WO2006104291A1 - Production method of one body style metal touch pad having luminescent pigment and metal keypad having one body style metal touch pad produced by that method - Google Patents
Production method of one body style metal touch pad having luminescent pigment and metal keypad having one body style metal touch pad produced by that method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006104291A1 WO2006104291A1 PCT/KR2005/000913 KR2005000913W WO2006104291A1 WO 2006104291 A1 WO2006104291 A1 WO 2006104291A1 KR 2005000913 W KR2005000913 W KR 2005000913W WO 2006104291 A1 WO2006104291 A1 WO 2006104291A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- metal
- touch pad
- letters
- figures
- metal strip
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/22—Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/22—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a metal keypad, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein and a metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad manufactured by such method, which can reduce the thickness of the keypad remarkably and concurrently make it possible to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place, by forming the key top, a base, and a front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in the letters and figures formed on the key top.
- a keypad is mounted to a portable telephone, a remote controller, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , and the like, and is used as an input means to transfer input signals of the user to a PCB (printed circuit board) .
- PDA personal digital assistant
- PCB printed circuit board
- a key top 10 with printed letters or figures therein and a base 20 arranged at the lower of a front housing are connected by a connection portion, the key top 10 and the base 20 are joined with the front housing 40 forming the outer appearance of the portable telephone, the key top 10 has a structure of protruding toward the outside of a hole formed at the front housing 40, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 having dome switches 50 attached is mounted at the lower of the key top 10 and the base 20 with a predetermined space from the key top 10, and a projection 11 is formed at the lower of the key top 10 to press the dome switch.
- PCB Print Circuit Board
- the conventional keypad there was a limitation to make the thickness of the whole keypad thin and light, because it was constructed such that the dome switches and a light source were mounted at the printed circuit board, the key top, the base and the front housing were joined therein, and a predetermined space was maintained between the printed circuit board and the projection formed at the lower of the key top, so that the whole thickness of the keypad was made to be about 2 mm to the minimum and about 5 mm to the maximum, and the like. Therefore, the present applicant has developed a metal keypad for a portable telephone, which can make the thickness of the keypad thin and light, and filed a patent application (Application No. 10-2004-0046477) to the Korea Intellectual Property Office and a PCT application (Application No. PCT/KR2004/001807) .
- the conventional keypad was constructed such that a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) , and the like was mounted at the back of the key top to enable the user to discern the printed letters and figures formed on the key top in the night so that the user could use a portable device such as a portable telephone or a PDA, and the like even in the dark place, and the power of the battery could be supplied to the light source to emit light to thereby discern button portions of the key top even in the dark place, when the user operated the key top in order to use the portable device.
- a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) , and the like was mounted at the back of the key top to enable the user to discern the printed letters and figures formed on the key top in the night so that the user could use a portable device such as a portable telephone or a PDA, and the like even in the dark place, and the power of the battery could be supplied to the light source to emit light to thereby discern button portions of the key top even in the dark place, when
- the user since the battery was consumed to enable the light source to emit light by the operation signal of the key top, the user generally set and used the portable device so that the light could be emitted from the light source for about five seconds to ten seconds after the operation signal of the key top was sensed, and then the supply of the power to the light source was broken. Accordingly, there was a problem that the user could not discern the button portions due to the break of the power supply to the light source when the key top was not operated for a predetermined time.
- the present invention has been made to solve the problems occurring in the conventional arts, and the object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein and a metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad manufactured by such method, which can form the keypad into a thin strip shape and concurrently make it possible to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place without the supply of the power of the battery, by forming the key top, the base, and the front housing integrally on the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment on the letters and figures formed on the key top.
- a metal keypad with an integral type metal touch pad having photoluminescent pigment formed therein comprising a metal touch pad constructed of a metal strip with letters and figures etched therein and a resin pad joined at a rear surface of the metal strip, and formed by integrating a key top, a base and a front housing in one metal strip, a printed circuit board formed at the lower portion of the metal touch pad, and dome switches mounted on the upper portion of the printed circuit board so that it can come into contact with securing contact portions of the printed circuit board by the pressure of the metal touch pad, wherein the metal keypad further comprises a photoluminescent portion formed by molding photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and the figures formed in the metal strip.
