Switch panel, switch device, and method for manufacturing a switch panel

Abstract

To improve the positional accuracy of the light-transmitting and light-blocking areas of the display layer. [Solution] A switch panel 3 comprises a base material 5 made of hard resin, a translucent cushion layer 9 provided on the surface of the base material 5, a display layer 13 provided on the front side of the cushion layer 9 having a light-transmitting region R1 and a light-blocking region R2, and a semi-translucent surface 17 covering the cushion layer 9 and the display layer 13 from the front, wherein the cushion layer 9 is integrally formed on the surface of the base material 5 by two-color molding using soft resin, and the display layer 13 is formed by printing, transfer, or painting onto the surface of the cushion layer 9.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch panel, a switch device, and a method for manufacturing a switch panel, which include a base material, a cushion layer provided on the surface of the base material, and a skin covering the cushion layer from the front side.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a switch panel having a switch opening, a base material made of a hard resin, a cushion layer having translucency provided on the surface of the base material so as to cover the switch opening, a display layer having a light-transmitting region for transmitting light and a light-blocking region for blocking the light, and provided on the front side of the cushion layer so that the light-transmitting region overlaps with the switch opening, and a skin having translucency covering the cushion layer and the display layer from the front side. In this switch panel, the display layer is constituted by a multilayer film having a first printing layer for forming a printed pattern such as cloth or leather, and a second printing layer disposed on the back side of the first printing layer and having a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region. Further, Patent Document 1 describes that the display layer and the skin may be integrally formed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, in Patent Document 1, when manufacturing a switch panel, it is necessary to perform a bonding operation in which the multilayer film constituting the display layer, or the surface on which the display layer is integrally formed, is attached to the cushion layer. Therefore, the light-transmitting and light-blocking areas of the display layer tend to shift from the desired positions. This problem becomes particularly pronounced when the multilayer film constituting the display layer, or the surface on which the display layer is integrally formed, is stretchable.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to improve the positional accuracy of the light-transmitting region and the light-shielding region of the display layer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is characterized by integrally molding a cushion layer with a substrate and forming a display layer on the surface of the cushion layer by printing, transfer, or painting.

[0007] Specifically, the first invention relates to a switch panel comprising a base material made of a hard resin having an opening for a switch, a light-transmitting cushion layer provided on the surface of the base material so as to cover the opening for the switch, a display layer having a light-transmitting region that transmits light and a light-blocking region that blocks light, provided on the front side of the cushion layer such that the light-transmitting region overlaps with the opening for the switch, and a surface covering that covers the cushion layer and the display layer from the front, and the following solutions were implemented.

[0008] In other words, the first invention is characterized in that the cushion layer is integrally formed on the surface of the base material by two-color molding using a soft resin, the display layer is formed by printing, transfer, or painting onto the surface of the cushion layer, and the surface is semi-transparent.

[0009] The second invention is characterized in that, in the switch panel according to the first invention, the thickness of the surface layer is set to 0.1 mm or more and 0.55 mm or less.

[0010] The third invention is a switch panel according to the first invention, characterized in that a groove is formed on the back surface of the cushion layer along the outer edge of the switch opening, or a recess is formed in a region overlapping with the switch opening.

[0011] The fourth invention is a switch panel according to the first invention, characterized in that a protrusion is formed on the surface of the cushion layer, a bulging portion is formed on the outer skin that bulges out on the outer side, and the protrusion of the cushion layer is housed in the bulging portion of the outer skin from the back side.

[0012] The fifth invention is a switch panel according to the first invention, characterized in that a proximity sensor is insert-molded into the substrate so as to surround the opening for the switch.

[0013] The sixth invention is a switch device comprising a switch panel according to the fifth invention and an electronic circuit board disposed on the back side of the switch panel, wherein the proximity sensor has a protruding piece, the protruding piece protrudes from the base material to the back side, and the tip of the protruding piece of the proximity sensor penetrates or approaches the electronic circuit board.

[0014] The seventh invention is a switch device characterized by comprising a switch panel according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, a light source that irradiates the display layer with light from the back side through the cushion layer, a translucent button disposed on the back side of the area of ​​the cushion layer that overlaps with the switch opening, so as to be able to move back and forth in the thickness direction of the cushion layer, and a tact switch that switches on and off as the button retracts to the back side.

