JPH11288632A - Manufacture of key pad - Google Patents

Manufacture of key pad

Info

Publication number
JPH11288632A
JPH11288632A JP9137498A JP9137498A JPH11288632A JP H11288632 A JPH11288632 A JP H11288632A JP 9137498 A JP9137498 A JP 9137498A JP 9137498 A JP9137498 A JP 9137498A JP H11288632 A JPH11288632 A JP H11288632A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
push button
keypad
mold
manufacturing
key pad
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP9137498A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Yasutaro Shimizu
安太郎 清水
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KUGAMI SEIKI KOGYO KK
Original Assignee
KUGAMI SEIKI KOGYO KK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KUGAMI SEIKI KOGYO KK filed Critical KUGAMI SEIKI KOGYO KK
Priority to JP9137498A priority Critical patent/JPH11288632A/en
Publication of JPH11288632A publication Critical patent/JPH11288632A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2209/00—Layers
    • H01H2209/016—Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/028—Printed information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/054—Optical elements
    • H01H2219/066—Lens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
    • H01H2229/044—Injection moulding
    • H01H2229/047—Preformed layer in mould

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a key pad manufacturing method which can reduce manufacturing time, enhance yields, and contribute to the reduction of manufacturing cost. SOLUTION: This manufacturing method includes a first process in which a key pad main body 20 having a base part 17 and a plurality of pushbutton parts 19 projected from the base part via a thin-walled elastic supporting part 18 is molded from an elastomer, a second process in which an indication 21 showing a function allocated to each pushbutton part 19 is printed on the outer surface of each pushbutton part 19 of the key pad main body 20 formed in the first process, and a third process in which a transparent decorative piece serving also as a protective piece is injection molded on the printed surface of each pushbutton 19 of the key pad main body 20 passed through the second process, while the printed surface is used as a part of the inner surface of a die 25.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は、テレビ、ビデオ等
のリモコン装置の操作部や携帯電話機等の操作部に組み
込まれるキーパッドの製造方法に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a keypad incorporated in an operation section of a remote control device such as a television or a video or an operation section of a portable telephone or the like.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】テレビ、ビデオ等のリモコン装置や携帯
電話機等では、その操作部に数字、文字あるいは記号な
どが表示された複数の押釦部を有するキーパッドを組み
込み、このキーパッドの押釦部を押圧操作することによ
ってスイッチ類を操作するようにしたものが多い。2. Description of the Related Art A keypad having a plurality of pushbuttons on which numbers, characters, or symbols are displayed is incorporated in an operation unit of a remote control device such as a television and a videophone, and a mobile phone. In many cases, switches are operated by pressing.

【０００３】このようなキーパッドは、通常、基板部か
ら薄肉弾性支持部をそれぞれ介して複数の押釦部が突出
するように構成されており、一般的にはシリコンゴムな
どのゴム材料を用いて一体的に形成されている。[0003] Such a keypad is generally constructed such that a plurality of push buttons protrude from a substrate through thin elastic support portions, respectively. Generally, a rubber material such as silicone rubber is used. It is formed integrally.

【０００４】しかし、ゴム材料でキーパッドを成形する
場合には、加硫時間、すなわち金型にゴム材料を流し込
んでから、ゴム材料が硬化するまでの時間が長いため、
生産性が低く、コスト高になるばかりか、加硫時間の管
理が極めて重要で、加硫時間によってキーパッドの品質
が左右され易いという問題があった。However, when a keypad is formed from a rubber material, the vulcanization time, that is, the time from the pouring of the rubber material into the mold to the hardening of the rubber material is long.
In addition to low productivity and high cost, there is a problem that the control of the vulcanization time is extremely important and the quality of the keypad is easily influenced by the vulcanization time.

【０００５】このため、近年では、成形材料としてエラ
ストマを用いる傾向にある。エラストマは、常温ではゴ
ム状の弾性を示し、かつ高温では可塑化されるという特
性を備えているため、ゴム材料のように加硫を行う必要
がなく、生産性を高めることができる。For this reason, in recent years, there is a tendency to use an elastomer as a molding material. Elastomers have the property of exhibiting rubber-like elasticity at room temperature and being plasticized at high temperatures, and therefore do not need to be vulcanized unlike rubber materials, and can increase productivity.

