Method For Producing Cover Part Of Push Button Switch And Cover Member For Push Button Switch

• US 20070199811A1
• Filed: 07/07/2005
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Company Limited (Shin-Etsu Chemical Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Company Limited (Shin-Etsu Chemical Company Limited)
• Inventors: Hotta, Shinji, Yokoyama, Kazunobu
• Application Number:
  US11/632,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20070199811A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/310
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/26 with spring blade support
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/02 Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18

Abstract

Unevenness in light-emission on the illuminated light is prevented, and deterioration in click-feeling is prevented. An EL element 5 is sandwiched and formed between a silicone rubber sheet 4a, to which a key top part 2 is fixed via an adhesion layer 3, and a silicone rubber sheet 4b having a protrusion 41. Formation of the EL element 5 on the silicone rubber sheet is done after applying the surface-modification treatment onto a surface of at least one of the silicone rubber sheets 4a, 4b for forming the EL element 5.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function, comprising:

a first step of modifying any of the surfaces of an elastic layer consisting essentially of an elastic material;

a second step of forming an EL element on the modified surface of the elastic layer;

a third step of forming a rubber sheet on a surface of the EL element; and

a fourth step of fixing a key top part onto a surface of the elastic layer, wherein

a protrusion is formed on a surface of the rubber sheet opposite to the surface thereof adhering to the EL element.

2. A method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function, comprising:

a first step of modifying one surface having no protrusion formed thereon of a rubber sheet, which rubber sheet forms the protrusion on the other surface thereof;

a second step of forming an EL element on the modified surface of the rubber sheet;

a third step of forming an elastic layer consisting essentially of an elastic material on a surface of the EL element; and

a fourth step of fixing a key top part onto a surface of the elastic layer.

3. A method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function, comprising:

a first step of forming a urethane layer on one surface having no protrusion formed thereon of a rubber sheet, which rubber sheet forms the protrusion on the other surface thereof;

a second step of forming an EL element on a surface of the urethane layer;

a third step of forming an elastic layer consisting essentially of an elastic material on a surface of the EL element; and

a fourth step of fixing a key top part onto a surface of the elastic layer.

4. The method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function according to claim 3, wherein the first step modifies the other surface and forms the urethane layer on the modified surface.

5. The method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function according to claim 4, wherein the first step applies a primer on the modified surface and forms the urethane layer on the primer-applied surface.

6. The method for manufacturing a cover member for push button switch having an illumination function according to claim 3, wherein the first step applies a primer on the other surface and forms the urethane layer on the primer-applied surface.

7. A cover member for push button switch having an illumination function, comprising:

a rubber sheet having a protrusion formed at a lower surface side thereof;

an EL element being formed at an upper surface side of the rubber sheet;

an elastic layer being formed on an upper surface side of the EL element and consisting essentially of an elastic material; and

a key top part being fixed to an upper surface side of the elastic layer.

8. The cover member for push button switch according to claim 7, further comprising a urethane layer being formed between the rubber sheet and the EL element.

9. The cover member for push button switch according to claim 7, wherein the elastic material is a silicone rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a urethane-based resin.

10. The cover member for push button switch according to claim 8, wherein the elastic material is a silicone rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, or a urethane-based resin.