JP7441781B2 - Carrier member with cap and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a capped carrier member and a method for manufacturing the same.

Traditionally, when manufacturing multiple molded products, one molded product is first created by connecting multiple molded products on a sheet using a molding method, etc., and then a punching jig or the like is used to create a single molded body. A common method is to punch out the molded products using a molded product, and finally collect the molded products one by one (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-149329

However, since the work of collecting molded products one by one after punching them out is a burdensome work in the manufacturing process, there is a desire on the manufacturing side to save labor. On the other hand, it is also important to confirm the number of molded products after collecting them before delivering them to the customer. At this time, there is also a need to save labor in checking the number of molded products. Furthermore, at the sales destination, molded products are placed one by one in a machine and then glued and assembled, and there is a strong need to save labor in this process. In particular, as an example of a molded product, there is a strong demand for the above-mentioned labor saving in a cap that covers at least a portion of a push button switch member for the purpose of waterproofing, dustproofing, and/or anticorrosion. However, conventional molded products have not met the above requirements.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a capped carrier member and a method for manufacturing the same, which enable labor-saving work at a manufacturing site or a sales destination.

(1) A carrier member with a cap according to an embodiment for achieving the above object includes a plurality of caps each capable of covering a plurality of push button switch members, and a molded structure having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction. a plate, the cap is configured to be able to be attached from the key top side of the push button switch member toward the tip side in the pressing direction of the push button switch member, and the cap is configured to be attached to the push button switch member from the key top side of the push button switch member. a flange portion that covers the tip end side in the pressing direction and has a first opening for mounting the push button switch member; a head portion that has a smaller diameter than the flange portion and covers the key top side; and the flange portion. and a body portion connecting the flange portion and the head portion, and a part or all of the flange portion in the thickness direction is formed in the through hole due to frictional resistance with the inner wall of the through hole or a pushing force from the inner wall. , and the head protrudes from the through hole.
(2) In the carrier member with a cap according to another embodiment, preferably, the head portion projects at least the key top side end portion of the push button switch member when attached to the push button switch member. It may also have a second opening for allowing it to open.
(3) In the capped carrier member according to another embodiment, preferably both the cap and the molded plate may be made of a rubber-like elastic body.
(4) In the capped carrier member according to another embodiment, the cap and the molded plate may preferably have different moduli of elasticity.
(5) A method for manufacturing a carrier member with a cap according to an embodiment includes a molded body in which a plurality of caps and a molded plate having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction are connected at the outer peripheral edge of the through hole. A method for manufacturing a carrier member with a cap according to any of the above using a punching jig, wherein the punching jig includes a first holding member and a first holding member that sandwich the cap in the thickness direction. 2 holding members, and a third holding member and a fourth holding member that sandwich the cap in the thickness direction, the molded plate holding member holding the forming plate between the third holding member and the fourth holding member. a cap clamping step of clamping the cap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member; and a cap clamping step of clamping the cap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member; A separation step of separating the cap from the molded plate by moving it relative to the forming plate, and an extension of the relative movement during the separation step, or a movement in the opposite direction to the relative movement, to separate the cap after separation. A burying step of burying the method in the through hole is included.
(6) The method for producing a capped carrier member according to another embodiment preferably includes a first supplying step of supplying a curable composition for producing the molded body into a mold, and After manufacturing the molded body through a first curing step of curing the curable composition, the punching jig is used to perform the molded plate clamping step, the cap clamping step, and the separation step. You may perform the said burying process.
(7) The method for manufacturing a carrier member with a cap according to another embodiment preferably includes a step of arranging the molded plate having the through hole in a mold, and a curable composition for manufacturing the cap. After producing the molded body by two-color molding through a second supply step of supplying the object into the mold and a second curing step of curing the curable composition in the mold, The molded plate clamping process, the cap clamping process, the separating process, and the embedding process may be performed using a punching jig.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a capped carrier member and a method for manufacturing the same, which enable labor-saving work at a manufacturing site or a sales destination.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a capped carrier member according to one embodiment and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the perspective view. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an example of a state in which a cap manufactured from the capped carrier member of FIG. 1 is attached to a push button switch member. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the molded body in a state before manufacturing the capped carrier member of FIG. 1, a sectional view taken along line BB of the perspective view, and an enlarged view of region C in the sectional view. FIG. 4 shows the main steps of a method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates some steps of the method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a flow of main steps for manufacturing a molded body prior to the flow of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a molded body different from the molded body of FIG. 3, taken along line BB in FIG. 3 and viewed from the same perspective. FIG. 8 shows the manufacturing process flow of the molded body of FIG. 7 and the subsequent manufacturing flow of the capped carrier member. FIG. 9 shows the manufacturing process of the molded body of FIG. 8 in a cross-sectional view. FIG. 10 shows a BB line sectional view similar to FIG. 3 in Modification 1 of the molded body of FIG. 3, and an enlarged view of region D in the sectional view. FIG. 11 shows a BB line sectional view similar to FIG. 3 in Modification 2 of the molded body of FIG. 3, and an enlarged view of region E in the sectional view.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the claimed invention. Furthermore, not all of the elements and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the present invention.

