KR100860458B1 - One body type keypad and personal portable device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a keypad in which a plurality of buttons are integrally formed, and a personal portable terminal including the same. The keypad of the present invention includes a key button portion in which a plurality of buttons are integrally formed, and a driver portion in which an actuator for pressing the dome switch is pressed on the lower side. The boundary between the button and the button is formed recessed downwardly, and the bottom surface of the recessed portion is formed with ribs protruding downward. Therefore, a plurality of buttons are integrally formed to design keypads of various designs, and the gap between the keypad and the terminal case is minimized to prevent foreign substances such as dust from entering the terminal body from the outside. The buttons are connected to each other by the recessed part of the boundary area, but they can provide the same feeling of pressing as the buttons formed separately, and the adjacent buttons cannot be pressed when pressing one button due to the rib so that the user wants the button. Can be entered exactly.

Keypad, Button, Rib, Integral, Injection

Description

KEYBOD AND PERSONAL PORTABLE DEVICE HAVING THE SAME}

1 to 3 are cross-sectional views showing a conventional keypad.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a personal terminal equipped with a keypad of the present invention.

5 is a partial sectional view showing a keypad of the present invention as a first embodiment.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a scene of pressing a button of the keypad.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keypad on which a light emitting element is formed.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a keypad manufacturing method of the present invention.

9 is a schematic view showing a scene in which a stationary mold for manufacturing a keypad is provided.

10 is a schematic view showing a scene in which a first moving mold is engaged with a fixed mold.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a first injection molding scene through a stationary mold and a first moving mold. FIG.

12 is a schematic diagram showing a scene in which a second moving mold is provided after the first moving mold is recovered.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a second injection molding scene through a fixed mold and a second moving mold engaged with the fixed mold.

14 is a schematic view showing a keypad manufactured through the second injection molding.

Fig. 15 is a partial sectional view showing a keypad of the present invention as a second embodiment.

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

100: personal portable terminal 110: circuit unit

120: Case part 130: Dome sheet

200: Keypad 210: Key button part

212: button 214: depression

220: drive part 222: actuator

224: Rib 310: Fixed mold

320: first moving mold 330: second moving mold

The present invention relates to a keypad having an integrated button and a personal portable terminal including the same. More specifically, the structure of the integrated button is simple, the design is free, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The present invention relates to a keypad having an integrated button, and a personal portable terminal including the same.

In general, a mobile phone has a key button unit provided with buttons such as numbers, letters, or symbols for sending a phone call or an e-mail, and a pressurized signal of a button to a circuit unit so that a user can send or receive a desired call or e-mail. The drive unit is provided. The drive unit has an actuator protruding from the lower part of the actuator for pressing the dome switch mounted on the circuit unit.

Such buttons can be formed in a variety of ways, as examples.

1 to 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keypad provided in a conventional mobile phone. 1 is a structure of a button that is most commonly used, the character is printed by the post-processing on the button (2) injected from a transparent material, it is produced in a manner that is bonded to the drive unit 3, the actuator is formed. In particular, each button 2 is formed separately in order to make use of the operation of the button, and each of the separated buttons 2 is exposed to the outside through the mobile phone case 1. The dome switch 5 is mounted to the printed circuit board 4 below the actuator in order to detect the pressing operation of the button 2.

The button 13 of the keypad of the mobile phone of FIG. 2 prints a pre-injection molding, letters, numbers or symbols on the film 12, and manufactures a key button part through double injection (film + PC, Poly Carbonate). In addition, a rubber driving unit 14 for pressing the dome switch 16 mounted on the printed circuit board 15 is formed below the key button unit. Of course, an actuator for pressurizing the dome switch 16 is formed under the drive unit 14.

3 is a keypad applied to a slim model, three to five buttons 22 are attached to each other in a range that can be processed, and a rubber driving unit 23 is mounted below each of the separated buttons 22. . An actuator is formed below the driving unit 23 to press the dome switch 25 of the printed circuit board 24.

However, the above conventional technologies have the following problems. That is, the buttons are not integrally formed as in the keypads of FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus, the structure is complicated. As a result, the manufacturing and joining processes are complicated, and the production cost and time are increased.

In addition, since the buttons are partially exposed to the cell phone case, dust or moisture flows into the gap between the button and the cell phone case hole (Hole) where the button is exposed. It is difficult to design a variety of designs because it can cause a drop in the driving force of a button or a button, and a plurality of button arrangements must be considered.

