JPH06267369A - Key top panel of pushbutton switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a key top panel of a pushbutton switch which has a simple structure, allows a smooth operation for pushing each key top even when miniaturized, and has a waterproofing function. CONSTITUTION:An upwardly projecting portion 21 is formed in position on a film plate 20 made of resin films and a synthetic resin 23 is packed in the projecting portion 21 and is cured and integrated with the projecting portion 21 to form a key top 50. A curved projecting portion 25 which projects downwards from the surface of the film plate 20 is formed on the outer periphery of the portion of the film plate 20 where the key top 50 is formed, in such a way as to surround the key top 50. When the key top 50 is pressed, only the curved projecting portion 25 of the film plate 20 is deformed and the portion outside it is not pulled at all, so an operation for pressing the key top is facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key top plate for a push button switch, and more particularly to a key top plate for a push button switch that is suitable for downsizing and thinning and is suitable for waterproofing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as electronic devices have become smaller and thinner,
There is also a demand for downsizing and thinning of the key top plate of the push button switch used for the operation section.

On the other hand, some of these electronic devices are used in an environment where moisture or water may enter.
For this reason, the key top plate of the push button switch used for the operation portion is also required to have a waterproof and drip-proof structure.

In order to meet these demands, there are the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-308622 previously proposed by the applicant of the present application and the one proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-148484. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are disclosed in JP-A-4-308622.
It is a figure which shows the key top board of the publication, the figure (a) is a top view, the figure (b) is the aa sectional view of the figure (a).

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, as the key top plate, a film plate 110 composed of one resin film is prepared, and six key tops 120 are provided at the center of the film plate 110. Simultaneously with molding, the frame 130 is molded in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof.

If a switch contact (not shown) is arranged under the pressing portion 121 provided on the lower surface of the key top 120 and the key top 120 is pressed in this state,
The film plate 110 around the key top 120 is slightly pulled, the key top 120 descends, and the switch contact is turned on.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the key top 120 and the frame body 1 are provided for downsizing.
When the distance between 30 and the distance between the key tops 120 is made narrower, the following problems become remarkable.

That is, when the distance between the frame body 130 to which the film plate 110 is fixed and the key top 120 becomes narrow, the length of the film plate 110 to be pulled becomes short, so that the film plate 110 tends to be pulled by force. Therefore, it becomes difficult to press the key top 120 smoothly,
Not only does the feeling of operation become poor, but the film plate 110 may be deformed.

FIG. 9 shows a frame body 2 to which a film plate 210 is fixed.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance L between the key top 220 and 30 and the amount ΔL that the film plate 210 must extend when the key top 220 is lowered by 0.3 mm, and the inclination angle A of the film plate 210.

As shown in the figure, it can be seen that the amount ΔL and the inclination angle A rapidly increase as the distance L decreases. That is, as the distance L becomes narrower, the key top 220 becomes more difficult to press rapidly.

On the other hand, in FIG. 8, when any one of the key tops 120 is pressed, the adjacent key tops 1
20 is slightly pulled toward the pressed key top 120, but if the interval between the adjacent key tops 120 is narrowed, the pulled amount will suddenly increase. For this reason, when one key top 120 is pressed, there is a possibility that the key top 120 adjacent to the key top 120 may move in the direction of the pressed key top 120 so that it can be visually recognized.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), the peripheral portion of the key top 120 of the film plate 110 is cut out in an arc shape to form the cutout portion 12.
By providing 1, the pressing operation of the key top 120 can be easily performed. However, like this, the film plate 1
When the notch 121 is provided in the film 10, the film plate 11
0 itself loses its waterproof function. Therefore, in order to make the push button switch using the key top plate a waterproof structure, it is necessary to separately provide a waterproof structure under the key top plate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a key top plate of a push button switch which has a simple structure and can smoothly press each key top even if the size is reduced. It is in.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a key top plate of a push button switch in which a synthetic resin key top is formed at a predetermined position of a film plate made of a resin film. To surround the key top on the outer periphery of the part where the key top is formed,
A curved convex portion protruding downward or upward from the surface of the film plate was provided.

