WO2010067192A2

WO2010067192A2 - Push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances and relative manufacturing process

Info

Publication number: WO2010067192A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/007732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Galli; Paolo Casciaro; Erik Dalla Lana; Mirko Scarabottolo; Marco Menin; Renzo Vai
Original assignee: Better S.R.L.; Zero Puro S.R.L.
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2009-12-11
Publication date: 2010-06-17
Also published as: ITMO20080322A1; IT1392207B1; WO2010067192A3; WO2010067192A9

Abstract

The push-button panel (1) for the power control of devices and appliances comprises a covering element (2), substantially plate-shaped and having a visible surface, a transducer element (3) associated with the covering element (2) in proximity with the inner surface substantially opposite the visible surface and electronic connection means (5) of the transducer element (3) with a device or an appliance to be controlled. The covering element (2) comprises a plate (7) and a portion in polymer material (8) made in a single body with the plate (7) and which extends from the inner surface beyond the visible surface, through at least a through opening (9) obtained on the plate (7), so as to define at least a graphic sign (10), a decoration, a logo or the like in relief with respect to the visible surface.

Description

PUSH-BUTTON PANEL FOR THE POWER CONTROL OF DEVICES AND APPLIANCES AND RELATIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a push-button panel for file power control of devices and appliances and relative manufacturing process. Background art

The use is known of push-button panels and keyboards on tiumerous appliances in common use such as, e.g., industrial machines or appliances, automatic product dispensers, lifts, bank counters, etc. It is further known that such push-button panels and keyboards are made using different technologies that envisage the use, among other things, of buttons of the membrane, electromechanical, inductive, capacitive or other type, depending on the speci6c field of use and the quality of the end product to be obtained. Generally speaking, the buttons are in any case arranged inside a complex structure comprising several layers, one on top of the otheri

The so-caJled membrane push-button panels, e.g., are composed of a plurality of layers, one on top of the other and generally speaking comprise: a rigid or flexible printed circuit; a plurality of metal domes connected to the printed circuit and which can be enabled by means of pressure; a bi-adhesive spacer layer applied above the printed circuit and pre-drilled a t the metal domes; a layer for shielding against electrostatic discharges superimposed on the spacer layer, a front covering layer superimposed on the shielding layer by placing a further bi-adhesive layer in between.

The front covering layer in particular is generally made¹ of polymer material (polyester, polycarbonate) and is screen printed on the inside so as to reproduce the graphic signs relating to each key and, if necessary, other graphic decorations or logos.

The known push-button panels and keyboards however have a number of drawbacks. The front covering layer in fact must necessarily have a jvery thin thickness, at least at the keys, and the realisation in relief of graphic signs, decorations, logos, etc., e.g., by theπnofoπning, therefore appears problematic. 2

Alternatively, such graphic signs, decorations or logos can be made separately, and then applied by gluing to the outer surface of the front covering layer. This however raises various problems, such as a not always appealing aesthetic effect, a complicated gluing process, and the possibility that the graphic signs, the decorations and the logos applied this way become detached over time, particularly in the case of frequent use of the push-button panel. Another drawback of known push-button panels and keyboards consists in the complex multilayer structure, which necessarily requires an assembly procedure that is complicated and time wasting. Object of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, having graphic signs, decorations, logos, etc., made in relief on the surface of the front covering layer, without substantial restraints in terms of thickness or shape. Another object of the present invention is to provide a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, having graphic signs, decorations, logos, etc., suitable for creating an appealing aesthetic effect. Another object of the present invention is to make such graphic signs, decorations or logos by means of an easy-to-implement manufacturing process. Another object of the present invention is to provide a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the known art in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution. The above objects are achieved by the present push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, comprising at least a covering element, substantially plate-shaped and having at least a visible surface, at least a transducer element associated with said covering element in proximity with tit_le inner surface substantially opposite said visible surface and electronic connection means of said transducer element with at least a device or an appliance to be controlled, characterized by the fact that said covering element comprises at least a plate and at least a portion in polymer material made in a single body with said plate and which extends from said inner surface beyond B2009/007732

3 said visible surface, through at least a through opening obtained on said plate, so as to define at least a graphic sign, a decoration, a logo or the like in relief with respect to said visible surface.

