JPH08115634A - Key top sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a key top sheet of such structure that an operator finds it hard to view the peripheral side face parts of respective key tops from the upside of a case not to spoil the fine external appearances of the key tops and the directions of the respective key tops being pressed are the same so that the operator finds it easy to operate the key tops, even in the case where the key top sheet in its curved condition has been mounted onto the reverse-face side of the case. CONSTITUTION: A key top sheet 10 is for a push button switch of such structure that plural key tops 13 are moulded in a film sheet 11 made of a flexible resin film and the film sheet 11 in its curved condition is mounted onto the reverse- face side of a case 20 to the curved-face shape of the curved case 20. The respective key tops 13 have their peripheral side faces 131 formed respectively in such shapes as to be rectilinear respectively to the directions of the respective key tops 13 being pressed and as to be consequently turned to the same direction (perpendicularly upward and downward directions), in such a condition that the key top sheet 10 is curved to have subsequently been mounted onto the reverse-face side of the case 20.

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 provided with key tops for a large number of push button switches on a single film plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a key top plate having a large number of key tops formed on a single resin film plate has been used.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a push button switch plate formed by using a conventional key top plate of this type.

As shown in the figure, in this push button switch, a key top plate 80 is placed on a hard switch substrate 95,
An outer case 90 is attached on top of this.
The key top plate 80 is formed by molding a number of key tops 83 in a flexible film plate 81.

When the key top 83 exposed from the through hole 91 of the outer case 90 is pressed with a finger, the movable contact 97 is pressed by the key top 83 and turned on.

By the way, some electronic devices include an outer case 90.
There is a curved surface shape of convex or concave.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side sectional view showing a push button switch plate when the outer case 90 is curved in a convex shape. As shown in the figure, when the outer case 90 is curved, the key top plate 80 is also curved accordingly. Since the key top plate 80 is flexible, even if the surface of the outer case 90 is curved, the key top plate 80 can be easily curved accordingly. Reference numeral 85 is a spacer for closely contacting the key top plate 80 with the lower surface of the outer case 90 in a curved state.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned FIG.
In the conventional example shown in (1), the left and right key tops 83 tilt as the key top plate 80 bends. For this reason,
There were the following problems.

When this push button switch plate is viewed from above the outer case 90, the outer peripheral side surface 84 of the left and right tilted key tops 83 becomes easily visible in the through hole 91 of the outer case 90, and this push button switch plate is easily visible. The aesthetics of the board will be lost.

The central axis 83a of the tilted key top 83 is tilted at an angle. Therefore, the tilted key top 83 is tilted.
The direction of pressing is the direction of the central axis 83a. That is, the pressing direction of each key top 83 is different, and it becomes difficult for the operator to perform the pressing operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an outer peripheral side surface of each key top even when the key top plate is attached to the back side of the case in a curved state. An object of the present invention is to provide a key top plate in which the parts are hard to see from the upper side of the case and the aesthetic appearance is not impaired, and moreover, the direction of pressing each key top is the same and the operator can easily operate.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a curved surface of a case in which a plurality of key tops are molded and curved in a film plate made of a flexible resin film. In a key top plate of a push button switch having a structure that is attached to the back side of the case in a curved shape according to the shape, the shape of the outer peripheral side surface of each of the key tops is the back side of the case when the key top plate is curved. In the state in which the key tops are attached to each of the key tops, the key tops are formed in a linear shape and oriented in the same direction.

[0012]

Even when the key top plate is attached to the case in a curved state, the side surface portion of each key top exposed from the hole of the case is hard to see from the upper side, and a good appearance can be maintained. Moreover, since the pressing directions of the respective key tops can be the same, the operator can press any of the key tops from the same direction, which facilitates the operation.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1A and 1B are views showing a key top plate 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. FIG. 6C is a sectional view taken along line FF of FIG.

Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the key top plate 10 is curved in the width direction as shown in FIG. 1C in accordance with the curved shape of the outer case 20 described below. Since the film plate 11 which constitutes the key top plate 10 is actually flexible, this curved shape is not retained unless it is supported by any supporting member.

As shown in the figure, the key top plate 10
Is provided with a film plate 11 made of a flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin film (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, etc.), and a plurality of film plates 11 are provided in the vertical and width directions of the surface of the film plate 11. Each key top 13 is attached.

