JPH09167539A - Sheet button panel and sheet button panel formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a sheet button panel with its superior appearance and high-grade sense capable of providing a switch button with its step difference and having its rigidity at a flexible-sheet button part. SOLUTION: This sheet button panel 1 is a sheet panel button in which a flexible sheet 2A is fixed to the back face of a resin plate 3 forming a window at a button part 20 and a switch button is formed by exposing the flexible sheet 2A from the window, an annular flexible part 2b not to be fixed to the resin plate 3 is formed at the circumferential edge of the button part 20 of the flexible sheet 2A, a back strike material is formed on the back face of the button part 2b of the flexible sheet 2A, and the switch button is formed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a seat button panel in which a flexible sheet and a resin plate are combined, a part of the flexible sheet is exposed on the surface and the switch button is used, and a method of forming the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of sheet button panel is a plate-shaped sheet switch button in which a plurality of switch buttons are arranged at predetermined positions, and in particular, a flexible sheet seen through a window formed on the surface of a resin plate is used as a switch button. It is a panel for operating the switch main body arranged under the portion by pressing this portion.

Conventionally, as a sheet button panel forming method of this type, for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-11094 is generally known. In this technique, a flexible sheet is pressed from both sides by two molds to form embossing, and resin is injected into the space around the embossing edge to form a window in the lower portion of the embossing where the flexible sheet and the resin are integrated. This is a technique for forming processed resin products.

In such a general sheet button panel, when the switch button is pressed, the embossing itself formed on the flexible sheet is bent, and the lower switch body can be turned on and off.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional sheet button panel, the entire flexible sheet appears on the panel surface. For this reason, the only distinction between the button part and the other parts is the unevenness due to embossing.Therefore, depending on the device that needs to clarify the position of the button part,
Due to the design, it may be desirable to have a structure in which the movable button part has a step, and the above structure may not be desirable.
Further, when the switch is turned on, the structure in which the button itself is recessed may impair the high-class feeling of the product, and such a structure may not be possible depending on the product.

On the other hand, the backing material can be simply attached to the back surface of the button portion of the flexible sheet, but when the switch button is made to have rigidity and does not bend as described above, the backing material is It is difficult to make the button part of the flexible sheet move freely and to function as a switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat button panel which is capable of providing a step on the switch button and imparting rigidity to the button portion of the flexible sheet, which is excellent in appearance and has a high-grade appearance. It is an object of the invention to propose a method for forming such a sheet button panel.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a flexible sheet is fixed to the back surface of a resin plate forming a window in a button portion, and the flexible sheet is exposed from the window to form a switch button. A switch button is formed by forming an annular flexible portion that is not fixed to the resin plate around the button portion of the flexible sheet, and forming a backing material on the back surface of the button portion of the flexible sheet. The above problem is solved by proposing a seat button panel that .

Also, a step of forming a heat-bonding layer having a window wider than the button portion on the upper surface of the flexible sheet having the button portion at a predetermined position, and the upper surface of the flexible sheet being adjacent to the button portion. A sheet button panel comprising the steps of injection molding a synthetic resin material as described above and a step of forming a switch button by injecting a synthetic resin material from the back side of the flexible sheet and projecting it to the front side. The sheet button panel can be formed by the forming method.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a seat button panel according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory views showing a formation state of a thermal bonding layer, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the operation of the seat button panel. 5 to 7 are explanatory views of the manufacturing process of the seat button panel. Incidentally, the seat button panel is usually formed by integrally forming a plurality of switch buttons, but in the present embodiment, it is a seat button panel having one switch button for convenience.

As shown in FIG. 1, a seat button panel 1
Is a plate body formed by insert-molding a flexible sheet 2 which is a thin synthetic resin sheet such as polyester between a front surface resin plate 3 and a back surface resin plate 4 formed of styrene resin or the like. Windows 3a and 4a are opened at predetermined positions on the front and back resin plates 3 and 4, respectively. The button portion 2 of the flexible sheet 2 corresponding to these windows 3a, 4a
a is projected upward, and the back surface thereof is filled with a synthetic resin as a backing body 5a to form the switch button 5.

