KR20230095530A - Method and IML injection molding device for manufacturing touch device having 3D curved surface - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a touch input device with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape is a method for manufacturing a touch input device including a touch pad substrate with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and a body part formed below the touch pad substrate. The method may comprise: a touch pad substrate preparation step of preparing a flat touch pad substrate with a touch input function; a three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step of thermoforming the flat touch pad substrate into the touch pad substrate with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape; and an IML injection molding step of forming the body part below the touch pad substrate by performing In-Molded Label (IML) injection molding on the touch pad substrate with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape. The IML injection molding step may comprise: a touch pad substrate seating step of seating the touch pad substrate with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape on an intaglio forming part of a lower mold corresponding to the three-dimensional free curved surface shape; a touch pad substrate bonding step of bonding the touch pad substrate seated on the intaglio forming part to the intaglio forming part; a space forming step of moving an upper mold on top of the lower mold and forming a space for forming the body part between the touch pad substrate bonded to the intaglio forming part and the upper mold; and injecting and curing a resin for IML injection molding into the space through an injection hole formed in the upper mold. According to the present invention, an IME device with a three-dimensional free curved surface shape capable of ensuring high reliability can be manufactured.

Description

Method and IML injection molding device for manufacturing a touch input device having a 3D free curved surface shape {Method and IML injection molding device for manufacturing touch device having 3D curved surface}

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and an IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing, and more particularly, to a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape using a high-hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more. It relates to a manufacturing method, and an IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing the touch input device.

In general, in-mold is a process in which a printed film, etc. is put into a mold and various patterns, logos, etc. are integrally coated on the surface at the same time as resin molding. It is applied to complex shapes or to containers with complicated printing and graphic specifications.

This in-mold technique is widely used in washing machines, air conditioners, microwave ovens, various panels, etc., and IML (In-Mold Labeling) film is used as an exterior material for mobile devices, depending on the thickness of the film and the required surface hardness. It is widely used because it can be molded from simple shapes to complex 3D shapes as well as automobile interior materials. In addition, IMT (In-Mold Transcription) film directly molds or prints various three-dimensional patterns on PET film for transfer by UV molding method Later, various design effects can be realized by injection molding using an in-mold mold.

On the other hand, IMD (Im-Mold Decoration) molding is mainly used as a film processing method for automobile interior materials. IMD molding is a method in which a release layer-coated film or sheet is printed to produce a Deco film and then injection molded so that only the printed layer is transferred to an injection mold while the release film remains.

In recent years, IML (Im-Molding Labeling) molding of a function-integrated display unit for a vehicle interior is increasing. IML molding is a method of manufacturing a Deco film by coating and printing on a film/sheet, thermoforming and trimming the Deco film, attaching the thermoformed product to an injection mold, and then performing an injection process.

However, the current IML molding substrate applies a 2H level hard coating to PC/PMMA 2-layer and is only about bending the edge part. In the future, seamless type module integration is progressing for electrical parts, but glass must be replaced for safety reasons, and materials capable of 3-dimensional molding with high hardness are required.

In addition, IME (Im-Molding Electronics) is the same concept as IML, but IML molding of electronics such as touch sensors. It is a method of making injection molded products by inserting films/sheets of electronic functions such as touch sensors instead of decorative films.

IME devices are being researched and developed by automobile and parts makers as a means to provide consumers with a curved surface-oriented emotional design and user-friendly interface. It is expected.

Recently, a material capable of forming various designs of free curved surfaces is required, and in particular, high reliability such as high hardness and scratch resistance is required in the case of a touch sensor that needs to be touched by a lot of people.

However, the current IML forming method has a problem in that the diversity of the design is limited because it is a method of bending only the edge portion.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, and provides a method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape using a high-hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a touch input device in which a touchpad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface is injected by IML (In-Mold Labeling).

In addition, the present invention can provide consumers with an emotional design centered on curved surfaces and a user-friendly interface, can secure high reliability such as high hardness and scratch resistance, and a three-dimensional free curved surface shape capable of designing in various shapes. Provided is a touch input device manufacturing method capable of manufacturing an IME device having.

