KR100907426B1 - Keypad for mobile terminal and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention can simplify the manufacturing process by forming keys and bosses integrally using UV-curable liquid resins on the upper and lower surfaces of a single key sheet, and at the same time improve the adhesive reliability between the keys and bosses, as well as reducing the thickness and thickness. The present invention relates to a keypad for a portable terminal and a method of manufacturing the same, which can greatly improve assembly and productivity.

Key sheet, UV curable liquid resin, keypad, key, boss, font, micro projection, micro iron

Description

KEYPAD FOR PORTABLE APPLIANCE AND THEREOF MANUFACTURING METHOD}

The present invention relates to a keypad for a portable terminal and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, a keypad for a portable terminal maximizing productivity and assemblability while realizing light and small size by combining a single key sheet and a UV curable liquid resin. It relates to a manufacturing method.

In general, a keypad for a portable terminal is applied to a portable terminal including a home telephone, a PDA, a cellular phone, and the like, and is used as a switching member for generating a signal in conjunction with a circuit board.

For convenience, the keypad for a mobile terminal introduced below will be described as a keypad for a cellular phone as an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the description of the conventional prior art to be described later is also to be understood from the extension of the keypad.

1 to 5 are diagrams illustrating a process of manufacturing a first layer according to an embodiment of a screen printing method according to a prior application (10-2004-0024160), which may be applied to a kind of keypad for a mobile terminal, which will be described later. It will be described as it is.

The first application first forms the first layer as shown in FIG.

That is, the mold is processed according to the three-dimensional shape of the preset design, as shown in Figure 1, the mold 10 is configured in the form grooved inward, the groove (() according to the shape of the image to be projected ( 11) to form and process (step a).

UV curable liquid resin 30 is introduced into the recess groove 11 formed in the mold 10 (step b). Liquid resin injection method may use a jig 20 formed as shown in the reference numeral 20 of FIG.

That is, the UV-curable liquid resin 30 is buried in the protruding portion of the jig 20 and the liquid resin 30 is transferred to the yaw groove 11 so that the liquid resin 30 is the recess 11 as shown in FIG. 2. To be put into. Instead of the jig, the liquid resin 30 may be introduced into the yaw groove 11 using a quantitative discharger (not shown).

When the liquid resin is injected as shown in FIG. 2, since the surface is uneven by the UV-curable liquid resin 30 injected above the recess 11 of the mold 10, the upper surface of the mold 10 is screen printed. As shown in FIG. 3, the UV-curable liquid resin 30 is evenly applied.

The surface is heated to a temperature of 50 ° C. to 80 ° C. in order to remove bubbles incorporated in the applied liquid resin 30 (step c). The bubbles mixed in the UV-curable liquid resin 30 are removed by heating to maintain an even plane.

After heating, cover the polyester film 40 on the bubble-free surface as shown in FIG. 4 and close the bubbles by using a roller or a knife, and irradiate ultraviolet rays (ULTRA_VIOLET) to cure the liquid resin 30. (step d).

After the polyester film is brought into close contact with the UV curable liquid resin, the liquid resin is cured even when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the polyester film 40 and the resin layer are more strongly bonded by the curing.

Strongly bonding the polyester film 40 and the resin layer as described above, and then print the image using the ink 50 of the desired color by screen printing method on the surface of the polyester film 40 as shown in FIG. After drying for a time, the adhesive 60 is applied and dried (step e).

6 is a view showing the bonding of the first layer and the second layer, Figure 7 is a view showing a state in which the mold is removed from the first layer, Figure 8 is a three-dimensional printed matter produced in accordance with the above embodiment The figure shown.

6 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a first layer and a second layer. As shown in the drawing, a process of steps a) to d) is performed to inject a liquid resin 30 'onto a mold (not shown in the drawing), and then a second layer is formed by bonding the polyester film 40' ( step f).

After removing the mold from the second layer, it is combined with the first layer shown in FIG. 5 (step g).

After bonding the first layer and the second layer printed with the ink 50 to each other, and cutting by a press working method using a mold or the like according to the designed shape to complete a printed material having a three-dimensional shape (step h).

By the way, the first application consists of a configuration and a method for separately bonding the first layer and the second layer to each other as the adhesive 60, the overall thickness is bound to be thick, in particular, there is a limit to the adhesion reliability, manufacturing cost is also weighted Not only do they significantly reduce productivity, but the assembly process also has to go through a complicated process of several stages, which causes many difficulties in practical use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a keypad for a portable terminal and a method for manufacturing the same, which can maximize productivity and assembly while realizing light and small size by combining a single key sheet and a UV curable liquid resin in an optimal configuration and process. .

