JP2007179952A - Keytop, and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keytop capable of materializing design diversity by a simple method, and to provide a method of manufacturing the same. <P>SOLUTION: In order to form the combination design surfaces of the keytop 1 by combining the metallic painted film 5 and the transparent top coat 6 of an outside keytop piece 2 with the white painted film 5 and the transparent top coat 6 of an inside keytop piece 3, the combination design surfaces formed by combining the metallic painted film 5 with the white painted film 5 can be simply put side by side on the keytop 1 without carrying out a complicated treatment such as a masking treatment. Since the combined surfaces of the outside keytop piece 2 and the inside keytop piece 3 are combined with each other by a fusion layer 4, both of them are rigidly combined, and the outside keytop piece 2 and the inside keytop piece 3 are prevented from falling off. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a key sheet for a push button switch used in various electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a remote controller, a digital camera, an AV device, an in-vehicle electrical device, and more particularly to a key top for performing an input operation and a manufacturing method thereof.

  Various electronic devices such as mobile phones and AV devices are provided with various exterior parts such as a casing and a switch. Of these, many switches for performing an input operation have a structure in which an operation button (key top) is exposed from an operation opening formed in a casing of the electronic device. Specifically, an integrated key sheet with a plurality of key tops fixed to the surface of the base sheet is placed on a substrate on which a plurality of light sources, contact switches, elements, wirings, etc. are arranged, and the key top is mounted from above the key sheet. It is customary to cover and incorporate a housing in which the operation opening to be exposed is formed.

Such key tops have decorations such as letters, symbols, and patterns. This decoration is applied to the surface of the molded body as a decorative layer by a printing method, a painting method, a plating method, or the like (first conventional example: Patent Document 1), or by physical engagement of a plurality of members by two-color molding or insert molding. (Second conventional example: Patent Document 2).
JP-A-11-167838 JP 2001-23475 A

  By the way, in an electronic device having a severe competitive environment, a variety of designs is required from the market for key tops. For example, there is a demand for a combination design such as a decoration combining a plurality of color tones, a decoration provided with a polymer coating and a metal layer, and a three-dimensional or hierarchical decoration. However, there are many problems with such a composite decoration. Since the decoration layer of the first conventional example is applied by sequentially laminating a plurality of decoration elements, a difficult process called masking is required. In the physical engagement of the second conventional example, the molding die is complicated for a small member such as a key top, and the variety of design depends on the die precision.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the prior art as described above. That is, an object of the present invention is to realize a variety of key top designs by a simple method.

    In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  That is, the present invention relates to a key top for a pushbutton switch having a design surface visible from the outside on the key top body, a plurality of divided key top pieces forming the key top body by combination, and an outer surface of each divided key top piece. There is provided a key top having a decorative layer that is provided and forms a combination design surface by a combination of divided key top pieces.

  In this invention, it has the some division | segmentation key top piece which forms a keytop main body by a combination, and the decoration layer which is provided in the outer surface of each division | segmentation keytop piece, and forms a combination design surface by the combination of a division | segmentation keytop piece. That is, a combination design surface is formed with the key top body by combining a plurality of divided key top pieces having a decoration layer. Therefore, a combination design surface with a plurality of decoration layers can be easily provided on the key top body without performing complicated processing such as masking processing.

  According to the present invention, the key top has an operation surface formed by combining each divided key top piece with the key top body, and the operation surface has a combination design surface. For this reason, it is possible to easily realize design diversity by combining the design with one operation surface without performing complicated processing such as masking processing.

  The present invention has a decoration layer provided on the surface of one divided key top piece and a decoration layer provided on the back surface of another divided key top piece made of a transparent resin, and the key top main body in the depth direction. It has a combined design surface with the front and back decorative layers spaced apart. For this reason, it is possible to easily realize a variety of designs by a three-dimensional or hierarchical combination design surface having a sense of perspective constituted by the front side and the back side of the key top body.

  In the present invention, the key top has an adhesive layer for fixing the combination surfaces of the split key top pieces. For this reason, the split key top pieces are fixed by the adhesive layer, and the split key top pieces do not peel off even when subjected to repeated pressing operations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the split key top piece from falling off.

