JP2004127947A - Member for push-button switch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a member for a push-button switch capable of curving or bending in all directions so as to be adaptable to a key top whose enveloping surface is complicatedly curved. <P>SOLUTION: The member for a push-button switch has a plurality of convex push-button parts 1 formed by die-drawing a resin film 6. In this member, a coupling part 4 for coupling the convex push-button parts 1 has a width that is equal to or smaller than 50% of: the side length in the case where the top surface of a key top part 2 of the convex push-button part 1 has a shape of a rectangle; the axial length where the shape is elliptic; and the diameter where the shape is circular, and not smaller than 1mm. The resin film 6 is preferably a polyester resin film having a thickness of 100 to 150μm. The coupled convex push-button parts are dividable into a plurality of blocks. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to a member for a push button switch of a portable communication device that can be used for an input device of various electronic devices, and particularly suitable as an input member of a portable communication device and a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone and a PDA. .

In recent years, the penetration rate of portable communication devices represented by mobile phones has been remarkable, and the weight of the devices themselves and the differentiation of designs have been widely promoted. There have been the following three types of push-button switch members used in conventional mobile phones.

(1) The rubber keypad is entirely made of rubber. As shown in FIG. 8, a rubber material such as silicone rubber is used as a raw material, and a plurality of rubber key tops b are integrally formed on a rubber sheet base a by press molding. is there.

(2) A rubber keypad having a resin key top. As shown in FIG. 9, this has a high-hardness resin key top c in the upper part of the key top portion b in the key pad having the configuration of (1). Specifically, a resin key button manufactured separately can be bonded to the top surface of the rubber keypad with an adhesive, or can be integrally formed with the rubber member constituting the sheet-like base portion a of the rubber keypad. It is obtained by selecting a high hardness resin and integrally molding.

(3) A key top plate made of resin film. This is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-302526, which is shown in FIG. The sheet-like resin film d is drawn with a mold or the like to form a push button-shaped convex portion e, and the inside of the convex portion, that is, the reverse concave portion h, is filled with a flowable resin and cured or solidified to form a key. This is a resin part f. G is a pressing element.

In recent years, the shape of the outer case of mobile phones has been diversified in terms of design, the surface on the input operation side is not necessarily flat, a constant curvature is set on the surface, and the position of the top surface of the key top part is sequentially Designs that are changing are also required. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-302526, attention is paid to the fact that a resin film cannot be curved in all directions unlike a rubber material due to its composition. And the top surface position of the continuously arranged key top portions is successively curved by designing the lower surface of the presser g to be a length that can be aligned with the substrate plane. (FIG. 10 (d)). Then, for the direction in which the base cannot be bent, by changing the height of each key top in the order of arrangement of the keys, the top surface of the key top exposed from the outer case is changed. (FIG. 10C).

キ ー (1) type keypads made entirely of rubber are used as input members for various electronic devices because they are easy to manufacture. However, since the material of the top surface of the key top portion is rubber, the operator tends to dislike an adhesive finger touch feeling. Further, in the case of a member for a portable communication device or a portable information terminal, there is a limit in reducing the thickness of the rubber base. In other words, in the case of the type (1), the thickness of the rubber base is inevitably increased to 1 to 2 mm. Because the tear strength of rubber is much lower than that of a resin film or the like, the molded keypad is released from a plurality of concave / convex cavities provided in a mold to form a plurality of key top portions. In this case, a thin portion of the member, specifically, a portion having a thickness of 1 mm or less is easily broken. Actually, only parts that are unavoidable in terms of product functions, such as thin movable parts, are thinned. In addition, the fact that the base part of the keypad is thick means not only the weight itself corresponding to the thickness of the keypad itself, but also the outer case that stores the keypad becomes thicker accordingly, so even when considering the entire device, Weight reduction was difficult.

In the case of the type (2), the top surface of the key top portion is made of a high-hardness resin, so that the problem of the adhesive finger touch feeling, which is a problem of the type (1), is solved, but the base portion is made of rubber. However, the problem that it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the base portion and the problem that there is a limit to the reduction in the weight of the entire apparatus are not solved. In addition, since the key top portion and the base portion of the keypad are formed of two types of materials having different properties, it is necessary to always give due consideration to the joining properties of the portions. The high-hardness resin is larger than the rubber in terms of density, which also hinders weight reduction.