【０００６】ところで、携帯電話機等の操作部に組み込
まれるキーパッドでは、操作による摩耗の防止や外観の
見栄え等を考慮して、キーパッド本体の各押釦部にアク
リル樹脂などの透明材料で形成された化粧片（キートッ
プ）を取り付けているものが多い。By the way, in a keypad incorporated in an operation section of a cellular phone or the like, each push button section of the keypad body is formed of a transparent material such as an acrylic resin in consideration of prevention of abrasion due to operation and appearance. In many cases, a decorative piece (key top) is attached.

【０００７】このように化粧片を取り付けたキーパッド
を製造するに当たっては、一般に次のような方法が採用
されている。まず、細い連結部で互いに連結された複数
の化粧片からなる集合物をアクリル等で射出成形する。
そして、これら化粧片の下面すなわち押釦部との接着面
に各押釦部に割り当てられた機能を示す表示を印刷す
る。その後に、各化粧片を連結している連結部を切断除
去し、これによって分離された化粧片を予めエラストマ
で製作されているキーパッド本体の押釦部の外面に接着
剤で固定して完成させる。In manufacturing a keypad with a decorative piece attached as described above, the following method is generally employed. First, an assembly made of a plurality of decorative pieces connected to each other at a thin connecting portion is injection-molded with acrylic or the like.
Then, a display indicating a function assigned to each push button is printed on the lower surface of these decorative pieces, that is, the adhesive surface with the push button. Thereafter, the connecting portion connecting the decorative pieces is cut and removed, and the separated decorative piece is fixed to the outer surface of the push button portion of the keypad body made of an elastomer in advance with an adhesive to complete it. .

【０００８】しかしながら、このような従来のキーパッ
ドの製造方法にあっては次のような問題があった。すな
わち、従来の方法では、化粧片の下面に印刷を施した後
に、各化粧片を連結している細い連結部を切断除去する
必要があるが、化粧片の数が多かったり、形状が複雑で
あったりすると、連結部の切断除去に長時間を要する問
題があった。特に、アクリルやポリカーボネート等で化
粧片を成形したときには、これらの材料が脆いことから
慎重に切断除去作業を行わなければならず、切断除去に
長時間を要するばかりか、切断除去作業に熟練を要する
問題があった。However, such a conventional method for manufacturing a keypad has the following problems. That is, in the conventional method, after printing on the lower surface of the decorative piece, it is necessary to cut and remove a thin connecting portion connecting the decorative pieces, but the number of decorative pieces is large or the shape is complicated. If there is, there is a problem that it takes a long time to cut and remove the connecting portion. In particular, when a decorative piece is formed from acrylic, polycarbonate, or the like, these materials must be carefully cut and removed because these materials are brittle. Not only long time is required for cutting and removing but also skill is required for cutting and removing. There was a problem.

【０００９】また、分離された各化粧片をキーパッド本
体の各押釦部外面に接着剤を介して精度良く接着するに
は、位置合わせ用の特殊な治具を必要とする。さらに、
類似形状の化粧片がある場合には、接着作業時に位置を
間違えて接着してしまうことが往々にしてあり、しかも
化粧片をキーパッド本体の押釦部外面に接着剤で固定し
ているので、接着剤のはみ出し等も起こり易い。このよ
うなことから、従来の製造方法では、製造時間の短縮化
および歩留まりの向上が困難で、必然的に製造コストが
高くなるという問題があった。Further, a special jig for positioning is required to accurately adhere the separated decorative pieces to the outer surfaces of the respective push buttons of the keypad body via an adhesive. further,
When there is a cosmetic piece of similar shape, it is often the case that the adhesive is incorrectly attached during the bonding operation, and since the cosmetic piece is fixed to the outer surface of the push button part of the keypad body with an adhesive, The adhesive is likely to protrude. For this reason, the conventional manufacturing method has a problem that it is difficult to shorten the manufacturing time and improve the yield, and the manufacturing cost is necessarily increased.