[0015]

When the key top is pressed to lower the key top, the curved convex portion of the film plate is deformed so that the outer portion thereof is not pulled at all.
Therefore, the pressing operation can be easily performed.

[0016]

1 is a side sectional view showing a push button switch 1 constructed by using a key top plate 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the push button switch 1 includes a switch substrate 60 formed by stacking an upper sheet 61, a spacer 63, and a lower sheet 65, and a frame body 40 on the outer periphery of the lower surface of a film plate 20 provided with a key top 50. And a click plate 69 mounted on the switch contact 68 portion of the switch substrate 60, and the double-sided adhesive-attached sheet 7 on the switch substrate 60.
The frame body 40 of the key top plate 10 is affixed to the above through the structure 1. Each component will be described below.

2A and 2B are views showing the key top plate 10. FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side view. The key top plate 10 shown in FIG. 1 is A shown in FIG.
-A cross section is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the key top plate 10 is constructed by providing a key top 50 at the center of a film plate 20 and mounting a frame 40 on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the film plate 20. There is. In addition, around the portion of the film plate 20 where the key tops 50 are provided, the key tops 50 are
A curved convex portion 25 that projects downward from the surface of the film plate 20 is provided so as to surround the.

In order to manufacture the key top plate 10, the film plate 20 is first prepared. This film board 2
As shown in FIG. 3, 0 is a thermoplastic synthetic resin film (eg, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, etc.) cut into a rectangular shape, and a desired pattern (not shown) or the like is printed on the upper surface or the lower surface thereof. Manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, this film plate 2
Insert 0 between the upper die D and the lower die E. Here, the upper die D is provided with a recess D1 for forming the key top 50, and the lower die E is provided with a recess E1 for forming the frame body 40 and a pressing portion 51 of the key top 50. A recess E2 for forming is provided. Also, the recess E of the lower mold E
Pin gates E10 and E20 are provided at 1 and E2, respectively.

Further, in the outer peripheral portion of the recess D1 of the upper die D,
A ring-shaped convex portion D2 is provided. The side surface of the convex portion D2 is formed in a semicircular shape.

On the other hand, a ring-shaped concave portion E3 is provided at a position facing the convex portion D2 of the lower mold E. The recess E3 has a semicircular side cross section, and when the upper die D and the lower die E are overlapped with each other, a gap is formed between the protrusion D2 and the thickness of the film plate 20. It is dimensioned.

When high-temperature and high-pressure molten resin is press-fitted from the pin gates E10 and E20, the frame 40 is formed on the outer periphery of the lower surface of the film plate 20, and the film plate 20 is also formed.
The portion located in the concave portion D1 is pushed up and deformed, and is closely adhered to the inner surface of the concave portion D1 as shown by the dotted line, and at the same time, the concave resin D1 and the concave portion E2 are filled with the molten resin. That is, the film plate 20 has a convex portion 21 having the inner surface shape of the concave portion D1.
(See FIG. 1) is formed, and the filling resin 23 is
The key top 50 is formed by filling and curing (see FIG. 1) and integrating them.

At this time, since the molten resin to be filled has a high temperature and a high pressure and the film plate 20 is made of a thermoplastic resin, the press-fitted resin and the film plate 20 are firmly fused and integrated. It does not peel off.

Further, the convex portion D2 of the film plate 20 shown in FIG.
The portion sandwiched between the concave portion E3 and the concave portion E3 is thermoplastically deformed into the sandwiched shape by the heat of the filled molten resin.

Then, by removing the upper and lower molds D and E, the key top plate 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is completed.

On the other hand, the switch substrate 60 is an ordinary membrane switch, and as shown in FIG.
Spacers 63 are interposed between the layers 65 to be overlapped. A hole 67 is provided in the spacer 63, and the hole 6
7, the electrode patterns provided on the upper and lower sheets 61 and 65 are opposed to each other to form the switch contact 68. The lower sheet 65 has air escape holes 66.

