JPS62246207A - Manufacture of keytop - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing key tops with wear resistance used in keyboards of personal computers, etc., and in particular, to a method for manufacturing key tops with good material yield. The present invention relates to improvements in the method for performing this.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, a single character or figure has been placed on the top surface of the key top because it is relatively easy to work with and costs are low.

Symbols, etc. are printed using a printing method such as tampo printing.

However, since this printing is easily erased by friction, it has been conventional practice to apply an abrasion-resistant overcoating to the surface. This conventional overcoating method is shown in FIG. 4. In the same figure, 21 is a key top body, and the upper surface of this key top body 21 is printed by tampon printing or the like.

Characters, figures, symbols, etc. are printed on it. The overcoating is applied to the upper surface of the key top body 21 by spraying the ultraviolet curable resin 22 from above, and irradiates it with ultraviolet rays to harden the ultraviolet curable resin and form a film on one surface. .

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional overcoating method described above, when the ultraviolet curable resin is sprayed toward the top surface of the key top body 21, the ultraviolet curable resin is applied even to the side surfaces that do not require overcoating. There is a problem in that not only is the material removed, but it is also scattered around the key top body, resulting in poor material yield.

The present invention was developed in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to improve the material yield and obtain a better matte state by applying an ultraviolet curable resin using a tampo method. It is something to do.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In the present invention, in order to solve the conventional problems mentioned in 1., an ultraviolet curing resin of P8T14 agent type is applied to the surface of the key top body by a tampo method, and After curing the solvent-free ultraviolet curing resin by irradiating it with
Furthermore, a method was adopted in which a solvent-type UV-curable resin mixed with a matting powder was applied to the surface using a tampo method, and then UV rays were irradiated again to harden the solvent-type UV-curable resin.

(Function) In the method of the present invention, the ultraviolet curable resin is applied to the surface of the key top body using the tampon method, so the ultraviolet curable resin is applied only to the areas where the tampon contacts, and even to the sides of the key top body. Therefore, the material yield is significantly improved compared to the conventional spray set application method. Also,
First, a solvent-free UV curable resin is applied using a tampo method and then cured, thereby ensuring a predetermined film thickness and preventing elution of the printing ink by the solvent when the solvent-based UV curable resin is applied later. It can be prevented. Then, a solvent-type UV-curable resin mixed with a matting powder is applied to the surface of the cured solvent-free UV-curing resin using a tampo method, and the solvent is blown off to expose the matting powder on the surface. This makes it possible to obtain a good matte state.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1st
Figures (A) to (M) are explanatory diagrams showing the process of applying ultraviolet curable resin, Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the key top surface showing the progress after application of solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin, and Figure 3 is another FIG. 3 is a plan view of an etching plate according to the embodiment.

In the coating method of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the etching groove 2 of the etching plate 1 shown in FIG.
As shown in Figures (C) and (D), a pad (made of silicone rubber) 5 is brought into contact with the ultraviolet curing resin 3, and this is adsorbed onto the pad 5, and then as shown in Figure 1 (E), A key top main body 6 is arranged below this pad 5, and the pad 5 is pressed against the upper surface of this key top main body 6.
), apply the ultraviolet curing resin 3 to the key top body 6.
transfer onto the top surface of the Then, as shown in FIG. 1(G), this solvent-free ultraviolet curing resin 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure it. Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 (II) to (L), on the surface of the cured solvent-free ultraviolet curable resin 3, a solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin 7 is tampo-printed in the same manner as before. Apply by.

This solvent-type ultraviolet curing resin 7 is made by dissolving an ultraviolet curing resin in a solvent and further mixing it with silica-based powder 8 having a particle size of several microns for matting. After applying the solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin 7, the solvent is blown away by heat to expose the matting silica powder 8 on the surface as shown in FIG. 2(B), and finally as shown in FIG. As shown in M), the ultraviolet curing resin 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the resin.