In addition, a key button unit with a button and a drive unit formed with an actuator are manufactured through a separate injection process, and the operation of joining the injection molded key button unit and the drive unit is not only performed separately, but also complicated. Mass production is deducted.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is the keypad is formed by a continuous injection molding the key button portion formed with a button, the actuator is formed by a continuous injection molding, the keypad can be reduced in manufacturing time and cost and the same In providing a personal mobile terminal that includes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a keypad and a personal portable terminal including the same, in which a plurality of buttons are integrally designed and designed in various designs.

Another object of the present invention to minimize the gap between the button and the mobile phone case to provide a keypad that can increase the durability by blocking the entry of foreign matters such as dust or moisture through the gap and a personal portable terminal including the same. have.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objects of the present invention, the keypad for pressing the dome switch on the circuit portion of the present invention includes a key button portion and a driving portion.

The key button part may be formed through primary injection molding, and a button having a letter, number, or symbol shape may be formed on an upper surface thereof. In addition, the driving part may be located at the lower side of the key button part, and may be formed through secondary injection molding.

The key button unit for performing the primary injection molding may use a polycarbonate (PC) as a material, and the driving unit formed by the secondary injection molding may be formed of a rubber material. As the rubber material, urethane resin or the like can be used.

The key button unit may form a depression in which a boundary portion of the button is recessed. That is, the button is formed in plural, the boundary portion of each button may be formed recessed downward. The key button portion may be formed of a transparent material or a translucent material.

The driving unit may be provided with an actuator formed in the shape of a protrusion so that the lower surface thereof can press the dome switch mounted on the circuit portion of the personal mobile terminal. The actuator is lowered when pressing the button downward to press the dome switch. The driving unit may be formed of a transparent material or a translucent material.

In addition, the personal portable terminal of the present invention is a body portion with a built-in circuit portion, a plurality of buttons are integrally formed, the boundary portion of the button is recessed downward, the primary injection molded key button portion and the lower side An actuator for pressing the dome switch on the circuit portion is formed and includes a second injection molded drive portion to directly contact one side of the key button portion.

The key button portion may be formed of PC (polycarbonate), it may be formed of the rubber material. The key button unit and the driving unit may be formed of any one of a transparent or translucent material.

On the other hand, the bottom surface of the recessed portion of the key button portion is formed with a rib protruding downward, it is possible to prevent the other actuator is lowered interlocking when the actuator is lowered.

The button may be formed by printing letters, numbers or symbols, or may be formed as a hole through which the key button part penetrates. In this case, the hole may be formed in the shape of a letter, number or symbol.

In addition, a keypad manufacturing method for manufacturing a keypad including a key button portion having a plurality of buttons and a driving portion having an actuator positioned under the key button portion to press a dome switch mounted on a circuit portion, the method comprising: providing a fixed mold And providing a first moving mold to engage with the stationary mold to form the key button unit in which the button is integrally formed, and moving the first injection mold forming the key button unit to the stationary mold and first movement. Forming the key button part by a first injection molding by injection into a space between molds, recovering the first moving mold, and providing a second moving mold to be engaged with the fixed mold; The key is injected by injecting a second injection molding agent into a space between the received fixed mold and the second movable mold, and forming the drive part by a second injection molding. A method for producing a de, and recovering the second moving mold, and a step of taking out the key pad from the fixed mold.

A personal portable device of the present specification is a portable electric and electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), 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.

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.

First Example

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a personal portable terminal with a keypad of the present invention, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keypad of the present invention as a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the personal portable terminal 100 of the present invention includes a case unit 120, a circuit unit 110, and a keypad 200, and the keypad 200 includes a key button unit 210 and a driving unit ( 220).

The case part 120 is formed of an upper case 121 and a lower case 122, and stores the circuit part 110 therein to protect it from external impact or foreign matter. A display window 128 is formed at one side of the upper case 121, and a keypad hole 126 is formed at one side thereof so that one surface of the key button unit 210 is exposed to the outside.

In addition, the upper case 121 is formed with a microphone hole 125 and a speaker hole 123 to use a microphone and a speaker which is a transmission and reception device formed so that a user can make a call.