  In the present invention, the key top has a fusion layer for fixing the combination surfaces of the divided key top pieces. For this reason, the split key top pieces are firmly fixed by the fusion layer, and the split key top pieces do not peel apart even when subjected to repeated pressing operations. Therefore, the split key top piece can be prevented from falling off.

  According to the present invention, with respect to the key top, an engagement protrusion is provided on one divided key top piece, a through hole is provided on the other divided key top piece, and a front end side of the engagement protrusion that passes through the through hole is opposed to the through hole. It has a caulking part to be fixed. For this reason, the engagement protrusion does not come out of the through hole, and the split key top piece can be prevented from falling off. The “caulking portion” means a portion that is fixed by being deformed by heating the front end side of the engaging protrusion or applying mechanical pressure.

  Further, the present invention is a method of manufacturing the key top having a fusion layer, wherein one split key top piece having a fusion protrusion whose tip protrudes from the decoration layer on the combination surface and another split key top piece. Provided is a method for manufacturing a key top in which split key top pieces are fixed by applying a combination, heat or ultrasonic waves.

  According to the present invention, since the split key top pieces are fixed to each other by applying heat or ultrasonic waves to the fusion projection, the split key top pieces can be firmly and easily fixed. In addition, ultrasonic welding can be fixed easily and instantaneously.

  Further, since there is no decoration layer on the front end side of the fusion projection, the decoration layer becomes a foreign substance when the fusion projection is melted and does not substantially remain in the fusion layer. Therefore, the fusion layer is not easily damaged, and the split key top pieces can be firmly fixed to each other.

  According to the key top of the present invention, a decorative layer is applied to a plurality of molded products, and these molded products are fixed on the engagement surface to form a key top, and at the same time, a combination design surface is configured with these decorative layers. . Therefore, a plurality of decorative layers can be easily provided on the key top. For example, a complicated process such as a masking process performed when a plurality of decorative layers are sequentially provided can be eliminated, and design diversity can be easily realized.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the structure which is common in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

First Embodiment [FIGS. 1 and 2]
The key top 1 of the first embodiment includes an outer key top piece 2 and an inner key top piece 3 as “divided key top pieces”. These combinations constitute a “key top body”. The outer key top piece 2 is formed of a hard resin in an annular shape, and the cylindrical inner key top piece 3 is formed of a hard resin so as to fill the inner periphery of the outer key top piece 2. The upper surface serving as the operation surface of the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 has a “combination design surface”.

  The outer key top piece 2 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in which the lower end diameter is slightly larger than the upper end diameter. An annular flange 2b is provided on the outer peripheral surface 2a at the lower end, and an annular groove 2d is formed on the inner peripheral surface 2c. A plurality of recesses 2f spaced apart in the circumferential direction are provided on the annular surface 2e serving as the bottom of the groove 2d (FIG. 2). The recess 2f is formed with a fusion layer 4 that is fixed to the inner key top piece 3. On the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are applied as a “decoration layer”.

  The inner key top piece 3 has an outer peripheral surface 3 a formed in a truncated cone shape having a relative shape to the inner peripheral surface 2 c of the outer key top piece 2. A flange portion 3b that engages with the groove portion 2d is provided at the lower end of the outer peripheral surface 3a, and a frustoconical fusion projection 3c that faces the recess 2f is formed on the upper surface of the flange portion 3b (FIG. 2). The fusion layer 4 is fixed on the upper surface of the fusion projection 3c, and the fusion layer 4 is formed by melting the tip side of the fusion projection 3c. On the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3, a white coating film 5 that does not adhere to the front end side of the fusion projection 3 c and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are applied as a “decoration layer”.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the key top 1 will be described.

  First, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are formed separately. The outer key top piece 2 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but does not have the fusion layer 4 in the recess 2f. Thereafter, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2 to form. The inner key top piece 3 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but the fusion projection 3c is formed in a conical shape. Thereafter, a white coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3 except for the tip side of the fusion projection 3c. The tip angle of the fusion projection 3c is 60 °, and the preferred tip angle range is 30 ° to 90 °. If the tip angle is larger than 90 °, the decorative layer is likely to adhere. That is, the decorative layer becomes a foreign substance when the fusion projection 3c is melted, and causes a decrease in the fusion force. To prevent this, it is necessary to remove the adhering decorative layer, but this is not practical because the production efficiency is significantly reduced. On the other hand, if the tip angle is smaller than 30 °, the fusion projection 3c becomes thin. For this reason, in order to obtain a melting volume capable of ensuring the fusing force, it is necessary to increase the volume by setting the fusing protrusion 3c to be tall, but molding is difficult. Therefore, the tip angle is set as 30 ° to 90 °.