Method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

(S1) a step of filling a UV curable liquid resin on the surface of the key mold and the key groove,

(S2) curing the UV curable liquid resin with a trademark surface layer and a key by irradiating UV while pressing the key sheet onto the key mold;

(S3) step of filling the UV curable liquid resin on the surface and boss groove of the base mold,

(S4) a step of curing the UV curable liquid resin with a lower surface layer and a boss by irradiating UV while inverting the key sheet and pressing the base sheet on the base mold;

(S5) A basic feature of the technical method is to include a step of providing a font on the surface of the key.

Method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

(S10) step of filling the UV curable liquid resin on the surface and key groove of the key mold,

(S20) curing the UV curable liquid resin with a trademark surface layer and a key by irradiating UV while pressing the key sheet onto the key mold;

(S30) providing a font on a lower surface of the key sheet,

(S40) step of filling the UV curable liquid resin on the surface and boss groove of the transparent base mold,

(S50) It comprises the step of inverting the key sheet and pressed onto the transparent base mold while irradiating UV to cure the UV curable liquid resin into a lower surface layer and a boss.

Keypad for a mobile terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

With a single key sheet,

A label surface layer and a key made of a UV curable liquid resin cured on the key sheet;

A lower surface layer and a boss of a UV curable liquid resin cured under the key sheet;

It is the basic feature in the technical structure which includes the font provided in the surface of the said key.

Keypad for a mobile terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

With a single key sheet,

A label surface layer and a key made of a UV curable liquid resin cured on the key sheet;

A font provided on a lower surface of the key sheet,

The lower surface layer and the boss made of a UV curable liquid resin cured under the font are characterized by the following technical features.

The present invention utilizes UV-curable liquid resins on the upper and lower surfaces of a single key sheet to form keys and bosses integrally, and at the same time, provides a label surface layer and a lower surface layer to simplify the manufacturing process and at the same time bond reliability between keys and bosses. (The key is integrally adhered to the key sheet together with the upper surface layer, and the boss is integrally adhered to the key sheet together with the lower surface layer, so that the reliability is greatly improved). There is a noticeable effect that can greatly enhance the.

Also, by applying the fine iron to the key groove of the key mold, it is possible to implement the micro fine protrusions on the surface of the key or by applying the other fine iron to the trademark surface layer around the key groove of the key mold to implement the other fine protrusions around the key. And there is a remarkable effect that can feel the difference to the sense of time.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a keypad for a portable terminal and a method of manufacturing the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating a method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views illustrating a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the method for manufacturing a keypad for a portable terminal according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9A or 9B, first, the surface of the key mold G1 and the key groove KH are filled with a UV curable liquid resin UL (S1).

The key groove (KH) is for making the key 20 protruding on the keypad 50 is made of concave grooves of various shapes and can be provided with a pole roughening (KH1) as shown in Figure 9a, this pole By the KH1, it is possible to give the coarse micro-fine projection 21 to the surface of the key 20, so that the portion with the key 20 on the keypad 50 and the portion without the key 20 are present. It is possible to differentiate the touch and gloss of the touch.

Conversely, the key pole KH1 provided to the key groove KH of the key mold G1 is omitted, and rather, the key pole KH2 is applied to the surface around the key groove KH as shown in FIG. 9B. When the other microfine projections 51 are formed on the trademark surface layer SP of 50, the phenomena of the touch and gloss of the keypad 50 can be expected.

UV curable liquid resin (UL) is a liquid in normal storage condition and hardens when exposed to ultraviolet rays to show strong adhesion. UV polymerizable oligomers (epoxy, polyester, urethane, etc.), reactive diluents (acrylic monomer), etc. It can be made of a mixture of a catalyst and the like, is organic, no pollution, it is possible to cure and adhesion for a short time, it is particularly easy for adhesion of synthetic resins, such as low temperature curing type weak heat resistance. And since UV (Ultra-Violet) should be irradiated, the adherend (key sheet 10) should be transparent.

Among the characteristics of the UV curable liquid resin (UL), the condition that the adherend should be transparent becomes a source for understanding the limitations and disadvantages of the prior application.

That is, the conventional prior application imparts ink 50 to the first layer and eventually transforms it into opaque rather than transparent. Accordingly, it is impossible to irradiate UV, so that the second layer has no choice but to produce a second layer separately. The process and structure for adhering the second layer as the mutual adhesive 60 is required, resulting in manufacturing difficulties and structural limitations (thickness rise and adhesion reliability deterioration).

On the contrary, the present invention intends to realize the thin and light reduction by actively utilizing the condition that the adherend should be transparent among the characteristics of the UV curable liquid resin (UL).

More specifically, the present invention after filling the UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the surface of the key mold (G1) and the key groove (KH) (S1), while pressing the key sheet 10 on the key mold (G1) Irradiation is made to cure the UV curable liquid resin (UL) as the trademark surface layer (SP) and the key 20 (S2).