1. Capped Carrier Member First, a capped carrier member according to one embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a capped carrier member according to one embodiment and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the perspective view. FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an example of a state in which a cap manufactured from the capped carrier member of FIG. 1 is attached to a push button switch member.

The capped carrier member 1 includes a plurality of caps 3 capable of respectively covering a plurality of pushbutton switch members 6, and a molded plate 2 having a through hole 20 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction shown in FIG. 1). , is provided. The cap 3 is configured to be attachable from the key top 61 side of the push-button switch member 6 toward the tip of the push-button switch member 6 in the pressing direction (downward in FIG. 2). The cap 3 covers the tip end side of the push-button switch member 6 in the pressing direction, and includes a flange portion 31 having a first opening 40 for mounting the push-button switch member 6, and a flange portion 31 having a smaller diameter than the flange portion 31 and a key. It includes a head portion 33 that covers the top 61 side, and a body portion 32 that connects the collar portion 31 and the head portion 33. A part or all of the flange portion 31 in the thickness direction is buried in the through hole 20 due to frictional resistance with the inner wall of the through hole 20 or a pushing force from the inner wall. The head 33 protrudes from the through hole 20. The head 33 preferably has a second opening 42 for causing at least the key top 61 side end of the push-button switch member 6 to protrude when the cap 3 is attached to the push-button switch member 6. . Note that in the capped carrier member 1, one cap 3 may be buried in one through hole 20.

The capped carrier member 1 is not limited in its constituent material, but is preferably mainly composed of a rubber-like elastic body, resin, or metal, and more preferably mainly composed of a rubber-like elastic body. The capped carrier member 1 may be made of one type of material or two or more types of materials. For example, the capped carrier member 1 may be a member in which a filler for the purpose of imparting conductivity or reinforcing the material is dispersed in a rubber-like elastic body. In this embodiment, the cap 3 and the molding plate 2 are preferably made of the same material. However, the cap 3 and the molded plate 2 may be made of different materials. The cap 3 and the molded plate 2 may have the same modulus of elasticity. On the other hand, the cap 3 and the molded plate 2 may have different moduli of elasticity, regardless of whether they are made of the same kind of material or different materials. For example, the cap 3 may have a higher modulus of elasticity than the molded plate 2. Conversely, the molded plate 2 may have a higher modulus of elasticity than the cap 3.

When the capped carrier member 1 is made of a rubber-like elastic body, the rubber-like elastic body may include silicone rubber, urethane rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, fluorine rubber, etc. Examples include one or more of rubber and natural rubber. Among the above rubber-like elastic bodies, silicone rubber or urethane rubber is particularly preferred.

When the capped carrier member 1 is made of resin, any resin can be selected as the resin, such as thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, photocurable resin, electron beam curable resin, etc., but preferably thermoplastic resin is used. Resin can be used. The above resins include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polymethylpentene resin, polybutene resin, polyacetal resin, acrylonitrile styrene resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, methacrylic resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, fluororesin, polyamide resin, polyimide. Examples include one or more of resins, polymethacrylstyrene resins, and butadiene resins. Among the above resins, polycarbonate resins and polyester resins are particularly preferred.

When the capped carrier member 1 is made of metal, examples of the metal include one or more of aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, iron, stainless steel, copper, silver, and gold. Among the above metals, aluminum or stainless steel is particularly preferred.

The capped carrier member 1 is a member that uses the molded plate 2 as a carrier (carrying means) for the cap 3. In this embodiment, the molded plate 2 has nine through holes 20 and holds nine caps 3. That is, the number of through holes 20 is the same as the number of caps 3. However, the number of through holes 20 may be greater than the number of caps 3. Furthermore, the number of caps 3 and through holes 20 is not limited to nine, but may be two or more, for example three to eight, or ten or more.

