deteriorating production efficiency.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a sheet-like key top capable of easily changing a key top design and having high production efficiency, and a method of manufacturing the same. . That is, in the sheet key top in which the molded resin key top is arranged on the film, the resin key top is a sheet key top mounted so as to cover an upper part of a core penetrating the film. Furthermore, in a sheet-like key top in which a plurality of molded resin key tops are arranged on one film, a sheet in which at least one resin key top is mounted so as to cover an upper part of a core penetrating the film. It is a shape key top.

[0005] Further, the protruding portion located on the lower surface of the film of the core is a sheet-like key top as a pusher. Furthermore, a sheet-like key top in which a core and a resin key top are fixed via a translucent adhesive. Furthermore, a sheet-like key top in which a core and a resin key top are fixed by heat fusion. Further, the core and the resin key top are sheet key tops made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer.

In a method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film, the film is sandwiched between metal molds, and the film is penetrated from the front side or the back side of the film to be heated. After injecting a plastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer, forming a core integrated with the film, removing the mold, and covering the upper portion of the core located on the upper surface of the film, a sheet-like key top having a resin key top attached thereto. It is a manufacturing method.

Further, in a method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film, the film is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top body, and then the curved portion is formed on the key top body. Sandwiched in a mold so as to be on the upper surface side, injection molding the key top body with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer, integrating the film and the key top body, and at the same time, penetrating the film from the back side of the film Injecting a thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic elastomer to form a core integrated with the film, removing the mold, and manufacturing a sheet-like keytop in which the upper portion of the core located on the upper surface of the film is covered with a resin keytop. Is the way.

Further, in a method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film, the resin key top is set in a cavity of a mold on a front surface side of the film, and is held between the molds. A method for producing a sheet-like keytop, comprising injection-molding a core from a back side of a film with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer, and integrating the film, the core, and the resin keytop in a mold. .

Further, in a method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film, the resin key top is set in a cavity of a mold on a front surface side of the film, and further a film having a display portion is provided. After bending into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, it is sandwiched in a mold so that the curved part is on the upper surface side of the key top main body, and the key top main body is injection molded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer, and a film is formed. At the same time as integrating the key top body, the core is injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer by penetrating the film from the back side of the film, and the film, the core and the resin key top are placed in a mold. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top, which is integrated. It is preferable that the film is provided with at least one hole at a position where the core is formed.
The shape is not particularly limited, and it may be a round hole, a square hole, or the like, or a cross-shaped cut.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a resin key top having a core formed of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer formed by penetrating a film serving as a base and having a pattern decorated with characters and symbols on its surface. This makes it possible to add a decoration technique that can be used for the display portion of the resin keytop to the sheet-like keytop.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a typical sheet-like key top of the present invention. One part of the film 1 of the sheet-like key top of the present invention has the display unit 2 on the front surface or the back surface,
It is curved in the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, is integrated with the upper surface of the resin key top main body 3, and another part has a resin key top 6 mounted on the upper part and a pusher on the lower part located on the lower surface of the film. The core 4 also serving as 5 is integrally formed. By fixing the resin key top 6 to the core 4 via the adhesive 7, high density arrangement of the resin key top and design support such as metal plating and full-surface painting can be realized.

The manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A desired position of the film 1 having the display portion 2 is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, sandwiched between injection molding dies 9, and a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer is injected from the injection gate 8 and the key top main body. 3 is formed integrally, and at the same time, the core 4 is formed by penetrating the film at another position. The resin key top 6 is fixed so as to cover the upper part of the core located on the upper surface of the film by removing the mold, thereby obtaining a sheet-like key top.

Another manufacturing method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 to 11. FIG. A desired position of the film 1 having the display portion is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, and the separately formed resin key top 6 and the above film are sandwiched between the injection molds 10 to form a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic resin. Elastomer is injected from the injection gate 8 to integrally mold the key top body 3, and at the same time, a film is pierced at the position of the resin key top 6 to form the core 4, and the resin key top 6, the core 4 and the film 1 are joined together. Secure and integrally mold. Demold to obtain a sheet key top.

Each member constituting the sheet key top of the present invention will be described below. The film of the present invention may be translucent or non-translucent as long as it is flexible, and a known synthetic resin film or a film made of a thermoplastic elastomer can be used. Preferably, at least one hole is provided at the position where the core is formed, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited. In addition to a round hole, a square hole, or the like, a cross-cut may be made. The thickness of the film is 50 to 200.
μm is preferred. If the thickness is less than 50 μm, the film is likely to be broken when the film is curved into the shape of the key top body. If the thickness is more than 200 μm, the flexibility of the film is unfavorably deteriorated.

The material of the resin key top of the present invention is not particularly limited, and known synthetic resins, thermoplastic elastomers, synthetic rubbers and the like can be used.
When illuminating the symbol portion from the back side, it is preferable that at least the predetermined character / symbol portion is translucent. The display portion of the resin key top of the present invention is formed by applying predetermined translucent paint and then forming predetermined characters / symbols in the shape of characters or blank characters after applying the translucent paint, Various designs can be used, such as those in which predetermined characters and symbols are formed using laser processing after the paint is applied over the entire surface, and those in which a non-light-transmitting portion is formed in the shape of a blank by metal plating.