- a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment formed therein comprising a step of working a metal strip comprising etching letters and figures or penetrating lines in the metal strip, and removing some portions of a semi-transparent film formed in the penetrating lines after forming the semi-transparent film in an etching portion of the letters and the figures, a step of manufacturing the resin pad comprising printing diverse colors on the plastic film, placing and forming a resin film on a rear surface of the film by means of hot pressurization press, and then placing the resin film formed with projection lines to be inserted into the penetrating lines of the metal strip, and a step of compression bonding for bonding the metal strip with the resin pad by using an adhesive
- the step of working the metal strip further comprises a step of molding photoluminescent pigment for molding and inserting the photoluminescent pigment in an etching portion of the letters and the figures prior to forming a semi-transparent film
- the metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein of present invention it is possible form the keypad into a thin strip shape and to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place by means of the light emitted from the photoluminescent pigment molded in the letters and the figures without the supply of the power of the battery, by forming the key top, the base, and the front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and figures etched in the metal strip to form the button portions .
- FIG. 1 is a schematic process diagram showing a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a detailed process diagram showing a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the section of a metal keypad according to the present invention
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a photoluminescent portion of the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention more minutely;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the section of a conventional keypad for a portable telephone.
- a metal keypad with an integral type touch pad having photoluminescent pigment molded therein comprises a metal touch pad 100 including a thin metal strip 110 with letters and figures etched therein and a resin pad 120 joined with a rear surface of the metal strip to produce bumper action at the time of contacting with a dome switch, a photoluminescent portion 160 made by molding the photoluminescent pigment in an etching portion of letters and figures formed on the metal strip, a printed circuit board 400 arranged at the lower portion of the metal touch pad 100 and having a securing contact portion at a predetermined position, a dome switches 200 mounted at the upper portion of the printed circuit board 400 and contacting with the securing contact portion on the printed circuit board by means of the pressure of the metal touch pad 100, and a light source 300 mounted between the metal touch pad and the printed circuit board.
- the metal strip 110 is etched with letters and figures and formed by integrating a key top, which form button portions, a base, and a front housing in one metal strip 110.
- coating portions are further formed on the front and rear surfaces of the metal strip by plating nickel and cobalt, and coating epoxy films thereon to prevent the corrosion and the flaw.
- the letters and the figures are formed by etching in the metal strip by means of an etching method so that light emitted from the light source mounted at the lower portion of the metal strip can be exposed to the outside.
- the letters and the figures may be formed so that portions of the letters and the figures are half- etched without penetrating the metal strip completely.
- the metal strip 110 can be formed by etching only letters and figures, and also it can be constructed by further forming penetrating lines 140 around the button portions in a predetermined line shape so that the button portions can move independently of each other and press the dome switches 200 arranged at the lower portion thereof at the time of applying the pressure to the button portion with the etched letter and the figure.
- the resin pad 120 is constructed of a silicon pad made by bonding silicon films 122, 123 on the upper and lower surfaces with centering a PC film 121, and it is preferable that a projections 124 contacting with the dome switches 200 is further formed at the lower of the lower silicon film 123.
- projecting lines 125 to be inserted into the penetrating lines 140 are formed on the upper surface of the upper silicon film 122 so that injury of the user by means of the sharp surface of the metal strip 110, which is etched to form the penetrating line 140, can be prevented.
- the etching portions 150 which form the letters and the figures by half-etching or etching by means of an etching method in the metal strip 110, are formed in a structure such that it is closed by a semi-transparent epoxy film 115.
- these are constructed such that alien material is not only prevented from coming into the inside of the metal keypad, but the light emitted from the photoluminescent portion 160 arranged at the inside can be exposed to the outside by closing the etching portions 150 by means of the semi-transparent epoxy film 115.
- a portion such as a number 5, which is arranged at the center of the metal strip, and the like is constructed to project by inserting a projecting line 125 of the upper silicon film, as is the penetrating line, so that visual handicapped persons or general peoples can use it with tactual sense.
- the photoluminescent portion 160 is constructed by molding photoluminescent pigment in the etching portion of the letters and the figures formed on the metal strip.
