KR100670192B1 - Key pad having protrusion for protection and fabricating method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a keypad having a protective protrusion and a manufacturing method thereof. The keypad includes a key layer having a plurality of keys, a first silicon layer disposed below the key layer, and a first layer formed on the first silicon layer and positioned on at least a portion of an outer surface of the key layer. By providing the upper projection, damage to the display portion by the keypad can be prevented.

Keypad, protrusions, elastomer

Description

Keypad having a protrusion for protection and a method of manufacturing the same {Key pad having protrusion for protection and fabricating method for the same}

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are views for explaining a keypad and a method of manufacturing the same according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ and II-II ′, respectively.

3 is a view for explaining a keypad according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a method for manufacturing the same. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1.

4 is an exploded perspective view showing a keypad according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a keypad and a method of manufacturing the same according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken from III-III ′ of FIG. 4.

 (Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing)

100: key layer 180: second upper projection

190: first lower protrusion 200, 400: first silicon layer

300: first upper protrusion 500: EL sheet

600: second silicon layer 610: second lower protrusion

The present invention relates to a keypad of a mobile communication terminal and a manufacturing method of the keypad, and more particularly, by forming a protrusion located at an outer portion of a key layer, a protective protrusion for protecting the display unit of the mobile communication terminal from the keypad. It relates to a keypad provided and a method of manufacturing the same.

Today, with the rapid development of information communication, the development of mobile communication terminals is also rapidly progressing. Such a mobile communication terminal is not only a communication role while carrying in daily life, but also provides a variety of contents, and is equipped with various functions such as a camera and an MP3 player, and is used for various purposes.

The mobile communication terminal has been pouring out products having various forms of structure, but the mobile communication terminal of the clamshell type is popularized today.

The clamshell mobile communication terminal is divided into a folder portion which can be opened and closed and a main body portion having a keypad. The folder unit is provided with a display unit, and outputs a picture or text signal by an input signal of the keypad provided in the main body. The keypad may be thinly formed and may be used as a metal keypad that is easy to assemble.

Such a folder-type mobile communication terminal frequently opens and closes the folder during a call or to perform various functions of the mobile communication terminal. At this time, if the surface of the display unit provided in the folder is in direct contact with the keypad, scratches may easily occur or break. Furthermore, in the case where the keypad is made of metal, the above problems may occur more seriously due to the rigid nature of the metal itself and the sharpness that may occur when the metal keypad is cut.

In addition, when assembling the keypad to the main body case, a gap may occur between the outer periphery of the keypad and the case to expose the printed circuit board and the device located on the inner surface of the case to the outside. In addition, the foreign matter is introduced into the case through the gap may cause damage to the printed circuit board and the device, it is possible to reduce the click feeling of the key.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a keypad and a method of manufacturing a keypad capable of protecting a display unit when opening and closing a mobile communication terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a keypad and a method for manufacturing the keypad, which can prevent foreign substances from being introduced into the case of the mobile communication terminal.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, an aspect of the present invention provides a keypad. The keypad is located with a key layer having a plurality of keys. A first silicon layer is positioned below the key layer. In this case, the first silicon layer may include a first upper protrusion formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the key layer.

Further, EL sheet may be located under the first silicon layer. The second silicon layer may be positioned under the light emitting sheet.

Another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above technical problem provides a method for manufacturing a keypad. The manufacturing method provides a key layer having a plurality of keys. A first silicon layer is formed below the key layer. A first upper protrusion is formed on an outer surface of the key layer and at least a portion of the first silicon layer.

Furthermore, EL sheet is provided. An EL sheet is formed under the first silicon layer. A second silicon layer is formed below the EL sheet and having a second lower protrusion located at a portion corresponding to each key.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings of the keypad according to the present invention will be described in detail. The following embodiments are provided as examples to sufficiently convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and may be embodied in other forms. In the drawings, the size and thickness of the device may be exaggerated for convenience. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line II ′ of the keypad of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line II-II ′ of FIG. 1, with reference to the keypad according to the first embodiment of the present invention; The manufacturing method thereof will be described.