The key sheet 10 may be composed of PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) or PC (PolyCabonate), whereby UV penetrates the key sheet 10 made of PET or PC to cure and adhere a UV curable liquid resin (UL). Let's go.

Subsequently, the surface of the base mold G2 and the boss groove BH are filled with the UV curable liquid resin UL (S3), and the key sheet 10 is removed from the key mold G1 and turned upside down at the same time. UV irradiation while pressing on the) to cure the UV curable liquid resin (UL) to the lower surface layer (HP) and the boss 30 (S4).

In this way, the key 20 and the boss 30 are integrally formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the single key sheet 10 to further simplify the manufacturing process, and also ensure the adhesive reliability of the key 20 and the boss 30. It is possible to ensure that the assembly and to further improve the assembly and productivity.
That is, the key 20 is integrally bonded to the key sheet 10 together with the trademark surface layer SP, and the boss 30 is integrally bonded to the key sheet 10 together with the lower surface layer HP. It is possible to greatly improve the adhesion reliability between the key 20 and the boss 30 with the sheet 10 interposed therebetween.
In addition, the upper and lower portions of the key sheet 10 may be covered with the trademark surface layer SP and the lower surface layer HP, thereby maintaining the overall shape of the keypad 50 for the mobile terminal through the elasticity of the key sheet 10 itself. Not only it is easy to do it, but also the click feeling can be improved when the key 20 is operated, and the scratch surface caused by external contact when using a mobile phone can be remarkably reduced by the trademark surface layer SP. The surface layer HP can significantly reduce the lifting or separation of the key 20 and the boss 30.

Further, by providing the font 40 on the surface of the key 20 (S5) it is possible to finally complete the keypad 50.

Font 40 may be given to the surface of the key 20 by the usual color coating (for example, screen printing or pad printing), deposition, transfer, plating, etc. containing ink or pigment, and the reliability as needed Of course, it is possible to add a clear coating layer (transparent coating layer; not shown) to protect the font 40 itself while improving the.

According to the above process, the present invention is a single key sheet 10, as shown in Figure 10a and 10b, a label surface layer (SP) and the key made of a UV curable liquid resin (UL) cured on the key sheet 10 (20), the lower surface layer (HP) and boss (30) made of UV curable liquid resin (UL) cured under the key sheet (10), and the light and small size such as font (40) provided on the surface of the key (20). It is possible to complete the keypad 50 for the portable terminal of the mobile terminal, and also the microfine projection 21 or the other microfine projection 51 is applied to the surface of the key 20 or the trademark surface layer SP around the key 10. It will be able to exhibit a differentiated touch gloss and taste.

11A and 11B are process diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views illustrating a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Portions overlapping with the first embodiment in the description of the keypad for a mobile terminal and a method of manufacturing the same according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be omitted for convenience in order to avoid the complexity.

In the method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the UV-curable liquid resin UL is filled on the surface of the key mold G1 and the key groove KH (S10). After irradiating UV while pressing the key sheet 10 on the key mold G1, the UV curable liquid resin (UL) is cured with the trademark surface layer SP and the key 20 (S20), and then the key sheet 10 In step S30, the font 40 is provided on the bottom surface.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the ultra fine protrusions KH1 are applied to the key grooves KH of the key mold G1 so that the micro-fine protrusions 21 may be implemented on the surface of the key 20, and the font 40 may be implemented. ) May be implemented by conventional color coating (eg, screen printing or pad printing), deposition, transfer, plating, etc., including ink or pigment directly on the bottom surface of the key sheet 10.

Conversely, the key pole KH1 provided to the key groove KH of the key mold G1 is omitted, and rather, the key pole KH2 is applied to the surface around the key groove KH as shown in FIG. 11B. When the other microfine projections 51 are formed on the trademark surface layer SP of 50, the phenomena of the touch and gloss of the keypad 50 can be expected.

Subsequently, the UV curable liquid resin UL is filled on the surface of the transparent base mold G2 and the boss groove BH (S40), and the key sheet 10 is removed from the key mold G1 and turned upside down, thereby inverting the transparent base mold. While irradiating UV on the G2, the UV curable liquid resin (UL) is cured and formed on the lower surface layer (HP) and the boss 30 (S50) to finally complete the keypad 50.

In consideration of the fact that the font 40 is directly applied to the lower surface of the key sheet 10 to be transformed into opaque, the transparent base mold G2 can be utilized to eliminate trial and error for UV irradiation. (G2) is preferably made of glass or acrylic.

According to the above process, the present invention is a single key sheet 10, as shown in Figure 12a or 12b, a label surface layer (SP) and the key of the UV curable liquid resin (UL) cured on the key sheet 10 (20), the lower surface layer (HP) and the boss (30) of the lower surface layer (HP) and the boss (30) of the font 40 provided on the lower surface of the key sheet 10 and the UV curable liquid resin (UL) cured under the font 40. It is possible to complete the keypad 50 for the mobile terminal, and also the microfine projection 21 or other microfine projection 51 is provided on the surface of the key 20 or the trademark surface layer SP of the key 10 to differentiate. It is possible to obtain a finished feel gloss and taste.