[0015] The eighth invention is a method for manufacturing a switch panel according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein a core mold and a first cavity mold are molded together. ClosingNext, a cavity for molding the base material is formed, and the base material is molded by injecting and filling the cavity with hard resin. Then, the core mold and the second cavity mold, with the base material remaining, are molded together. Closing The present invention is characterized by forming a cushion layer molding cavity between the core mold, the substrate and the second cavity mold, injecting and filling the cushion layer molding cavity with a translucent soft resin to integrally mold the cushion layer onto the surface of the substrate so as to cover the switch opening, then forming the display layer on the surface of the cushion layer by printing, transferring or painting so that the translucent area overlaps with the switch opening, and finally obtaining the switch panel by bonding the surface to the cushion layer and the display layer from the front side by TOM molding.

[0016] The ninth invention is a method for manufacturing a switch panel according to the eighth invention, characterized in that, after forming a light-shielding film on the surface of the cushion layer by transfer or painting, a part of the light-shielding film is peeled off with a laser to form the light-transmitting region of the display layer.

[0017] The tenth invention is a method for manufacturing a switch panel according to the eighth invention, characterized in that the proximity sensor is placed in the substrate molding cavity while the rigid resin is injected and filled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the first to tenth inventions, since the display layer is formed by printing, transferring, or painting onto the surface of a cushion layer integrally molded with a substrate, it is easier to improve the positional accuracy of the light-transmitting and light-shielding regions of the display layer compared to the case where a multilayer film constituting the display layer, or a surface on which the display layer is integrally formed, is attached to the cushion layer.

[0019] In addition, when forming the display layer by forming a light-shielding film on the back surface of the skin and peeling off a part of the light-shielding film with a laser, it is not necessary to thicken the skin in order to eliminate the influence of laser processing on the surface shape of the skin. Therefore, the skin can be made thinner. As a result, the shape of the light-transmitting region of the display layer can be more clearly represented on the front side of the switch panel.

[0020] Also, it is not necessary to provide another printing layer on the front side of the printing layer having a light-transmitting region and a light-shielding region as in Patent Document 1, so the distance from the front surface of the skin to the layer having the light-transmitting region and the light-shielding region can be shortened. As a result, the shape of the light-transmitting region of the display layer can be more clearly represented on the front side of the switch panel.

[0021] According to the second invention, compared with the case where the thickness of the skin is set to less than 0.1 mm, the skin is less likely to break when attaching the skin to the cushion layer and the display layer or when using the switch panel. Also, compared with the case where the thickness of the skin is set to be greater than 0.55 mm, the shape of the light-transmitting region of the display layer can be more clearly represented on the front side of the switch panel.

[0022] According to the third invention, when the region overlapping the switch opening in the cushion layer is pressed from the front side, the region is likely to bend to the back side. Therefore, when a button that can advance and retreat in the thickness direction of the cushion layer is disposed on the back side of the region, the operating feeling of the button can be improved.

[0023] According to the fourth invention, since a part of the cushion layer is accommodated from the back side in the bulging portion of the skin, the touch feeling when touching the bulging portion of the skin becomes soft.

[0024] Also, as described above, it is not necessary to thicken the skin in order to eliminate the influence of laser processing on the surface shape of the skin. Therefore, by thinning the skin, the shape of the protruding portion can be more clearly reflected on the surface of the skin. As a result, the shape of the protruding portion can be easily recognized when touching the bulging portion.

[0025] According to the fifth invention, the operation of assembling the proximity sensor to the base material becomes unnecessary after the molding of the base material. Further, since the fastening parts for assembling the proximity sensor to the base material are unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0026] Also, since it is not necessary to provide a proximity sensor so as to overlap with the switch opening, it is possible to suppress the proximity sensor from having an adverse effect on the feeling when the area overlapping with the switch opening in the cushion layer is pressed from the front side.

[0027] According to the sixth invention, the protruding piece portion of the proximity sensor and the electronic circuit on the electronic circuit board can be easily connected by soldering without using a lead wire.