In the key top plate made of a resin film of the type (3), since the base portion is a resin film d having a high rigidity, breakage due to removal of the member from the mold is less likely to occur, and the base portion can be made thinner. There is an advantage that it becomes. In the case of the type (3), as described above, the base portion itself can be bent in one direction of the product, but the base portion itself cannot be bent in the other direction at the same time. In order to make the envelope surface of the key top portion curved in other directions, the height itself of the key top portion must be changed sequentially (FIG. 10C). The key top plate is formed by drawing a resin film to form an inverted-concave outer shell, filling the inside of the inverted recess h with a fluid high-hardness resin, and being hardened or solidified. When the top surface of the top portion is set at a high position, the key top portion needs to be filled with a larger amount of high-hardness resin than other key top portions (FIG. 10B). Therefore, a problem caused by the difference in the filling amount of the high hardness resin is inevitable.

That is, for example, a product in which a character illumination system function is provided to a resin film key top plate of this system is assumed. In this case, light from a light source such as an LED passes through the translucent key top from below the key top plate, excluding the light-shielding layer character pattern portion provided on the top surface of the key top portion. Although the light is illuminated, there is a problem that the brightness of each key slightly varies depending on the difference in the filling amount of the high hardness resin inside the inverted concave portion h. Further, the difference in the amount of the filled resin leads to a difference in a feeling of pressing, a difference in durability, a difference in sound generated at the time of keying, and the like. In addition, since it can be seen as if it is curved in two directions, it can cope with diversification of designs to some extent, but it is difficult to expect flexible bending and bending like a rubber keypad. This is not limited to the problem that a complex design (for example, keys are arranged not only on the top surface but also on the side surface) of the outer case cannot be dealt with by the key top plate. Considering the actual processing accuracy of substrates and variations between lots, the presence of flexible members that can absorb dimensional variations to some extent leads to an improvement in the yield of final products. In the case of (1), although the direction in which the base portion can be bent can cope with the dimensional variation of the outer case, it is difficult to cope with the direction in which the base portion cannot be bent.
JP-A-7-302526

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the productivity and simplicity of handling are not inferior to those of a conventional key top plate made of a resin sheet, and the envelope surface of the key top portion is complicated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a member for a push button switch which can be bent or bent in any direction so as to be able to cope with a curved surface.

In the member for a push button switch according to the present invention, a plurality of bulging key top portions, and a plurality of key top supporting base portions formed with a predetermined width on the outer periphery of the key top portion from the bulging start point of the key top portion. A convex push button portion and a connecting portion for connecting the convex push button portions are provided, and the convex push button portion and the connecting portion are positioned and fixed to a thin sheet member with an adhesive.

In such a member for a push button switch, the plurality of convex push button portions and the connecting portion are divided into a plurality of blocks, and the plurality of blocks are preferably positioned and fixed to a series of thin sheet-like bodies. .

Furthermore, it is preferable that the inverted concave portion of the convex push button portion is filled with a high hardness resin.

According to the member for a push button switch of the present invention, the key top portion can be bent or bent in any direction so as to be able to cope with a complicated curved surface.

The present invention is based on connecting the protruding push buttons with a relatively narrow connecting portion. Analyzing the product size of a push button switch member in an input member of a mobile phone or the like in recent years, it is found that a so-called numeric key is mainly provided on a substantially rectangular sheet of about 60 mm × about 30 mm (each having a difference of about ± 6 mm). 12 keypads, 3 to 7 function keys (call key, clear key, hold key, etc.) of the same size or slightly smaller size as other keypads. Cursor keys that are the most varied in size and shape for each model A key top portion of a total of 16 to 20 keys is formed, in which one key is generally used (generally one in two directions or four directions). The specifications of the key top portion itself are as follows. The keys other than the cursor keys have an elliptical shape, an elliptical shape, a substantially rectangular shape having a corner R, and the like. Direction: 8 (± 3) mm x short direction: within 5 (± 2) mm (however, the dimensional ratio between the longitudinal direction and the short direction is about 8: 5, and the minimum in the short direction is The size is 3 mm).

In addition, the height of the key top portion is set to 2-3 mm for most of the keys, but in recent years there has been diversification of designs, and the minimum height of one push button switch member is 1 mm and the maximum height is 1 mm. Some have a height of 10 mm. Furthermore, the interval between keys is mostly set to 1.5 to 3 mm. If the distance is set to 1.5 mm or less, the distance is too narrow for a human finger, and it is difficult to perform an appropriate input operation, which is a so-called ergonomic limitation. Regarding the upper limit of the interval, it seems that the upper limit is about 3 mm mainly in terms of smooth input operability and the recent trend of downsizing the input device.