The cap 3 is preferably a cap that covers at least a portion of the push-button switch member 6 for purposes such as waterproofing, dustproofing, and/or anticorrosion. The push-button switch member 6 is preferably incorporated into the housing 80 such that at least the top surface portion of the key top 61 is exposed through the hole 82 of the housing 80 of the electronic device or the like. In this embodiment, the push-button switch member 6 is assembled into the housing 80 so that a predetermined region on the key top 61 side protrudes from the hole 82 (see FIG. 2).

In this embodiment, the push button switch member 6 includes a substantially hemispherical key top 61 and a pusher portion 63 that projects from the key top 61 in the pressing direction (downward in FIG. 2). The push-button switch member 6 preferably further includes a conductive movable contact 65 fixed to the surface of the pusher portion 63 in the pressing direction (lower side in FIG. 2). The movable contact 65 is preferably electrically connectable to a fixed contact 68 disposed in the housing 80 in a direction closer to the pressing direction than the movable contact 65. The push-button switch member 6 preferably has a groove 62 carved along the circumferential direction of the side surface. In this embodiment, the groove portion 62 extends around the side surface of the pushbutton switch member 6 near the key top 61 . Note that the movable contact 65 is not an essential member for the push button switch member 6. For example, the pusher portion 63 may push down the metal dome to bring the fixed contact 68 disposed directly below the metal dome into conduction. Further, the push button switch member 6 may include a connecting member that connects the pusher portion 63 and the movable contact 65 in place of the movable contact 65 on the surface of the pusher portion 63 in the pressing direction. In this case, the push-button switch member 6 can bring the movable contact 65 into contact with or out of contact with the fixed contact 65 via the connecting member as the pusher portion 63 moves in the pressing direction. In the push-button switch member 6, the shapes and constituent materials of the key top 61 and pusher portion 63 are not particularly restricted. Further, the number of fixed contacts 68 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of fixed contacts 68 may be provided.

The cap 3 is preferably a member that has a space therein that can cover at least a portion of a predetermined region of the push-button switch member 6 that protrudes from the hole 82 (see FIG. 2). The flange portion 31 preferably covers the tip end side in the pressing direction (lower side in FIG. 2) of the predetermined region protruding from the hole 82. The body portion 32 preferably covers the side surface of the predetermined region so as to connect the collar portion 31 and the head portion 33. In this embodiment, the body 32 is configured to have an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the collar 31 and an inner diameter that is the same as the inner diameter of the collar 31 (see FIG. 2). The head 33 is preferably configured such that its diameter (outer diameter and inner diameter) is smaller than the diameters of the collar 31 and the body 32, and covers the key top 61 side of the predetermined area. The cap 3 is attached to the push button switch member 6 through the first opening 40 provided in the collar portion 31 such that at least a portion of the key top 61 protrudes from the second opening 42 provided in the head portion 33. be done. More specifically, the cap 3 preferably includes the housing 80 and the pushbutton switch member such that the groove 62 engages with the second opening 42 and the flange 31 engages with the edge of the hole 82. 6 (see Figure 2). With this configuration, the cap 3 allows the push button switch member 6 to be reciprocated in the pressing direction (downward in FIG. 2) and in the opposite direction (upward in FIG. 2) with respect to the housing 80. can be retained. Note that the shape of the cap 3 and its internal space is not particularly limited, and is preferably designed as appropriate depending on the shape of the push-button switch member 6 to be attached. For example, the cap 3 may have an inverted bowl shape that is curved from the head 33 to the body 32. The first opening 40 is not particularly limited as long as it has a size and shape that can be attached to at least the push button switch member 6, but it is preferably approximately circular with a diameter of 2 to 5 mm in plan view.

In this embodiment, when the key top 61 is not pressed, the movable contact 65 and the fixed contact 68 maintain a non-contact state (see FIG. 2). When the operator presses the key top 61, the cap 3 is elastically deformed and the movable contact 65 comes into contact with the fixed contact 68, thereby turning the switch on (or off). When the operator releases the pressure on the key top 61, the cap 3 returns to its original shape due to its own elastic force, so the push button switch member 6 moves in the opposite direction to the pressing direction and returns to its initial state. As a result, the movable contact 65 is out of contact with the fixed contact 68, so the switch is turned off (or on). Note that, instead of the elastic deformation of the cap 3, the switch may be turned on and off by a structure in which the key top 61 can reciprocate in the vertical direction.