Here, each key top 13 is a film plate 1.
1 is bent upward, and at the same time, the bending portion 1
The curved portion 12 and the mold resin 15 are directly welded and integrated by filling and solidifying the mold resin 15 in the lower surface side concave portion of 2. Reference numeral 16 is a pressing portion of the key top 13.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), an outer case 20 having a key top plate 10 as described below is provided.
In the state of being bent in the width direction according to the shape of
The outer peripheral side surface 131 (including the outer peripheral side surface of the pressing portion 16) of each key top 13 is formed so as to face the vertical vertical direction (that is, the direction in which each key top 13 is pressed).
Therefore, the shape of the central key top 13 and the shape of the left and right key tops 13 are different. Further, the pressing portions 16 are formed with different lengths so that the lower end surfaces thereof are located on the same plane when the key top plate 10 is curved.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the height of each key top 13 in the longitudinal direction of the key top plate 10 is made different. That is, the height L1 of the central key top 13 is lowered, and the height is increased toward the upper and lower sides, and the height L2 of the upper and lower key tops 13 is maximized.

Next, FIG. 2 is a view showing a push button switch plate constructed by mounting the key top plate 10 and the switch substrate 30 on the back surface side of the outer case 20, and FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view and FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along the line KK of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 8C is a sectional view taken along the line LL of FIG.

As shown in the figure, the outer case 20 is curved in a convex shape in the width direction and is concave in the vertical direction. Further, through holes 21 are provided in the outer case 20 at positions facing the key tops 13, respectively. By the way, the inner peripheral side surface 211 of the through hole 21 is also formed so as to face the vertical vertical direction (that is, the direction in which each key top 13 is pressed). On the other hand, four protrusions 23 are projected from the four corners of the lower surface of the outer case 20.

Next, the switch substrate 30 is constructed by providing a large number of switch contacts on a plate-shaped hard substrate and adhering a metal dome-shaped movable contact 33 on each of the switch contacts. Each movable contact 33 is provided at a position facing the pressing portion 16 of each key top 13.

In order to assemble these, first, the key top plate 10 is attached so as to be in close contact with the back surface side of the outer case 20. At this time, the protrusion 23 of the outer case 20 is inserted into the hole 17 (see FIG. 1A) provided in the key top plate 10. In this state, each key top 13 has an outer case 20.
Is exposed on the surface from each through hole 21.

Next, the frame spacer 25 is attached to the back side of the key top plate 10, and the switch substrate 30 is further attached to the back side thereof. At this time, the protrusion 2 of the outer case 20
3 is inserted into a hole 35 (see FIG. 2B) provided in the switch substrate 30 and its tip is heat-staked, whereby these members are integrally fixed. As a result, the outer periphery of the key top plate 10 is covered by the frame spacer 25 and the outer case 2
Since the key top plate 10 is pressed against the back surface of the outer case 0, the key top plate 10 adheres to the back surface of the outer case 20 in a curved state. Further, each pressing portion 16 contacts or approaches each movable contact 33. When each key top 13 is pressed, the pressing portion 16 reverses the movable contact 33 and turns on the switch.

By the way, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral side surface 1 of each key top 13 of the key top plate 10
Since all 31 are vertically oriented in the vertical vertical direction, when the push button switch is viewed from directly above, the outer peripheral side surface 131 of each key top 13 is hardly visible in each through hole 21 of the outer case 20. . Therefore, aesthetics are not spoiled.

Moreover, the key top 13 including the pressing portion 16
Since the entire outer peripheral side surface 131 is formed so as to face the vertical vertical direction in a state where the key top plate 10 is curved, the pressing direction of each key top 13 is the same in the vertical vertical direction. The operator can easily press any of the key tops 13.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, since the height of each key top 13 is changed corresponding to the exterior case 20 curved in a concave shape in the longitudinal direction, this can be easily coped with.
That is, according to this embodiment, the key top plate 10 that can easily accommodate the outer case 20 having the concave and convex shapes in the vertical and horizontal directions.
Can be provided.

Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view for explaining a method of manufacturing the key top plate 10. As shown in the figure, the film plate 11 is attached to the upper die 200 and the lower die 2
Sandwich between 50.

Here, the upper die 200 is formed in a gentle concave shape as a whole by a curved surface 201 similar to the curved shape of the key top plate 10 and the curved surface 201.
A concave portion 203 for forming the key top 13 is provided therein.

On the other hand, the lower die 250 is the key top plate 1
A curved surface 251 similar to the curved shape of 0 forms a gentle convex shape as a whole, and a concave portion 253 for forming the pressing portion 16 of the key top 13 is provided in the curved surface 251. ing. A pin gate 255 is connected to the recess 253.

When a thermoplastic molten mold resin (for example, a polycarbonate resin) is pressed into the pin gate 255 at high temperature and high pressure, the portion of the film plate 11 located in the recess 203 is pushed up while being stretched by heat and pressure. Then, the curved portion 12 is formed in close contact with the inner surface of the recess 203 as indicated by the dotted line, and at the same time, the recess 203 and the recess 253 are filled with the molten mold resin.