The front surface resin plate 3 is provided in the window 4a of the rear surface resin plate 4.
In the flexible sheet 2 in this portion, which is larger than the window 3a, an annular flexible portion 2b is formed so that they do not overlap each other. The annular flexible portion 2b has a gentle taper surface having a small diameter upward, and normally the switch button 5 has the surface resin plate 3 formed thereon.
It is held at a position protruding from the window 3a. The upper surface of the annular flexible portion 2b is not adhered to the surface resin plate 3. The selection of the bonded portion and the non-bonded portion is performed by the thermal bonding layers 8 and 9 formed on the front and back of the flexible sheet 2.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the thermal bonding layers 8 and 9 are used.
Shows the formation state of. The flexible sheet 2A shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a plurality of switch buttons for the sake of convenience.
The shape is different from that of the flexible sheet 2 described above. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. A plurality of button portions 2a are formed on the flexible sheet 2A, and the heat-bonding layer 8 is formed so that the button portions 2a and the annular flexible portion 2b formed on the periphery thereof are left on the surface. Also,
A thermal adhesive layer 9 is formed on the entire back surface. These thermal adhesive layers 8 and 9 are formed by a printing method similarly to the decoration of characters and patterns printed on the flexible sheet 2A.

A front resin plate 3, a back resin plate 4, and a back resin plate 4 are formed on the flexible sheet 2 formed as described above by an insert molding method.
Further, the backing material 5a is formed. The surface resin plate 3 is formed on the surface of the flexible sheet 2 so as to overlap the annular flexible portion 2b, but the flexible sheet 2 and the surface resin plate 3 are formed in the same portion where the thermal bonding layer 8 is not formed. Is not glued. on the other hand,
On the back surface, the back surface resin plate 4 and the backing material 5a are formed at predetermined positions, and the adhesive layer 9 works only in these portions to selectively bond them.

The operation of the seat button panel will be described with reference to FIG. In the seat button panel 1 configured as described above, when the button portion 2a is pressed, the annular flexible portion 2b is not bonded to the surface resin plate 3,
This part bends and the switch button 5 descends. When the force applied to the button portion 2a is released, the switch button 5 returns to the original position due to the restoring force of the annular flexible portion 2b. By attaching the seat button panel to a predetermined position of a device (not shown), the switch body arranged below the switch button 5 can be turned on / off.

During the above operation, the button portion 2 of the flexible sheet 2
Since a is lined with a synthetic resin, the button portion 2a itself does not dent. For this reason, the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet is embossed and has a presence as a switch as compared with a conventional sheet button panel that uses this as a switch, and further, the seat button panel has excellent durability. Further, since the annular flexible body 2b that allows the movement of the switch button 5 is covered with the surface resin plate 3,
It is possible to form a seat button panel having an excellent appearance.

Next, a method of manufacturing the seat button panel will be described with reference to FIGS. In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the flexible sheet 2 and the surface resin plate 3 are formed by the first mold A.
Primary process to make intermediate molded product 1X with and fixed (Fig. 5)
And the second step of completing the sheet button panel 1 by injection molding the backside resin plate 4 and the switch button backing material 5a to the intermediate molded product 1X by the second mold B (FIGS. 6 and 7).
Consists of

As shown in FIG. 5, the first mold A is composed of a cavity plate A1 and a fixed side plate A2. A cavity 11 corresponding to the surface resin plate 3 is formed in the cavity plate A1, and the flexible sheet 2 is positioned and placed on the fixed side plate A2.

First, the flexible sheet 2 having a predetermined shape and having characters or patterns printed on its surface is placed in the concave portion of the fixed side plate A2, and the cavity plate A1 is closed to form the fixed side plate A2. To fix in between. On the front surface of the flexible sheet 2, the above-mentioned thermal adhesive layer 8 is formed on the peripheral portion 2c, and on the back surface, the thermal adhesive layer 9 is formed over the entire surface. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The button portion 2a and the annular flexible portion 2b are not formed.