The above objects are also achieved by the present process for the manufacture of a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following phases:

- realisation of at least a through opening on a plate;

- over-injection of a polymer material on said plate, at said through opening, for the realisation of a covering element having said plate and at least a portion in polymer material extending from the inner surface of said plate beyond the visible surface of said plate, through said through opening, so as to define at least a graphic sign, a decoration, a logo or the like in relief with respect to said visible surface;

- positioning of at least a transducer element in proximity with the inner surface of said covering element, said transducer element being associated with electronic connection means associable with at least a device or an appliance to be controlled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not sole, embodiment of a pushbutton panel for the power control of devices and appliances and relative manufacturing process, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which: figure 1 is an axonometric view of the push-button panel according to the invention; figure 2 is an axonometric and exploded view of the push-button panel according to the invention; figure 3 is a side and section view of the push-button panel according to the invention; figure 4 is an axonometric view that shows the inner portion of the covering element of the push-button panel according to the invention; figure 5 is an axonometric and exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the push-button panel according to the invention. Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such illustrations, globally by 1 has been indicated a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances of the type that can be used for controlling commonly used appliances such as, e.g., industrial machines or appliances, automatic product dispensers, lifts, bank counters, etc.

The push-button panel 1 comprises a covering element 2. substantially plate- shaped and disc shaped, having a visible surface accessible by a user once the push-button panel has been positioned on a device or on an, appliance, and an opposite inner surface.

With particular but not restricted reference to the embodiment shown in the illustrations 1, 2, 3 and 4, the push-button panel comprises a transducer element 3 arranged in proximity with the inner surface of the covering element 2 and which can be enabled by a user.

In particular, the push-button panel 1 comprises a supporting element 4, composed of a disc in polymer material, centrally supporting the transducer element 3 and which is associated with the covering element 2. The push-button panel 1 furthermore comprises electronic connection means 5, made up of a power connector of the type commonly used, suitable for electrically connecting (he transducer element 3 to the device or to the appliance to be controlled.

With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the transducer element 3 is of the type of a pressure key, and is composed of a deforraable metal dome.

In point of fact, a pressure on the covering element 2 at the dome 3, results in the flexion of the covering element 2, with compression of the dome itself and the consequent sending of an electric command signal through the electric connector 5. The use of transducer elements 3 of different type, such as mechanical keys, membrane keys, capacitive touch keys, inductive keys, optical sensors or pressure sensors, cannot however be ruled out. Usefully, a spacer element 6, made up of a ring in polymer material, is placed between the supporting element 4 and the covering element 2.

In particular, the spacer element 6 is associated by gluing to the perimeter edge of the supporting element 4 and to the perimeter edge of the covering element 2. Advantageously, the covering element 2 comprises a flexible pJate 7 and a portion in polymer material, indicated altogether in the illustrations by the reference 8, made in a single body with the plate 7.

Usefully, the plate 7 can be made in metal material such as steel, nickel or chrome-plated brass. The use of non-metal materials to make the plate 7 cannot however be ruled out.

Furthermore, the plate 7 shown in the illustrations has a flat shape, but different embodiments of the push-button panel 1 cannot however be ruled out in which the plate 7 has a curved profile.

Part of the portion in polymer material 8 extends from the inner surface of the plate 7 beyond the visible surface, through a plurality of through openings 9 obtained on the plate 7 and arranged close to one another, so as to define a graphic sign 10 in relief with respect to the visible surface.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations 1, 2, 3 and 4, the graphic sign 10 in relief is shaped so as to make the symbol commonly used to indicate the on/off function of an electric appliance.

The manufacture cannot however be ruled out of a push-button panel 1, according to the invention, having different graphic signs, decorations, logos, etc.

Advantageously, at the inner surface of the plate 7, the portion in polymer material 8 is shaped to define a seat 11 for housing the dome 3.

Inside the seat 11, furthermore, the portion in polymer material 8 is shaped to define a protrusion 12 suitable for exercising a pressure on the dome 3.

Usefully, the portion in polymer material 8 is shaped to define a frame 13 tbat covers the perimeter of the plate 7 and which extends beyond the visible surface, through a series of through openings 9 on the plate 7, to define an edge in relief.

The spacer element 6, in particular, is fastened by gluing at a part of the frame 13 which covers the edge of the inner surface of the plate 7.

Different embodiments of the push-button panel 1 cannot furtitiermore be ruled out in which the spacer element 6 is made integral with the portion in polymer material 8 that covers the perimeter of the plate 7. Usefully, as shown in particular in figure 4, the portion in polymer material 8 can be provided with housings 14 suitably shaped to accommodate respective light sources, such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or the like.

This, together with the use of a substantially light-permeable polymer material, allows giving the graphic sign 10 and the frame 13 a luminous aesthetic effect. The manufacturing process for the push-button panel 1 comprises the following phases.

First of all, on the suitably shaped plate 7, a plurality of through openings 9 are made, close to one another and arranged so as to create the required graphic sign

10. A further series of through openings 9 is made at the edge of the plate 7.

Subsequently, the plate 7 pre-drilled in this way is arranged inside a suitably- shaped mould and a phase of over-injection of a polymer material on the plate 7, at the through openings 9, permits the manufacture of the covering element 2.

