KR100779066B1 - Mathod of manufactering of keypad and keypad - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad and a method for manufacturing the same are provided to perform a rounding of an outer edge of a button piece formed by a metal material by providing a larger film piece than the button piece to cover an edge of the button piece. A method for manufacturing a keypad includes the steps of: forming a plurality of button pieces of a metal material which are connected to each other(S610); attaching a film on an upper plane of the button piece(S620); cutting the button piece with the film; and attaching the cut button piece and the film piece which is attached to the button piece, on an elastic sheet(S640). In the step of cutting the film and the button piece, the film piece covers an outer edge of the button piece by cutting the film and the button piece along a circumference of the button piece. In the step of providing the button piece, the button piece is connected by a connection line having a thin width.

Description

Keypad manufacturing method and key pad using the manufacturing method {MATHOD OF MANUFACTERING OF KEYPAD AND KEYPAD}

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a key input unit in a conventional mobile phone.

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional key input unit.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a keypad manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

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

5 is a rear view with a film attached to a plurality of button pieces according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a rear view of a pair of button pieces and a button piece according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a sectional view of a keypad according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

12 is an exploded perspective view of a personal portable terminal equipped with a keypad according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a cross-sectional view of a keypad for explaining a keypad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: Key pad 110: Film

120: button flight 122: connection line

123 ： Luminous hole 130 ： Film edition

131: Printing part 140: Elastic sheet

142: fixing protrusion 145: light emitting part

150: Rubber pad

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a keypad and a keypad, and more particularly, to a keypad having a thin thickness and easy to manufacture, and a method for manufacturing the same.

To enter a number in a personal mobile device such as a mobile phone, press the button of the key input unit. As a technology related to a mobile phone is developed, in addition to inputting a phone number to a key input unit, a character for delivering a message can be input, and a key input unit is used to input a game function or various functions. This trend is not only applied to mobile phones, but also to other devices, and is being applied to general personal portable devices.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a key input unit in a conventional mobile phone.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a conventional mobile phone 1, a key input unit includes a keypad 10 having a button 12 formed thereon, an adhesive sheet 20 having a dome switch 22 formed thereon, and a PCB having a circular electrode 32 formed thereon. (Printed Circuit Board) A substrate 30 is included.

The keypad 10 is made of rubber, silicone, or synthetic resin, and the button 12 of the mobile phone is integrally formed with the keypad 10 through injection molding on the upper surface of the keypad 10. In the keypad 10, the buttons 12 protrude from the upper surface, and the protruding buttons 12 may be exposed through the holes 4 formed in the upper case 2 of the mobile phone.

The lower portion of the keypad 10 is provided with an adhesive sheet 20 including a dome switch 22. The dome switch 22 is formed of metal, and the dome switch can be electrically connected to the electrode 32 while being pressed flat. When the pressing force is removed, the dome switch 22 returns to its original state and returns to the electrode 32. ) Can be separated again. The dome switch 22 may be formed directly on the adhesive sheet 30. However, since the dome switch 22 is generally formed of a different material, the dome switch 22 may be attached to each other using an adhesive or the like.

The PCB substrate 30 includes a circular electrode 32, which is located at the bottom corresponding to the position of the button 12 and the dome switch 22. Specifically, the electrode 32 has a concentric circular structure and has a structure electrically connected by the dome switch 22.

As described above, the keypad 10 is located under the upper case 2, and the button 12 is disposed to be exposed or protruded to the outside through the hole 4 of the upper case 2. In order to form the key input unit, the upper case 2 and the key pad 10 must be overlapped with each other, so the thickness of the key input unit is inevitably increased.

In addition, a hole 4 must be formed in the upper case 2, and the button 12 must be positioned to correspond to each hole 4. Therefore, fabrication through assembly is complicated and product defects often occur in the process of assembling the key input unit.

2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional key input unit.

Referring to FIG. 2, a button 12 of a mobile phone is formed on a keypad 10, and a gap support 16 and a pressing protrusion 14 are formed on the bottom of the keypad 10 to face downward. have.