Given the current specification trend of portable electronic devices described above and anticipating design specifications that demands from consumers will increase in the future, it is necessary to be able to perform input operation, the distance between keys and the key size itself Although it does not differ from the current specification, other design ideas are required, and further reduction in weight is conceivable. In this case, for example, some of the keys that are currently provided only on the top surface of the product may be provided on the side of the device, etc. It is expected that portable communication devices of various designs will be provided. The present invention provides a member for a push button switch that can be incorporated into such products.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convex push button portion of the push button switch member of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing various aspects of the connection of the convex push button portions of the present invention, and the embodiment is specifically illustrated in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (n). FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing an embodiment of a member for a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention described later. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the member, and FIG. 3 (c) is a side view of FIG. 3 (b), and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating the push button switch member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating a push button switch member according to a second embodiment of the present invention described later, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention described below and comparative examples 1, 3, and 5. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a home cordless phone, and FIG. 6 (b) is a plan view of a push button switch member according to a third embodiment of the present invention incorporated in the home cordless phone of FIG. 6 (a). ) And two cross-sectional views (b) and (c) along lines AA and BB, respectively. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating Example 4 and Comparative Examples 2.4.6. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an in-home cordless phone, and FIG. 7B is an in-home cordless phone of FIG. 7A. FIG. 9 is a plan view (a) of a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention incorporated in a phone, and two-directional sectional views (b) and (c) along lines CC and DD, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the convex push button portion 1 in the present invention has a key top portion 2 bulging upward and a width of 0.3 to 1.5 mm from the key top portion 2 bulging start point. And more preferably a part having a width of 0.5 to 0.7 mm and a key top support base 3 provided on the outer periphery of the key top part 2. It should be noted that the key top support base 3 is provided with a convex R on the front side.

The convex push button unit 1 is connected to another convex push button unit 1 by the connecting unit 4.

幅 The width of the key top support base 3 is selected from 0.3 to 1.5 mm, and is provided on the outer periphery of the key top with a constant width in principle. The smaller the area of the key top support base 3 of the resin film 6 (FIG. 6B) is, the more the weight of the push button switch member can be reduced, and the flexibility and flexibility of the push button switch can be increased. The key top portion is securely supported at the time of the key pressing operation, and the key top portion is pushed in with an inclined shape so that trouble such as the key being caught in the key top top surface exposed hole of the outer case 7 (FIG. 4 and the like) does not occur. Therefore, this width needs to be at least 0.3 mm.

The reason why the maximum value of the width is set to 1.5 mm is that the distance between the keys (numeric key portion, which is a main part) is 1.5 to 3 mm based on the result of the dimensional analysis of the existing push button switch member. For this reason, unless the width of the key top support base 3 is set to be equal to or less than 1/2 of the length, the configuration of the present invention in which each key top is separated except for the connecting part 4 cannot be realized. In addition, by making the width of the key top support base portion 3 uniform throughout the member for the push button switch, the load required for pressing each convex push button portion and the variation in the click feeling are eliminated. If the width differs depending on the location, the performance of the disc spring provided below the push button switch member is greatly affected. However, since the push button switch member itself is made of a highly rigid resin film, the key top support base is formed. This is because the variation of the parts may appear as a difference in load or click feeling.

The convex push button portion 1 is formed by drawing a resin film to form an inverted concave portion 8, and a predetermined amount of a high-hardness resin is formed in the inverted concave portion 8, preferably in the same plane as the key top support base portion 3. The key top portion 2 is filled up to this point, and a pressing element 5 (FIG. 6 (b)) having a size corresponding to the resin or metal disk spring disposed on the lower surface of the push button switch member is also formed. I do. The size of the pressing element 5 is, for example, 30 to 60% of the size of the projection plane of the key top section 2 or the size of the inscribed circle of the projection plane of the key top section 2, and its length is 0.5. It can be varied as desired in the range of ３3 mm. The position where the presser 5 is provided is generally the center of the key. In the case of a cursor key, a pressing element having the same number as the set number of directions, usually a circular cross section, is provided in the key. The pressing element 5 has a function of deforming a disc spring provided below while pressing the top surface of the key top portion.