The covering element 2 made this way, in particular, has a portion in polymer material 8 made integral with the plate 7.

Finally, the process comprises a phase of positioning of the key 3 at the seat 11 obtained in the portion in polymer material 8.

In particular, this positioning phase envisages the fastening of the key 3 to the supporting element 4 and, subsequently, the fastening of the supporting element 4 to the covering element 2 by means of gluing and previous interposition of the spacer element 6.

The figure 5 shows, by way of example, a second possible embodiment of the push-button panel 1.

In particular, such push-button panel 1 comprises a substantially rectangular covering element 2 having a plurality of graphic signs 10 suitably arranged and shaped so as to create different symbols commonly used inside a keyboard.

The push-button panel 1 also comprises a printed circuit 15 having a plurality of metal domes 3 arranged at the graphic signs 10.

Usefully, a spacer element 6, composed of a rectangular frame in polymer material, is placed between the printed circuit 15 and the covering element 2. It has in practice been found how the invention described achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is underlined that the push-button panel according to the invention can be provided with graphic signs, decorations, logos, etc., which are made in relief on the visible surface of the covering element, without any substantial restraints as regards thickness or shape, and which allow creating an appealing aesthetic effect.

The fact is further underlined that the push-button panel according to the invention has a simple structure and can be made using an easy-to-implement process.

Claims

1) Push-button panel (1) for the power control of devices and appliances, comprising at least a covering element (2), substantially plate-shaped and having at least a visible surface, at least a transducer element (3) associated with said covering element (2) in proximity with the inner surface substantially opposite said visible surface and electronic connection means (S) of said transducer element (3) with at least a device or an appliance to be controlled, characterized by the fact that said covering element (2) comprises at least a plate (7) and at least a portion in polymer material (8) made in a single body with said plate (7) and which extends from said inner surface beyond said visible surface, through at least a through opening (9) obtained on said plate (7), so as to define at least a graphic sign (10), a decoration, a logo or the like in relief with respect to said visible surface.

2) Push-button panel (1) according to the claim 1, characterized by the feet that said portion in polymer material (8) comprises at least a seat (11) for housing said transducer element (3).

3) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said portion in polymer material (8) comprises at least a protrusion (12) positionable in contact with said transducer element (3). 4) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said portion in polymer material (8) comprises at least a frame (13) that extends along at least a section of the perimeter of said plate (7).

5) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the feet that said portion in polymer material (8) comprises at least a housing (14) intended to accommodate at least a light source.

6) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said portion in polymer material (8) is made in a single body with said plate (7) by means of a process of over-injection of plastic material at said through opening (9).

7) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of tbe preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said plate (7) comprises a plurality of through openings (9) close to one another and arranged so as to define said graphic sign (10), said decoration, said logo or the like.

8) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the feet that said plate (7) is substantially flexible. 9) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said plate (7) is at least in part made of metal material.

10) Push-button paneJ (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a supporting element (4) suitable for supporting said transducer element (3) and associable with said covering element (2).

11) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a spacer element (6) placed between said covering element (2) and said supporting element (4). J 2) Push-button panel (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said spacer element (6) is associated by gluing with at least one between said covering element (2) and said supporting element (4).

13) Push-button panel (J) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said transducer element (3) comprises at least one between a mechanical key, a dome key, a membrane key, a capacitive key, an inductive key, an optical sensor and a pressure sensor.

14) Process for the manufacture of a push-button panel for the power control of devices and appliances, characterized by the fact that it comprises the following phases:

- realisation of at least a through opening (9) on a plate (7);

- over-injection of a polymer material on said plate (7), at said through opening (9), for the realisation of a covering element (2) having said plate (7) and at least a portion in polymer material (8) extending from the inner surface of said plate (7) beyond the visible surface of said plate (7), through said through opening (9), so as to define at least a graphic sign (10), a decoration, a logo or the like in relief with respect to said visible surface;

- positioning of at least a transducer element (3) in proximity with the inner surface of said covering element (2), said transducer element (3) being associated with electronic connection means (5) associable with at least a device or an appliance to be controlled.

15) Process according to the claim 14, characterized by the fact that it comprises arranging said plate (7) inside a mould, before said over-injection.

16) Process according to one or more of the claims 14 and 15, characterized by the fact that said positioning comprises the fastening of at least a supporting element (4) of said transducer element (3) to said covering element (2).

17) Process according to one or more of the claims from 14 to 16, characterized by the fact that said fastening comprises the gluing of at least a spacer element (6) between said covering element (2) and said supporting element (4).