- the photoluminescent pigment is a pigment having a property of absorbing and accumulating light from sunlight or fluorescent material, and the like and emitting and radiating it gradually in the dark place, and it emits light for about five hours after the light was radiated for thirty minutes to it, although differences are existed depending on the use conditions. Accordingly, the photoluminescent pigment molded in the etching portion emits light for a long time without the power supply from the battery to thereby enable the user to discern the etching portions of the letters and the figures in the dark place .
- the printed circuit board (PCB) 400 on which the dome switches 200 and the LEDs 300 are mounted as was the conventional art, is mounted at the lower portion of the metal touch pad constructed by bonding the metal strip 110 with photoluminescent pigment molded in the etching portion of the letters and the figures with the silicon pad 120.
- the method for manufacturing the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment comprises a step SlOO of working a metal strip for molding the photoluminescent pigment after forming a key top, a base, and a front housing integrally into one metal strip, a step S200 of manufacturing a resin pad for coating a resin film on a film printed with diverse colors, and a step S300 of compression bonding for bonding the metal strip with the resin pad.
- the step of working a metal strip SlOO comprises a step SIlO of etching letters and figures or penetrating lines in an un-worked metal strip 110 by means of metal etching technology, a step S112 of molding photoluminescent pigment by inserting the photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and the figures, a step S113 of forming a semi-transparent film in the etching portions of the letters and the figures molded with the photolumiscent pigment, a step S117 of removing the semi- transparent film formed in the penetrating lines or in a button portion of the number 5, and a step S119 of inspecting the degree of completion of the metal strip manufactured through these steps.
- the etching step SIlO can be applied of all the metal etching technologies such as a wet chemical etching or a dry plasma etching, and the like, which are at present employed in the etching of the metal, and it is preferable that the metal strip 110 may be comprised of a brass strip or a stainless strip.
- the button portions are constructed by etching the letters and the figures in the metal strip to penetrate according to their shapes, or etching some portions of a front surface of the metal strip by means of half etching.
- the penetrating lines 140 can be etched around the button portions in a predetermined line shape or it can be constructed without performing the etching so that the button portions with the etched letters and the figures can move independently of each other.
- a step Sill of primary plating for performing metal plating on the metal strip 110 is further comprised to prevent corrosion of the metal strip.
- step S112 of molding photoluminescent pigment is performed by inserting the molded photoluminescent pigment in the etching portions of the letters and the figures etched in the etching step.
- the step S113 forming semi-transparent film is to form the semi-transparent epoxy film 115 on the surface of the metal strip above the etching portion of the letters and the figures in which the photoluminescent pigment has been molded in the step of molding photoluminescent pigment molding step, so that it is possible to prevent the invasion of alien material into the inside of the keypad and light emitted from the photoluminescent pigment can be radiated to the outside.
- material for the semi-transparent film such as an epoxy resin and an ultraviolet ray curing resin, and the like is injected into the upper portion of the etching portions of the letters and the figures, and the semi-transparent film is formed through a drying step.
- step S114 of spin working for etch printing spin patterns having a predetermined inclination on the surface of the metal strip 110 to make the quality of the metal touch pad higher visually by using a spin cutting machine, and a step S115 of pressing for spreading the metal strip, which was bent in the step of spin working, flat by using a press.
- step S117 of secondary plating for forming the metal touch pad in a desired color by plating a metal having special color such as cobalt on the metal strip, and for preventing corrosion of the metal strip by forming an upper plating film removed in the step of spin working again.
- the step S116 of removing semi-transparent film is to remove the epoxy film 115, which is the semi-transparent film, of portions for inserting the projecting lines 125 formed at one surface of the resin pad so that it is projected to the outside by a predetermined portions at the time of bonding with the metal strip, to thereby enable the user of the keypad to discern the button portions from each other by tactual sense.
- the semi-transparent film formed in the penetrating lines and the portion of number 5 of the button portions is removed from the semi-transparent film formed in the metal strip in the step S112 of forming the semi-transparent film.
- the photoluminescent pigment has been molded in the etching portion of the number 5 in the step of molding the photoluminescent pigment, it goes without saying that the semi- transparent film formed in that portion cannot be removed.