The thickness of the resin film 6 is preferably selected from the range of 75 to 200 μm in consideration of the fact that the mold drawing is possible, the durability against the pressing operation, and the ease of procurement. In addition, when emphasis is placed on the precision shape of the die drawing, it should be selected in the range of 75 to 150 μm, and when high durability of the pressing operation is expected, it should be selected in the range of 100 to 200 μm.

The material of the resin film 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can be subjected to die drawing. Commercially available and easily available materials include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and PEN (polyethylene naphthalate). It is good to select a polyester resin film such as Considering that integration with the high hardness resin filled in the inverted concave portion 8 is easy and reliable, it is also preferable to select an alloy film of a plurality of materials. Specific examples of the alloy film include a PBT / polycarbonate alloy film.

(4) It is preferable that the resin to be filled in the inverted concave portion 8 be selected from those having a Shore D hardness of 40 degrees or more, such as polycarbonate and epoxy resin, because an excellent hard finger feeling can be obtained. When it is desired to reduce finger fatigue, a rubber-like elastic body having a Shore A hardness of 50 degrees or more may be filled. There is no particular limitation on the method of drawing the resin film 6. When a thermoplastic resin film is used, for example, the resin film is placed for several seconds between a concave shape and a convex shape heated to an appropriate temperature. Then, when the resin film itself was heated to a temperature at which the resin film itself could be thermally deformed, the concave and convex molds were closed and pressurized. Then, the concave and convex molds were rapidly cooled as they were, and a plurality of inverted concave portions 8 were formed. Remove the resin film from the mold. After setting the resin film 6 on which the inverted concave portion 8 is formed in a jig for filling a high-hardness resin which is heated to a predetermined temperature separately prepared and filling a liquid material of the high-hardness resin with a dispenser or the like, By hardening or solidifying this, a high-hardness resin may be integrated into the inverted concave portion 8 to obtain a sheet-like base material, or by press-fitting a high-hardness resin liquid material by injection molding, A sheet-like substrate may be obtained by a method in which the drawing of the resin film 6 is completed simultaneously with the press-fitting of the resin.

The sheet-like base material thus obtained is punched with a punching jig or a punching device such as a Thomason blade, so that the convex pushbutton portion 1 is connected by the connecting portion 4 for the pushbutton switch of the present invention. A member is obtained. The punched mark is given a radius as much as possible so that the member is not damaged during the operation of handling the member for the push button switch such as installation. This is because if there is a sharp cut, there is a possibility that the cut will be split off. The smaller the number of connecting portions 4 of each key and the smaller the width of the connecting portion 4, the more advantageous in terms of weight reduction and free bending / bending. The connecting portion 4 is indispensable at least at one location in each convex push button portion 1 in order to handle each convex push button portion 1 integrally. In the case of a product requiring three or more convex push button portions 1, In addition, as for the convex push button portions 1 other than those at some of the end portions, the connecting portions 4 are required at least at two places (in other words, in two directions).

With reference to FIG. 2, the manner of connection of the convex push button portion 1 of the present invention will be described. A typical pattern in a case where one convex push button portion 1 is allowed to have a maximum of four connection points is a so-called lattice-like connection pattern (FIG. 2A). Even in the case of a lattice connection pattern, the curvature is considerably facilitated as compared with a conventional single-leaf key top plate, but this pattern is particularly suitable for an apparatus having a design similar to an existing apparatus. . In the spine-like connection pattern (FIG. 2B), the arrangement keys in the middle row of the push button switch member have a large number of connection portions 4, so that the degree of freedom of bending is somewhat limited, but the keys on both the left and right sides are respectively connected to the connection portions 4. Can be freely bent.