[0028] According to the tenth invention, the operation of assembling the proximity sensor to the base material becomes unnecessary after the molding of the base material. Further, since the fastening parts for assembling the proximity sensor to the base material are unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a switch device provided with a switch panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of a switch panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of a switch device provided with a switch panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a arrow view of the switch device seen from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view of part VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a front view of the base material. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] This is a plan view of the proximity sensor and the electronic circuit board. [Figure 12] This is a front view of the proximity sensor and electronic circuit board. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process in which a cavity for forming a substrate is formed in the method for manufacturing a switch panel according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 14, showing the state after the cushion layer has been molded. [Figure 16] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14, showing the process of forming a light-shielding film on the surface of the cushion layer. [Figure 17] This figure, equivalent to Figure 14, shows the process of peeling off a portion of the light-shielding film formed on the surface of the cushion layer using a laser. [Figure 18] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 14, showing the process of applying adhesive to the surface and outer periphery of the panel body. [Figure 19] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14, showing the panel body set on the table of the lower chamber box and the upper chamber box lowered. [Figure 20] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14, showing the state in which the table of the lower chamber box is raised and the panel body pushes the surface up into the upper chamber box. [Figure 21] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14, showing the state in which the outer layer is tightly adhered to the panel body by pressurizing the inside of the upper chamber box. [Figure 22] This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 14, showing the switch panel after the unnecessary portion of the epidermis has been removed. [Figure 23] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4 of Embodiment 2. [Figure 24] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14 of Embodiment 3. [Figure 25] This is a diagram corresponding to Figure 15 of Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0031] (Embodiment 1) Figures 1, 3, and 4 show an elongated switch device 1 incorporated into the instrument panel of an automobile. This switch device 1 includes a switch panel 3 that constitutes its operating surface and display surface. This switch panel 3 is constructed in a box shape that opens to the rear, with a roughly rectangular main surface portion 3a and an outer peripheral portion 3b that protrudes to the back side from the outer peripheral edge of the main surface portion along its entire circumference. The main surface portion 3a is inclined upwards toward the back side, as shown in particular in Figure 4.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 7-10, the switch panel 3 has a base material 5 made of an opaque rigid resin such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), or polycarbonate / ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). For example, a black resin can be used as the rigid resin constituting the base material 5. The light transmittance (in the thickness direction) of the base material 5 is set to 0%. The base material 5 is composed of a roughly rectangular plate-shaped main wall portion 5a that constitutes a part of the main surface portion 3a, and an outer peripheral wall portion 5b that protrudes to the back side from the outer peripheral edge of the main wall portion 5a along the entire circumference and constitutes the outer peripheral portion 3b. The main wall portion 5a is inclined upwards toward the back side. Cushion layer receiving recesses 5c are continuously formed in the area of ​​the surface of the main wall portion 5a, excluding the outer peripheral edge. The thickness of the main wall portion 5a and the outer peripheral wall portion 5b is set to, for example, 2.5 mm. A resin inlet recess 5d is formed approximately in the center of the width direction on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b at one end in the longitudinal direction, so as to be continuous with the cushion layer accommodating recess 5c. Approximately square-shaped first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h are formed sequentially in the longitudinal direction, spaced apart from each other, starting from the resin inlet recess 5d side, in the middle of the longitudinal direction on the bottom surface of the cushion layer accommodating recess 5c of the main wall portion 5a. Two cushion layer holding holes 5i are formed through the bottom surface of the cushion layer accommodating recess 5c of the main wall portion 5a, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Multiple open holes 5j are formed in the main wall portion 5a of the base material 5, opening to both the front and back sides. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, a plurality of boss portions 5k, a plurality of base material-side positioning ribs 5m, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 5n connecting these boss portions 5k and the plurality of base material-side positioning ribs 5m are integrally provided protruding from the back surface of the main wall portion 5a of the base material 5.