- a step S118 of surface coating is further comprised to perform hard coating by spraying paint on the surface of the metal strip in order to improve the durability of the metal touch pad and prevent the occurrence of the fingerprint and the flaw. Then, impression, transformation, size, surface condition, and the like of the metal strip obtained through the above described several steps, are inspected in the step S119 of inspecting.
- the step S200 of manufacturing the resin pad comprises a step S210 of printing film for printing diverse colors on a plastic film 121 to be inserted into a mid portion of the resin pad, a step S220 of film cutting and perforating for cutting and perforating the film printed with colors to conform to a mold, a step S230 for primary forming a rear surface structure for placing and forming the resin film 123 on the rear surface of the film 121 by means of hot pressurization pressing, a step S240 of secondary forming a front surface structure for placing the resin coating 122 on the front surface of the product formed primarily and forming projecting lines 125 inserted into the penetrating lines 140, a step S250 of striking an outer portion of the resin pad 120 formed with the upper surface and the lower surface, and a step S260 of inspecting related specification.
- silicon resin as the resin placed on the plastic film
- PC polycarbonate
- the step S300 of compression bonding is to compression join the metal strip 110 with the photoluminescent pigment molded through the step SlOO of working the metal strip with the resin pad 120 accomplished through the step S200 of manufacturing the resin pad by using an adhesive 130, and the projecting lines 125 are inserted into the penetrating lines 140 of the metal strip and the button portion of the number 5 to project to the outside.
Abstract
The present invention relates to a metal keypad, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein, and a metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad manufactured by such method, which can reduce the thickness of the keypad remarkably and concurrently make it possible to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place, by forming the key top, a base, and a front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in the letters and figures formed in the key top, and according to the metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad having photoluminescent pigment molded therein of the present invention, it is possible form the keypad into a thin strip shape and to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place by means of the light emitted from the photoluminescent pigment molded in the letters and the figures without the supply of the power of the battery, by forming the key top, the base, and the front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and figures etched in the metal strip to form the button portions.
Description
PRODUCTION METHOD OF ONE BODY STYLE
METALTOUCH PAD HAVING LUMINESCENT
PIGMENTAND METAL KEYPAD HAVING ONE BODY
STYLE METAL TOUCH PAD PRODUCED BY THAT METHOD
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a metal keypad, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein and a metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad manufactured by such method, which can reduce the thickness of the keypad remarkably and concurrently make it possible to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place, by forming the key top, a base, and a front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in the letters and figures formed on the key top.
Background Art
In general, a keypad is mounted to a portable telephone, a remote controller, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , and the like, and is used as an input means to transfer input signals of the user to a PCB (printed circuit board) . In this regard, a conventional keypad as the keypad for the portable telephone shown in FIG. 5 in cross-section is constructed such that a key top 10 with printed letters or figures therein and a base 20 arranged at the lower of a front housing are connected by a connection portion, the key top 10 and the base 20 are joined with the front housing 40 forming the outer appearance of the
portable telephone, the key top 10 has a structure of protruding toward the outside of a hole formed at the front housing 40, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 having dome switches 50 attached is mounted at the lower of the key top 10 and the base 20 with a predetermined space from the key top 10, and a projection 11 is formed at the lower of the key top 10 to press the dome switch.
Disclosure of Invention Technical problem However, with regard the conventional keypad, there was a limitation to make the thickness of the whole keypad thin and light, because it was constructed such that the dome switches and a light source were mounted at the printed circuit board, the key top, the base and the front housing were joined therein, and a predetermined space was maintained between the printed circuit board and the projection formed at the lower of the key top, so that the whole thickness of the keypad was made to be about 2 mm to the minimum and about 5 mm to the maximum, and the like. Therefore, the present applicant has developed a metal keypad for a portable telephone, which can make the thickness of the keypad thin and light, and filed a patent application (Application No. 10-2004-0046477) to the Korea Intellectual Property Office and a PCT application (Application No. PCT/KR2004/001807) .
Further, the conventional keypad was constructed such that a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) , and the like was mounted at the back of the key top to enable the user to discern the printed letters and figures formed on the key top in the night so that the user could use a portable device such
as a portable telephone or a PDA, and the like even in the dark place, and the power of the battery could be supplied to the light source to emit light to thereby discern button portions of the key top even in the dark place, when the user operated the key top in order to use the portable device.