In this example, among the above steps, FIG. 1(B)
A non-solvent type resin is used as the ultraviolet curing resin 3 to be filled in the step shown in FIG. This is because the thickness of the applied ultraviolet curable resin 3 does not change due to volatilization of the solvent, making it possible to maintain a constant film thickness, making it easy to set the film thickness, and ensuring continuity. This is because it can be improved.

In addition, in the steps shown in FIG.
As shown in Figure (A), the matting silica powder 8, which had not been exposed to the surface until then, is exposed on the surface of the ultraviolet curing resin 7 in a wet state, thereby achieving a good matting effect. can.

In addition, in this example, FIGS. 1(A) to (F),
The steps shown in FIGS. 1 (I-I) to (L) are the same as pad printing, and a pad printing machine can be used.

When using the method of this embodiment, the ultraviolet curable resins 3 and 7 are applied to the surface of the key top body using the tampon method, so the film thickness of the ultraviolet curable resin 3 is adjusted in particular to the etching grooves 2.
The depth of the key top body 6 can be changed freely by changing the depth, and both the ultraviolet curing resins 3 and 7 are applied only to the area where the pad 5 contacts, and even to the side of the key top body 6, or to the periphery. Therefore, there is no needless scattering.

Material yield is significantly improved compared to traditional spray kit application methods. In addition, the solvent-free ultraviolet curable resin 3 is first applied by a tampo method, but in this case, since it does not contain a solvent, printing ink such as letters on the key top body 6 will not be eluted. It was applied onto the main body 6. The solvent-free ultraviolet curable resin 3 can ensure a predetermined thickness of R*lIU, and can also prevent printing ink from being eluted by the solvent of the solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin 7 that is later applied to the upper surface. . Then, on the surface of the ultraviolet curing resin 3, a solvent-type ultraviolet curing resin 7 mixed with a matting powder 8 is applied using a tampo method, and heat is applied to blow off the solvent, and the matting powder is applied to the surface. Can be exposed to obtain a good matte state.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the etching groove 2 of the etching plate 1 has a satin-like fine unevenness.
This prevents wrinkles from forming on the ultraviolet curable resin when overcoating.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the present invention, jJ@solvent type ultraviolet curable resin is applied to the surface of the main body of the key top using the tampo method, and a solvent type resin is further mixed with matting powder on the surface. This is because we adopted a method of applying ultraviolet curable resin using the tampo method.

The ultraviolet curable resin is applied only to the areas where the pad comes in contact, and does not spread to the sides of the key top body or wastefully scatter around the key top body. Therefore, compared to the conventional spray application method, the material The yield of
This makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and provide key tops at low prices. It also simplifies the process by eliminating the need for a special line for one spraying process. Additionally, the process is simplified by using solvent-free UV-curable resin first. This makes it easy to ensure a desired coating thickness, and prevents printing ink from being leached by the solvent when a solvent-based ultraviolet curable resin is applied to the surface later. coated. It has the effect of evaporating the solvent of the solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin and exposing the matting powder to the surface, resulting in a good matte state.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 1 (A) to (M) are explanatory diagrams showing the process of applying an ultraviolet curable resin, and Figure 2 is a solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin. FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the key top surface showing the progress after the resin is applied, FIG. 3 is a plan view of an etching plate of another embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the conventional ultraviolet curable resin application process. be. 3... Solvent-free type ultraviolet curing resin, 5... Tampo, 6... Key top body, 7... Solvent type ultraviolet curing resin, 8... Matting powder. Patent applicant Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (A) (B) (C) (D)
(E) (F) (G) (H)(
1) (Jon
(Kn (L) Figure 1 Figure 3 (M)

Claims (1)

[Claims] Solvent-free UV-curing resin is applied to the surface of the key top body using the tampo method, and after UV rays are irradiated to harden the solvent-free UV-curing resin, a matting powder is applied to the surface. A method for producing a key top, characterized in that a mixed solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin is applied by a tampo method, and then ultraviolet rays are irradiated again to cure the solvent-type ultraviolet curable resin.