[0033] A proximity sensor 7 is insert-molded into the main wall portion 5a of the base material 5. The proximity sensor 7 is made of a pure copper plate with a plated surface. The proximity sensor 7 has a rectangular plate-shaped sensor body portion 7a. As shown in Figure 10, the sensor body portion 7a is also inclined upwards toward the back. Both ends of the sensor body portion 7a in the vertical direction (width direction) are inclined outwards toward the front. The plate thickness of the sensor body portion 7a is set to approximately 1.0 mm. The sensor body portion 7a has first to third sensor-side openings 7c to 7e formed in the longitudinal direction, spaced apart from the resin inflow recess 5d side. The outer edge of the first sensor-side opening 7c surrounds the first switch opening 5e, the outer edge of the second sensor-side opening 7d surrounds the second switch opening 5f, and the outer edge of the third sensor-side opening 7e surrounds the third and fourth switch openings 5g and 5h. In other words, the sensor body 7a of the proximity sensor 7 surrounds the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h. Near the upper end of the edge of the sensor body 7a on the side of the resin inflow recess 5d, a plate-shaped first protruding piece 7f is integrally provided projecting toward the back side, with its plate surface facing the longitudinal direction of the sensor body 7a. The first protruding piece 7f gradually narrows toward the tip. Near the lower end of the edge of the sensor body 7a opposite to the resin inflow recess 5d, a plate-shaped second protruding piece 7g is integrally provided projecting toward the back side, with its plate surface facing the longitudinal direction of the sensor body 7a. The second protruding piece 7g gradually narrows toward the tip.

[0034] The sensor body 7a of the proximity sensor 7 is exposed on both the front and back sides through multiple open holes 5j in the base material 5. All areas on the surface of the sensor body 7a of the proximity sensor 7, except for the areas exposed through the open holes 5j, are covered by the base material 5. The first protruding piece 7f and the second protruding piece 7g protrude from the base material 5 to the back side.

[0035] A translucent cushion layer 9 is integrally formed on the surface of the base material 5 by two-color molding, covering the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5. The cushion layer 9 is made of a translucent, colorless, transparent or milky white soft resin such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The light transmittance (in the thickness direction) of the cushion layer 9 is set to 50% or more. The cushion layer 9 is fitted into the cushion layer receiving recess 5c and the resin inflow recess 5d of the base material 5. A gate mark (not shown) is formed on the exposed surface of the portion of the cushion layer 9 fitted into the resin inflow recess 5d. The surface of the cushion layer 9 is flush with the area outside the cushion layer receiving recess 5c on the surface of the base material 5. On the back surface of the cushion layer 9, as shown in Figure 5, a V-shaped groove 9a is continuously formed along the outer edge of the switch openings 5e to 5h. Elongated protrusions 9b are formed on the surface of the cushion layer 9 at positions sandwiched between the first and second switch openings 5e and 5f, and between the third and fourth switch openings 5g and 5h. Additionally, two convex portions (not shown) are provided at the end of the back surface of the cushion layer 9 on the side of the longitudinal resin inflow recess 5d, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and are fitted into the cushion layer holding hole 5i of the base material 5. Furthermore, at the location of the cushion layer 9 overlapping with the open hole 5j of the base material 5, a projection 9d (see Figure 15) is formed that fits into the open hole 5j from the front side and contacts the proximity sensor 7. The thickness of the cushion layer 9 is set to 2.0 mm. The hardness of the cushion layer 9 is set to Shore A10-90. The reason for setting the hardness of the cushion layer 9 to Shore A10 or higher is that if it is set to less than Shore A10, the pressure during TOM molding, described later, can easily cause indentations and create steps on the surface of the cushion layer 9. The reason for setting the hardness of the cushion layer 9 to Shore A90 or lower is that setting it higher than Shore A90 would impair its cushioning properties. Alternatively, the cushion layer 9 may be given a light-diffusing function by mixing a light-diffusing agent into the material constituting the cushion layer 9 or by shaping the back surface of the cushion layer 9 to diffuse light.