【００１０】[0010]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】上述の如く、従来の製
造方法では、製造時間を短縮することが困難であるばか
りか、歩留まりを向上させることが本質的に困難で、製
造コストを下げることが困難であった。そこで本発明
は、上述した従来の問題点を効果的に解消できるキーパ
ッドの製造法を提供することを目的としている。As described above, in the conventional manufacturing method, it is not only difficult to shorten the manufacturing time, but it is essentially difficult to improve the yield, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost. It was difficult. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a keypad which can effectively solve the conventional problems described above.

【００１１】[0011]

【課題を解決するための手段】上記目的を達成するため
に、本発明では、キーパッドを製造するに当たり、基板
部および該基板部から薄肉弾性支持部をそれぞれ介して
突出する複数の押釦部を備えたキーパッド本体をエラス
トマで成形する第１の工程と、この第１の工程で形成さ
れたキーパッド本体の前記各押釦部の外面に各押釦部に
割り当てられた機能を示す表示を印刷する第２の工程
と、この第２の工程を経た前記キーパッド本体の各押釦
部の印刷面を金型の内面の一部として上記印刷面上に保
護片を兼ねた透明の化粧片を射出成形する第３の工程と
を具備してなることを特徴としている。In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in manufacturing a keypad, a substrate portion and a plurality of push button portions projecting from the substrate portion through thin elastic support portions are provided. A first step of molding the provided keypad body with an elastomer, and printing an indication indicating a function assigned to each of the pushbutton sections on the outer surface of each of the pushbutton sections of the keypad body formed in the first step. Injection molding a second step and a transparent decorative piece which also serves as a protective piece on the printed surface, with the printed surface of each push button portion of the keypad body after the second step as a part of the inner surface of the mold. And a third step of performing the above.

【００１２】なお、前記第３の工程では、前記キーパッ
ド本体の各押釦部を遊びなく嵌入させる孔を有した板状
の第１の金型と、この第１の金型の一側面側から前記各
押釦部を対応する前記孔に嵌入させた前記キーパッド本
体の背面に当てがわれる押圧板と、前記第１の金型に設
けられた前記各孔を臨む位置に前記化粧片の成形に供さ
れる凹部を備えるとともに上記凹部に繋がるゲートを備
え、上記凹部の形成されている面側を前記第１の金型の
他側面側に密接して配置される第２の金型とを用いるこ
とが好ましい。In the third step, a plate-shaped first mold having a hole into which each push button portion of the keypad body is fitted without play, and a first side surface of the first mold are provided. A pressing plate applied to the back surface of the keypad body in which each of the push button portions is fitted into the corresponding hole, and the molding of the decorative piece at a position facing each of the holes provided in the first mold. A second mold provided with a concave portion provided and a gate connected to the concave portion, and a surface on which the concave portion is formed is closely disposed to the other side surface of the first mold. Is preferred.

【００１３】また、前記第２の工程と前記第３の工程と
の間に、前記印刷面の上に紫外線硬化接着剤層を設ける
第４の工程を備えているとさらに好ましい。本発明に係
る製造方法では、各押釦部に割り当てられた機能を示す
表示を各押釦部自身の外面に直接印刷するようにしてい
るので、各押釦部に後付けされる化粧片に印刷するよう
にした従来の方法とは違って、表示位置の間違いや表示
ずれの発生を未然に防止することが可能となる。It is more preferable that the method further comprises a fourth step of providing an ultraviolet-curable adhesive layer on the printing surface between the second step and the third step. In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, since the display indicating the function assigned to each of the push button sections is printed directly on the outer surface of each of the push button sections, it is printed on a cosmetic piece that is attached to each of the push button sections. Unlike the conventional method described above, it is possible to prevent a display position from being erroneous or a display shift from occurring.