The material of the core and the key top body of the present invention is not particularly limited. In the case where the display section on the key top is to be illuminated from the back side, a known translucent thermoplastic resin or thermoplastic resin is used. It is preferred to be selected from elastomers. In the case where the film, the display unit, and the resin key top are fixed to each other by heat fusion, it is preferable to appropriately select a material. The shape of the upper portion of the core of the present invention is not particularly limited, such as a columnar shape, a polygonal columnar shape, a dome shape, or the like, but a resin keytop can be formed into a shape that can be easily attached by bonding or engaging. Furthermore, the tip shape in the case where the projection part located on the lower surface of the film of the core and the lower part of the key top main body also serve as a presser is not particularly limited, such as a convex shape, a flat shape, a concave shape, etc. An appropriate shape can be obtained in consideration of a contact component such as a spring.

[0017]

First Embodiment FIGS. 2 to 7 show a sheet-like key top according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same. A desired portion of the polycarbonate film 1 on which the display unit 2 is printed is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, set in a mold 9, clamped, and then injection-molded with a polycarbonate resin from an injection gate 8. The key top body 3 was formed inside the curved portion of the film, and the core 4 was formed by penetrating the film at another position. After the mold is opened and taken out, a translucent adhesive 7 is applied to the recess formed on the back surface of the resin key top 6 decorated with metal plating 11 on the separately molded surface as a display portion, and then adhered to the upper portion of the core 4. A sheet-like key top was obtained.

[0018]

Second Embodiment FIGS. 2, 3, and 8 to 11 show a sheet-like key top according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same. At a desired position of the mold 10, a resin key top 6 made of a polycarbonate resin decorated by painting as a display portion on a separately molded surface is set, and then a desired display portion of the polyethylene terephthalate film 1 on which the display portion 2 is printed. The part is curved into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, set in the mold 10, clamped, then polycarbonate resin is injection molded from the injection gate 8, and the key top main body 3 is placed inside the curved part of the film. Simultaneously with the molding, the core 4 was molded by penetrating the film. The upper part of the core 4 and the resin key top 6 were integrated by heat fusion, opened and removed to obtain a sheet-like key top.

[0019]

According to the sheet-like key top of the present invention, the positioning at the time of fixing the resin key top is performed by the core formed on the film. Easy,
Accurate fixing can be performed without using a complicated positioning jig or the like. Therefore, there is no need to provide a space around the resin key top for the positioning jig to support the resin key top, and the resin key tops can be arranged and fixed on the film without gaps. High-density key tops, which were previously impossible, have been made possible, and the range of design variations has been expanded. According to the sheet key top manufacturing method of the present invention, a resin key top separately formed is fixed to a core formed in a film, and a sheet key top having a key top and a pusher having a unique design for the resin key top is provided. Can be manufactured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Film 2 Display part 3 Key top main body 4 Core 5 Presser 6 Resin key top 7 Translucent adhesive 8 Injection gate 9 Mold 10 Mold 11 Metal plating layer

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A sheet key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film, wherein the resin key top is mounted so as to cover an upper part of a core penetrating the film. Key top. 2. A sheet-like key top comprising a plurality of molded resin key tops arranged on a single film, wherein at least one resin key top is mounted so as to cover an upper part of a core penetrating the film. A sheet-like key top characterized by: 3. A protrusion which is located on the lower surface of the film of the core,
The sheet-like key top according to claim 1, which is a pusher. 4. The sheet-like key top according to claim 1, wherein the core and the resin key top are fixed via a translucent adhesive. 5. The sheet-like key top according to claim 1, wherein the core and the resin key top are fixed by heat fusion. 6. The sheet-like key top according to claim 1, wherein the core and the resin key top are made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer. 7. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is disposed on a film,
A film is sandwiched in a mold, a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer is injected through the film from the front side or the back side of the film, and a core integrated with the film is formed. Characterized in that another resin key top having a display portion is attached so as to cover an upper portion located on the upper surface of the film. 8. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film,
After bending the film having the display portion into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, the film is sandwiched in a mold so that the curved portion is on the upper surface side of the key top main body, and the key top main body is made of a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer. After the film and the key top body are integrated with each other, a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer is injected through the film from the back side of the film to form a core integrated with the film. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top, comprising removing the mold and covering an upper portion of the core located on the upper surface of the film with a resin key top. 9. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is arranged on a film,
The resin key top is set in the cavity of the mold on the front side of the film, and the core is injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer from the back side of the film sandwiched between the molds. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top, wherein the top and the top are integrated in a mold. 10. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top in which a molded resin key top is disposed on a film, wherein the resin key top is set in a cavity of a mold on the front surface side of the film, and further has a display portion. After bending into the same shape as the upper surface of the key top main body, it is sandwiched in a mold so that the curved part is on the upper surface side of the key top main body, and the key top main body is injection molded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer, and a film is formed. At the same time as integrating the key top body, the core is injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin or a thermoplastic elastomer by penetrating the film from the back side of the film, and the film, the core and the resin key top are placed in a mold. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like key top, which is integrated.