[0036] The two-color molded panel 11 is composed of the base material 5, proximity sensor 7, and cushion layer 9 configured as described above.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, a black light-shielding film 13a is formed on the surface of the cushion layer 9 by painting, and a light-transmitting peeled portion 13b is formed by peeling off a part of the light-shielding film 13a with a laser L (see Figure 17) to form the shape of four icons such as batteries. The display layer 13 is composed of these light-shielding film 13a and peeled portion 13b, with the peeled portion 13b forming a light-transmitting region R1 that transmits light, while the remaining light-shielding film 13a forms a light-blocking region R2 that blocks light. The light-transmitting region R1, i.e., the four icons, is arranged to overlap with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the substrate 5. The thickness of the display layer 13 is set to, for example, 3 μm. The light transmittance (in the thickness direction) of the light-blocking region R2 of the display layer 13 is set to 0%.

[0038] The panel body 15 is composed of the two-color molded panel 11 and the display layer 13 configured as described above.

[0039] The main surface portion 3a of the panel body 15 and approximately half of the front side of the outer peripheral surface of the panel body 15 are covered with a semi-transparent skin 17 made of a stretchable smoke sheet. Therefore, the skin 17 covers the cushion layer 9, the display layer 13, and the area on the surface of the main wall portion 5a of the base material 5 from the front side. In addition, the skin 17 covers the exposed surface of the cushion layer 9 in the resin inflow recess 5d and approximately half of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b of the base material 5, specifically the area on the base end side of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b. The skin 17 is made of a translucent resin such as polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The thickness of the skin 17 is set to 0.1 mm or more and 0.55 mm or less. Preferably, the thickness of the skin 17 is set to 0.2 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. The light transmittance (thickness direction) of the skin 17 is set to be semi-transparent, between 5% and 50%. The outer layer 17 has two protruding portions 17a that bulge outwards on the surface, positioned to overlap with the protruding portions 9b of the cushion layer 9. The protruding portions 9b of the cushion layer 9 are accommodated in these protruding portions 17a from the back side.

[0040] The reason the thickness of the outer layer 17 is set to 0.1 mm or more is that if it is set to less than 0.1 mm, the outer layer 17 will be prone to tearing when it is bonded to the panel body 15 or when the switch device 1 is used. Furthermore, the reason the thickness of the outer layer 17 is set to 0.55 mm or less is that if it is set to be thicker than 0.55 mm, the shape of the light-transmitting area R1 of the display layer 13, i.e., the shape of the icon, cannot be clearly displayed on the front side of the switch panel 3.

[0041] The switch panel 3 is composed of the panel body 15 and the outer layer 17 configured as described above.

[0042] On the back side of the area in the cushion layer 9 of the switch panel 3 that overlaps with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h, translucent buttons 19 are arranged so as to be able to move back and forth in the thickness direction of the cushion layer 9. The buttons 19 are made of a translucent, colorless, transparent resin such as polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA). If the buttons 19 do not have a light-diffusing function, the light transmittance (in the thickness direction) of the buttons 19 is set to 70% or more. Each button 19 has a rectangular plate-shaped pressing surface portion 19a that is substantially parallel to the cushion layer 9, and a cylindrical portion 19b with a substantially square cross-section that protrudes to the back side from the outer peripheral end of the pressing surface portion 19a. The thickness of the pressing surface portion 19a of the button 19 is set to, for example, 1.5 mm. Multiple protrusions 19c extending in the front-to-back direction are provided circumferentially at intervals from each other in a region slightly away from the front end of the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 19b. When the button 19 is not pressed from the front, the protrusions 19c face the outer edges of the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5 from the back. The button 19 may also be given a light-diffusing function by mixing a light-diffusing agent into the material constituting the button 19, or by making the shape of the front or back of the button 19 a shape that diffuses light, such as a fine uneven (textured) shape.