【００１４】また、第３の工程において、キーパッド本
体の各押釦部の印刷面を金型の内面の一部として用い、
印刷面上に保護片を兼ねた透明の化粧片を射出成形する
ようにしているので、複数の化粧片の形成と各押釦部へ
の固定とを同時に、しかも高精度に実施することができ
る。そして、各化粧片を成形した後のゲート部の除去も
公知の手法で簡単に精度良く実施できる。In the third step, the printing surface of each push button of the keypad body is used as a part of the inner surface of the mold,
Since a transparent decorative piece that also serves as a protective piece is injection-molded on the printing surface, the formation of a plurality of decorative pieces and fixing to each of the push button portions can be performed simultaneously with high precision. The removal of the gate portion after forming each decorative piece can be easily and accurately performed by a known method.

【００１５】したがって、製造時間の短縮化および歩留
まりの向上に寄与でき、製造コストの低減に寄与でき
る。なお、第３の工程に入る前に、印刷面の上に薄い紫
外線硬化接着剤層を設けると、この接着剤層が良好な断
熱材として機能し、化粧片を射出成形するときに、射出
材の温度の影響で印刷面ににじみが生じたり、しわが発
生したりするのを防止できる。Therefore, it is possible to contribute to shortening of the manufacturing time and improvement of the yield, and to reduction of the manufacturing cost. If a thin ultraviolet-curing adhesive layer is provided on the printing surface before the third step, the adhesive layer functions as a good heat insulating material, and when the decorative piece is injection-molded, , And wrinkles can be prevented from being generated on the printing surface due to the influence of the temperature.

【００１６】[0016]

【発明の実施の形態】以下、図面を参照しながら本発明
の実施形態を説明する。図１には本発明の一実施形態に
係る製造方法で製造されたキーパッドを組み込んだ機
器、ここには携帯電話機１の正面図の一部だけが示され
ている。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows only a part of a front view of a device incorporating a keypad manufactured by a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【００１７】同図において、２は電話機筐体を示してい
る。この電話機筐体２の正面壁３には、ダイヤル用を含
めた各種の押し釦式スイッチ４の操作部が正面壁３に形
成された孔５から一部分を外部へ突出させる関係に配列
されている。In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes a telephone case. On the front wall 3 of the telephone housing 2, the operation units of various push-button switches 4 including those for dials are arranged in such a manner that a part of the operation unit protrudes from a hole 5 formed in the front wall 3 to the outside. .

【００１８】押し釦式スイッチ４は、図２に１つだけ取
り出して示すように、絶縁性の基板１１と、この基板１
１の図中上面上にスペーサ１２を介して取り付けられた
キーパッド１３と、基板１１の図中上面でキーパッド１
３の後述する押釦部１９に対向する位置に設けられた固
定接点１４ａ，１４ｂと、押釦部１９の図中下面で固定
接点１４ａ，１４ｂに対向する位置に設けられ、押釦部
１９が図中太矢印１５で示す方向に押圧されて下方に変
位したときに固定接点１４ａ，１４ｂ間を短絡する導電
ゴム等で形成された可動接点１６とで構成されている。As shown in FIG. 2, only one push button type switch 4 has an insulating substrate 11 and a
1 and a keypad 13 mounted on a top surface of the substrate 11 via a spacer 12 and a keypad 1 on the top surface of the substrate 11 in the drawing.
3, fixed contacts 14a, 14b provided at a position facing a push button portion 19 described later, and a lower surface of the push button portion 19 at a position facing the fixed contacts 14a, 14b. A movable contact 16 formed of conductive rubber or the like short-circuits the fixed contacts 14a and 14b when pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow 15 and displaced downward.