However, as described above, since the battery was consumed to enable the light source to emit light by the operation signal of the key top, the user generally set and used the portable device so that the light could be emitted from the light source for about five seconds to ten seconds after the operation signal of the key top was sensed, and then the supply of the power to the light source was broken. Accordingly, there was a problem that the user could not discern the button portions due to the break of the power supply to the light source when the key top was not operated for a predetermined time.
Further, there was also a problem that the battery was consumed rapidly when the power supply of the battery to the light source was set to continue in order to discern the button portions in the night or in the dark place. Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems occurring in the conventional arts, and the object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein and a metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad manufactured by such method, which can form the keypad into a thin strip shape and concurrently make it possible to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place without the supply of the power of the battery, by forming the key top, the base, and the front housing integrally on the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding
photoluminescent pigment on the letters and figures formed on the key top.
Technical solution To solve such object of the present invention, there is provided a metal keypad with an integral type metal touch pad having photoluminescent pigment formed therein, comprising a metal touch pad constructed of a metal strip with letters and figures etched therein and a resin pad joined at a rear surface of the metal strip, and formed by integrating a key top, a base and a front housing in one metal strip, a printed circuit board formed at the lower portion of the metal touch pad, and dome switches mounted on the upper portion of the printed circuit board so that it can come into contact with securing contact portions of the printed circuit board by the pressure of the metal touch pad, wherein the metal keypad further comprises a photoluminescent portion formed by molding photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and the figures formed in the metal strip. Also, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment formed therein, comprising a step of working a metal strip comprising etching letters and figures or penetrating lines in the metal strip, and removing some portions of a semi-transparent film formed in the penetrating lines after forming the semi-transparent film in an etching portion of the letters and the figures, a step of manufacturing the resin pad comprising printing diverse colors on the plastic film, placing and forming a resin film on a rear surface of the film by means of hot pressurization press, and
then placing the resin film formed with projection lines to be inserted into the penetrating lines of the metal strip, and a step of compression bonding for bonding the metal strip with the resin pad by using an adhesive, wherein the step of working the metal strip further comprises a step of molding photoluminescent pigment for molding and inserting the photoluminescent pigment in an etching portion of the letters and the figures prior to forming a semi-transparent film in an upper portion of the etching portion of the letters and the figures in which the photoluminescent pigment has been molded.
Advantageous Effects
Accordingly, according to the metal keypad with the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein of present invention, it is possible form the keypad into a thin strip shape and to discern letters and figures formed on a key top even in the dark place by means of the light emitted from the photoluminescent pigment molded in the letters and the figures without the supply of the power of the battery, by forming the key top, the base, and the front housing integrally in the metal touch pad of very thin thickness, and molding photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and figures etched in the metal strip to form the button portions .
Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is a schematic process diagram showing a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a detailed process diagram showing a method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the section of a metal keypad according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a photoluminescent portion of the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention more minutely;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the section of a conventional keypad for a portable telephone.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings below.
As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, a metal keypad with an integral type touch pad having photoluminescent pigment molded therein according to the present invention, comprises a metal touch pad 100 including a thin metal strip 110 with letters and figures etched therein and a resin pad 120 joined with a rear surface of the metal strip to produce bumper action at the time of contacting with a dome switch, a photoluminescent portion 160 made by molding the photoluminescent pigment in an etching portion of letters and figures formed on the metal strip, a printed circuit board 400 arranged at the lower portion of the metal touch pad 100 and having a securing contact portion at a predetermined position, a dome switches 200 mounted at the upper portion of the printed circuit board 400 and contacting with the
securing contact portion on the printed circuit board by means of the pressure of the metal touch pad 100, and a light source 300 mounted between the metal touch pad and the printed circuit board. The metal strip 110 is etched with letters and figures and formed by integrating a key top, which form button portions, a base, and a front housing in one metal strip 110. In this instance, it is preferable that coating portions are further formed on the front and rear surfaces of the metal strip by plating nickel and cobalt, and coating epoxy films thereon to prevent the corrosion and the flaw.