[0043] On the back of the switch panel 3 and the button 19, a roughly rectangular electronic circuit board 21 is positioned with its surface facing the main surface 3a of the switch panel 3 from the back with a gap between them, and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main surface 3a. The electronic circuit board 21 is surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 5b of the base material 5. As shown only in Figure 13, an electronic circuit 21a is printed on the back surface of the electronic circuit board 21 (the surface opposite to the main surface 3a). On the front surface of the electronic circuit board 21 (the surface facing the main surface 3a), four LEDs (light-emitting diodes) 23 are arranged with gaps between them, facing approximately the center of the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5. Furthermore, on the front surface of the electronic circuit board 21 (the surface facing the main surface 3a), the first and second tact switches 25a and 25b are arranged at a distance from each other, facing each other midway in the vertical direction at the resin inflow recess 5d side ends of the first and second switch openings 5e and 5f of the base material 5. On the front surface of the electronic circuit board 21 (the surface facing the main surface 3a), the third and fourth tact switches 25c and 25d are arranged at a distance from each other, facing each other midway in the longitudinal direction of the main wall 5a at the lower ends of the third and fourth switch openings 5g and 5h of the base material 5. Furthermore, on the back surface of the electronic circuit board 21, connection terminals 27 are provided for connection to external devices such as electrical equipment and power supplies (not shown) that are subject to operation switching by the first to fourth tact switches 25a to 25d. Fastening holes 21b are formed through both ends in the longitudinal direction of the electronic circuit board 21.

[0044] With the button 19 not pressed from the front side, the tip surface of the cylindrical portion 19b of the button 19 comes into contact with or approach the pressing surfaces of the first to fourth tact switches 25a to 25d.

[0045] The electronic circuit board 21 is fastened to the base material 5 by inserting fastening bolts 29 from the back side into the fastening holes 21b and the boss portion 5k of the base material 5. Also, as shown in Figure 13, the tip of the first protruding piece 7f of the proximity sensor 7 penetrates the electronic circuit board 21 from the front side. The tip of this first protruding piece 7f of the proximity sensor 7 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit 21a printed on the back surface of the electronic circuit board 21 by solder 31. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the base material side positioning rib 5m of the base material 5 abuts against the electronic circuit board 21 from the back side.

[0046] A cover member 33 is provided on the back side of the electronic circuit board 21. This cover member 33 has a long plate portion 33a that extends in the longitudinal direction of the electronic circuit board 21 and faces the electronic circuit board 21 from the back side. In addition, an opening 33b for the connection terminal is formed in the region of the long plate portion 33a that overlaps with the connection terminal 27. A first annular wall portion 33c that protrudes toward the front side (electronic circuit board 21 side) is formed around the entire circumference of the outer edge of the long plate portion 33a. In addition, a second annular wall portion 33d that protrudes toward the front side (electronic circuit board 21 side) is formed around the entire circumference of the outer edge of the opening 33b for the connection terminal. Furthermore, a plurality of cover-side positioning ribs 33e are provided protruding toward the front side (electronic circuit board 21 side) on the inside of the first annular wall portion 33c of the long plate portion 33a. Mounting holes 33f are formed through both ends of the long plate portion 33a in the longitudinal direction. The cover member 33 is made of a hard resin such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polycarbonate / ABS in a black color. The thickness of the long plate portion 33a of the cover member 33 is set to 2.5 mm.

[0047] The cover member 33 is fastened to the base material 5 by inserting mounting bolts 35 from the back side into the mounting holes 33f and the boss portion 5k of the base material 5. The connection terminals 27 are exposed on the back side through the connection terminal opening 33b of the cover member 33. The cover-side positioning rib 33e of the cover member 33 has its tip surface in contact with the electronic circuit board 21 from the back side.