Accordingly, when the user presses the button 12, the push protrusion 14 presses the dome switch 22, and the dome switch 22 is deformed to connect the electrode 32 positioned below the dome switch 22. . As the electrode 32 is connected, it is possible to check whether the button 12 is pressed, and a signal generated from the electrode 32 may be transmitted to an internal circuit for input of numbers or letters. Since the area of the button 12 is much larger than the area of the pressing protrusion 14, the force for pressing the button 12 can be collected and transmitted to the pressing protrusion 14, and the dome switch 22 can be easily operated with a small force. Can be pressed.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a keypad and a method of manufacturing the same that can be manufactured thin, and at the same time maintain excellent strength.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a key pad and a method for manufacturing the same, which is easy to manufacture and can be applied to various designs to overcome the limitations of the design.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object of the present invention, the manufacturing method of the keypad of the present invention is formed of a metal material, providing a plurality of interconnected button pieces, the upper surface of each button piece Attaching the film to the film, cutting the button piece together with the film, and attaching the cut button piece and the film piece attached to the button piece to the elastic sheet.

In the providing of the plurality of button pieces, the button piece material may be made of metal, and in general, stainless steel may be used. However, as long as it is a metal that can have excellent strength even if manufactured thinly, it can be manufactured by substituting other metal materials. For example, metal materials, such as copper, a copper alloy, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, platinum, and nickel, can be used. Since the button piece formed of such a material has excellent hardness, it is easy to maintain a rigid shape even if it is made thin, thereby reducing the thickness of the keypad part.

In addition, in the step of providing the button piece, the plurality of button pieces are integrally connected with the metal disc, and the button pieces in the metal disc are connected through the framing portion and the connecting line of the metal disc. The connecting line is preferably thinner than the button piece, and the cutting line may be cut together when cutting the film piece.

In the step of attaching the film to the upper surface of each button piece, the film may be provided using a glossy or matt film, and may be formed of a transparent or transparent synthetic resin material. In this case, the film may include a printing unit in which letters or numbers are displayed, and printing may form buttons and peripheral designs of various designs.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the film may use plastic, which may be polypropylene (PP), aromatic polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE) , Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and the like may be formed of a material, it is preferably formed to have a certain shape strength.

Further, in the step of cutting the film and the button piece, the film piece is provided larger than the button piece to cover the corners of the button piece so that the film piece is cut along the periphery of the button piece to cover the outer portion of the button piece. can do. Therefore, in the process of cutting the film and the button piece, the film piece can round the outside of the button piece to cleanly process the outside of the button piece formed of a metal material. For reference, when the plastic sheet or the film is cut directly, the outer edge of the button may be sharply cut and may require post-processing.

In addition, a light transmitting hole may be formed in the button piece to transmit light in letters or numbers, and in the button piece made of metal, the light transmitting hole may be provided by cutting a portion of the button piece. The light-transmitting hole formed on the button piece may be formed small to fit the size of letters or numbers, but may be formed large regardless of the size of the letters or numbers. As such, when the light transmitting hole is large, the button piece may be provided in a frame shape. The button piece may be formed over several keys, in which the floodlight hole may correspond to each key one-to-one, or alternatively, 2-3 keys may share one floodlight hole.

The button piece and the film piece may form one button unit to be attached or adhered to the elastic sheet. An adhesive may be used to attach one button unit to the elastic sheet, and the adhesive may be made of a transparent material. In addition, by applying an adhesive to the portion where the light-transmitting hole is formed and by adhering the button unit and the elastic sheet to the portion where the light-transmitting hole is formed, the gap between the button unit and the elastic sheet can be reduced, and the light transmittance at this portion can also be improved. have.

The button piece of the key pad manufactured by the above-described key pad manufacturing method of the present invention is formed of a metal material, the film piece provided on the upper surface of the button piece may be formed of a plastic material. In addition, the lower surface of the button may provide an elastic sheet having flexibility. In addition, the button unit including the film piece and the button piece may be attached to the elastic sheet at the same time. Therefore, since the button unit according to the present invention has a thinner thickness while having the same hardness as a button made of plastic only, the thickness of the keypad can be kept thin, and the keypad of the present invention significantly reduces the thickness of the keypad according to the related art. It is possible to make thin.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments.