【００１９】キーパッド１３は、基板部１７および該基
板部１７からそれぞれ薄肉弾性支持部１８を介して突出
する複数の押釦部１９を備えたキーパッド本体２０と、
このキーパッド本体２０の各押釦部１９の外面（図２中
上面）に各押釦部１９に割り当てられた機能を示す表示
を印刷した印刷層２１と、この印刷層２１の上に固着さ
れた保護片を兼ねる透明の化粧片２２とで構成されてい
る。The keypad 13 includes a substrate portion 17 and a keypad body 20 having a plurality of push button portions 19 protruding from the substrate portion 17 through thin elastic support portions 18, respectively.
A printed layer 21 on which an indication indicating a function assigned to each push button 19 is printed on an outer surface (an upper surface in FIG. 2) of each push button 19 of the keypad body 20, and a protection layer fixed on the printed layer 21. And a transparent makeup piece 22 also serving as a piece.

【００２０】このような要素によって構成された押し釦
式スイッチ４は、化粧片２２の例えば上半分が正面壁３
より外部に突出するように実装されている。ここで、こ
の例の場合、キーパッド１３は次のような製造方法で製
造されたものが用いられている。The push-button type switch 4 composed of such elements has a structure in which, for example, the upper half of the decorative piece 22 has the front wall 3.
It is mounted to protrude more outside. Here, in the case of this example, the keypad 13 manufactured by the following manufacturing method is used.

【００２１】すなわち、まず、図２に示したように、基
板部１７および該基板部から薄肉弾性支持部１８をそれ
ぞれ介して突出する複数の押釦部１９を備えたキーパッ
ド本体２０をエラストマで成形する（第１の工程）。図
３には第１の工程によって製造されたキーパッド本体２
０の上面図が示されている。なお、図３中、２３は基板
１１への取り付けに供される取付部を示している。That is, first, as shown in FIG. 2, a keypad body 20 having a substrate portion 17 and a plurality of push button portions 19 projecting from the substrate portion via the thin elastic support portions 18 is formed of an elastomer. (First step). FIG. 3 shows a keypad body 2 manufactured by the first process.
0 is shown. In addition, in FIG. 3, 23 has shown the attachment part used for attachment to the board | substrate 11. FIG.

【００２２】次に、図４に示すように、第１の工程で形
成されたキーパッド本体２０の各押釦部１９の外面に各
押釦部に割り当てられた機能を示す表示を印刷する。す
なわち、印刷層２１を形成する（第２の工程）。Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a display indicating the function assigned to each push button is printed on the outer surface of each push button 19 of the keypad body 20 formed in the first step. That is, the printing layer 21 is formed (second step).

【００２３】次に、第２の工程を経たキーパッド本体２
０の各押釦部１９の印刷面を金型の内面の一部として印
刷面上に保護片を兼ねた透明の化粧片２２を射出成形す
る（第３の工程）。Next, the keypad body 2 having undergone the second step
The printed face of each of the 0 pushbuttons 19 is part of the inner surface of the mold, and a transparent decorative piece 22 also serving as a protective piece is injection-molded on the printed face (third step).

【００２４】この第３の工程を以下に詳しく説明する。
まず、図５に示すように、キーパッド本体２０の各押釦
部１９を遊びなく嵌入させる孔２４を有した板状の第１
の金型２５を用意する。This third step will be described in detail below.
First, as shown in FIG. 5, a first plate-shaped plate having a hole 24 into which each push button portion 19 of the keypad body 20 is fitted without play.
Is prepared.

【００２５】次に、図６にも示すように、第１の金型２
５の一側面側からキーパッド本体２０の各押釦部１９を
第１の金型２５の対応する孔２４に嵌入させる。この例
の場合、キーパッド本体２０の各押釦部１９を第１の金
型２５の対応する孔２４に嵌入させる前の時点で各押釦
部１９の上に設けられた印刷層２１の上に透明の紫外線
硬化接着剤層を薄く設け（第４の工程）、この接着剤層
を硬化させた後に各押釦部１９を対応する孔２４に嵌入
させている。Next, as shown in FIG.
Each push button portion 19 of the keypad body 20 is fitted into the corresponding hole 24 of the first mold 25 from one side of the side 5. In the case of this example, before the respective push button portions 19 of the keypad body 20 are fitted into the corresponding holes 24 of the first mold 25, a transparent layer is formed on the print layer 21 provided on the respective push button portions 19. Is provided thinly (fourth step), and after this adhesive layer is cured, each push button portion 19 is fitted into the corresponding hole 24.