The circuit unit 110 may be equipped with various circuit elements, and a microphone and a speaker exposed to the outside through the microphone hole 125 and the speaker hole 123 may be mounted. The circuit unit 110 is fixed to the case unit 120 does not move.

The key button unit 210 includes a button 212, such as letters, numbers, or symbols, and a depression 214 recessed downward between the button 212 and another button 212 adjacent to the button 212. The driving unit 220 is located below the key button unit 210, the actuator 222 for driving when pressing the button 212 is formed on the lower surface. On the other hand, the circuit unit 110 further includes a dome sheet 130 equipped with a dome switch 132 capable of transmitting the pressing operation of the actuator 222 to the circuit unit 110, the dome sheet 130 ) Is electrically connected to the circuit unit 110. On the other hand, the dome sheet 130 is equipped with a light emitting device (not shown) such as an LED can provide light in the direction of the button 212, in particular the light emitting device is another dome adjacent to the dome switch 132 It may be located in a space between the switches 132.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a scene of pressing a button of the keypad.

As shown in the drawing, the keypad 200 of the present invention includes a key button unit 210 and a driving unit 220. The key button unit 210 is formed with a plurality of buttons 212 on one side, the plurality of buttons 212 is formed integrally. That is, the key button unit 210 is integrally formed by connecting the buttons 212 to each other through primary injection molding.

Meanwhile, a boundary portion between the plurality of buttons 212 and other buttons adjacent to each other may be recessed downward to form a depression 214.

The driving unit 220 is located at the lower side of the key button unit 210. In the present invention, the drive unit 220 is formed by injection molding to contact the lower surface of the key button unit 210.

The driver 220 has an actuator 222 protruding downward from the lower surface thereof, and the actuator 222 may press the dome switch 132 mounted on the dome sheet 130. The drive unit 220 is preferably formed of a rubber material, it is possible to use a urethane resin as the rubber material.

In the keypad 200 of the present invention, the actuator 222 may press the dome switch 132 downward by the force of the user pressing the button 212. At this time, by forming the driving unit 220 of a rubber material, it is possible to soften the feeling of pressing. In addition, although the plurality of buttons 212 are integrally formed due to the recess 214, the user may feel as if pressing a button formed separately.

In addition, the bottom of the recess 214 is formed with a rib 224 protruding downward, so that even if the user presses any button, the actuator is lowered, the other adjacent actuators do not operate. That is, between the actuator 222 formed below the button 212 and other actuators adjacent to each other, that is, the bottom surface of the recessed portion 214, a rib 224 extending downward is formed, and the actuator 222 is normally used. ) Is positioned above the dome switch 132 mounted on the dome sheet 130, and the rib 224 is also spaced apart from the upper surface of the dome sheet 130 by a predetermined distance.

However, when the button 212 is pressed, the actuator 222 formed below the pressed button 212 is also moved downward to press the dome switch 132. At this time, the rib 224 adjacent to the actuator 222 moving downward also moves downward to come into contact with the upper surface of the dome sheet 130 so that other actuators are linked to press the other dome switch. You can prevent it.

As a result, even if a plurality of buttons are integrally formed, only a button pressed by the user is not pressed and other buttons are not interlocked.

7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a keypad on which a light emitting element is formed. As shown in the figure, light may be emitted from the key button unit 210 in which the button 212 is formed. To this end, a light guide pattern 216 may be formed on the lower surface of the key button unit 210.

Light emitted from the light emitting device 112 positioned at the side of the key button unit 210 may be emitted to the upper surface of the keypad 200 by the light guide pattern 216.

In addition, the key button part may be formed of an EL sheet so that light of various colors and shapes may be realized, and only the button pressed by the user may be emitted.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a keypad manufacturing method of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the keypad of the present invention includes a key button part having a plurality of buttons and a driving part provided with an actuator positioned under the key button part to press the dome switch. The keypad may be manufactured by the following process. Can be.

First, as shown in Figure 9, to provide a fixed mold 310 to manufacture the key button portion (S100). The fixed mold 310 is formed with an inner side surface 312 corresponding to one side of the key button portion.

Next, a first moving mold is provided to be engaged with the fixed mold to form the key button unit in which the button is integrally formed (S200). 10 is a schematic view showing a scene in which the first moving mold 320 is engaged with the stationary mold 310, and one side of the first moving mold 320 corresponds to the depression of the key button portion. Side 322 is formed.