In this embodiment, the through hole 20 of the molded plate 2 is a substantially circular hole in plan view. The outer surface of the collar portion 31 is in surface contact with the inner wall of the through hole 20. The flange portion 31 may be a polygonal member having a triangular, square or more shape in plan view. In that case, it is preferable that the through hole 20 be a polygonal hole in plan view, like the flange 31, so that it can come into surface contact with the outer surface of the flange 31. However, the through hole 20 may be a substantially circular hole in plan view, and the flange portion 31, which is polygonal in plan view, may be brought into line contact with the inner wall of the through hole 20.

The cap 3 is buried in the through hole 20 due to frictional resistance with the inner wall of the through hole 20 or pushing force from the inner wall. Preferably, part or all of the flange 31 of the cap 3 in the thickness direction is in contact with the inner wall of the through hole 20. In this embodiment, the thickness t1 of the collar portion 31 is smaller than the depth (or height may also be used) t2 of the through hole 20. However, the thickness t1 may be equal to the depth t2. Further, the thickness t1 may be larger than the depth t2, but it is preferable that the thickness t1 is twice the depth t2 or less. This is because the collar portion 31 can be reliably held in the through hole 20. The collar portion 31 may completely enter the through hole 20 or may protrude from at least one opening surface of the through hole 20.

The through hole 20 preferably holds the cap 3 so as to press the outer surface of the flange 31 with a compressive force that contracts inward. As an example of realizing this, it is preferable that at least one of the molded plate 2 and the cap 3 is a rubber-like elastic body.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the molded body in a state before manufacturing the capped carrier member of FIG. 1, a sectional view taken along line BB of the perspective view, and an enlarged view of region C in the sectional view.

The capped carrier member 1 is manufactured from the molded body 1a of FIG. The molded body 1 a has nine caps 3 and a molded plate 2 having nine through holes 20 connected to each other at the outer peripheral edge 21 of each through hole 20 . Here, the outer peripheral edge refers to a corner that forms a boundary between the through hole 20 and the surface of the molded plate 2. In this embodiment, the lower end outer peripheral surface of the flange 31 of the cap 3 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the through hole 20 of the molded plate 2. In the molded body 1a, the cap 3 is connected to the molded plate 2 through a connecting portion 34 having a width t3 in the thickness direction.

In the carrier member 1 with a cap, when the cap 3 is separated from the molded plate 2 and the separated flange 31 is forcibly inserted into the through hole 20, the cap is removed due to the frictional force between the flange 31 and the inner wall of the through hole 20. 3 can be maintained reliably. If the molded body 1a is made of a rubber-like elastic body, it can be held more reliably. Therefore, the risk of the cap 3 accidentally falling out from the through hole 20 can be reduced.

2. Manufacturing method of carrier member with cap 2.1 Manufacturing example 1
Next, a method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to one embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the main steps of a method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates some steps of the method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to this embodiment.

The method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to this embodiment includes a molded body setting step (ST100), a molded plate clamping step (ST110), a cap clamping step (ST120), a separation step (ST130), an embedding step (ST140), and a removal step (ST140). Step (ST150) is included. The forming plate clamping process (ST110) and the cap clamping process (ST120) may be performed in the reverse order of the flow shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a manufacturing method using a punching jig 35 having a relatively simple structure will be illustrated. In the following description, the upper direction in the drawing of FIG. 5 will be referred to as "upper direction" or "upper", and the lower direction in the drawing of FIG. 5 will be referred to as "lower". This also applies to the figures after FIG. 7.

The capped carrier member 1 of FIG. 5 is produced by punching out the cap 3 from a molded body 1a including a molded plate 2 and a cap 3 using a punching jig 35, and embedding the cap 3 in the through hole 20 of the molded plate 2. Manufactured by The punching jig 35 includes a first clamping member 36 and a second clamping member 39 that sandwich the cap 3 in its thickness direction, and a third clamping member 37 and a fourth clamping member that sandwich the molded plate 2 in its thickness direction. 38.

The punching jig 35 may be a jig that punches out the caps 3 one by one and then embeds them in the through holes 20, or it may be a jig that punches out all the caps 3 at the same time and then embeds them in the through holes 20 at the same time. Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a capped carrier member will be explained, limiting to one cap 3.