A click plate 69 made of metal or resin is mounted on the switch contact 68.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the switch substrate 60
Sheets 71 and 73 with double-sided adhesive are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the sheet. Here, the sheet 71 with the double-sided adhesive on the upper side
Is attached so as to surround the entire outer periphery of the upper surface of the switch substrate 60, and the lower double-sided adhesive-attached sheet 73 is
The entire lower surface of the switch substrate 60 is covered, and an air escape hole 75 is provided at a predetermined position and attached. A separator 77 is attached to the lower surface of the lower double-sided adhesive-coated sheet 73.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper double-sided adhesive-attached sheet 71 is adhered to the lower surface of the frame 40 of the key top plate 10 to complete the push button switch 1.

When the push button switch 1 is fixed to another member, the separator 77 may be peeled off and the lower surface of the double-sided adhesive-attached sheet 73 may be adhered to the other member.

When the key top 50 of the key top plate 10 is pressed, the pressing portion 51 presses the click plate 69 to generate a click sensation and is inverted, and the switch contact 68 is pressed to turn it on.

By the way, the curved projection 25 is formed on the film plate 20.
Since the key top 50 is pressed to lower the key top 50, the curved convex portion 2 is provided.
The deformation of 5 facilitates the pressing operation. Because when the key top 50 is pressed, the key top 50
This is because the stretch of the film corresponding to the stroke of is compensated (absorbed) by the stretch deformation of the curved convex portion 25.

The film plate 2 of the key top plate 10
Since 0 has no hole or the like, even if water is splashed on the push button switch 1, the water does not enter the inside.

In the above embodiment, the key top 50 is used.
If the filling resin 23 is made of a transparent material and the light emitting element is arranged at a predetermined position on the lower side of the key top 50, the key top 50 can be brightly illuminated from the lower side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the switch substrate 6
Although the membrane switch is used as 0, other types of substrates such as a hard substrate may be used instead.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view showing a push button switch 1'constructed by using a key top plate 10 'according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that a name plate 30 is attached on the film plate 20. The name plate 30 is provided with a circular hole 31 for penetrating the key top 50. That is, the name plate 30 is attached on the film plate 20 with the hole 31 passing through the key top 50.

According to this structure, the curved convex portion 25 provided on the film plate 20 cannot be seen from above and the blind can be hidden. Further, various kinds of printing can be applied to the upper surface or the lower surface of the name plate 30.

Next, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a push button switch 1 "constructed by using a key top plate 10" according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that the outer dimensions of the name plate 30 "are the same as those of the film plate 2".
Formed with a specified size larger than the outer size of 0, nameplate 30 "
That is, the portion protruding from the film plate 20 is bent and fixed to the side surface of the frame body 40.

The reason why the above configuration is adopted is as follows. That is, the push button switch 1'according to the embodiment shown in FIG.
In the case of the push button switch 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), since the outer peripheral side surface f of the key top plate 10 'is projected in a plate shape, in order to prevent the key top plate 10' from peeling off between the film plate 20 and the name plate 30, a case 80 is formed. When the push button switch 1 ′ is to be hidden by the case 80, the upper surface h of the push button switch 1 ′ needs to be lower than the upper surface g of the side wall 81 of the case 80 when the push button switch 1 ′ is stored in the case 80. Therefore, dust is likely to be accumulated in the step portion 83 formed between the upper surfaces g and h.

Further, due to an assembly error of the push button switch 1 ', a slight dimensional error occurs in the thickness direction of the push button switch 1', but the error in the thickness direction causes the surface h to be higher than the surface g. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the assembling error in the thickness direction of the push button switch 1 ', and therefore the assembling error in the thickness direction must be made severe.