When the preparation is completed as described above, the resin is injected from the nozzle 10 of the resin injection molding machine into the cavity 11 through the injection passage 11a to mold the surface resin plate 3. When the thermal adhesive layer 8 comes into contact with the heated resin and the resin cools and hardens, the surface resin plate 3 and the flexible sheet 2 are adhesively fixed at the same portion. Further, the flexible sheet 2 is sandwiched between the projecting portion 13 of the cavity plate A1 and the projecting portion 19 of the fixed side plate A2, and since resin does not spread to this portion,
The window 3a of the surface resin plate 3 is formed in this portion. A part of the surface resin layer 3 overlaps with the annular flexible portion 2b of the flexible sheet 2, but since the thermal bonding layer 8 is not formed in the same portion, the flexible sheet 2 and the surface resin plate 3 are not bonded. Then, when the curing of the resin is completed, the first mold A is opened to take out the intermediate molded product 1X in which the flexible sheet 2 is bonded to the surface resin plate 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, this intermediate molded product 1X is fitted into the second mold B to carry out the secondary process. The second mold B is a combination of a cavity plate B1 for holding the intermediate molded product 1X, a core plate B2 having a cavity for forming a back surface resin plate between the intermediate molded product 1X, and a stationary side plate B3 as the lowermost layer. Become.

As shown in the figure, when the intermediate molded product 1X is placed on the core plate B2 and the cavity plate B1 is closed, the upper surface of the surface resin plate 3 of the intermediate molded product 1X comes into close contact with the recess 17. Further, the projecting portion 16 formed in the center of the core plate B2 closely contacts and fixes the lower surface of the intermediate molded product 1X.

In the above state, the first cavity 15A for forming the switch button is formed between the cavity plate B1 and the intermediate molded product 1X, and the core plate B is formed.
2 and the intermediate molded product 1X, a second cavity 15B for forming a switch button and a cavity 1 for forming a backside resin plate
4 are formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the cavities 14, 15B are introduced from the nozzle 10 through the introduction path 18 of the fixed side plate B3 and the introduction paths 14a, 15a of the core plate.
Inject resin into. The resin injected into the cavity 14 for forming the backside resin plate is bonded and fixed to the flexible sheet 2 by the thermal bonding layer 9. The resin injected into the second switch button cavity 15B presses the flexible sheet 2 in the direction of the first switch button cavity 15A by the heat and injection pressure to become the backing material 5a. The switch button 5 is formed by being bonded to the flexible sheet 2.

After the above secondary process is completed, each plate B1,
B2 and B3 are divided, and the sprue and sheet button panel 1 cured in the introduction paths 18, 14a and 15a are taken out,
Complete a series of tasks.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing a seat button panel similar to that of the first embodiment using a rotary mold. Each drawing is an explanatory view showing the seat button panel manufacturing process of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mold C comprises a cavity plate C1 rotatable about an axis 20, a core plate C2 forming a cavity between the cavity plate C1 and the stationary side of the lowermost layer. It is composed of a plate C3. The mold C has a primary process portion Ca that forms the intermediate molded product 1X, and a secondary process portion Cb that is further processed to form a sheet button panel finished product.

First, in the primary process, the primary process part C
When the flexible sheet 2 is placed on the core plate C2 of a and the cavity plate C1 is overlapped, these plates C1,
A cavity 21 is formed between C2. From the nozzle 10A of the injection molding machine to the cavity 21, the primary process part C
Resin is injected through the introduction paths 28 and 21a on the a side to form the surface resin plate 3. By this step, an intermediate molded product 1X in which the surface resin plate 3 and the flexible sheet 2 are integrated is formed on the side of the primary process portion Ca of the mold C.

Since the protruding portion 24 formed on the cavity plate C1 comes into close contact with the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2,
The resin does not wrap around this portion, and the window 3a of the surface resin plate 3 is formed. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the flexible sheet 2
Due to the function of the thermal bonding layer 8 formed on the surface, the flexible sheet 2 is bonded to the surface resin plate 3 leaving the button portion 2a and the non-welded portion 12 around the button portion 2a.