A method for manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and a body portion formed under the touch pad substrate. In the method, the touch pad substrate preparation step of preparing a flat touch pad substrate having a touch input function; a three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step of thermally forming the flat touch pad substrate into a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape; and an In-Molded Label (IML) injection molding of the touch pad substrate having the three-dimensional free curved surface shape to form the body portion under the touch pad substrate. In the IML injection molding step, A touch pad substrate mounting step of seating the touch pad substrate having the three-dimensional free curved surface to the negative portion of a lower mold having a negative upper portion corresponding to the three-dimensional free curved surface shape, and Bonding the touch pad substrate to the intaglio-shaped portion, and moving the upper mold on top of the lower mold to form the body portion between the touch pad substrate bonded to the intaglio-shaped portion and the upper mold It may include a space formation step of forming a space to be processed, and a curing step of injecting and curing a resin for IML injection molding into the space through an injection hole formed in the upper mold.

In addition, in the method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum device is provided below the lower mold, and when the vacuum device is operated, the air above the intaglio portion is A vacuum hole penetrating in the direction of the vacuum device is formed in the intaglio portion to be sucked in the direction of the vacuum device, and in the step of bonding the touch pad substrate, the touch pad substrate is closely bonded to the intaglio portion by operating the vacuum device. can make it

In addition, in the method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the step of preparing the touch pad substrate, an electronic component including a touch sensor is placed on one surface of a high hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more. A touch pad substrate in a flat state can be prepared by attaching a touch pad having a touch pad.

In addition, in the method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step raises the flat touch pad substrate to a predetermined temperature or more, and then Pressing a thermoforming mold having a pressing surface corresponding to a dimensional free curved surface shape to the touch pad substrate in a flat state may be included.

On the other hand, an IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and a body portion formed under the touch pad substrate. An IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing an input device, comprising: a lower mold provided with an intaglio of the three-dimensional free curved surface; an upper mold forming a space for forming the body between the lower mold and having an inlet through which a resin for IML injection molding is injected into the space; and a vacuum device provided under the lower mold, wherein the vacuum hole passes through the intaglio portion in the direction of the vacuum device so that the air above the intaglio portion is sucked in the direction of the vacuum device when the vacuum device is operated. can be formed.

According to the method for manufacturing a touch input device and the IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention having the configuration as described above, a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape using a high hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more. can be manufactured.

In addition, according to the touch input device manufacturing method and IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention, IML (In-Mold Labeling) injection molding of a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape is performed by IME (Im-Molding) Electronics) device can be manufactured.

In addition, according to the touch input device manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture an IME device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape capable of providing consumers with a curved surface-oriented emotional design and a user-friendly interface.

In addition, according to the method for manufacturing a touch input device and the IML injection molding device for manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention, an IME device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape capable of securing high reliability such as high hardness and scratch resistance is manufactured. can do.

In addition, according to the touch input device manufacturing method and IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing according to an embodiment of the present invention, IME having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape capable of designing various shapes by performing IML injection molding after various thermoforming of a three-dimensional shape device can be manufactured.

The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims and detailed description. You will be able to.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a view schematically showing a state of thermoforming a touch pad substrate in a flat state;
4 is a diagram schematically showing a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape;
5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface is closely bonded to a lower mold for IML injection molding;
6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of IML injection molding of a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer (film), region, pattern, or structure may be modified or exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited by the relative size or thickness shown in the accompanying drawings.

Meanwhile, each embodiment may be implemented independently or together, and some components may be excluded in accordance with the purpose of the invention.

In addition, directional terms such as 'upper', 'lower', 'upper', 'lower', 'one', 'the other', 'upper', 'bottom', 'upper', 'lower', etc. refer to the orientation of the disclosed drawings. may be used in connection with As components of embodiments of the present invention may be positioned in a variety of orientations, directional terms are used for purposes of illustration and not limitation.

In addition, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited to the above terms and may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch input device 10 having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch pad substrate 20 having a touch input function and a lower portion of the touch pad substrate 20. It may include the body part 30 formed by Im-Molding Labeling (IML) injection.

The touch pad substrate 20 may include a substrate 23 and a touch pad 25 attached to one surface of the base substrate 23 .

The substrate 23 may be a high-hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more, and the touch pad 25 is a component that allows the touch pad substrate 20 to perform a touch input function, such as a touch sensor. May contain electronics.