First, each component of the punching jig 35 will be explained. The first clamping member 36 is a member that can press the cap 3 upward from its lower surface, and can clamp the cap 3 in the vertical direction between it and a second clamping member 39 on the upper surface side of the cap 3. It is. The second clamping member 39 is a member that can press the cap 3 downward from the upper surface thereof, and can clamp the cap 3 in the vertical direction between it and the first clamping member 36 on the lower surface side of the cap 3. It is. Both the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 may have a cylindrical portion that can be inserted into the through hole 20, or may be the cylindrical member itself.

The third clamping member 37 is a substantially disc-shaped member located on the lower surface side of the molded body 1a, and is provided with a hole 37a penetrating in the thickness direction of the third clamping member 37 approximately at the center thereof. The molded body 1a can be placed on the upper surface of the third holding member 37 so that the through hole 20 of the molded body 1a is aligned with the hole 37a. The shapes of the through hole 20 and the hole 37a are circular with approximately the same diameter in plan view. Furthermore, at least the tip or the entirety of the first holding member 36 can be inserted into the hole 37a and the through hole 20.

The fourth clamping member 38 is a substantially disk-shaped member located on the upper surface side of the molded body 1a, and is provided with a hole 38a penetrating in the thickness direction of the fourth clamping member 38 at approximately the center thereof. The hole 38a has a size that allows the cap 3 to be inserted therein. The fourth clamping member 38 is capable of clamping the molded plate 2 between itself and the third clamping member 37 with the cap 3 surrounded by the hole 38a. Hole 38a has approximately the same diameter as hole 37a.

Next, an example of the manufacturing process of the capped carrier member according to this embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 4 and 5.

<Molded object setting process (ST100)>
First, the molded body 1a is set on the upper surface of the third holding member 37. At this time, the molded body 1a is placed so that the position of the through hole 20 of the molded plate 2 matches the position of the protrusion of the first holding member 36.

<Formed plate clamping process (ST110)>
Next, the fourth clamping member 38 is lowered in the direction of arrow D, and the molded plate 2 is clamped by the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38.

<Cap clamping process (ST120)>
Next, the first clamping member 36 is raised in the direction of arrow U, and the second clamping member 39 is lowered in the direction of arrow D, so that the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 clamp the cap 3. Note that whether or not the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 move and the direction of movement are not limited to the above-mentioned movements.

<Separation step (ST130)>
Next, the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 are moved relative to the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 to separate the cap 3 from the molding plate 2. Here, the relative movement is, for example, moving the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 downward in the direction of arrow D while the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 are both stopped. This refers to the movement of As a method of relative movement other than such relative movement, while both the third holding member 37 and the fourth holding member 38 are stopped, the first holding member 36 and the second holding member 39 are moved oppositely to the arrow D. direction (that is, upward). Alternatively, the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 may be lowered, and the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 may be raised.

<Burial process (ST140)>
Next, the separated cap 3 is buried in the through hole 20 of the molded plate 2 by moving in the opposite direction to the relative movement during the separation step. Here, the relative movement during the separation step and the movement in the opposite direction are, for example, in a state where both the first holding member 36 and the second holding member 39 are stopped, and the third holding member 37 and the fourth holding member 37 and the fourth holding member 39 are stopped. This refers to a movement in which the holding member 38 is raised in the direction of arrow U. Note that the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 may be lowered while the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 are both stopped. Alternatively, the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 may be raised, and the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 may be lowered.

<Extraction process (ST150)>
Finally, the capped carrier member 1 is taken out from the punching jig 35.

Note that the separation step (ST130) and the burying step (ST140) can be modified as follows. In the separation step (ST130), with the first clamping member 36 and the second clamping member 39 stopped, both the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 are moved in the opposite direction to arrow D (i.e., upward). ). As a result, the cap 3 is pushed into the through-hole 20 of the forming plate 2, and it is also possible to separate the cap 3 from the forming plate 2 before it is completely pushed in. Thereafter, the third clamping member 37 and the fourth clamping member 38 are further raised, and the cap 3 is buried in the through hole 20. In this manner, in the burying step (ST140), it is also possible to bury the separated cap 3 in the through hole 20 by extending the relative movement during the separating step (ST130).

FIG. 6 shows a flow of main steps for manufacturing a molded body prior to the flow of FIG. 4.