The octopus foot pattern shown in FIG. 2C is a connection pattern in which the connection portion 4 is concentrated on one key in the member for the push button switch (usually, the key at the center of the member for the push button switch: the "5" key). It is. In this pattern, if attention is paid only to the positioning and assembling of the key (the key required) in which the connecting portion 4 is concentrated, all the other keys have only one or two connecting portions 4, so that the bendability is considerably increased. . 2 (a) to 2 (c), the keys in which the connecting portions 4 are concentrated are gathered in the middle row or the top row or one key, but the comb shown in FIGS. 2 (d) to 2 (h) is used. The tooth-shaped patterns 1 to 5 suppress the maximum concentration of the connecting portion 4 in three directions or less (FIGS. 2D to 2E) or a row other than the middle row of the push button switch member (FIG. 2D). )) Or the key tops of the row (FIG. 2 (e)), or the number of keys of the one provided with the connecting portion 4 in four directions at maximum is 1 (FIG. 2 (f)) to 2 (FIG. 2 (f)). It is an example limited to (g)). In this pattern as well, although there are some restrictions on the portion corresponding to the axis of the comb, the keys corresponding to the teeth of the comb can be freely curved and arranged. This is a preferable connection pattern when it is required that a slight fine adjustment is possible in an actual assembly while maintaining a certain assembly state even at the stage of the push button switch member.

The "-" character pattern (FIGS. 2 (i) and 2 (j)) and the zigzag pattern (FIGS. 2 (k) and 2 (l)) are obtained only when the connecting portion 4 is at most two directions. Because of this, it is the connection pattern that can be most freely curved and freely arranged.

の 他 In addition to these, the patterns shown in FIGS. 2 (m) and 2 (n) may be used. As shown in FIG. 2 (n), three or more convex portions, such as an X-shaped connecting portion, as well as those connecting two convex push button portions by a linear connecting portion 4 parallel to rows and columns. It goes without saying that a connecting portion for connecting the push button portions can also be used.

(4) It is desirable to appropriately select the connection pattern most suitable for the design of the final product, keeping in mind that the convex push button portion 1 having a large number of connection portions 4 is inferior in free bending and free arrangement.

The width of the connecting portion 4 is 50% or less of the side, axis, or diameter value of the top surface shape where the connecting portion 4 is provided, according to the top surface shape of the convex push button portion 1 in the push button switch member. And a width of 1 mm or more. If the width is less than 1 mm, there is a possibility that the member for a push button switch will be damaged when it is transported, assembled, or the like.

Regarding the shape and size of the convex push button unit 1, push buttons of various shapes may be mixedly arranged in one product such as a mobile phone. The upper limit of the width of the connecting portion is described below for each case.

If the shape and size of the push buttons in the push button switch member are all the same and the shape of the top surface of the key top portion is circular, the length of the circle of 50% or less of the diameter of the Good width. When the top surface of the key top portion has an oval or elliptical shape, the connecting portion 4 is provided in a direction intersecting with the long axis. When provided in a direction intersecting with the minor axis, the length is set to 50% or less of the minor axis length. In this case, the more preferable width of the connecting portion 4 is such that when the width of the connecting portion provided in the direction intersecting the long axis and the width of the connecting portion provided in the direction intersecting the short axis have the same value, The mechanical strength of the connecting portion 4 becomes uniform.

When the shape of the top surface of the key top portion is quadrangular (square, rectangular, including those provided with corners R respectively), the length of the side is determined based on the side where the connecting portion is provided instead of the diameter or axis. The length is 50% or less of the length. Next, the width of the connecting portion of the member in which a plurality of keys having a plurality of sizes and shapes are mixed. In this case, the key having the largest key top surface size (the height does not matter) in the member for the push button switch, Generally, the width of the connecting portion may be determined based on the numerical key group (this is referred to as a member standard key size) based on the above, but when connecting to a key smaller than the member standard key size, For that portion, the width of the connecting portion is determined based on the small-sized key. Also, when connecting with a key size larger than the member standard key size in the member for the push button switch, such as a cursor key, the width of the connecting portion may be determined based on the large key, but preferably the member is used. It is desirable to standardize the width of the connection part of the standard key size.

When the size of the keys at both ends connected to the connecting portion 4 is different, each connecting portion is set according to the respective key size, and they are connected smoothly, that is, the width of the connecting portion 4 is continuous. Can be different. When the width of the connecting portion connecting the keys is 50% or less of the side length, the shaft length, and the diameter of the reference key, the degree of freedom is given to the bending and arrangement of the members. %, It is not preferable because the degree of freedom in bending and arrangement is limited. A base material that has been punched in advance before the resin film 6 is die-drawn may be used, but in this case, it is necessary to pay sufficient attention to the positioning of steps such as die drawing.

