Keypad

• US 7,119,296 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
• Original Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
• Inventors: Liu, Dean-Kuo, Wu, Lu-Chin
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US11/162,366
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 200511-517, 200/341, 200/5.A, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173
• US Class Current: 200/341
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/076 non elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive

Abstract

A manufacturing method for a keypad is provided. First, a patterned thin plastic sheet, which includes a first surface and a second surface, is provided. A plurality of touch buttons which can be operated independently are included. The touch buttons have a plurality of hollow patterned structures on them. Later, a metal layer is formed on the first surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet and on the sidewalls of the hollow patterned structures. Thereafter, an adhesion enhancing layer is added onto to the second surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet. Later, a colored layer is formed on the adhesion enhancing layer. Finally, a protruding point layer is formed on the adhesion enhancing layer, and is covering the colored layer. The protruding point layer has a plurality of protruding points with positions corresponding to the touch buttons respectively.

Claims

1. A keypad, comprising:

a patterned thin plastic sheet, having a first surface and a second surface, and the patterned thin plastic sheet comprising a plurality of touch buttons that are independently operated, wherein a plurality of hollow patterned structures are on the touch buttons;

a metal layer, disposed on the first surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet and on the sidewall of the hollow patterned structures;

an adhesion enhancing layer, disposed on the second surface of the patterned thin plastic sheet;

a colored layer, disposed on the adhesion enhancing layer; and

a protruding point layer, disposed on the adhesion enhancing layer and covering the colored layer, wherein the protruding point layer has a plurality of protrusions and positions of the protrusions correspond to the touch buttons respectively.

2. The keypad in claim 1, wherein a portion of the adhesion enhancing layer further fills into the hollow patterned structures.

3. The keypad in claim 1, wherein a material for the adhesion enhancing layer comprises thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermal plastic rubber (TPR), or thermoplastic resin.

4. The keypad in claim 1, wherein a material for the protruding point layer comprises thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The keypad in claim 1, wherein a material for the protruding point layer comprises silicone rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermal plastic rubber, or thermoplastic resin.