Next, the first injection molding agent forming the key button part is injected into the space between the stationary mold and the first moving mold to form the key button part by the first injection molding (S300). FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a first injection molding through the fixed mold and the first moving mold. The nozzle is positioned to engage the fixed mold 310 with the first moving mold 320. By injecting a first injection molding agent into the space between the fixed mold 310 to perform a first injection molding. The key button part 210 may be formed through the first injection molding.

As the first injection molding agent used in the present invention, polycarbonate (PC) may be used.

Next, the first moving mold is recovered and a second moving mold is provided to be engaged with the fixed mold (S400). 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a scene in which a second moving mold is provided after the first moving mold is recovered. When the molding of the key button unit 210 is completed through the first injection molding, the first moving mold 320 is completed. Recover. At this time, the key button unit 210 maintains the state in contact with the fixed mold 310 as it is. When the first moving mold 320 is recovered, the second moving mold 330 having an inner side surface 332 of a shape corresponding to one side of the driving unit 220 is provided.

On the other hand, a light guide pattern is formed on one surface of the key button portion 210 corresponding to the fixed mold 310 so that light can be emitted through the other surface of the key button portion 210.

Next, a second injection molding is performed to inject a second injection molding agent into a space between the fixed mold contacting one side and the key button portion formed by the first injection molding and the second moving mold to form a driving unit. (S500). FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a second injection molding scene through a fixed mold and a second moving mold engaged with the fixed mold, and the fixed mold 310 in which the key button part 210 formed through the first injection molding is accommodated. The second injection molding is performed by injecting a second injection molding into the space between the second moving mold 330. Through the second injection molding, the driving unit 220, that is, the actuator 222 and the rib 224 protrude from the bottom surface of the key button unit 210.

The second injection molding agent used in the present invention preferably uses a rubber material. As the rubber material, a urethane resin may be used.

Next, the second moving mold is recovered and the keypad is taken out from the fixed mold (S600). 14 is a schematic view showing a keypad manufactured by the second injection molding, wherein the keypad having the driving unit 220 contacted through the second injection molding on the lower surface of the key button part 210 formed through the first injection molding. 200 is formed. Thereafter, the taken out keypad can perform a finishing operation of cutting unnecessary portions generated during injection molding.

On the other hand, the keypad after the finishing work can form a button on the upper surface through the coating work. That is, the primary coating agent is applied to the upper surface of the keypad, and then the primary coating agent is etched using a letter, number or symbol shape as a laser. Thereafter, the second coating may be applied onto the etched first coating to form a button. Urethane may be used as the first coating agent, and as the second coating agent, an ultraviolet (UV) blocking coating agent may be used.

2nd Example

Fig. 15 is a partial sectional view showing a keypad of the present invention as a second embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the keypad 500 of the present invention may be formed only through the first and second injection molding processes without forming a button through a separate coating agent etching. That is, as in the first embodiment, the first injection molding is performed, but a predetermined protrusion is formed inside the fixed mold (not shown), and the hole 512 of the key button part 510 is formed in letters, numbers, or the like. It can be shaped like a symbol. In other words, a part of the upper surface of the driving unit is exposed to the outside through the hole 512 so that the user can recognize it as a button. The lower surface of the key button unit 510 is formed in contact with the driving unit 520, the actuator 522 and the rib 524, etc., the actuator 522 is a dome switch 432 formed on the dome sheet 430 ) Will be pressed.

By configuring in this way, it is possible to manufacture a keypad in which a plurality of buttons are formed integrally, so that the manufacturing step is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition, the keypad can be manufactured in various designs to give the user an aesthetic sense.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the key button portion having the button and the driving portion formed with the actuator can be manufactured by double injection molding, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost.

In addition, since a plurality of buttons are integrally formed, the gap between the case part and the button is minimized, thereby preventing foreign matters such as dust or moisture from entering into the terminal, thereby maintaining performance and reducing troubles such as short circuits. It works.

In addition, a rib having a protrusion shape is formed between the button and the button, and when an arbitrary button is pressed, another adjacent button is prevented from being pressed, thereby allowing the user to input only a desired button signal.

In addition, a plurality of buttons are integrally formed by recessing the boundary between the button and the button, but there is an effect of implementing the same pressing feel as when using a separately formed button.