  Next, the key top 1 is formed by combining the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3. The recess 2 f of the outer key top piece 2 and the fusion projection 3 c of the inner key top piece 3 are opposed to each other, and the inner peripheral surface 2 c of the outer key top piece 2 and the outer peripheral surface 3 a of the inner key top piece 3 are engaged. Then, an ultrasonic wave is applied from the lower surface of the inner key top piece 3 using an ultrasonic fusing machine to melt the tip of the fusion projection 3c. Thereafter, the fusion layer 4 by re-curing is formed in the recess 2f, and the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are fixed. The key top 1 is manufactured in this way.

  Next, the material of each member constituting the key top 1 will be described. The following description is common to the embodiments described later.

  The material of the “hard resin” of the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 is preferably a thermoplastic resin or a reaction curable resin due to required performance such as mechanical strength and durability, and weight reduction. For example, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, polyacryl copolymer resin, polyolefin resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, silicone resin and the like can be mentioned. Furthermore, when considering the processability with these hard resins, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polyacryl copolymer resin, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin are preferable, and considering high hardness, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polyacryl copolymer resin, Epoxy resins are preferred. In consideration of transparency, polycarbonate resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, and polyacryl copolymer resin are preferable.

  Finally, the operation and effect of the key top 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the metallic top coat 5 and the transparent top coat 6 of the outer key top piece 2 and the white coat 5 and the transparent top coat 6 of the inner key top piece 3 are combined to form the key top 1. A combined design surface is formed. For this reason, a combination design surface in which the metallic coating film 5 and the white coating film 5 are combined can be easily provided on the key top 1 without performing a complicated process such as a masking process.

  The operation surface of the key top 1 has a combined design surface with a metallic paint film 5 and a white paint film 5. For this reason, it is possible to easily realize design diversity by combining the design with one operation surface without performing complicated processing such as masking processing.

  It has a fusion layer 4 for fixing the combination surfaces of the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 together. For this reason, the outer side key top piece 2 and the inner side key top piece 3 are firmly fixed by the melt | fusion layer 4, and the outer side key top piece 2 and the inner side key top piece 3 do not peel even if it receives repeated pressing operation. Therefore, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 can be prevented from falling off.

  According to the manufacturing method of the key top 1, since the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are fixed by applying heat or ultrasonic waves to the fusion projection 3c, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are fixed. Can be firmly and easily fixed. In addition, ultrasonic welding can be fixed easily and instantaneously.

  Further, since there is no white coating film 5 or transparent top coat 6 on the tip side of the fusion projection 3c, when the fusion projection 3c melts, the white coating film 5 or the transparent top coat 6 becomes a foreign substance and melts. Substantially does not remain in the layer 4. Therefore, the fusion layer 4 is not easily damaged, and the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 can be firmly fixed.

Second Embodiment [FIGS. 3 and 4]
The key top 7 according to the second embodiment is different from the key top 1 according to the first embodiment in the structure of the groove 2d of the outer key top piece 2 and the flange 3b of the inner key top piece 3 constituting the key top 7. It is. The remaining configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  A recess 2f is not formed in the groove 2d of the outer key top piece 2, and a plurality of columnar engaging projections 2g protruding from the annular surface 2e are provided apart in the circumferential direction. The engagement protrusion 2g is inserted through a through hole 3d provided in the flange portion 3b of the inner key top piece 3, and a caulking portion 2h larger than the diameter of the through hole 3d is formed on the tip side.

  The flange portion 3b of the inner key top piece 3 is not formed with the fusion projection 3c, and is provided with a through hole 3d penetrating the wall thickness. A groove portion 3e is formed on the lower surface side of the through hole 3d, and the caulking portion 2h is accommodated in the groove portion 3e.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the key top 7 will be described.