In addition, the touch pad substrate 20 may have a three-dimensional free curved surface, and the body portion 30 is IML injection molded after the touch pad substrate 20 is thermally molded into a three-dimensional free curved surface shape. It can be formed by molding.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a touch input device 10 having a three-dimensional free-curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention having the configuration described above will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a flat touchpad substrate is thermoformed, and FIG. is a diagram schematically showing a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape, and FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape is closely bonded to a lower mold for IML injection molding, 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state of IML injection molding of a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape.

First, referring to FIG. 2 , the manufacturing method (S10) of a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch pad substrate preparation step (S20), and a three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step ( S30), and IML (In-Molding Labeling) injection molding step (S40).

The touch pad substrate preparation step (S20) is a step of preparing the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state having a touch input function.

The touch pad substrate preparation step (S20) is a step of preparing a touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state to which the touch pad 25 is attached and coupled to one surface of the substrate 23, and the touch pad is attached to the substrate 20. By attaching and coupling 25, the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state can be prepared.

Here, the substrate 23 may be a high-hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more, and the touch pad 25 may include electronic components such as a touch sensor to perform a touch input function. .

For example, in the step of preparing the touch pad substrate (S20), a touch pad 25 having an electronic component including a touch sensor is attached to one surface of a high hardness substrate 23 having a pencil hardness of 3H or more, so that the touch pad is in a flat state. A substrate 27 can be provided.

The 3D free curved surface thermoforming step (S30) is a step of thermoforming the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state into a touch pad substrate 20 having a 3D free curved surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step (S30) may be performed by pressing a thermoforming mold 33 in a high-temperature atmosphere capable of thermoforming the flat touch pad substrate 27. there is.

Here, the pressing surface 34 of the thermoforming mold 33 may have the three-dimensional free curved shape of the relief.

For example, in the 3D free curved surface thermoforming step (S30), the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state is raised to a predetermined temperature or higher and then has a pressing surface 34 corresponding to the 3D free curved surface shape. A step of pressing the thermoforming mold 33 to the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state may be included.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4 , the touch pad substrate 27 in a flat state may be formed into a touch pad substrate 20 having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape.

In the IML injection molding step (S40), the touch pad substrate 20 having the three-dimensional free-curved surface shape is IML injection molded to form the lower portion of the touch pad substrate 20, that is, the lower portion of the touch pad 25 ( 30) is the step of forming.

The IML injection molding step (S40) may be performed using the IML injection molding apparatus 40 for manufacturing the touch input device 10.

5 and 6, the IML injection molding apparatus 40 is formed between a lower mold 43 provided with the intaglio portion 42 of the three-dimensional free curved surface shape and the lower mold 43. An upper mold 45 forming a space 44 for forming the body portion 30 and a vacuum device 46 provided under the lower mold 43 may be included.

In addition, a vacuum hole 47 penetrating the lower mold 43 from the intaglio portion 42 may be formed in the lower mold 43 .

Then, when the vacuum device 46 is operated, a flow of air existing on the upper portion of the intaglio portion 42 is sucked into the vacuum hole 47, and thus the touch pad substrate 20 When seated on the negative shaped portion 42, the touch pad substrate 20 can be closely adhered to the negative shaped portion 42, thereby improving the quality of the body portion 30 by IML injection molding. can

That is, when the vacuum device 46 is operated, the intaglio portion 42 penetrates in the direction of the vacuum device 46 so that the air above the intaglio portion 42 is sucked in the direction of the vacuum device 46. A vacuum hole 47 may be formed.

In addition, an injection port 48 through which resin for IML injection is supplied to the space 44 may be formed in the upper mold 45 .

That is, the IML injection molding apparatus 40 for manufacturing the touch input device 10 is formed between the lower mold 43 provided with the three-dimensional free curved surface-shaped intaglio portion 42 and the lower mold 43. An upper mold 45 formed with a space 44 for forming the body part 30 and having an injection port 48 through which resin for IML injection molding is injected into the space 44, and the lower mold 43 ) may include a vacuum device 46 provided at the bottom.

In addition, in the intaglio portion 42, when the vacuum device 46 is operated, the air above the intaglio portion 42 is sucked in the direction of the vacuum device 46, in the direction of the vacuum device 46 A through vacuum hole 47 may be formed.