Example 1

3 is a flowchart illustrating a keypad manufacturing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the keypad manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed of a metal material, providing a plurality of interconnected button pieces (S610), attaching a film to the upper surface of each button piece Step S620, cutting the button piece together with the film (S630) and attaching the cut button piece and the film piece attached to the button piece to the elastic sheet (S640).

4 is an exploded perspective view of a keypad for explaining a keypad according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a rear view with a film attached to a plurality of button pieces according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a rear view of a pair of button pieces and a button piece according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a keypad according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 to 7, in the step S610 of providing a plurality of button pieces, the material of the button piece 120 uses a metal material, and in this embodiment, stainless steel may be used. However, it is possible to manufacture by substituting other metal materials which may have excellent strength even if manufactured thinly.

For example, metal materials, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, titanium, platinum, and nickel, can be used. Button pieces formed of such a material are superior in hardness to plastics. Therefore, even if the button piece is made thin, it is easy to maintain the rigid shape and the thickness of the keypad portion can be reduced.

In addition, in the step S610 of providing a button piece, the plurality of button pieces 120 are connected to each other by a connection line 122 having a width smaller than that of the button piece 120. At this time, the connection line 122 is preferably provided in a narrow width so as to be easy to cut as in this embodiment. Further, before cutting the button piece 120, the button pieces 120 may be connected to one metal disc and placed on the film 110.

In addition, in operation S620 of attaching the film to the upper surface of each button piece, the film 110 may be provided in the form of a sheet formed of a synthetic resin material. In this case, the film may include a printing unit, and in this embodiment, the printing unit 131 displaying letters or numbers may be formed on the upper surface of the film 110.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the film can be provided using a plastic of a transparent material, such plastic is polypropylene (PP), aromatic polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA ), Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC) and the like, and may be formed of a material having a predetermined shape strength.

In addition, the sheet-like film 110 formed of a synthetic resin material is cut together with the metal disc of the button piece 120 provided on the bottom surface of the film 110, and the film piece 130 and the through the cutting process of Thomson, etc. Button pieces 120 are paired. The paired film piece 130 and the button piece 120 may form one button unit and may be attached to the upper surface of the elastic sheet 140 to serve as a button.

In more detail, in the step of cutting the film and the button piece (S630) the film piece 130 is provided with a larger margin (margin) than the button piece 120 so as to cover the edge of the button piece 120 It is good. That is, the film 110 and the button piece 120 may be cut along the periphery of the button piece 120 to allow the film piece 130 to cover the outside of the button piece 120. Therefore, in the process of cutting the film 110 and the button piece 120, the end of the film piece 130 may cover the outer edge of the button piece 120 round, the film piece 130 is a button piece formed of a metal material The outside of the 120 can be neatly processed, and the end of the button unit does not need to be rounded.

In addition, the cut surface ⓐ of the connecting line 122 connecting the button pieces 120 in the cut button piece 120 and the film piece 130 pair coincides with the cut surface ⓑ of the film piece 130. That is, the film piece 130 may prevent the cutting surface ⓐ of the connecting line 122 from being exposed to the outside, thereby neatly treating the outer edges of the button piece 120 and the film piece 130 pair.

In addition, in the step S610 of providing the button piece, a part of the button piece 120 is cut to form the light-transmitting hole 123. Light irradiated from the bottom surface of the keypad 100 may pass through the light transmitting hole 123, and an adhesive is applied to a portion of the upper surface of the elastic sheet 140 corresponding to the light transmitting hole 123 to transmit the light. The film piece 130 and the elastic sheet 140 may be adhered through the 123. In this case, the adhesive 143 may use a transparent silicone adhesive so that light emitted from the bottom of the keypad 100 may be efficiently transmitted through the light transmitting hole 123. In addition, the film piece 130 uses a synthetic resin made of a light-transmissive material, and a part of the elastic sheet 140 corresponding to the film piece 130 on which the printing part 131 is formed, that is, the light transmitting part 145 is also a keypad 100. It is made of synthetic resin made of light transmissive material for the passage of light irradiated from the bottom of).