  First, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are formed separately. The outer key top piece 2 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but the engaging protrusion 2g is formed in a columnar shape with the same diameter up to the tip, and does not have a caulking portion 2h. Thereafter, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2 to form. Moreover, the inner side keytop piece 3 is formed in the above-mentioned shape by injection molding. Thereafter, a white coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3 to form.

  Next, the key top 7 is formed by combining the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3. The engaging protrusion 2g of the outer key top piece 2 is inserted into the through hole 3d of the inner key top piece 3, and the inner peripheral surface 2c of the outer key top piece 2 and the outer peripheral surface 3a of the inner key top piece 3 are engaged. Then, the tip of the engaging projection 2g is deformed from the lower surface of the inner key top piece 3 using a caulking jig to form the caulking portion 2h. The key top 7 is manufactured in this way.

  As with the key top 1 of the first embodiment, the key top 7 of the second embodiment can be easily provided with a combined design surface by the metallic paint film 5 and the white paint film 5, and has one operation surface. In addition to being able to easily realize design diversity in terms of combination design, it also exhibits the following functions and effects.

  Since the key top 7 has a caulking portion 2h that is fixed to the through hole 3d on the distal end side of the engagement protrusion 2g, the engagement protrusion 2g does not come out of the through hole 3d, and the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key 2 The top piece 3 can be prevented from falling off.

Third Embodiment [FIGS. 5 and 6]
The key top 8 according to the third embodiment is different from the key top 1 according to the first embodiment in the structure of the groove 2d of the outer key top piece 2 and the flange 3b of the inner key top piece 3 constituting the key top 8. , And the configuration of the combination design surface. The remaining configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The recess 2f is not formed in the groove 2d of the outer key top piece 2, and the annular surface 2e is formed flat. The annular surface 2e is fixed to the upper surface of the flange portion 3b through the adhesive layer 9.

  The inner key top piece 3 is formed of a transparent hard resin, and the fusion projection 3c is not formed on the flange portion 3b, and the upper surface is formed flat. The coating 5 is not formed on the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3, and the coating 5 by letter printing is applied as a “decoration layer” on the lower surface.

    Next, a method for manufacturing the key top 8 will be described.

  First, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are formed separately. The outer key top piece 2 is formed in the shape described above by injection molding. Thereafter, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2 to form. Moreover, the inner side keytop piece 3 is formed in the above-mentioned shape by injection molding. Thereafter, a character-printed coating film 5 is formed on the lower surface of the inner key top piece 3.

  Next, the key top 8 is formed by combining the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3. An adhesive is applied to the upper surface of the flange 3 b of the inner key top piece 3, and the inner peripheral surface 2 c of the outer key top piece 2 and the outer peripheral surface 3 a of the inner key top piece 3 are engaged. Then, the adhesive is cured to fix the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 together. The key top 8 is manufactured in this way.

  The operation and effect of the key top 8 according to the third embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, a combination design surface is formed with the key top 8 by combining the outer key top piece 2 having the coating film 5 and the transparent top coat 6 on the upper surface side and the inner key top piece 3 having the coating film 5 on the lower surface. Therefore, the combination design surface by the metallic-tone coating film 5 and the character-printing coating film 5 can be easily provided on the key top 1 without performing a complicated process such as a masking process.

  The key top 8 has a metallic-colored coating film 5 on the outer edge of the operation surface of the outer key top piece 2 and a character-printed coating film 5 on the back surface of the transparent inner key top piece 3, and is separated in the depth direction. Configure the combined design surface. For this reason, it is possible to easily realize a variety of designs by a three-dimensional or hierarchical combination design surface having a perspective formed by the front surface and the back surface of the key top 8.

  Since it has the adhesive layer 9 that fixes the annular surface 2e of the outer key top piece 2 and the upper surface of the flange 3b of the inner key top piece 3, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are fixed by the adhesive layer 9, The outer side key top piece 2 and the inner side key top piece 3 do not peel even when subjected to repeated pressing operations. Therefore, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 can be prevented from falling off.