13 is a structural diagram showing a state in which a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the keypad 50 for a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the key 20 in the front housing F is pressed as shown in FIG. 13, the boss 30 has a dome between the spacers S. When the contact with the switch (D) is in contact with the contact (H1) formed on the circuit board (H) to generate a signal, and after the signal is released, the dome switch (D) itself is released from the depressed key (20) Due to the elasticity, it is possible to quickly return to the original position and complete the operation of the mobile terminal (at this time, reference numeral L denotes an LED for backlighting, and the EL organic material can be directly applied to the other keypad 50 itself. In addition, the key sheet 10 itself may be used as a light guide plate, of course).

Meanwhile, a process of applying heat or effectively cutting the key sheet 10 to remove bubbles in the UV curable liquid resin (UL) may be applied and applied as necessary at the level of those skilled in the art.

The present invention can be used in the keypad of the portable terminal that can maximize productivity and assembly while realizing light and small size by combining a single key sheet and a UV curable liquid resin in an optimal process and configuration.

1 to 5 are views illustrating a process of manufacturing a first layer according to an embodiment of a screen printing method according to a prior application.

6 is a view showing a junction of the first layer and the second layer.

7 is a view showing a state in which the mold is removed from the first layer.

8 is a view showing a three-dimensional printed matter produced in accordance with the above embodiment.

9A and 9B are flowcharts illustrating a method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

10A and 10B are sectional views showing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are flowcharts illustrating a method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

12A and 12B are sectional views showing a keypad for a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a structural diagram showing how a keypad for a portable terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied; FIG.

       Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: key sheet 20: key

21: microfiber 30: boss

40: Font 50: Keypad

51: other microfine G1: key mold

KH: Keyway KH1: Extreme iron

KH2: Other extreme iron UL: UV curable liquid resin

G2: Base Mold BH: Boss Groove

F: front housing S: spacer

D: Dome Switch H: Circuit Board

H1: Contact L: LED

Claims (9)

(S1) a step of filling the UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the surface of the key mold (G1) and the key groove (KH), (S2) curing the UV curable liquid resin (UL) with a trademark surface layer (SP) and a key (20) by pressing UV while pressing the key sheet (10) on the key mold (G1); (S3) Step of filling the UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the surface of the base mold (G2) and boss groove (BH), (S4) the step of curing the UV curable liquid resin (UL) with the lower surface layer (HP) and the boss 30 by irradiating UV while inverting the key sheet 10 and pressing the base sheet G2 onto the base mold G2; (S5) A method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal, comprising the step of providing a font (40) on the surface of the key (20). (S10) a step of filling the UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the surface of the key mold (G1) and the key groove (KH), (S20) curing the UV curable liquid resin (UL) with a trademark surface layer (SP) and a key (20) by pressing UV while pressing the key sheet (10) on the key mold (G1), (S30) providing a font 40 on the lower surface of the key sheet 10, (S40) step of filling the UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the surface and boss groove (BH) of the transparent base mold (G2), (S50) inverting the key sheet 10 and pressing onto the transparent base mold G2 to irradiate UV to cure the UV curable liquid resin UL to a lower surface layer HP and a boss 30. Method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal, characterized in that made. The method of claim 2, The transparent base mold (G2) is a keypad manufacturing method for a mobile terminal, characterized in that made of glass or acrylic. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The key groove (KH) of the key mold (G1) is a keypad manufacturing method for a mobile terminal, characterized in that it is provided with extreme iron (KH1). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Method for manufacturing a keypad for a mobile terminal, characterized in that to give the other extreme iron (KH2) to the surface around the key groove (KH) of the key mold (B1). With a single key sheet 10, Trademark surface layer (SP) and the key 20 cured with UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the key sheet 10, A lower surface layer (HP) and a boss (30) cured with a UV curable liquid resin (UL) under the key sheet 10, Keypad 50 for a mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a font (40) provided on the surface of the key (20). With a single key sheet 10, Trademark surface layer (SP) and the key 20 cured with UV curable liquid resin (UL) on the key sheet 10, Font 40 provided on the lower surface of the key sheet 10, A keypad 50 for a mobile terminal, comprising a lower surface layer (HP) and a boss (30) cured with a UV curable liquid resin (UL) under the font (40). The method according to claim 6 or 7, Keypad 50 for a mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a micro-fine projection (21) provided on the surface of the key (20). The method according to claim 6 or 7, Keypad for a portable terminal, characterized in that it comprises another micro-fine projection (51) attached to the label surface layer (SP) around the key (20).

Images