By the way, in this way, the resin film is
If the high-temperature and high-pressure mold resin is brought into contact with the resin film while being stretched in a high-pressure state, the resin film and the mold resin are firmly fused together without using any adhesive. It has been found by various experiments. Therefore, the curved portion 12 of the film plate 11 and the press-fitted mold resin 15 are firmly fused without any adhesive and never peeled off. Of course, you may adhere | attach using an adhesive agent.

After cooling, the upper and lower molds 200 and 250 are removed to complete the key top plate 10 shown in FIG.

By the way, in the present invention, since the outer peripheral side surface 131 of the entire key top 13 including the pressing portion 16 is formed so as to be oriented vertically in the vertical direction in the curved state of the key top plate 10. , Upper and lower molds 200, 2
The inner peripheral side surfaces of the recesses 203 and 253 provided in 50 are also oriented linearly in the vertical vertical direction. Therefore, when removing the upper and lower molds 200 and 250, it is sufficient to simply separate the two molds 200 and 250 vertically. That is, the structures of the upper and lower molds 200 and 250 for manufacturing the key top plate 10 can be simplified.

The key top plate 10 may be manufactured by preforming only the film plate 11 into the shape of the key top 13 in advance and molding the mold resin 15 in the curved portion in a later step.

Next, FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a key top plate 10 'according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a schematic side sectional view of a push button switch plate formed by using the key top plate 10 ′ (a portion corresponding to a cross section taken along line MM in FIG. 3A). This key top plate 10 '
The same parts as those of the key top plate 10 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The key top plate 10 'shown in FIG. 9A differs from the key top plate 10 in that the key top plate 10' is divided into two parts. It is only the point that is cut out leaving the connecting portion 49 of.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the outer case 20 'is bent at a bending position P at the substantially center thereof. The bending position P is at a position facing the connecting portion 49 of the key top plate 10 '.

When the push button switch plate is assembled,
The key top plate 10 ′ is bent at the bending position P of the outer case 20 ′, but since the key top plate 10 ′ at the bending position P is only connected by the connecting portion 49, even if the key top plate 10 ′ is Board 1
Even if the entire 0'is curved in the width direction, it can be easily bent. That is, it is possible to easily deal with an exterior case having a surface shape that is curved in one direction and bent in the other direction.

In this embodiment, the key top plate 10 'is folded in two at the connecting portion 49, but the connecting portions 49 are provided at a plurality of places so that the key top plate 1 is formed.
You may fold 0'in multiple places. Further, the number of connecting portions 49 provided at one location may be plural instead of one.

The key tops 13 of the key top plates 10 and 10 'shown in the first and second embodiments have a structure in which no holes are provided in the film plate 11, but the present invention has such a structure. The key top 13 is not limited to the above key top 13 and may have any structure as long as it has a structure in which a plurality of key tops are formed by molding on a film plate. That is, for example, like the key top plate 10 ″ shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 51 is provided in the film plate 11 ″, and the through hole 5
Key top 13 ″ to cover the through hole 51 above and below 1.
Various modifications are possible, such as a structure in which is molded.

The point is that the shape of the outer peripheral side surface of each key top is formed in such a shape that, in a state where the key top plate is curved, each key top is linear and faces the same direction in the direction in which the key top is pressed. Any structure may be used as long as it is present.

[0042]

As described in detail above, the key top plate according to the present invention has the following excellent effects. Even when the key top plate is attached to the case in a curved state, the side surface portion of each key top exposed from the hole of the case is difficult to see from the upper side, and a good appearance can be maintained.

Since the directions in which the respective key tops are pressed are the same, the operator can easily perform the pressing operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a key top plate 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is F of FIG. 2A.
It is a -F sectional view.

2A and 2B are views showing a push button switch plate configured by using the key top plate 10, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG.
Is a sectional view taken along the line K-K in FIG. 7A, and FIG.
It is a LL sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view showing a key top plate 10 'according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (b) is a push button switch constituted by using the key top plate 10'. It is a schematic side sectional drawing of a board.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view for explaining a method of manufacturing the key top plate 10.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a key top plate 10 ″ using a key top 13 ″ having another structure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a push button switch plate configured by using a conventional key top plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side sectional view showing a push button switch plate when the outer case 90 is curved.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10 ', 10 "key top plate 11 film plate 13, 13" key top 131 outer peripheral side surface 20, 20' exterior case (case) 30 switch board 49 connecting portion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of key tops are molded in a film plate made of a flexible resin film, and are curved to the back side of the case in accordance with the curved surface shape of the case. In a key top plate of a push button switch having a structure to be attached, a shape of an outer peripheral side surface of each of the key tops is a direction in which each key top is pressed in a state where the key top plate is curved and attached to the back side of the case. The key top plate is formed in a shape that is straight and faces the same direction toward each other.