Although the push-button switch member illustrated in FIG. 2 basically connects all the keys by the connecting portion 4, it is designed so that it can be incorporated into the device and positioned and fixed in the device. If so, all keys do not necessarily have to be a series of members for one push button switch. The key group to be connected may be divided into 2 to 5 blocks, and the key group may be positioned and fixed on a thin sheet body made of a series of rubber-like elastic bodies with an adhesive or the like. In this case, the thin sheet body for positioning the blocks 2 to 5 may have a form in which a gap such as a mesh or a lattice is provided. It is also possible to position and fix it on the side of the case in which the member for the push button switch is incorporated. As a specific example of the thin sheet, any material may be selected from silicone rubber, urethane rubber, various thermoplastic elastomers and the like.

As a mode of dividing into blocks 2 to 5, for example, a connecting portion connected horizontally from a “clear” key in FIG. 2 (f) is cut off, or a connecting portion connected horizontally in a lower stage again in FIG. 2 (i). , And an appropriate number of connecting portions connected horizontally from the left column in FIG. 2E can be freely selected. The division into a plurality of blocks increases the number to be handled, but adds the effect of greatly improving the inconvenience of handling based on the free bending property of the push button switch members connected at the connecting portion.

(Example 1)
A urethane resin-based film having a thickness of 100 μm is selected as a resin film for mold drawing, and a polycarbonate resin is selected as a resin for filling in a reverse recess. The mold drawing was performed at the same time, and after these were integrally cured, a single-wafer-shaped push button base material was removed from the mold. This push button base material was punched with a punching jig to obtain a member for a push button switch as shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 3 (b) and 3 (c). That is, the cursor keys can be incorporated into the side of the device, the other keys are arranged in three rows, each row is connected vertically, and each row is connected in a different row and connected horizontally. . By incorporating this into a predetermined exterior case, a novel design mobile phone having push buttons (two-way cursor keys) on the side as well as the top as shown in FIG. 4 could be obtained.

(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 5, a prototype of a push-button switch member for a mobile phone designed to be one-hand free and capable of input operation with only one thumb was manufactured. In this case, the shape from the bottom surface to the side surface of the outer case imitates the shape of a "lifeline" of a human palm, thereby ensuring a sense of grip. When input operation is performed mainly with the thumb while holding the outer case, the main movement is to move the thumb in an arc, so the top surface of the outer case top and the key top part of the push button switch member to be incorporated Is arranged so as to accompany it. Six to five keys are provided in one row, and three rows are required. However, in order to perform the arc-shaped thumb movement for three rows, the thumb side layout is generally used. If the top surface of the key top portion is not arranged at a higher position as a row that can be separated from the thumb, it becomes difficult to perform key input operations. Considering that point, the cursor keys in two directions are arranged at the edges of the top and side surfaces of the outer case.

For a mobile phone with such a design, conventional various single-leaf keypads and keytop boards did not provide sufficient flexibility and were difficult to assemble, but according to the member according to the present invention, It is possible for the first time because it can freely handle complicated outer case shapes. A specific method of manufacturing a member for a push button switch is to use a 125 μm thick PET film having a silicone primer applied on one surface as a resin film for mold drawing, and to reduce finger fatigue due to repeated input operations by an operator. In consideration of this, a liquid silicone rubber having a Shore A hardness of 50 degrees is used as the filling resin, and the resin filling and the drawing of the resin film are performed simultaneously by the injection pressure of the filling resin by the injection molding method. A sheet-like push button base material was taken out from the mold.

(Examples 3, 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6)
In order to obtain a home cordless phone member having the appearance as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 7 (a), keypads having a base portion and a key top portion formed of only silicone rubber were used in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, respectively. As Comparative Examples 3 and 4, keypads formed by bonding a polycarbonate keytop portion to a silicone rubber base portion with an epoxy-based adhesive are referred to as a keypad plate made of a PET resin film and a polycarbonate resin, respectively. The method was based on JP-A-7-302526) as Comparative Examples 5 and 6, respectively, and at the same time, the PET resin film was drawn, and the formed inverted concave portion was filled with a polycarbonate resin. After being integrally cured, the sheet-like substrate is punched out with a Thomason blade, and the pushbuttons of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 7 (b) are obtained. Pitch member of Example 3 was prepared as in Example 4. For these, (1) the presence or absence of a hard finger sensation, (2) the degree of weight reduction (displayed as a ratio with Comparative Example 1 or Comparative Example 2 being 100), and (3) the tolerance for variation in dimensional accuracy of the outer case ( N = 10 pieces whose main part dimensions of the outer case were ± 1.5 mm with respect to the design value were prepared, and it was checked whether the members could be assembled smoothly into the outer case.) Was the result.