In addition, the fixing sheet 142 protruding upward is formed in the elastic sheet 140, and the fixing protrusion 142 protrudes between the button pieces 120. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the button piece 120 and the film piece 130 pair bonded to the upper portion of the elastic sheet 140 from being pushed off the upper surface of the elastic sheet 140 by external force during use.

Referring to FIG. 7, a rubber pad 150 may be provided below the button piece 120 and the film piece 130. The rubber pad 150 may be formed on the other surface of the button piece 120 to face the film piece 130. In fact, the metal disc of the film 110 and the button piece 120 may be disposed in a mold, and the rubber pad 150 may be formed by applying a liquid rubber to the metal disc and applying heat and pressure. In the process of forming the rubber pad 150, the button piece 120 and the film piece 130 may be integrally connected.

The push protrusion 141 may protrude from the back surface of the elastic sheet 140 in correspondence with the button unit including the button pieces 120 and the film pieces 130 of the keypad 100. The pusher 141 allows the force for pushing the button to be effectively transmitted to the dome switch located below it.

For reference, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a keypad for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the adhesive sheet 190 may be adhered to one surface of the rubber pad 150. The adhesive sheet 190 may be formed of polycarbonate or polyurethane, and may be attached to a lower portion of the button unit including the film piece 130, the button piece 120, and the rubber pad 150. The adhesive sheet 190 may provide a stronger adhesive force than the rubber pad 150 is directly bonded to the elastic sheet 140.

The adhesive sheet 190 may be attached together in the process of forming the rubber pad 150, and may be integrally formed in the button unit by applying a liquid rubber and covering the disc of the adhesive sheet 190 thereon.

The keypad 100 manufactured by the above-described keypad manufacturing method of the present invention includes a button piece 120 formed of a metal material, and a film piece 130 of plastic material is provided on an upper surface of the button piece 120. . In addition, the lower surface of the button piece 120 is provided with an elastic sheet 140 made of a plastic material so that the pair of film pieces 130 and the button piece 120 serving as buttons are attached to the elastic sheet 140 at the same time. . Accordingly, the film piece 130 and the button piece 120 pairs acting as buttons according to the present invention may have a thinner thickness than the case where the button is manufactured only from plastic and attached to the elastic sheet. I can keep it thin.

Example 2

8 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the method for manufacturing a keypad according to the second embodiment and the keypad provided by the manufacturing method thereof are substantially the same as the method for manufacturing the keypad according to the first embodiment and the keypad 100 provided by the manufacturing method. Same as Therefore, the method for manufacturing the keypad of the second embodiment and the description provided with the manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to the method for manufacturing the keypad of the first embodiment and the keypad 100 provided with the method. Reference may be made to, and repeated content may be omitted.

However, in the step of providing the button piece of the second embodiment of the present invention, when a part of the button piece 220 is cut off to form the light emitting holes 223, the light transmitting hole 223 is the central portion of the button piece 220. The button piece 220 is provided in a frame shape by the light transmitting hole 223.

Therefore, light irradiated from the bottom of the keypad may pass through the light transmitting hole 223 of the present embodiment. In addition, since the light-transmitting holes 223 are formed in the center of the button piece 220, not only can the film 210 be supported even after the film 210 is attached to the button piece 220, but also the entire keypad. Illuminance also has a higher effect.

In the present embodiment, the button piece 220 is provided as a plurality of interconnected button pieces 220 including one floodlight hole 223. Therefore, the film 210 is attached to the upper surface of each button piece 220, and the film attached to the button piece 220 and the button piece 220 after cutting the button piece 220 together with the film 210. Since the piece 230 includes a relatively large floodlight hole 223 capable of providing three buttons, one cut button pair may be attached to the elastic sheet 240 to form three buttons. Of course, more buttons may be formed depending on the intention of the producer. In this case, a printing unit in which letters or numbers are displayed may be formed on the film at a position corresponding to each light transmitting hole.