Fourth Embodiment [FIGS. 7 and 8]
The key top 10 of the fourth embodiment is different from the key top 1 of the first embodiment in that the structure of the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 constituting the key top 10 and the configuration of the combination design surface. It is. The remaining configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The outer key top piece 2 is formed in an annular flat plate. Similar to the outer key top piece 2 of the first embodiment, an annular flange 2b is provided on the outer peripheral surface 2a at the lower end, and an annular groove 2d is formed on the inner peripheral surface 2c. A plurality of recesses 2f that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction are provided on the annular surface 2e that is the bottom of the groove 2d. The recess 2f is formed with a fusion layer 4 that is fixed to the inner key top piece 3. On the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are applied as a “decoration layer”.

  The inner key top piece 3 is formed in an annular flat plate. The outer edge of the upper surface and the outer peripheral surface 3 a are combined surfaces that engage with the groove 2 d of the outer key top piece 2. A conical fusing projection 3c facing the recess 2f is formed on the combination surface of the upper surface. The fusion layer 4 is fixed on the upper surface of the fusion projection 3c, and the fusion layer 4 is formed by melting the tip side of the fusion projection 3c. On the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3, a white coating film 5 that does not adhere to the front end side of the fusion projection 3 c and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are applied as a “decoration layer”.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the key top 10 will be described. The method is basically the same as the method for manufacturing the key top 1 of the first embodiment.

  First, the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are formed separately. The outer key top piece 2 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but does not have the fusion layer 4 in the recess 2f. Thereafter, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface side of the outer key top piece 2 to form. The inner key top piece 3 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but the fusion projection 3c is formed in a conical shape. Thereafter, a white coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are sequentially applied to the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3 except for the tip side of the fusion projection 3c.

  Next, the key top 10 is formed by combining the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3. The recess 2f of the outer key top piece 2 and the fusion projection 3c of the inner key top piece 3 are opposed to each other, and the groove 2d of the outer key top piece 2 and the outer edge of the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3 and the outer peripheral surface 3a are engaged. . Then, an ultrasonic wave is applied from the lower surface of the inner key top piece 3 using an ultrasonic fusing machine to melt the tip of the fusion projection 3c. Thereafter, the fusion layer 4 by re-curing is formed in the recess 2f, and the outer key top piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are fixed. The key top 10 is manufactured in this way.

  As with the key top 1 of the first embodiment, the key top 10 according to the fourth embodiment can be easily provided with a combined design surface made of a metallic paint film 5 and a white paint film 5. 2 and the inner key top piece 3 are firmly fixed by the fusion layer 4 and can be prevented from falling off. The outer key inner piece 2 and the inner key top piece 3 can be easily and instantaneously fixed by ultrasonic fusion. Furthermore, the following actions and effects are exhibited.

  Since the key top 10 has a combined design surface with the step surface formed by the upper surface of the outer key top piece 2 and the upper surface of the inner key top piece 3 as an operation surface, a variety of designs can be easily realized.

Fifth Embodiment [FIGS. 9 and 10]
The key top 11 of the fifth embodiment is different from the key top 1 of the first embodiment in that an upper key top piece 12 and a lower key top piece 13 are provided. These combinations constitute a “key top body”. The remaining configuration is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The upper key top piece 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is formed in an L-shaped cross section having a downward projecting portion 12a. A plurality of cylindrical engagement protrusions 12 c are provided on the engagement surface 12 b having a crank-shaped cross section in the upper key top piece 12. The engaging projection 12c is inserted through a through hole 13a provided in the lower key top piece 13, and a caulking portion 12d larger than the diameter of the through hole 13a is formed on the tip side. On the upper surface of the outer key top piece 12, a metallic-tone coating film 5 and a transparent top coat 6 that protects the coating film 5 are applied as a “decoration layer”.

  The lower key top piece 13 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped and has an L-shaped cross section having an upward protruding portion 13b. A through-hole 13a penetrating the wall thickness is provided in the engagement surface 13c having a crank-shaped cross section in the lower key top piece 13. A white coating film 5 is applied as a “decoration layer” on the upper surface side of the inner key top piece 13, and a white coating film is formed on the upper surface 13 d constituting one operation surface with the upper key top piece 12. A transparent top coat 6 for protecting 5 is formed. This transparent top coat 6 is integral with the transparent top coat 6 formed on the upper surface of the outer key top piece 12.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the key top 11 will be described.