1 and 2A and 2B, the keypad includes a key layer 100 having a plurality of keys. The first silicon layer 200 is formed under the key layer. A first upper protrusion 300 is formed on the first silicon layer 200 and positioned on at least a portion of an outer surface of the key layer. That is, the first upper protrusion 300 may be positioned on the upper portion of the first silicon layer 200 extending to the outer portion of the key layer or on the bending area of the key layer.

Referring to the manufacturing method of the keypad in detail, first, the key layer 100 is provided. The method of manufacturing the key layer 100 provides a metal substrate 100 that is divided into a key region 100a and a bending region 100b. The metal substrate 100 may be made of one material selected from the group consisting of phosphor bronze, SUS, aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof in consideration of ease of processing. In addition, if the thickness of the metal substrate 100 is too thick, not only the feeling of clicking decreases, but also the processing is not easy. On the contrary, if the thickness is too thin, the post-click restoring force is weak. Therefore, in consideration of this, the metal substrate 100 preferably has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

A hairline is formed on the metal substrate corresponding to the key region 100a. The hairline may provide a subtle color of the metal substrate or may provide a better quality texture to the user.

The key dividing line 110 and the symbol 120 are formed in the key region of the metal substrate on which the hairline is formed by etching or punching. The key dividing line 110 and the symbol 120 may be formed by penetrating the metal substrate 100 or etching only a predetermined thickness from the surface of the metal substrate.

The metal substrate on which the key dividing line 110 and the symbol 120 are formed is subjected to a first surface treatment through a plating method, a deposition method, or an electrodeposition method, and the first surface treated metal substrate is subjected to a second surface treatment using a coating method. 100 can be manufactured.

In addition, the through hole 130 may be formed in the bending area 100b. Although not shown in the drawings, this is to assemble the body case more simple and to increase the bonding force. That is, a protrusion may be formed in the main body case, and the keypad including the main body case and the key layer may be assembled by inserting the protrusion into the through hole formed in the key layer.

Subsequently, the light transmitting film 140 is filled in the symbols of the key layer 100 through a molding method or a printing method.

Thereafter, the first silicon layer 200 is formed on the bottom surface of the key layer 100 by using the adhesive means 160. At this time, the adhesive means 160 may be a double-sided tape or adhesive.

In this case, the first silicon layer 200 may be formed to extend from an outer surface of the key layer 100. In addition, a recess may be formed in a portion of the first silicon layer 200 where the bending area 100b of the key layer is to be located. That is, in the combined structure of the first silicon layer 200 and the key layer, the first silicon layer is not positioned below the bending area of the key layer.

A first upper protrusion 300 is formed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the key layer 100 on the first silicon layer 200. More preferably, the first upper protrusion 300 may be formed to surround the entire portion of the outer surface of the key layer 100. In this case, the first upper protrusion part 300 is positioned above the first silicon layer 200 and above the bending area 100b of the key layer 100.

As a result, when the keypad 1000 and the main body case (not shown) are assembled, the first upper protrusion prevents a gap that may be generated on the interface between the keypad 1000 and the main body case. You can prevent it from entering.

In this case, the first upper protrusion part 300 may be molded into a predetermined shape and bonded by the adhesive means 170 positioned on the first silicon layer. The adhesive means 170 may be an adhesive or double-sided tape.

The first upper protrusion 300 may be formed of a semi-circle, triangle, square or polygon. In the embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the first upper protrusion 300 is not limited, but the first upper protrusion 300 may have a semi-circular shape. As a result, when the keypad is assembled to a case (not shown) of the main body, the inside of the case can be more effectively prevented from being exposed.

The height h1 of the first upper protrusion 300 is preferably 0.1 to 0.6 mm based on the surface of the key layer 100. If the first upper projection 300 is less than 0.1mm, it is not effective to protect the display (not shown) by the impact, if it is more than 0.6mm can protect the display from the impact, but formed too thick This results in a reversal of today's trend towards thinning.