On the other hand, in the case of the push button switch 1 "using the key top plate 10" according to the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (b), since the outer peripheral upper end i is covered with the nameplate 30 ″, even if the outer peripheral upper end i is slightly projected from the upper surface g of the side wall 81 of the case 80 as shown in FIG. There is no problem in design, and the film plate 20 and the name plate 3
There is no fear of peeling between 0s. Therefore, even if some dimensional error occurs in the thickness of the push button switch 1 ″, it does not cause any problem.
Therefore, it is not necessary to make severe an assembling error in the thickness direction of the push button switch 1 ″, the workability is improved, and the manufacture thereof is facilitated.

Next, FIG. 10 is a view showing a key top plate 10A according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
Is a side sectional view, and FIG.

In the case of the key top plate 10A shown in FIG.
The film plate 20A is not provided with a convex portion, and a hole 90A is provided, and molten resin is filled above and below the film plate 20A through the hole 90A to form the keytop 50A. In the case of this embodiment, the key top 5 is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiments.
The 0A pressing portion 51A is located at the center of the lower surface of the key top 50A. A curved recess 25A is provided around the key top 50A.

Next, FIG. 11 is a view showing a key top plate 10B (particularly showing the part of the key top 50B) according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2B is a side sectional view, FIG. 1C is a rear view, and FIG. 1D is a plan view of the film plate 20B.

In the case of the key top plate 10B shown in FIG.
The film plate 20B is provided with six holes 90B in a ring shape,
The key top 50B is formed by filling the upper and lower portions of the film plate 20B with molten resin through the holes 90B. In the case of this embodiment, unlike the above-described embodiments, the pressing portion 51B of the key top 50B is located on the side portion (the position of the hole 90B) of the lower surface of the key top 50B. A curved recess 25B is provided around the key top 50B.

Next, FIG. 12 is a view showing a key top plate 10C (particularly showing a portion of the key top 50C) according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2B is a side sectional view, and FIG. 1C is a rear view.

In the case of the key top plate 10C shown in FIG.
The film plate 20C is provided with a ring-shaped hole 90C similar to that shown in FIG. 11D, a large hole 91C is also provided in the center of the ring, and the film plate 20C is melted above and below through the holes 90C and 91C. The key top 50C is molded by filling with resin. A curved recess 25C is provided around the key top 50C.

In the case of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the film plate is provided with a hole, but since this hole is covered with the filling resin forming the key top, this hole is formed. It is difficult for water to penetrate from the top to the bottom of the film through the. That is, these key top plates also have a drip-proof effect (not a complete waterproofness but a predetermined waterproofing effect).

In each of the above embodiments, the frame 40 is provided around the lower surface of the film plate 20, but the frame 40 is not always necessary in the key top plate according to the present invention. That is, the key top plate without the frame may be placed directly on the switch substrate, or the key top plate without the frame may be held by another member and placed on the switch substrate. Is also good.

In each of the above embodiments, the curved concave portion is formed so as to project downward from the surface of the film plate. However, as shown in FIG. 13A, the curved concave portion is located above the surface of the film plate 20D. The curved recessed portion 25D may be configured so as to project to the inside, and as shown in FIG.
The curved concave portion 2 is formed so as to vertically project in a wavy manner with respect to the surface E.
5E may be configured. In the case of protruding vertically, since the length of the curved recess 25E is longer than that of the other embodiments, pressing of the key top becomes easier.

[0053]

As described above in detail, according to the key top plate of the push button switch of the present invention, since the curved convex portion is provided on the outer periphery of the portion of the film plate where the key top is formed, It has an excellent effect that the pressing operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a push button switch 1 configured by using a key top plate 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a key top plate 10.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a film plate 20.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method for forming the key top plate 10 by resin molding.

FIG. 5 is a key top plate 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic side sectional view showing a push button switch 1'configured using 0 '.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view showing a push button switch 1 ″ constructed by using a key top plate 10 ″ according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a main part showing a state in which push button switches 1 ′ and 1 ″ are housed in a case 80.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a key top plate of a conventional push button switch.