The molded body 1a is produced using the punching jig 35 through the above-described molded body setting process (ST100), molded plate clamping process (ST110), cap clamping process (ST120), separation process (ST130), embedding process (ST140), and removal process. Prior to performing the step (ST150), manufacturing can be performed through the steps ST10, ST20, and ST30 in FIG.

<First supply step (ST10)>
First, a curable composition for realizing the form of the molded object 1a after curing is supplied into a mold having a cavity (referred to as a cavity or space) capable of producing the molded object 1a. For example, the curable composition may be a composition curable by heating, a composition curable by cooling or standing at room temperature, or a composition curable by light irradiation or electron beam irradiation.

<First curing step (ST20)>
Next, the curable composition is cured within the mold. The curing conditions may be any conditions depending on the properties of the curable composition. Various methods can be used, such as heating, heating and pressurizing, cooling, leaving at room temperature, irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and irradiation with electron beams.

<Extraction process (ST30)>
Finally, the cured molded body 1a is taken out from the mold.

Thereafter, using the punching jig 35, the capped carrier member 1 is manufactured from the molded body 1a.

2.2 Production example 2
Next, a method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to another embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a molded body different from the molded body of FIG. 3, taken along line BB in FIG. 3 and viewed from the same perspective.

Unlike the molded body 1a, the molded body 1b in FIG. 7 is a molded body in which a molded plate 2b and a cap 3 are connected as separate bodies. The molded plate 2b is molded prior to manufacturing the molded body 1b. When producing the molded body 1b, the molded plate 2b is set in a mold, a curable composition for manufacturing the cap 3 is supplied into the mold, and the molded body 1b is manufactured by a two-color molding method. .

The molded plate 2b may be one returned to the manufacturer by the purchaser who purchased the capped carrier member 1. The manufacturer can also use the returned molded plate 2b to manufacture the molded body 1b by the above-mentioned two-color molding method, and then manufacture the capped carrier member 1 using the punching jig 35. . As a result, the molded plate 2b is circulated between the manufacturer and the purchaser. Therefore, such a method also meets the ecological viewpoint without discarding the molded plate 2b.

FIG. 8 shows the manufacturing process flow of the molded body of FIG. 7 and the subsequent manufacturing flow of the capped carrier member. FIG. 9 shows the manufacturing process of the molded body of FIG. 8 in a cross-sectional view.

The manufacturing process of the molded body 1b will be explained.

<Placement process (ST50)>
First, the molding plate 2b having the through hole 20 is placed in the mold 50. The mold 50 can clamp a lower mold 51 and an upper mold 52 together. The cavity 53 formed by the lower mold 51 and the upper mold 52 has a region where the molding plate 2b can be placed and a region where the cap 3 can be molded. The cavity 53 preferably includes a supply port 54 capable of supplying the curable composition 3' for producing the cap 3 and an exhaust port 55 for removing air outside the mold 50.

<Second supply process (ST60)>
Next, a curable composition 3' for manufacturing the cap 3 is supplied into the mold 50.

<Second curing step (ST70)>
Next, the curable composition 3' is cured within the mold 50. In this step, the cap 3 and the molded plate 2b are connected, and a molded body 1b is formed by so-called two-color molding.

<Extraction process (ST80)>
Finally, the cured molded body 1b is taken out from the mold 50.

Thereafter, using the punching jig 35, the capped carrier member 1 is manufactured from the molded body 1b. The flow of such a process using the punching jig 35 is similar to the above-described sequence of forming plate clamping process (ST110), cap clamping process (ST120), separation process (ST130), and burying process (ST140). be.

3. Other Embodiments As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these and can be implemented with various modifications.

FIG. 10 shows a BB line sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and an enlarged view of region D in the sectional view in Modification 1 of the molded body of FIG.

The molded body 1c according to Modification Example 1 differs from the molded body 1a in FIG. 3 in that the flange portion 31 is connected to the outer peripheral edge (corner portion) of the through hole 20 by a line contact or a thin and extremely short skin (connecting portion 34a). There is. Even in such a case, the cap 3 can be held without falling from the through hole 20 due to the frictional force between the flange 31 and the inner wall of the through hole 20.

FIG. 11 shows a BB line sectional view similar to FIG. 3 in Modification 2 of the molded body of FIG. 3, and an enlarged view of region E in the sectional view.