【００２６】次に、図７に示すように、キーパッド本体
２０の背面（図中下面）に押圧板２６を当てがい、さら
に第１の金型２５の上面に第２の金型を密接させる。こ
の第２の金型２７の図中下面で第１の金型２５に設けら
れた各孔２４を臨む位置には化粧片２２の成形に供され
る凹部２８が形成されている。また、凹部２８に近接し
た位置には、凹部２８に繋がるゲート２９を形成する狭
くて浅い溝および該ゲート２９に成形材を導くスプール
３０が形成されている。なお、印刷層２１に影響を与え
ずに、しかも精度の高いゲートカットが容易に行えるよ
うにするために、ゲート２９の開口が印刷層２１から厚
み方向に所定だけ離れた場所に位置するように第１の金
型２５の厚みが設定されている。Next, as shown in FIG. 7, a pressing plate 26 is applied to the back surface (lower surface in the figure) of the keypad body 20, and the second mold is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the first mold 25. . A concave portion 28 for forming the decorative piece 22 is formed on a lower surface of the second mold 27 in the drawing at a position facing each hole 24 provided in the first mold 25. In a position close to the concave portion 28, a narrow and shallow groove forming a gate 29 connected to the concave portion 28 and a spool 30 for guiding a molding material to the gate 29 are formed. In addition, in order to easily perform high-precision gate cutting without affecting the printing layer 21, the opening of the gate 29 should be positioned at a predetermined distance from the printing layer 21 in the thickness direction. The thickness of the first mold 25 is set.

【００２７】次に、押圧板２６、印刷層２１の設けられ
たキーパッド本体２０、第１の金型２５および第２の金
型２７からなる積層体に図７中太矢印３１，３２で示す
方向に圧縮力を加えて型締めする。この状態で各スプー
ル３０を図示しないアクリル液供給機のノズルに接続し
て各凹部２８にアクリルを注入し、通常の射出成形工程
と同じ工程で化粧片２２を作り込む。Next, a laminate composed of the pressing plate 26, the keypad body 20 provided with the printing layer 21, the first mold 25 and the second mold 27 is shown by thick arrows 31 and 32 in FIG. Apply compression force in the direction to close the mold. In this state, each spool 30 is connected to a nozzle of an acrylic liquid supply device (not shown) to inject acrylic into each concave portion 28, and the decorative piece 22 is formed in the same process as a normal injection molding process.

【００２８】このように、この例に係る製造方法では、
まず各押釦部１９に割り当てられた機能を示す表示を各
押釦部１９の外面に直接印刷する方法を採用しているの
で、各押釦部１９に後付けされる化粧片に印刷する方法
とは違って、表示位置の間違いや表示ずれの発生を未然
に防止することが可能となる。Thus, in the manufacturing method according to this example,
First, since a method of printing a display indicating the function assigned to each of the push button sections 19 directly on the outer surface of each of the push button sections 19 is adopted, unlike a method of printing on a cosmetic piece attached to each of the push button sections 19, In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous display positions and display shifts from occurring.

【００２９】また、キーパッド本体２０の各押釦部１９
の印刷面を金型の内面の一部として用い、印刷面上に保
護片を兼ねた透明の化粧片２２を射出成形するようにし
ているので、複数の化粧片２２を高い精度で形成でき、
しかもこれら各化粧片２２の各押釦部１９への確実な固
定を一度に実施できる。この場合、各化粧片２２を成形
した後のゲート部の除去も公知の手法で簡単に精度良く
実施できる。Each of the push button portions 19 of the keypad body 20
Is used as a part of the inner surface of the mold, and the transparent decorative piece 22 also serving as a protective piece is injection-molded on the printed surface, so that a plurality of decorative pieces 22 can be formed with high precision,
In addition, it is possible to securely fix each of the decorative pieces 22 to the respective push button portions 19 at a time. In this case, the removal of the gate portion after forming each decorative piece 22 can be easily and accurately performed by a known method.