の 通 り As described above, Comparative Example 1 or Comparative Example 2 was found to be highly tolerant to variations in the dimensional accuracy of the outer case, but was disadvantageous in terms of poor hard finger feel and weight reduction. Further, Comparative Example 3 or Comparative Example 4 had the best hard finger touch feeling, but was most disadvantageous in terms of weight reduction. Further, it has been found that the tolerance for variations in the dimensions of the outer case may slightly decrease. The types of Comparative Example 5 and Comparative Example 6 were found to be excellent in both hard finger feel and weight reduction, but were the most disadvantageous in tolerance to variation in dimensional accuracy of the outer case.

On the other hand, the types of Example 2 and Example 3 not only have a good hard finger touch feeling, but also have a tolerance for variation in dimensional accuracy of the outer case comparable to that of the silicone rubber integrated type as compared with other types. Had a high tolerance.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the member for pushbutton switches by this invention, since it has a hard finger | toe feeling, operability is good and since the tolerance with respect to the dimension system of an outer case is large, the product non-defective rate at the time of an assembly also improves. It is expected that. In recent years, the number of cases in which consumers purchase and assemble separately available assembling kits of various designs by themselves and reassemble them has been increasing, but even in such a case, occurrence of assembly troubles is expected to be reduced. Further, since an unnecessary portion of the film resin base is removed in advance, it is excellent in weight reduction. In particular, it is possible to realize a mobile phone or the like having a design that is difficult to realize with a conventional keypad or keytop plate.

The perspective view of the convex push button part of the member for push button switches of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of connection of the convex pushbutton part of this invention, FIG.2 (a) shows a grid-like connection pattern, FIG.2 (b) shows a spine-like connection pattern, FIG.2 ( c) shows an octopus foot-shaped connection pattern, FIGS. 2D to 2H show comb-shaped 1 to 5 connection patterns, and FIGS. 2 (k)-(l) show zigzag 1-2 connection patterns, and FIGS. 2 (m)-(n) show other 1-2 connection patterns. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating aspects of a member for a push button switch according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a plan view of the member for a push button switch, and FIG. FIG. 3C shows a perspective view, and FIG. 3C shows a side view of FIG. 3B. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating a member for a push button switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mobile phone incorporating a member for a push button switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of a home cordless phone, and FIG. 6 (b) is incorporated in the home cordless phone of FIG. 6 (a). A plan view (a) of a member for a push button switch according to a third embodiment of the present invention and two-directional cross-sectional views (b) and (c) taken along lines AA and BB, respectively, are shown. FIG. 7 (a) is a perspective view of an in-home cordless phone, and FIG. 7 (b) is a book to be incorporated in the in-home cordless phone of FIG. 7 (a). A plan view (a) of a member for a push button switch according to a fourth embodiment of the invention and two-directional cross-sectional views (b) and (c) taken along lines CC and DD, respectively, are shown. Perspective view of a conventional rubber keypad Perspective view of a rubber keypad having a conventional resin key top FIG. 10A is a plan view and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. 10 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 10 (a), and FIG. 10 (d) is FIG. 10 (b) in which the bottom surface of the pressing element is aligned on the same plane. It is sectional drawing similar to figure (c) of FIG.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... convex push button part, 2 ... key top part, 3 ... key top support base part, 4 ... connecting part, 5 ... pressing element, 6 ... resin film, 7 ... exterior case, 8 ... inverted concave part, a ... sheet Base part, b: Key top part, c: Resin key top, d: Resin film, e: Push button shape convex part, f: Key resin part, g: Presser, h: Reverse concave part.

Claims (3)

A bulging key top portion, and a plurality of convex push button portions having a key top support base portion formed with a predetermined width on the outer periphery of the key top portion from the bulging start point of the key top portion,
A connecting portion for connecting between the convex push button portions,
A member for a push button switch, wherein the convex push button portion and the connecting portion are positioned and fixed to a thin sheet-like body with an adhesive. The plurality of convex push button portions and the connecting portion are divided into a plurality of blocks,
The member for a push button switch according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of blocks are positioned and fixed to a series of the thin sheet members. (3) The member for a push button switch according to (1) or (2), wherein a high hardness resin is filled in the inverted concave portion of the convex push button portion.

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