The molded body 1d according to the second modification differs from the molded body 1a in FIG. 3 in that the flange portion 31 is placed on the upper surface of the molded plate 2. More specifically, the collar portion 31 protrudes outward from the inner wall of the through hole 20 by a width t4. In other words, the outer diameter of the collar portion 31 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 20 by 2×t4. Therefore, in the molded body 1d, the cap 3 is connected to the molded plate 2 in the radial direction by the connecting portion 34b having a width t4. In this case, when the flange 31 and the molded plate 2 are separated, the outer diameter of the flange 31 becomes larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 20. When the cap 3 is separated from the molded plate 2 and the separated flange 31 is forcibly inserted into the through hole 20, the flange 31 is pressed in a direction in which the through hole 20 returns to its original size. Therefore, the capped carrier member 1 manufactured from the molded plate 1d can hold the cap 3 more reliably, and the risk of the cap 3 accidentally falling out from the through hole 20 can be further reduced.

The first clamping member 36, the second clamping member 39, the third clamping member 37, and the fourth clamping member 38 may all be driven by external power, or only some of them can be driven by external power. But it's okay. External power includes any power such as hydraulic, motor, manual, etc.

The present invention can be used, for example, when carrying the cap at a manufacturing site or at the market.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Carrier member with a cap, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d... Molded object, 2, 2b... Molded plate, 3... Cap, 3'... Curable composition, 6...・Push button switch member, 20... Through hole, 21... Outer periphery, 31... Flange, 32... Body, 33... Head, 34, 34a, 34b... Connection Part, 35... Punching jig, 36... First clamping member, 37... Third clamping member, 37a, 38a... Hole, 38... Fourth clamping member, 39... Third clamping member 2 holding member, 40... first opening, 42... second opening, 50... mold, 61... key top.

Claims (7)

a plurality of caps each capable of covering a plurality of push button switch members;
a molded plate having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction;
Equipped with
The cap is configured to be able to be attached from the key top side of the push button switch member toward the tip side in the pressing direction of the push button switch member,
The cap covers the tip end side of the push-button switch member in the pressing direction, and includes a flange portion having a first opening for mounting the push-button switch member, and a flange portion having a diameter smaller than that of the flange portion and attached to the key. comprising a head that covers the top side, and a body that connects the collar and the head,
A part or all of the flange in the thickness direction is buried in the through hole due to frictional resistance with the inner wall of the through hole or a pushing force from the inner wall,
A carrier member with a cap, wherein the head protrudes from the through hole. 2. The head according to claim 1, wherein the head has a second opening for protruding at least the key top side end portion of the push button switch member when attached to the push button switch member. Carrier member with cap as described. The capped carrier member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap and the molded plate are both made of rubber-like elastic bodies. 4. The capped carrier member according to claim 1, wherein the cap and the molded plate have different moduli of elasticity. Any one of claims 1 to 4, using a punching jig, from a molded body in which a plurality of caps and a molded plate having a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction are connected at the outer peripheral edge of the through hole. A method for manufacturing a capped carrier member according to item 1, comprising:
The punching jig is
a first clamping member and a second clamping member that sandwich the cap in the thickness direction;
a third holding member and a fourth holding member that sandwich the cap in the thickness direction;
Equipped with
a molded plate clamping step of clamping the molded plate between the third clamping member and the fourth clamping member;
a cap holding step of holding the cap between the first holding member and the second holding member;
a separating step of separating the cap from the molded plate by moving the third clamping member and the fourth clamping member relative to the first clamping member and the second clamping member;
an embedding step of burying the separated cap in the through hole by extending the relative movement during the separation step or by moving in the opposite direction to the relative movement;
A method for manufacturing a capped carrier member comprising: a first supply step of supplying a curable composition for producing the molded body into a mold;
a first curing step of curing the curable composition in the mold;
After manufacturing the molded body through
Manufacturing the capped carrier member according to claim 5, wherein the molded plate clamping step, the cap clamping step, the separating step, and the embedding step are performed using the punching jig. Method. arranging the molded plate having the through hole in a mold;
a second supply step of supplying a curable composition for producing the cap into the mold;
a second curing step of curing the curable composition in the mold;
After producing the molded body by two-color molding,
Manufacturing the capped carrier member according to claim 5, wherein the molded plate clamping step, the cap clamping step, the separating step, and the embedding step are performed using the punching jig. Method.

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