【００３０】したがって、製造時間の短縮化および歩留
まりの向上に寄与でき、製造コストの低減に寄与でき
る。なお、第３の工程に入る前に、印刷面の上に薄い透
明な紫外線硬化接着剤層を設けておくと、この接着剤層
が良好な断熱材として機能し、化粧片２２の成形時に射
出材の温度の影響で印刷面ににじみが生じたり、しわが
発生したりするのを防止できる。上述した例では、化粧
片２２をアクリルで成形しているが、透明のポリカーボ
ネートで成形してもよい。Therefore, it is possible to contribute to shortening of the manufacturing time and improvement of the yield, and to reduction of the manufacturing cost. If a thin transparent UV-curable adhesive layer is provided on the printing surface before the third step, the adhesive layer functions as a good heat insulating material, and is injected when the decorative piece 22 is formed. It is possible to prevent bleeding or wrinkling from occurring on the printing surface due to the influence of the temperature of the material. In the example described above, the decorative piece 22 is formed of acrylic, but may be formed of transparent polycarbonate.

【００３１】[0031]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
キーパッドの製造に際し、製造時間の短縮化および歩留
まりの向上に寄与でき、製造コストの低減に寄与でき
る。As described above, according to the present invention,
When manufacturing a keypad, it is possible to contribute to shortening of manufacturing time and improvement of yield, and to reduction of manufacturing cost.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係る製造方法で製造され
たキーパッドを組み込んでなる携帯電話機の一部だけを
示す正面図FIG. 1 is a front view showing only a part of a mobile phone incorporating a keypad manufactured by a manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図２】同携帯電話機を図１におけるＡ−Ａ線に沿って
切断し矢印方向に見た図FIG. 2 is a view of the mobile phone taken along line AA in FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

【図３】同携帯電話機に組み込まれたキーパッドの第１
の製造工程を説明するための図FIG. 3 shows a first keypad incorporated in the mobile phone.
For explaining the manufacturing process of

【図４】同キーパッドの第２の製造工程を説明するため
の図FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a second manufacturing process of the keypad.

【図５】同キーパッドの第３の製造工程を説明するため
の図FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a third manufacturing process of the keypad.

【図６】図５におけるＢ−Ｂ線に沿って切断し矢印方向
に見た図6 is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

【図７】同キーパッドの第３の製造工程を説明するため
の図FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a third manufacturing process of the keypad.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

１３…キーパッド １７…基板部 １８…薄肉弾性支持部 １９…押釦部 ２０…キーパッド本体 ２１…印刷層 ２２…化粧片 ２４…孔 ２５…第１の金型 ２６…押圧板 ２７…第２の金型 ２８…凹部 ２９…ゲート DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Keypad 17 ... Substrate part 18 ... Thin elastic support part 19 ... Push button part 20 ... Keypad main body 21 ... Print layer 22 ... Decorative piece 24 ... Hole 25 ... First die 26 ... Press plate 27 ... Second Die 28 ... recess 29 ... gate