The first upper protrusion 300 is preferably made of an elastic body to reinforce the impact. For example, the elastomer may be one material selected from the group consisting of styrene butadiene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, and silicone resin.

The first silicon layer 100 may include a second upper protrusion 180 protruding into the key dividing line 110. In this case, the second upper protrusion 180 may be equal to or larger than the thickness of the key layer.

In this case, the first upper protrusion 300 and the second upper protrusion 180 may include a luminous pigment or a pigment having a predetermined color. As a result, it is possible to provide a product having a more diverse design to the user. In particular, when the luminous pigment is contained, it is possible to classify keys in a dark place without applying additional electricity.

In addition, the first silicon layer 100 may form a first lower protrusion 190 in a region corresponding to each key. Although not shown in the drawing, the first lower protrusion 190 is to click and operate the dome switch located on the printed circuit board, and to improve the feeling of click.

Thus, the first layer including the key layer 100 including the key region 100a and the bending region 100b, the first and second upper protrusions 300 and 180, and the first lower protrusion 190. The keypad 1000 including the silicon layer 100 may be manufactured.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a keypad and a method of manufacturing the same according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the keypad described in the first embodiment except that the second upper protrusion 180 formed in the first silicon layer is formed to protrude from the surface of the key layer, and the manufacturing method thereof is the same. Has a reference number. As a result, the second embodiment will be described by omitting repeated description.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a key layer 100 including a key region 100a and a bending region 100b is provided. The key region 100a is represented by a groove in which the key dividing line 110 and the symbol 120 are penetrated by an etching method or a punching method, or the surface of the key layer 100 is partially etched.

The first silicon layer 200 is bonded to the lower portion of the key layer 100 by using the adhesive means 160. In this case, the first silicon layer 200 is disposed on the outer surface of the key layer 100 and forms a first upper protrusion 300 protruding from the surface of the key layer 100.

In addition, the first silicon layer 100 includes a second upper protrusion 180 protruding into the key dividing line 110. The second upper protrusion 180 is preferably formed higher than the thickness of the key layer. At this time, the height (h2) of the second upper projection is preferably made of 0.1 to 0.4mm.

As a result, the entire upper surface of the display unit may be protected from the key layer 100 by the second upper protrusion 185 protruding from the surface of the key layer 100.

4 is an exploded perspective view of a keypad according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a keypad and a method of manufacturing the same according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III '.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, first, an EL sheet 500 used as a backlight is provided.

Although not shown in the drawing, the EL sheet 500 is formed by sequentially stacking a transparent electrode layer, a light emitting layer, an insulating layer, and a back electrode layer on a transparent substrate, and a protective layer surrounding the light emitting layer, the insulating layer, and the back electrode layer. It can manufacture by forming.

The second silicon layer 600 is formed under the EL sheet 100. In this case, a plurality of second lower protrusions 610 is provided below the second silicon layer 600. Here, the plurality of second lower protrusions 610 are operated by clicking respective dome switches (not shown) connected to the printed circuit board (not shown).

Meanwhile, a key layer 100 having a key dividing line 110 and a symbol 120 and a bending area 100b positioned on at least one side of the key region 100 are provided. . Here, the key layer 100 refers to the description of the first embodiment.

A first silicon layer 400 is interposed between the key layer 100 and the EL sheet 500 on which the second silicon layer 600 is formed.

The first silicon layer 400 may be formed on the EL sheet 500, and the keypad 2000 may be manufactured by combining the key layer 100 on the first silicon layer 400. . Alternatively, the first silicon layer 400 may be formed by injecting and pressing silicon between the key layer 100 and the EL sheet 500.

Here, the first upper protrusion 300 may be formed on the first silicon layer 400 and positioned at a predetermined portion of the outer surface of the key layer 100. In this case, the first upper protrusion 300 is preferably formed to surround the entire portion of the outer surface of the key layer.