[0048] When a user brings their finger close to the surface of the skin 17 of the switch device 1 configured as described above, the proximity sensor 7 detects the approach of the finger, and in response, the electronic circuit 21a causes the LED 23 to light up. The light from the LED 23 passes through the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h and is irradiated onto the display layer 13 from the back side via the button 19 and the cushion layer 9. A portion of the irradiated light is transmitted through its light-transmitting region R1, while the remainder of the irradiated light is blocked by the light-shielding region R2. The light that has passed through the light-transmitting region R1 of the display layer 13 is irradiated onto the skin 17. Since the light transmittance of the skin 17 is set to 5% or more, the light irradiated onto the skin 17 is transmitted through the skin 17. Therefore, the shape of the light-transmitting region R1, i.e., the shape of the icon, is clearly visible on the surface of the skin 17. At this time, since the thickness of the skin 17 is set to 0.55 mm or less, the light is less likely to diffuse in the planar direction of the skin 17 compared to when the thickness of the skin 17 is set to be thicker than 0.55 mm. Therefore, the shape of the light-transmitting area R1 of the display layer 13 can be more clearly displayed on the front side of the switch panel 3. Also, at this time, since the light transmittance of the surface layer 17 is set to 50% or less, the boundary line between the base material 5 and the cushion layer 9 is difficult to see. Furthermore, when a user places their finger on the area on the surface of the surface layer 17 of the switch device 1 where the shape of the icon appears (the area overlapping with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h) and presses the surface layer 17 and cushion layer 9 to the back, the surface layer 17 and cushion layer 9 flex to the back, and the pressing surface portion 19a of the button 19 is pressed to the back. The entire button 19 then retracts to the back, and the tip of the cylindrical portion 19b of the button 19 pushes the pressing surfaces of the corresponding tact switches 25a to 25d to the back. This switches the on / off state of the corresponding tact switches 25a to 25d, and switches the operation of the electrical equipment connected to the connection terminal 27. In this case, since a groove 9a is formed on the back surface of the cushion layer 9 along the outer edge of the switch openings 5e to 5h, the area of ​​the cushion layer 9 surrounded by the groove 9a is easily flexible to the back. Therefore, the button 19 has a good feel when operated.Furthermore, the proximity sensor 7 is positioned to surround the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5, and does not overlap with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h. Therefore, the proximity sensor 7 does not adversely affect the feel when the area of ​​the cushion layer 9 that overlaps with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h is pressed from the front. In addition, since the thickness of the surface layer 17 is set to 0.1 mm or more, the surface layer 17 is less likely to tear when pressed. Moreover, since the light transmittance of the surface layer 17 is set to 50% or less, when the LED 23 is not emitting light, it is difficult to distinguish between the light-transmitting area R1 and the light-shielding area R2 of the display layer 13 from the front.

[0049] To manufacture the switch panel 3 for the switch device 1 configured as described above, first, an injection mold 100 as shown in Figures 14 and 15 and the proximity sensor 7 are prepared. The injection mold 100 comprises a core mold 110, a first cavity mold 120, and a second cavity mold 130.

[0050] The core mold 110 has a molding surface 111 that forms the back surface of the main wall portion 5a of the base material 5, the inner circumferential surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b, and the tip surface. A core mold side projection 112 corresponding to the inner space of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b is formed on this molding surface 111. Four opening forming projections 113 for forming the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h are formed on the tip surface of this core mold side projection 112. A raised ridge (not shown) for forming the recessed groove portion 9a of the cushion layer 9 is formed on the tip surface of the opening forming projection 113. In addition, a first positioning projection 114 for positioning the proximity sensor 7 is provided protruding from the area on the tip surface of the core mold side projection 112 where the opening forming projections 113 are not formed. Furthermore, in the area of ​​the tip surface of the core-type side protrusion 112 where the opening-forming protrusion 113 is not formed, an insertion hole 115 (only the second protrusion 7g is shown in Figures 14 and 15) is formed for inserting the first protruding piece 7f and the second protruding piece 7g of the proximity sensor 7.

[0051] The first cavity mold 120 has a first cavity mold side recess 121 formed thereon, the bottom surface of which constitutes a molding surface for forming the surface of the main wall portion 5a, and the outer peripheral surface of which constitutes a molding surface for forming the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b. A recess-forming projection 122 for forming a recess accommodating recess 5c is formed on the bottom surface of the first cavity mold side recess 121. A second positioning projection 123 for positioning the proximity sensor 7 is provided on the tip surface of the recess-forming projection 122 at a position opposite to the first positioning projection 114 of the core mold 110.

[0052] The second cavity mold 130 has a second cavity mold side recess 131 that accommodates the core mold side protrusion 112 of the core mold 110 and the base material 5, and the bottom surface of the second cavity mold side recess 131 constitutes a molding surface that forms the surface of the cushion layer 9.