In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the light-transmitting hole 223 is formed to have a size enough to provide three buttons. However, one button may be cut to have three light-transmitting holes so that the three button areas can be distinguished. have.

Example 3

9 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a method of manufacturing a keypad according to a third embodiment and a keypad provided by the method of manufacturing the same are substantially the same as the method of manufacturing the keypad of the first embodiment and a keypad 100 provided by the method of manufacturing the same. Same as Therefore, the method of manufacturing the keypad of the third embodiment and the keypad provided by the manufacturing method thereof are described with reference to the method of manufacturing the keypad of the first embodiment and the keypad 100 provided by the method of manufacturing the same. Reference may be made and repeated content may be omitted.

However, in the step of providing the button piece of the third embodiment of the present invention, when a part of the button piece 320 is cut off to form the light transmitting holes 323, the light transmitting hole 323 is the central portion of the button piece 320. The button piece 220 is provided in a frame shape by the light transmitting hole 323.

Therefore, light emitted from the bottom of the keypad may pass through the light transmitting hole 323 of the present embodiment. In addition, since the light-transmitting holes 323 are formed in the center portion of the button piece 320, not only can the film 310 be supported even after the film 310 is attached to the button piece 320, but also the entire keypad. Illuminance also has a higher effect.

In the present embodiment, the button piece 320 is provided as a plurality of interconnected button pieces 320 comprising three floodlight holes 323. However, in some cases, at least one light emitting hole may be formed on the button piece, that is, one light emitting hole may be formed on one button piece as in the first embodiment of the present invention. It may be.

Therefore, the film 310 is attached to the upper surface of each button piece 320, and the film attached to the button piece 320 and the button piece 320 after cutting the button piece 320 together with the film 310. One pair of pieces 330 may provide three buttons, and one cut button pair may be attached to the elastic sheet 340 to form three buttons. In this case, a printing unit in which letters or numbers are displayed may be formed on the film at a position corresponding to each light transmitting hole.

Example 4

10 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a method of manufacturing a keypad according to a fourth embodiment and a keypad provided by the method of manufacturing the same are substantially the same as those of the keypad of the first embodiment and a method of manufacturing the same. Same as Therefore, the manufacturing method of the keypad of the fourth embodiment and the description of the keypad provided by the manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to the manufacturing method of the keypad of the first embodiment and the keypad 100 provided by the manufacturing method thereof. Reference may be made to, and repeated content may be omitted.

However, in the step of providing the button piece of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when a part of the button piece 420 is cut to form the light-transmitting hole 423, the light-emitting hole 423 is the central portion of the button piece 420. The button piece 420 is provided on the frame by the light transmitting hole 423.

Therefore, light emitted from the bottom surface of the keypad 300 may pass through the light transmitting hole 423 of the present embodiment. In addition, since the light-transmitting holes 423 are formed in the center of the button piece 420, not only can the film 410 be supported even after the film 410 is attached to the button piece 420, but also the entire keypad. Illuminance also has a higher effect.

In this embodiment, the button piece 420 is provided as a plurality of interconnected button pieces 420 including one floodlight hole 423. Therefore, the film 410 is attached to the upper surface of each button piece 420, and the film attached to the button piece 420 and the button piece 420 after cutting the button piece 420 together with the film 410. Since one piece of light transmitting hole 423 is included in the piece 430, one cut button pair may be attached to the elastic sheet 440 to form one button. In this case, the printing unit in which letters or numbers are displayed may be formed on the film at a position corresponding to the light-transmitting hole.

Example 5

11 is a rear view with a film attached to a button piece for explaining a keypad according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a method of manufacturing a keypad according to a fifth embodiment and a keypad provided by the method of manufacturing the same are substantially the same as the method of manufacturing the keypad of the first embodiment and a keypad 100 provided by the method of manufacturing the same. Same as Therefore, the manufacturing method of the keypad of the fifth embodiment and the description provided with the manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to the manufacturing method of the keypad of the first embodiment and the keypad 100 provided with the manufacturing method thereof. Reference may be made to, and repeated content may be omitted.

