Button assembly and method of manufacturing thereof

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a button-enabled housing assembly (200) includes preforming a composite button component or insert (645) having an elastically flexible button membrane (404) that is mountedon a rigid frame (303), and thereafter molding a housing (206) over the button insert. The composite button insert is formed in a co- molding operation and can include a rigid island (423) in the flexible button membrane for supporting a cosmetic keycap (251).

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 638,669 filed March 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background technique [0003] Many electronic products provide one or more functions that the user can select by manually operating a push button mechanism. In some of these products, the elastic return of the button after being pressed is accomplished by an elastic membrane or elastomeric washer that deforms when the button is pressed. [0004] In many applications, such button membranes also provide a hermetic closure of the housing in which the button is mounted. The button membrane is usually a molded / injected part bonded to the housing to provide this sealing engagement. [0005] However, cost-effective and reliable molding of button membranes on housings or capsules is often hampered by complex or inaccessible housing geometries. Another dif...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, cost-effective and reliable molding of button membranes on housings or capsules is often hampered by complex or inaccessible housing geometries

Another difficulty often encountered with such traditional button assemblies is the poor bonding compatibility of the elastomeric material used for the membrane with the hard plastic material typically used to mold the housing or enclosure.

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