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Button assembly and method of making the same

A button and component technology, which is applied in the field of button components and its manufacturing, can solve the problems of housing geometry obstruction, poor bonding compatibility, etc.

Active Publication Date: 2022-07-26
SNAP INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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.

Method used

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  • Button assembly and method of making the same
  • Button assembly and method of making the same
  • Button assembly and method of making the same

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0060] Example 1: A method that includes:

[0061] Button inserts are formed, the button inserts include:

[0062] a button frame defining an access opening extending therethrough, the button frame being made of a substantially rigid plastic material; and

[0063] a button membrane attached to the button frame and covering at least a portion of the access opening through the button frame, the button membrane being made of an elastically flexible material; and

[0064] The housing for the electronic component is overmolded onto the composite button insert such that the housing is bonded to the button frame, the button membrane is located in the button hole defined by the housing, and the button hole is closed by the button insert.

example 2

[0065] Example 2: The method of Example 1, wherein the button insert is substantially waterproof, and wherein the overmolding operation establishes a substantially waterproof connection between the button insert and the housing such that the button insert seals the said The button hole of the housing.

example 3

[0066] Example 3: The method of example 1 or example 2, wherein forming the button insert comprises:

[0067] molded button frames; and

[0068] Overmolding the button film onto the button frame.

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PUM

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a housing assembly (200) with button functionality, comprising pre-forming a composite button component or insert (645) with a resiliently flexible button membrane (404) mounted on a rigid frame (303), The housing (206) is then molded over the button insert. The composite button insert is formed in a co-molding operation and may include rigid islands (423) in the flexible button membrane for supporting decorative keycaps (251).

Description

[0001] Related applications [0002] This application claims priority to and from US 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 button mechanism. In some of these products, the elastic recovery of the button after pressing is achieved by an elastic membrane or elastomeric gasket that deforms when the button is pressed. [0004] In many applications, this button membrane also provides a hermetic closure of the housing in which the button is mounted. The button membrane is typically 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 enclosures is often hindered by complex or inaccessible housing geometries. Another difficulty often encoun...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): B29C45/14G02B27/01B29L31/34B29L31/46B29L12/00
CPCB29D12/02B29C45/14336B29C45/1418G02C11/10G02C13/001G02C5/001G02C5/146G02C9/00B21B31/08B29L2012/005B29L2031/3481B29L2031/46B29L2031/466B29C2045/14237G02B2027/0178B29C65/08
Inventor M·梅佩D·W·莫斯科维茨S·A·斯蒂格
Owner SNAP INC