At this time, the height h1 of the first upper protrusion is preferably 0.1 to 0.6 mm from the surface of the key layer. In addition, the first silicon layer 400 may form a second upper protrusion 180 protruding from the key dividing line 110. The second upper protrusion 180 may be equal to the thickness of the key layer. Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, the second upper protrusion 180 may protrude upward by forming larger than the thickness of the key layer. In this case, the second upper protrusion 180 may be formed to protrude to a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm from the surface of the key layer.

In addition, a luminous pigment or a color pigment for implementing a predetermined color may be added to the first upper protrusion 300 and the second upper protrusion 180. As a result, a product having a more refined design can be manufactured. In addition, when the luminous pigment is added, the shape of the key can be easily distinguished in a dark place.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the display unit from being damaged by the rigid metal keypad by the first upper protrusion and the second upper protrusion formed on the first silicon layer.

In addition, since the first upper protrusion is formed to surround the outer surface of the key layer, the gap between the key layer and the main body case is prevented in the assembling process of the keypad and the main body case, thereby preventing foreign substances from being introduced into the case. .

As described above, by forming a protrusion on the first silicon layer that protrudes from the surface of the key layer on the outer surface of the key layer according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the surface of the display portion from being damaged by the keypad.

In addition, the protrusion is formed to surround the outer surface of the key layer, thereby blocking the interface between the main body case and the key layer of the mobile communication terminal, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the case to damage the device or lower the feeling of click. can do.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. I can understand that.

Claims (24)

A key layer having a plurality of keys; A first silicon layer under the key layer; And And a first upper protrusion formed on the first silicon layer and positioned on at least a portion of an outer surface of the key layer. The method of claim 1, Keypad, characterized in that the height of the first upper projection from the surface of the key layer is 0.1 to 0.6mm. The method of claim 1, The key layer includes a key area having a key dividing line and a symbol; And a bending area located on at least one side of the key area. The method of claim 3, wherein And the first upper protrusion is positioned on the bending area. The method of claim 1, And the first upper protrusion is made of an elastic body. The method of claim 5, The elastic body is a keypad, characterized in that one selected from the group consisting of styrene butadiene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide and silicone resin. The method of claim 3, wherein And a second upper protrusion protruding into the key dividing line. The method of claim 7, wherein And the first and second upper protrusions contain luminous pigments. The method of claim 1, And the first silicon layer has a first lower protrusion located at a portion corresponding to each key. The method of claim 1, An EL sheet positioned below the first silicon layer, And a second silicon layer under the EL sheet. The method of claim 10, And the second silicon layer has a second lower protrusion positioned at a portion corresponding to each key. The method of claim 3, wherein And the bending area has a through hole. Providing a key layer having a plurality of keys, Forming a first silicon layer under the key layer, And forming a first upper protrusion on at least a portion of the first silicon layer located at an outer surface of the key layer. The method of claim 13, And the first upper protrusion is bonded to the first silicon layer by an adhesive means. The method of claim 14, The method of manufacturing the keypad characterized in that the adhesive means is a double-sided tape or adhesive. The method of claim 13, The first silicon layer is a method for manufacturing a keypad, characterized in that the first lower projection formed in a predetermined portion corresponding to each key. The method of claim 13, The key layer has a key dividing line and a symbol formed in the key area, And a bending area bent on at least one side of the key area. The method of claim 13, The first upper projection is a method for manufacturing a keypad, characterized in that made of one material selected from the group consisting of styrene butadiene copolymer, PE, PP, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide and silicone resin. The method of claim 13, And a second upper protrusion protruding into the key dividing line. The method of claim 19, A method for manufacturing a keypad, comprising a luminous pigment in the first upper projection and the second upper projection. The method of claim 13, The height of the first upper projection is a manufacturing method of the keypad, characterized in that 0.1 to 0.6mm from the surface of the key layer. The method of claim 13, Bonding EL sheet under the first silicon layer, Method of manufacturing a keypad, characterized in that to form a second silicon layer below the el sheet. The method of claim 22, Wherein the first silicon layer is formed by injecting and pressing silicon between the key layer and the EL sheet. The method of claim 22, And the second silicon layer includes a second lower protrusion located at a predetermined portion of an area corresponding to each of the keys.

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