Claims (3)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】基板部および該基板部から薄肉弾性支持部
をそれぞれ介して突出する複数の押釦部を備えたキーパ
ッド本体をエラストマで成形する第１の工程と、 この第１の工程で形成されたキーパッド本体の前記各押
釦部の外面に各押釦部に割り当てられた機能を示す表示
を印刷する第２の工程と、 この第２の工程を経た前記キーパッド本体の各押釦部の
印刷面を金型の内面の一部として上記印刷面上に保護片
を兼ねた透明の化粧片を射出成形する第３の工程とを具
備してなることを特徴とするキーパッドの製造方法。1. A first step of molding a keypad body having a substrate portion and a plurality of push button portions projecting from the substrate portion through thin elastic support portions, respectively, by using an elastomer, and forming the keypad body in the first step. A second step of printing a display indicating a function assigned to each of the push button sections on the outer surface of each of the push button sections of the key pad body, and printing of each of the push button sections of the key pad body after the second step A third step of injection-molding a transparent decorative piece also serving as a protective piece on the printed surface with the surface being a part of the inner surface of the mold. 【請求項２】前記第３の工程は、前記キーパッド本体の
各押釦部を遊びなく嵌入させる孔を有した板状の第１の
金型と、この第１の金型の一側面側から前記各押釦部を
対応する前記孔に嵌入させた前記キーパッド本体の背面
に当てがわれる押圧板と、前記第１の金型に設けられた
前記各孔を臨む位置に前記化粧片の成形に供される凹部
を備えるとともに上記凹部に繋がるゲートを備え、上記
凹部の形成されている面側を前記第１の金型の他側面側
に密接して配置される第２の金型とを用いて実行するこ
とを特徴とする請求項１に記載のキーパッドの製造方
法。2. The third step comprises the steps of: forming a first plate-shaped mold having a hole into which each push button portion of the keypad body is fitted without play; A pressing plate applied to the back surface of the keypad body in which each of the push button portions is fitted into the corresponding hole, and the molding of the decorative piece at a position facing each of the holes provided in the first mold. A second mold provided with a concave portion provided and a gate connected to the concave portion, and a surface on which the concave portion is formed is closely arranged to the other side surface of the first mold. 2. The method for manufacturing a keypad according to claim 1, wherein 【請求項３】前記第２の工程と前記第３の工程との間
に、前記印刷面の上に紫外線硬化接着剤層を設ける第４
の工程を備えていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の
キーパッドの製造方法。3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an ultraviolet-curable adhesive layer on said printing surface between said second step and said third step.
2. The method for manufacturing a keypad according to claim 1, further comprising:
JP9137498A 1998-04-03 1998-04-03 Manufacture of key pad Pending JPH11288632A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9137498A JPH11288632A (en) 1998-04-03 1998-04-03 Manufacture of key pad

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9137498A JPH11288632A (en) 1998-04-03 1998-04-03 Manufacture of key pad

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH11288632A true JPH11288632A (en) 1999-10-19

Family

ID=14024609

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP9137498A Pending JPH11288632A (en) 1998-04-03 1998-04-03 Manufacture of key pad

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH11288632A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002210777A (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-07-30 Taisei Plas Co Ltd Push button unit and its production method
KR100463123B1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2004-12-23 주식회사 미라클 Method for manufacture of double meaning a keypad and structure thereof
CN1804140A (en) * 2001-02-16 2006-07-19 太洋工作所 Method for producing mobile phone button
US7146701B2 (en) * 2003-01-31 2006-12-12 Neeco-Tron, Inc. Control housing and method of manufacturing same
CN103009575A (en) * 2012-10-22 2013-04-03 苏州市吴中区木渎华利模具加工店 Remote controller assembly moulding plastic mould for electric room heater
CN103236363A (en) * 2013-04-25 2013-08-07 东莞万德电子制品有限公司 Waterproof key manufacturing method

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2002210777A (en) * 2001-01-24 2002-07-30 Taisei Plas Co Ltd Push button unit and its production method
JP4628553B2 (en) * 2001-01-24 2011-02-09 大成プラス株式会社 Pushbutton unit and manufacturing method thereof
CN1804140A (en) * 2001-02-16 2006-07-19 太洋工作所 Method for producing mobile phone button
KR100463123B1 (en) * 2001-12-28 2004-12-23 주식회사 미라클 Method for manufacture of double meaning a keypad and structure thereof
US7146701B2 (en) * 2003-01-31 2006-12-12 Neeco-Tron, Inc. Control housing and method of manufacturing same
CN103009575A (en) * 2012-10-22 2013-04-03 苏州市吴中区木渎华利模具加工店 Remote controller assembly moulding plastic mould for electric room heater
CN103236363A (en) * 2013-04-25 2013-08-07 东莞万德电子制品有限公司 Waterproof key manufacturing method

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