However, in the step of providing the button piece of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when a part of the button piece 520 is cut off to form the light-transmitting hole 523, the light-transmitting hole 523 is the central portion of the button piece 520. And a button piece 520 is provided on the frame by the light transmitting hole 523.

Therefore, light emitted from the bottom of the keypad 300 may pass through the light transmitting hole 523 of the present embodiment. In addition, since the light-transmitting holes 523 are formed in the center of the button piece 520, not only can the film 510 be supported even after the film 510 is attached to the button piece 520, but also the entire keypad. Illuminance also has a higher effect.

In this embodiment, the button piece 520 is provided as a plurality of interconnected button pieces 520 including one floodlight hole 523. Therefore, the film 510 is attached to the upper surface of each button piece 520, and the film attached to the button piece 520 and the button piece 520 after cutting the button piece 520 together with the film 510. Since one piece of light transmitting hole 523 is included in the piece 530, one cut button pair may be attached to the elastic sheet 540 to form one button. In this case, the printing unit in which the letter or number is displayed may be formed on the film at a position corresponding to the light transmitting hole.

However, in the present exemplary embodiment, since the button piece 520 including the one light transmitting hole 523 forms one frame, one light transmitting hole 523 is attached after the button piece 520 is attached to the film 510. The button pieces 520 that are included may be cut out one by one and attached to the elastic sheet 540, but in the step of cutting the button pieces together with the film, the film to be cut is cut along the dotted line as shown in the drawing. You can have four button episodes in one episode.

That is, depending on the size of the film to be cut, two or three or more button pieces may be attached to one film piece and attached to the elastic sheet.

Example 6

12 is an exploded perspective view of a personal terminal equipped with a keypad according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the keypad 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is suitable for application to the personal mobile terminal 200 as shown in FIG. 12. However, in some cases, a keypad formed according to the second and third embodiments of the present invention may be mounted.

The personal portable terminal 700 includes a terminal body, a keypad 100 and a key input sensor unit 730.

The terminal body may include a case including internal terminal functions, internal and external components, and a circuit configuration. For example, in the case of a mobile phone, the terminal body 710 may include a terminal case, a key input unit, a display module, a wireless transmission / reception module, a battery, a microphone, and a receiver. In addition, the terminal body 110 has a shape of a folder-type terminal, but according to another embodiment of the present invention, the terminal body has a bar type, a flip type, a slide type, and a swing. It can be formed in various kinds of styles such as swing type.

The main body of the terminal includes a front case 712 and a rear case 714, a liquid crystal display 711 is mounted on an upper part of the front case 712, and a keypad hole 116 for mounting a keypad 100 on the lower part. ) Is provided.

However, in the keypad 100 of the present embodiment, the position guide groove 144 is formed along the outer side of the elastic sheet 140, and the position guide corresponding to the position guide groove 144 is formed on the inner surface of the front case 112. Projections (not shown) are formed. The key pad 100 may be fixed to the front case 712 by using a fastener such as a screw, but for the first time, the position guide protrusion and the position guide may be used to accurately position the key pad 100 in accordance with the front case 712. Groove 144 may be used. That is, by forming the position guide groove 144 in the position guide protrusion and assembling the protrusion and the groove to engage with each other, it is possible to limit the relative movement between the front case 712 and the keypad 100.

In addition, a rubber sheet 750 may be provided at a lower portion of the keypad 100, and a back of the rubber sheet 750 may be provided as a pair of each button piece 120 and a film piece 130 of the keypad 100. The provided button is provided with a plurality of push protrusions 751 corresponding to the switch 731, and the push protrusions 751 allow the force for pushing the button to be effectively transmitted to each switch 731.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the rubber seat 750 having the push protrusion 751 is described as an example provided at the bottom of the keypad 100. However, in some cases, the push protrusion may be provided directly at the bottom of the keypad. have.