It is preferable that the letters and the figures are formed by etching in the metal strip by means of an etching method so that light emitted from the light source mounted at the lower portion of the metal strip can be exposed to the outside. In this instance, the letters and the figures may be formed so that portions of the letters and the figures are half- etched without penetrating the metal strip completely.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the metal strip 110 can be formed by etching only letters and figures, and also it can be constructed by further forming penetrating lines 140 around the button portions in a predetermined line shape so that the button portions can move independently of each other and press the dome switches 200 arranged at the lower portion thereof at the time of applying the pressure to the button portion with the etched letter and the figure.
The resin pad 120 is constructed of a silicon pad made by bonding silicon films 122, 123 on the upper and lower surfaces with centering a PC film 121, and it is preferable that a projections 124 contacting with the dome switches 200 is further
formed at the lower of the lower silicon film 123.
Furthermore, with regard to the resin pad 120, it is preferable that projecting lines 125 to be inserted into the penetrating lines 140 are formed on the upper surface of the upper silicon film 122 so that injury of the user by means of the sharp surface of the metal strip 110, which is etched to form the penetrating line 140, can be prevented.
The etching portions 150, which form the letters and the figures by half-etching or etching by means of an etching method in the metal strip 110, are formed in a structure such that it is closed by a semi-transparent epoxy film 115. Thus, these are constructed such that alien material is not only prevented from coming into the inside of the metal keypad, but the light emitted from the photoluminescent portion 160 arranged at the inside can be exposed to the outside by closing the etching portions 150 by means of the semi-transparent epoxy film 115.
Meanwhile, it is preferable that a portion such as a number 5, which is arranged at the center of the metal strip, and the like is constructed to project by inserting a projecting line 125 of the upper silicon film, as is the penetrating line, so that visual handicapped persons or general peoples can use it with tactual sense.
The photoluminescent portion 160 is constructed by molding photoluminescent pigment in the etching portion of the letters and the figures formed on the metal strip. In this instance, the photoluminescent pigment is a pigment having a property of absorbing and accumulating light from sunlight or fluorescent material, and the like and emitting and radiating it gradually in the dark place, and it emits light for about five hours after the light was radiated for thirty minutes to it, although
differences are existed depending on the use conditions. Accordingly, the photoluminescent pigment molded in the etching portion emits light for a long time without the power supply from the battery to thereby enable the user to discern the etching portions of the letters and the figures in the dark place .
Thus, the printed circuit board (PCB) 400, on which the dome switches 200 and the LEDs 300 are mounted as was the conventional art, is mounted at the lower portion of the metal touch pad constructed by bonding the metal strip 110 with photoluminescent pigment molded in the etching portion of the letters and the figures with the silicon pad 120.
Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment, forming the metal keypad according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2 below.
The method for manufacturing the integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment according to the present invention, comprises a step SlOO of working a metal strip for molding the photoluminescent pigment after forming a key top, a base, and a front housing integrally into one metal strip, a step S200 of manufacturing a resin pad for coating a resin film on a film printed with diverse colors, and a step S300 of compression bonding for bonding the metal strip with the resin pad.
The step of working a metal strip SlOO comprises a step SIlO of etching letters and figures or penetrating lines in an un-worked metal strip 110 by means of metal etching technology, a step S112 of molding photoluminescent pigment by inserting the photoluminescent pigment in etching portions of the letters and
the figures, a step S113 of forming a semi-transparent film in the etching portions of the letters and the figures molded with the photolumiscent pigment, a step S117 of removing the semi- transparent film formed in the penetrating lines or in a button portion of the number 5, and a step S119 of inspecting the degree of completion of the metal strip manufactured through these steps.
The etching step SIlO can be applied of all the metal etching technologies such as a wet chemical etching or a dry plasma etching, and the like, which are at present employed in the etching of the metal, and it is preferable that the metal strip 110 may be comprised of a brass strip or a stainless strip.
In this instance, the button portions are constructed by etching the letters and the figures in the metal strip to penetrate according to their shapes, or etching some portions of a front surface of the metal strip by means of half etching. Also, it is preferable that the penetrating lines 140 can be etched around the button portions in a predetermined line shape or it can be constructed without performing the etching so that the button portions with the etched letters and the figures can move independently of each other.
Furthermore, when the metal strip is not comprised of a corrosion resistant metal material such as stainless, it is preferable that a step Sill of primary plating for performing metal plating on the metal strip 110 is further comprised to prevent corrosion of the metal strip.