  First, the upper key top piece 12 and the lower key top piece 13 are formed separately. The upper key top piece 12 is formed in the above-described shape by injection molding, but the engagement protrusion 12c is formed in a columnar shape having the same diameter up to the tip, and does not have a caulking portion 12d. Thereafter, a metallic-tone coating film 5 is applied to the upper surface side of the upper key top piece 2 to form it. The lower key top piece 13 is formed in the shape described above by injection molding. Then, the white coating film 5 is applied and formed on the upper surface side of the lower key top piece 13.

  Next, the upper key top piece 12 and the lower key top piece 13 are combined to form the key top 11. The engagement protrusion 12c of the upper key top piece 12 is inserted into the through hole 13a of the lower key top piece 13, and the engagement surface 12b of the upper key top piece 12 and the engagement surface 13b of the lower key top piece 13 are engaged. Match. Then, the tip of the engagement protrusion 12c is deformed from the lower surface of the lower key top piece 13 using a caulking jig to form the caulking portion 12d. At this time, the caulking portion 12 d protrudes from the lower surface of the lower key top piece 13. Thereafter, a transparent top protecting the metallic coating film 5 applied on the upper surface of the upper key top piece 12 and the white coating film 5 applied on the upper surface of the lower key top piece 13 constituting one operation surface. A coat 6 is applied and formed. The key top 11 is manufactured in this way.

  Like the key top 1 of the first embodiment, the key top 11 of the fifth embodiment can be easily provided with a combined design surface made of a metallic paint film 5 and a white paint film 5, and has one operation surface. In addition to being able to easily realize design diversity in terms of combination design, it also exhibits the following functions and effects.

  Since the key top 11 has a caulking portion 12d that is fixed to the through hole 13a on the distal end side of the engagement protrusion 12c, the engagement protrusion 12c does not come out of the through hole 13a, and the upper key top piece 12 and the lower side The key top piece 13 can be prevented from falling off.

Sectional drawing of the keytop of 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the key top of 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the keytop of 2nd Embodiment. Exploded view of the key top of the second embodiment. Sectional drawing of the keytop of 3rd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the key top of 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the keytop of 4th Embodiment. Exploded view of the key top of the fourth embodiment. Sectional drawing of the keytop of 5th Embodiment. Exploded view of the key top of the fifth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Key top (first embodiment)
2 outer key top piece 2a outer peripheral surface 2b flange 2c inner peripheral surface 2d groove 2e annular surface 2f recess 2g engagement projection 2h caulking portion 3 inner key top piece 3a outer peripheral surface 3b flange 3c fusion projection 3d through hole 4 fusion Layer 5 Paint film 6 Top coat 7 Key top (second embodiment)
8 Key Top (Third Embodiment)
9 Adhesive layer 10 Key top (fourth embodiment)
11 Key top (fifth embodiment)
12 Upper key top piece 12a Protruding portion 12b Engaging surface 12c Engaging projection 12d Caulking portion 13 Lower key top piece 13a Through hole 13b Protruding portion 13c Engaging surface 13d Upper surface

Claims (7)

In a key top for a pushbutton switch having a design surface visible from the outside in the key top body,
A plurality of split key top pieces forming a key top body by combination; and
A key top comprising: a decoration layer provided on an outer surface of each divided key top piece and forming a combined design surface by a combination of the divided key top pieces.   2. The key top according to claim 1, wherein the key top body has an operation surface formed by combining each divided key top piece, and the operation surface has a combination design surface.   A decorative layer provided on the surface of one divided key top piece and a decorative layer provided on the back surface of another divided key top piece made of a transparent resin, on the front side and the back side separated in the depth direction from the key top body. The key top according to claim 1, which has a combined design surface with a decorative layer.   The key top according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an adhesive layer for fixing the combination surfaces of the divided key top pieces.   The key top according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fusion layer for fixing the combination surfaces of the divided key top pieces.   An engagement protrusion is provided on one divided key top piece, a through hole is provided on the other divided key top piece, and a caulking portion that is fixed to the through hole is provided on the distal end side of the engagement protrusion through which the through hole is inserted. The key top according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A method for manufacturing a key top for a pushbutton switch according to claim 5,
A key top in which one split key top piece having a fusion projection whose tip protrudes from the decorative layer is combined with another split key top piece and heat or ultrasonic waves are applied to fix the split key top pieces together. Manufacturing method.

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