When the primary process is completed, the plates C1, C2, C3 are divided as shown in FIG. 9, and the sprue 51 remaining in the introduction paths 28, 21a is removed. At this time, the intermediate molded product 1X remains on the side of the cavity plate C1 having a larger contact area and separates from the core plate C2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the cavity plate C1 is rotated about the shaft 20 in the above state, and the cavity 21 holding the intermediate molded product 1X is inserted into the secondary process portion Cb.
To prepare for secondary molding. The two cavities 21, 21 formed in the cavity plate C1
Have the same shape.

In the other primary process section Ca, a new flexible sheet 2 is placed on the core plate C2 to prepare for primary molding. The central portion of the protrusion 24 of the cavity plate C1 is dented to form a first cavity 23A for forming a switch button, and the second cavity 23 is formed on the core plate C2 side so as to correspond to the first cavity 23A.
B is formed. The first cavity 23A and the second cavity 23B are combined to form the switch button forming cavity 23.

When the above preparation is completed, the plates C1, C2 and C3 are combined and closed as shown in FIG. In this state, the cavity 27 for forming the back surface resin plate is formed between the core plate C2 and the intermediate molded product 1X in the secondary process portion Cb. Then, the introduction paths 29, 2 from the nozzle 10B of the injection molding machine to the secondary process unit Cb side.
2a, 23a through the resin into each cavity 23, 27
Inject.

In the switch button forming cavity 23, the resin injected from the second cavity 23B side presses the flexible sheet 2 toward the first cavity 23A side by heat and injection pressure (see FIGS. 10 and 11). , Backing material 5
a is formed and is bonded integrally with the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2 by the thermal bonding layer 9 to form the switch button 5.

In the cavity 27 for forming the backside resin plate, the backside resin plate 4 is formed by the injected resin, and the backside resin plate 4 is bonded to the flexible sheet 2 by the thermal bonding layer 9.
Is integrally bonded to the peripheral edge portion 2c.

On the other hand, when the resin is injected from the nozzle 10A of the injection molding machine into the introduction paths 28 and 21a at the same time on the primary process section Ca side, the resin reaches the cavity 21 and the surface resin plate 3
Is formed. Similar to the process shown in FIG. 8, the surface resin plate 3
And the flexible sheet 2 are integrally bonded to each other to form an intermediate molded product 1X.

When the above steps are completed, the mold C is divided again as shown in FIG. 12, the spools 51 and 52 remaining in the primary process portion Ca and the secondary process portion Cb are discharged, and the finished product is obtained. The sheet button panel 1 that has become the above is taken out from the secondary process section Cb. The intermediate molded product 1X remaining on the cavity plate C1 on the primary process portion Ca side is left as it is, and the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 10 to repeat a series of operations.

According to the manufacturing method of the second embodiment described above, by using the rotary mold, the primary process and the secondary process described in the first embodiment can be continuously performed at the same time. The button panel can be mass-produced quickly.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The seat button panel of this embodiment does not have a backside resin plate, and accordingly, the seat button panel is manufactured in a single process. 13 and 14 are explanatory views showing the seat button panel manufacturing process of this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the mold D of this embodiment also has a cavity plate D1 and a cavity plate D1.
And a fixed side plate D3 which is a lower layer.

The flexible sheet 2 having the thermal bonding layers 8 and 9 formed on the lower surface at the peripheral portion 2c excluding the button portion 2a and the annular flexible portion 2b on the upper surface is placed on the core plate D2. , Respectively, cavity plate D1
Close. In this state, both plates D1 and D2
In between, a first resin cavity 32A and a second cavity 32B, which together form a surface resin plate forming cavity 31 and a switch button forming cavity 32, are formed.

Then, as shown in the figure, the surface resin plate 3 is formed by injecting the resin from the nozzle 10B of the injection molding machine through the introduction paths 35 and 31a. In this case, as in the first and second embodiments, the protrusion 33 of the cavity plate D1 is replaced by the protrusion 38 on the core plate D2 side.
Since the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2 is sandwiched between and, the resin does not collect, and the window 3a is formed in the surface resin plate 3.
The surface resin layer 3 and the flexible sheet 2 are firmly bonded by the action of the thermal bonding layer 8.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the surface resin plate 3
Is sufficiently cured and is firmly bonded to the flexible sheet 2, and then the resin is injected from the nozzle 10A. Introductory path 36,
The resin injected into the second cavity 32B for forming the switch button via 32a pushes the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2 toward the first cavity 32A side by the heat and the injection pressure to form the backing material 5a. To do. The backing material 5a is also firmly adhered to the flexible sheet 2 by the action of the thermal adhesive layer 9 to form the switch button 5.