On the other hand, in the IML injection molding step (S40) using the IML injection molding device 40, the touch pad substrate 20 having the three-dimensional free curved surface is formed on the intaglio upper part corresponding to the three-dimensional free curved surface shape ( 42), a touch pad substrate seating step (S42) of seating the intaglio-shaped portion 42 of the lower mold 43, and placing the touch pad substrate 20 seated in the intaglio-shaped portion 42 into the intaglio. Step 43 of bonding the touch pad substrate to be bonded to the forming part 42, and the touch pad substrate bonded to the intaglio portion 42 by moving the upper mold 45 to the top of the lower mold 43 ( 20) and the upper mold 45 through a space forming step (S44) of forming a space 44 in which to form the body portion 30, and the injection hole 48 formed in the upper mold 45 A curing step (S45) of injecting and curing the resin for IML injection molding into the space 44 may be included.

In addition, in the step of bonding the touch pad substrate ( S43 ), the vacuum device 46 may be operated to closely bond the touch pad substrate 20 to the intaglio portion 42 .

As described above, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and an IML injection molding apparatus for manufacture, and the embodiments thereof may be changed into various forms. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed herein, and all forms changeable by those skilled in the art will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

10: touch input device
20: touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape
23: high hardness substrate 25: touch pad
27: touch pad substrate in a flat state
30: body part 33: thermoforming mold
40: IML injection molding device for manufacturing touch input devices
42: intaglio part 43: lower mold
45: upper mold 46: vacuum device
47: vacuum hole 48: inlet

Claims (5)

In the manufacturing method of a touch input device including a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and a body portion formed under the touch pad substrate,
A touch pad substrate preparation step of preparing a flat touch pad substrate having a touch input function;
a three-dimensional free curved surface thermoforming step of thermally forming the flat touch pad substrate into a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape; and
In-Molded Label (IML) injection molding of the touch pad substrate having the three-dimensional free curved surface shape to form the body portion under the touch pad substrate; Including,
The IML injection molding step,
A touch pad substrate mounting step of seating the touch pad substrate having the three-dimensional free curved surface to the intaglio portion of a lower mold having an intaglio upper portion corresponding to the three-dimensional free curved surface shape;
A touch pad substrate bonding step of bonding the touch pad substrate seated on the intaglio castle to the intaglio castle;
A space forming step of moving an upper mold above the lower mold to form a space for forming the body between the touch pad substrate bonded to the intaglio and the upper mold;
A method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape, comprising a curing step of injecting and curing IML injection molding resin into the space through an injection hole formed in the upper mold. According to claim 1,
A vacuum device is provided at the bottom of the lower mold, and a vacuum hole is formed in the intaglio portion to pass in the direction of the vacuum device so that air above the intaglio portion is sucked in the direction of the vacuum device when the vacuum device is operated. ,
The method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape, characterized in that the step of bonding the touch pad substrate closely bonds the touch pad substrate to the intaglio portion by operating the vacuum device. According to claim 1,
In the step of preparing the touch pad substrate, a touch pad having an electronic component including a touch sensor is attached to one surface of a high hardness substrate having a pencil hardness of 3H or more to prepare a touch pad substrate in a flat state. Method for manufacturing a touch input device having a According to claim 2,
In the 3D free curved surface thermoforming step, after raising the flat touch pad substrate to a predetermined temperature or higher, a thermoforming mold having a pressing surface corresponding to the 3 dimensional free curved surface shape is pressed onto the flat touch pad substrate. A method of manufacturing a touch input device having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape, comprising the step of: In the IML injection molding apparatus for manufacturing a touch input device including a touch pad substrate having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape and a body portion formed below the touch pad substrate,
a lower mold provided with an intaglio portion of the three-dimensional free curved surface shape;
an upper mold forming a space for forming the body between the lower mold and having an inlet through which a resin for IML injection molding is injected into the space; and
Including; a vacuum device provided under the lower mold,
A touch having a three-dimensional free curved surface shape, characterized in that a vacuum hole penetrating in the direction of the vacuum device is formed in the intaglio portion so that the air above the intaglio portion is sucked in the direction of the vacuum device when the vacuum device is operated. IML injection molding unit for manufacturing input devices.

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