In addition, the light guide pattern is formed on the lower surface of the key button portion on which the button is formed, so that light of various colors is emitted through the upper surface of the key button portion when the button is pressed.

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 (27)

In the keypad for pressing the dome switch on the circuit portion, A plurality of buttons are integrally formed, the boundary portion of the buttons are formed recessed downward, the key button portion of which one surface is exposed to the outside entirely by the keypad hole formed in the case; A light guide pattern formed on a lower surface of the key button part and scattering light provided from the light emitting device to the key button part; And An actuator configured to pressurize the dome switch and formed to contact the key button unit; The keypad includes a through-hole formed in the form of letters, numbers or symbols, and the light emitted by the light guide pattern is provided to the outside through the hole. The method of claim 1, The key button portion is formed by the primary injection molding, the drive unit is characterized in that the secondary injection molding. The method of claim 1, The key button portion keypad, characterized in that formed of polycarbonate (PC: polycarbonate) material. The method of claim 1, A rib protruding downward is formed at the lower side of the recessed portion of the key button unit, and when the actuator descends, another actuator adjacent to the keypad is interlocked to lower the interlock. The method of claim 1, The key button portion keypad, characterized in that formed of a transparent or translucent material. delete delete delete The method of claim 1, Keypad, characterized in that the drive unit is formed of a rubber material. The method according to claim 1 or 9, The driving unit keypad, characterized in that formed of any one of a transparent or translucent material. A keypad hole is formed and a case part forming an appearance; A circuit part embedded in the case part; A plurality of buttons are integrally formed, the button portion of the button portion is formed recessed downward, the key button portion is exposed to the outside of the entire surface by the keypad hole; A light guide pattern formed on a lower surface of the key button part and scattering light provided from the light emitting device to the key button part; And A driving unit formed such that an actuator for pressing the dome switch on the circuit unit contacts the lower surface of the key button unit; Includes, the button is formed with a hole (hole) penetrating in the form of letters, numbers or symbols, the light emitted by the light guide pattern is provided to the outside through the hole. The method of claim 11, The key button portion is primary injection molding, the drive unit is a personal portable terminal, characterized in that the secondary injection molding. The method of claim 11, The key button portion is a personal portable terminal, characterized in that formed of polycarbonate (PC: polycarbonate) material. The method of claim 11, The driving unit is a personal portable terminal, characterized in that formed of a rubber material. The method of claim 11, The lower surface of the recessed portion of the key button portion personal portable terminal, characterized in that a rib protruding downward to prevent the other actuator is lowered in linkage when the actuator is lowered. The method of claim 11, The key button unit and the driving unit personal portable terminal, characterized in that formed of a transparent or translucent material. delete delete In the keypad manufacturing method for manufacturing a keypad consisting of a key button portion formed with a plurality of buttons and a drive unit having an actuator located under the key button portion to press the dome switch mounted on the circuit portion, Providing a stationary mold; Providing a first moving mold to engage with the stationary mold to form the key button portion in which the button is integrally formed; The first injection molding agent forming the key button portion is injected into the space between the stationary mold and the first movable mold to form the key button portion in the first injection molding, wherein the button penetrates in the form of letters, numbers or symbols. Allowing holes to be formed; Recovering the first moving mold and providing a second moving mold with the fixed mold; Manufacturing a keypad by injecting a second injection molding agent into a space between the fixed mold containing the key button part and the second moving mold and forming the driving part by a second injection molding; Recovering the second moving mold; Taking out the keypad from the fixed mold; And Forming a light guide pattern on a lower surface of the key button unit; Includes, the light emitted by the light guide pattern is provided to the outside through the hole, the keypad portion, the keypad manufacturing method, characterized in that one surface of the entire surface is exposed to the outside. The method of claim 19, The first injection molding agent is a keypad manufacturing method, characterized in that the polycarbonate (PC: polycarbonate) material. The method of claim 19, The second injection molding agent is a keypad manufacturing method, characterized in that the rubber. The method of claim 19, And refining the taken out keypad after taking out the keypad. The method of claim 22, Trimming the taken out keypad Applying a first coating on an upper surface of the keypad; Etching the first coating to form the button; And Applying a second coating agent to the etched first coating agent; Keypad manufacturing method characterized in that it further comprises a step. delete The method of claim 23, wherein The second coating agent is a keypad manufacturing method, characterized in that the ultraviolet (UV) blocking coating agent. delete delete

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