The seat button panel 1 configured as described above has a structure in which the flexible sheet 2 is simply fixed to the back side of the surface resin plate 3. In the seat button panel 1, since the upper surface of the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2 is at the same level as the upper surface of the surface resin plate 3, it can be carried in a bag like a mobile phone, for example. Thus, it is possible to prevent the switch button from being accidentally pressed. Of course, the height of the upper surface of the button portion 2a may be further lowered so that the switch button 5 is lower than the surface resin plate 3.

According to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, unlike the above-mentioned two embodiments, there is no need to divide the manufacturing process into primary and secondary processes, and the number of working processes is reduced, so that the manufacturing efficiency is further improved. .

Finally, the seat button panel 1 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This seat button panel 1 has a flexible seat 2 as in the first and second embodiments.
Of the resin layers 3 and 4 are integrally formed by sandwiching them between the front surface resin plate 3 and the back surface resin plate 4.
The button switch 5 is formed at the positions a, 4a.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the resin of the backside resin plate 4 is brought into contact with and welded to the resin of the front surface resin plate 3 exposed from the plurality of holes 41 in the flexible sheet 2 to fix the flexible sheet 2. It has a feature that it can be performed more firmly. The seat button panel 1 can be manufactured by the method described in the first and second embodiments.

The number, shape, and arrangement of the switch buttons 5 shown in these embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that various structures can be selected. Further, it goes without saying that steps such as printing and decorating the surface resin plate 3 and the button portion 2a of the flexible sheet 2 are added before and after.

[0049]

According to the present invention, while the button switch is made to have rigidity, an annular flexible portion is provided on the periphery of the button portion of the flexible sheet to enable the movement of the button switch. It is possible to configure a seat button panel that is clear and has a high-class feel. Further, since the flexible portion of the button switch is covered with the resin layer on the surface, it is possible to form a seat button panel having an excellent appearance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a seat button panel of a first embodiment (normal time).

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flexible sheet showing a formation state of a thermal bonding layer in the flexible sheet of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the seat button panel of the first embodiment (when the switch button is pressed).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the first embodiment (during the primary process, forming an intermediate molded product).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the first embodiment (during the secondary step).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the first embodiment (during the secondary step).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the second embodiment (during the primary step).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the second embodiment (during the primary step).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the second embodiment (during the secondary step).

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the second embodiment (during the secondary step).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the second embodiment (during the secondary step).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the third embodiment (formation of surface resin plate).

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the method of manufacturing the seat button panel of the third embodiment (switch button formation).

FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of a seat button panel of a fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet button panel 2 ... Flexible sheet 2a ... Button part 2b ... Annular flexible part 3 ... Surface resin plate (resin plate) 4 ... Back surface resin plate 5 ... Button switch 8 ... Thermal adhesive layer 9 ... Thermal adhesive layer A ... First mold (first embodiment) B ... Second mold (first embodiment) C ... Rotary mold (second embodiment) D ... Mold (third embodiment)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sheet panel button, comprising a flexible sheet fixed to a back surface of a resin plate forming a window in a button portion, and exposing the flexible sheet from the window to form a switch button. A sheet button characterized in that an annular flexible portion that is not fixed to the resin plate is formed on the periphery of the button portion of the sheet, and a backing material is formed on the back surface of the button portion of the flexible sheet to form the switch button. panel. 2. A flexible sheet having a button portion at a predetermined position and an annular flexible portion at its periphery, and a heat-bonding layer formed on the upper surface excluding the button portion and the annular flexible portion in a mold. And a step of injecting a synthetic resin material onto the upper surface of the flexible sheet so as to be adjacent to the button portion, and injecting a synthetic resin material into the button portion of the flexible sheet from the back surface side. And a step of forming a switch button by projecting the switch button on the front surface side, the sheet button panel forming method.