It is also preferable that nickel is used as a plating material to prevent corrosion, and the plating is accomplished by forming a plating film on the metal strip by means of an electroplating method or a chemical plating method.
The step S112 of molding photoluminescent pigment is performed by inserting the molded photoluminescent pigment in the etching portions of the letters and the figures etched in the etching step. Thus, when the photoluminescent pigment has been molded in the etching portions of the letters and the figures, light is emitted for a long time from the photoluminescent pigment to thereby enable the user to discern the button portions, although the power supply of the battery to the light source was broken after the user' s set time of about five to ten seconds.
The step S113 forming semi-transparent film is to form the semi-transparent epoxy film 115 on the surface of the metal strip above the etching portion of the letters and the figures in which the photoluminescent pigment has been molded in the step of molding photoluminescent pigment molding step, so that it is possible to prevent the invasion of alien material into the inside of the keypad and light emitted from the photoluminescent pigment can be radiated to the outside. In this step, material for the semi-transparent film such as an epoxy resin and an ultraviolet ray curing resin, and the like is injected into the upper portion of the etching portions of the letters and the figures, and the semi-transparent film is formed through a drying step.
Furthermore, it is preferable to further comprise a step S114 of spin working for etch printing spin patterns having a predetermined inclination on the surface of the metal strip 110 to make the quality of the metal touch pad higher visually by using a spin cutting machine, and a step S115 of pressing for spreading the metal strip, which was bent in the step of spin working, flat by using a press.
Also, if the step of spin working is further comprised, it is preferable that a step S117 of secondary plating for forming the metal touch pad in a desired color by plating a metal having special color such as cobalt on the metal strip, and for preventing corrosion of the metal strip by forming an upper plating film removed in the step of spin working again.
The step S116 of removing semi-transparent film is to remove the epoxy film 115, which is the semi-transparent film, of portions for inserting the projecting lines 125 formed at one surface of the resin pad so that it is projected to the outside by a predetermined portions at the time of bonding with the metal strip, to thereby enable the user of the keypad to discern the button portions from each other by tactual sense. In this regard, the semi-transparent film formed in the penetrating lines and the portion of number 5 of the button portions is removed from the semi-transparent film formed in the metal strip in the step S112 of forming the semi-transparent film. In this instance, when the photoluminescent pigment has been molded in the etching portion of the number 5 in the step of molding the photoluminescent pigment, it goes without saying that the semi- transparent film formed in that portion cannot be removed.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a step S118 of surface coating is further comprised to perform hard coating by spraying paint on the surface of the metal strip in order to improve the durability of the metal touch pad and prevent the occurrence of the fingerprint and the flaw. Then, impression, transformation, size, surface condition, and the like of the metal strip obtained through the above described several steps, are inspected in the step S119 of inspecting. Next, the step S200 of manufacturing the resin pad
comprises a step S210 of printing film for printing diverse colors on a plastic film 121 to be inserted into a mid portion of the resin pad, a step S220 of film cutting and perforating for cutting and perforating the film printed with colors to conform to a mold, a step S230 for primary forming a rear surface structure for placing and forming the resin film 123 on the rear surface of the film 121 by means of hot pressurization pressing, a step S240 of secondary forming a front surface structure for placing the resin coating 122 on the front surface of the product formed primarily and forming projecting lines 125 inserted into the penetrating lines 140, a step S250 of striking an outer portion of the resin pad 120 formed with the upper surface and the lower surface, and a step S260 of inspecting related specification. In this instance, it is preferable to use silicon resin as the resin placed on the plastic film, and to use polycarbonate (PC) film as the plastic film.
The step S300 of compression bonding is to compression join the metal strip 110 with the photoluminescent pigment molded through the step SlOO of working the metal strip with the resin pad 120 accomplished through the step S200 of manufacturing the resin pad by using an adhesive 130, and the projecting lines 125 are inserted into the penetrating lines 140 of the metal strip and the button portion of the number 5 to project to the outside.