FIG. 9 is an amount ΔL that the film plate 210 has to extend with respect to a distance L between the frame 230 and the key top 220.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between a film sheet 210 and an inclination angle A of the film plate 210.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a key top plate 10A according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a key top plate 10B (particularly showing a key top 50B portion) according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a key top plate 10C (particularly showing a key top 50C portion) according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing still another embodiment of the present invention (particularly showing curved concave portions 25D, E).

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,1 ', 1 "Push button switch 10,10', 10" Key top plate 20 Film plate 25 Curved convex portion 50 Key top

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 26, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a key top plate of a push button switch in which a synthetic resin key top is formed at a predetermined position of a film plate made of a resin film. To surround the key top on the outer periphery of the part where the key top is formed,
A curved convex portion protruding downward or upward from the surface of the film plate was provided. The present invention also relates to a film made of a resin film.
A key top made of synthetic resin was molded at a predetermined position on the rum plate.
In the key top plate of the push button switch, the film plate
Is a non-porous resin film made of thermoplastic material.
And the key top is at a predetermined position on the film plate.
Is curved so as to bend upward and the curved portion
Mold resin is filled inside and the contact surfaces of both are directly heat-sealed.
At the very least, it was configured as one.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0015]

[Function] Outer periphery of the portion where the key top of the film plate is formed
It is provided with the curved convex portion, when an attempt to lower the key top to press the key top portion of the outer since the curved convex portion is deformed is not possible or is no pull. Therefore, the pressing operation can be easily performed. See you again
The top of the film with no holes in place.
Deformed so as to bend and a mold tree is formed in the curved portion.
Integrate by filling with oil and directly heat-sealing the contact surfaces of both
If it is configured by using
The key top structure is simple,
Moreover, the number of parts is small and the manufacturing process is also small. Also
In this key top, do not make holes in the film plate
Then, with this key top plate only, without using any other member
To form a waterproof structure.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Further, in the above embodiment, the switch substrate 6
Although the membrane switch is used as 0, other types of substrates such as a hard substrate may be used instead. Also above
The key top 50 of the embodiment is a predetermined position of the film plate 20.
Is curved so as to bend upward and the curved portion
Mold resin is filled inside and the contact surfaces of both are directly heat-sealed.
It is composed only by integrating at least,
No adhesive material is used. Because of this, the key top
Not only the structure is simple, the number of parts is small, and the manufacturing process is also
It can be small. Also, this key top 50 is a mold tree
Since the upper surface of the oil is covered with the film plate 20, its surface
Is smooth and aesthetically pleasing to the touch. Further film board
Printing such as designs on 20 is printed on the surface of key top 50
As it appears, the surface of the key top 50 can be clearly decorated.
It Because printing on the film board 20 is not paper.
It is as easy as printing on which side, and easily
This is because the seed printing means can also be used. If mold resin
Printing directly on the surface of itself is not so easy.
Cannot print. Especially when the surface is curved.
It

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0053

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0053]

As described above in detail, according to the key top plate of the push button switch of the present invention, since the curved convex portion is provided on the outer periphery of the portion of the film plate where the key top is formed, It has an excellent effect that the pressing operation can be easily performed. Also, the key top
Deforms to bend upward at a predetermined position of the plate
And fill the curved part with mold resin to contact them
It is constructed by directly heat-sealing the surfaces and integrating them.
If there is no need to use any adhesive,
In addition to simplifying the structure of the
Only a few manufacturing steps are required. Also, this key top is a mall
Since the film board covers the upper surface of the resin
Is smooth and aesthetically pleasing to the touch, and can be used as a film board
The print of the applied pattern appears on the surface of the key top
The key top surface can be clearly decorated with. See you again
The film does not have to have holes
Then, with this key top plate only, without using any other member
To form a waterproof structure.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Shinoki 335 Kayajuku, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Imperial Telecommunications Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A key top plate of a push-button switch in which a synthetic resin key top is formed at a predetermined position on a film plate made of a resin film, wherein the key top is provided on the outer periphery of a portion of the film plate where the key top is formed. A key top plate for a push button switch, characterized in that a curved convex portion is provided so as to surround the film plate so as to project downward or upward from the surface of the film plate.