In the present specification, a personal portable device (Personal Portable Device) refers to a portable electric and electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smart phone, a handheld PC, a mobile phone, an MP3 player, and the like. A predetermined communication module such as a Division Multiplexing Access module, a Bluetooth module, an infrared communication module (IrDA), a wired / wireless LAN card, etc., and a terminal having a predetermined computing power by mounting a predetermined microprocessor for performing a multimedia playback function Can be used as a generic concept. In addition, the key input sensor unit may be selected in addition to the structure consisting of the dome switch and the electrode, the key input sensor unit of various structures can be selected, and can be changed according to the terminal.

Accordingly, the method for manufacturing a keypad according to the present invention and a keypad using the manufacturing method are provided with a button piece formed of a metal material and a film piece of plastic material on the upper surface of the button piece. In addition, the lower surface of the button is provided with an elastic sheet of plastic material to form the pair to serve as a button. Therefore, since the film piece and the button piece pairs serving as buttons have superior hardness than the case where the button is made of plastic and attached to the elastic sheet, the thickness of the keypad can be kept thin, and the thickness can be made significantly thin.

In addition, the key pad according to the manufacturing method of the keypad according to the present invention is provided in the step of cutting the film and the button piece is larger than the button piece so as to cover the edge of the button piece to cut the film and the button piece at the same time the film piece By rounding the outer side of the button piece, the outer side of the button piece formed of metal can be neatly processed.

In addition, a method of manufacturing a keypad according to the present invention and a keypad using the manufacturing method may be mounted on a personal portable terminal to provide a thinner personal portable terminal.

As described above, although described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art various modifications and variations of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below I can understand that you can.

Claims (17)

Providing a plurality of button pieces formed of a metal material and interconnected; Attaching a film to an upper surface of each of said button pieces; Cutting the button piece together with the film; And Attaching the cut button piece and a film piece attached to the button piece to an elastic sheet; Method for producing a keypad having a. The method of claim 1, And cutting the film and the button piece along the periphery of the button piece in the step of cutting the film and the button piece so that the film piece covers the outer portion of the button piece. The method of claim 1, Providing the button piece is a method of manufacturing a keypad, characterized in that the button piece is connected by a connecting line having a thin width. The method of claim 1, In the step of providing a plurality of the button pieces, a method of manufacturing a keypad, characterized in that to form a light-transmitting hole by cutting a portion of the button pieces. The method of claim 4, wherein And the light emitting hole is cut so as to be formed at the center portion of the button piece, and the button piece has a frame shape by the light transmitting hole. The method of claim 4, wherein And the button piece comprises at least one floodlight hole. The method of claim 4, wherein A method of manufacturing a keypad, comprising: applying a transparent adhesive to the periphery of the light-transmitting hole to adhere the button piece and the elastic sheet. A plurality of button pieces formed of a metal material for key input; A plurality of film pieces formed in close contact with the upper surface of each of the button pieces and including a printing unit on which letters or numbers are displayed; And An elastic sheet to which each of the button pieces and the film pieces are attached in pairs; Key pad having a. The method of claim 8, And the film piece is provided larger than the button piece so as to cover an edge of the button piece. The method of claim 8, And a rubber pad formed on the other side of the button piece so as to face the film piece, wherein the button piece and the film piece are integrally connected by the rubber pad. The method of claim 10, And an adhesive sheet attached to one surface of the rubber pad, wherein the film piece, the button piece and the rubber pad are adhered to the elastic sheet via the adhesive sheet. The method of claim 8, The button piece and the film piece are cut out to form a pair, wherein the cut surface of the connecting line having a width smaller than the button piece that was connected between the button piece is coincident with the cut surface of the film piece. The method of claim 8, The elastic sheet includes a fixing protrusion protruding upward, wherein the fixing protrusion is projected between the button unit consisting of the button piece and the film piece. The method of claim 8, The button piece is partially cut to form a light-transmitting hole, and a part of the elastic sheet is formed of a light-transmitting part made of a light-transmitting material, and transmits the light emitted from the bottom of the keypad. The method of claim 14, The light transmitting hole is formed in the center portion of the button piece, the button piece is provided in the frame shape by the light transmitting hole. The method of claim 14, And the button piece comprises at least one floodlight hole. The method of claim 14, And an adhesive is applied to an upper surface of the elastic sheet corresponding to the light transmitting hole.

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