Claims
1. A metal keypad with an integral type metal touch pad having photoluminescent pigment formed therein, comprising a metal touch pad constructed of a metal strip with letters and figures etched therein and a resin pad joined at a rear surface of the metal strip, and formed by integrating a key top, a base and a front housing, a printed circuit board formed at the lower portion of the metal touch pad, and dome switches mounted on the upper portion of the printed circuit board so that it can come into contact with securing contact portions of the printed circuit board by the pressure of the metal touch pad, wherein the metal keypad further comprises a photoluminescent portion formed by molding photoluminescent pigment in an etching portions of the letters and the figures formed in the metal strip.
2. A method for manufacturing an integral type metal touch pad with photoluminescent pigment formed therein, comprising a step of working a metal strip comprising etching letters and figures or penetrating lines in the metal strip, and removing some portions of a semi-transparent film formed in the penetrating lines after forming the semi-transparent film in an etching portion of the letters and the figures, a step of manufacturing the resin pad comprising printing diverse colors on the plastic film, placing and forming a resin film on a rear surface of the film by means of hot pressurization press, and then placing the resin film formed with projection lines to be inserted into the penetrating lines of the metal strip, and a step of compression bonding for bonding the metal strip with the resin pad by using an adhesive, wherein the step of working the metal strip further comprises a step of molding photoluminescent pigment for molding and inserting the photoluminescent pigment in an etching portion of the letters and the figures prior to forming a semi- transparent film in an upper portion of the etching portion of the letters and the figures in which the photoluminescent pigment has been molded.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2005/000913 WO2006104291A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Production method of one body style metal touch pad having luminescent pigment and metal keypad having one body style metal touch pad produced by that method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2005/000913 WO2006104291A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Production method of one body style metal touch pad having luminescent pigment and metal keypad having one body style metal touch pad produced by that method |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2006104291A1 true WO2006104291A1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
Family
ID=37053532
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2005/000913 WO2006104291A1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2005-03-29 | Production method of one body style metal touch pad having luminescent pigment and metal keypad having one body style metal touch pad produced by that method |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2006104291A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8692212B1 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2014-04-08 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US9068845B2 (en) | 2011-12-16 | 2015-06-30 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| WO2015148653A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | De Giulio Designs, LLC | System, method and kit regarding application a metal edge to a surface |
| US9958954B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2018-05-01 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | System and methods for calibrating a digitizer system |
| US10753746B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2020-08-25 | 3M Innovative Properties, Inc. | Multi-mode stylus and digitizer system |
| US11013316B2 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2021-05-25 | De Giulio Designs, LLC | System, method and kit regarding application of a metal edge to a surface |
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| KR900002125Y1 (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1990-03-15 | Gold Star Tele Communication C | Telephone with aluminous dial |
| US6084190A (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2000-07-04 | Sunarrow Co., Ltd. | Illuminated keypad key and method of manufacture thereof |
| KR20050018743A (en) * | 2004-06-22 | 2005-02-28 | (주)삼영테크놀로지 | Metal keypad for portable telephone and manufacturing method of the same |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| KR900002125Y1 (en) * | 1987-03-31 | 1990-03-15 | Gold Star Tele Communication C | Telephone with aluminous dial |
| US6084190A (en) * | 1997-02-18 | 2000-07-04 | Sunarrow Co., Ltd. | Illuminated keypad key and method of manufacture thereof |
| KR20050018743A (en) * | 2004-06-22 | 2005-02-28 | (주)삼영테크놀로지 | Metal keypad for portable telephone and manufacturing method of the same |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9068845B2 (en) | 2011-12-16 | 2015-06-30 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US9557827B2 (en) | 2011-12-16 | 2017-01-31 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US8692212B1 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2014-04-08 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US9075452B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2015-07-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US9836164B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2017-12-05 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Optical digitizer system with position-unique photoluminescent indicia |
| US10753746B2 (en) | 2012-11-29 | 2020-08-25 | 3M Innovative Properties, Inc. | Multi-mode stylus and digitizer system |
| US9958954B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2018-05-01 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | System and methods for calibrating a digitizer system |
| WO2015148653A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | De Giulio Designs, LLC | System, method and kit regarding application a metal edge to a surface |
| US9850582B2 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2017-12-26 | De Giulio Designs, LLC | System, method and kit regarding application of a metal edge to a surface |
| US11013316B2 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2021-05-25 | De Giulio Designs, LLC | System, method and kit regarding application of a metal edge to a surface |
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