[0053] Next, the proximity sensor 7 is set in the core mold 110. In this state, the first protruding piece 7f and the second protruding piece 7g of the proximity sensor 7 are inserted into the insertion hole 115 of the core mold 110, and the first positioning projection 114 of the core mold 110 contacts the sensor body 7a of the proximity sensor 7. Then, the first cavity mold 120 is placed opposite the core mold 110, and the first cavity mold 120 is advanced by driving a mold drive device (not shown), thereby clamping the core mold 110 and the first cavity mold 120 together to form a substrate molding cavity C1 between them, as shown in Figure 14. In this state, the proximity sensor 7 is placed inside the substrate molding cavity C1, and the second positioning projection 123 of the first cavity mold 120 contacts the sensor body 7a of the proximity sensor 7. Then, in this state, the base material 5 is molded by injecting and filling the base material molding cavity C1 with hard resin and cooling and curing it. Open holes 5j corresponding to the first positioning protrusion 114 and the second positioning protrusion 123 are formed in the base material 5. In this way, the proximity sensor 7 is insert-molded into the base material 5, so the work of assembling the proximity sensor 7 into the base material 5 after the base material 5 has been molded is eliminated. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced because fastening parts for assembling the proximity sensor 7 into the base material 5 are not required.

[0054] Next, the first cavity mold 120 is retracted to open the core mold 110 and the first cavity mold 120. At this time, the molded base material 5 is held in the core mold 110, and the core mold side protrusion 112 of the core mold 110 fits into the outer peripheral wall portion 5b of the base material 5, preventing the base material 5 from falling from the core mold 110.

[0055] Next, the first cavity mold 120 and the second cavity mold 130 are moved by a mold drive device (not shown) so that the second cavity mold 130 faces the core mold 110. Then, the second cavity mold 130 is advanced and brought closer to the core mold 110, which still has the base material 5 remaining, and the core mold 110 and the second cavity mold 130 are clamped together to form a cushion layer molding cavity C2 between the core mold 110 and the base material 5 and the second cavity mold 130. Then, a translucent soft resin is injected and filled into this cushion layer molding cavity C2 and cooled and cured so that the cushion layer 9 is integrally molded on the surface of the base material 5 so as to cover the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h. The molded cushion layer 9 covers the open holes 5j of the base material 5 from the front side, so that the open holes 5j of the base material 5 are not exposed on the front side. Furthermore, no step is formed between the surface of the cushion layer 9 and the area outside the cushion layer receiving recess 5c on the surface of the base material 5.

[0056] Subsequently, the second cavity mold 130 is retracted to open the core mold 110 and the second cavity mold 130, and the two-color molded panel 11, in which the cushion layer 9 is integrally formed on the surface of the base material 5, is removed. Since the cushion layer 9 is integrally formed on the surface of the base material 5 by two-color molding in this way, it is easier to eliminate the step difference between the surface of the cushion layer 9 and the surface of the base material 5 compared to when the cushion layer 9 and the base material 5 are made of separate components.

[0057] Next, as shown in Figure 16, a jig 210 for setting the two-color molded panel 11 is prepared. This jig 210 has a base material fitting projection 211 that fits onto the base material 5 from the back side, and an outer peripheral projection 212 that has a receiving groove 213 between itself and the base material fitting projection 211 for accommodating the tip of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b of the base material 5. An opening fitting projection 214 corresponding to the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h is provided on the tip surface of the base material fitting projection 211. The protruding height of the base material fitting projection 211 is longer than the protruding height of the outer peripheral projection 212. Then, as shown in Figure 16, with the base material fitting projection 211 of the jig 210 protruding upward, the two-color molded panel 11 is set into the jig 210. In this state, the opening fitting projections 214 fit into the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5, and approximately half of the tip of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b of the base material 5 is housed in the housing groove 213. Then, in this state, a light-shielding film 13a made of paint is formed on the surface of the cushion layer 9 by spraying black paint P from above with a painting nozzle 220.

[0058] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 17, the laser L from the laser lettering device 230 is irradiated onto the light-shielding film 13a to peel off a portion of the light-shielding film 13a, thereby forming a peeled portion 13b that forms the shape of a predetermined icon. This results in a panel body 15 on which a display layer 13 consisting of the peeled portion 13b and the remaining light-shielding film 13a is formed. The peeled portion 13b constitutes the light-transmitting region R1 of the display layer 13, while the remaining light-shielding film 13a constitutes the light-shielding region R2 of the display layer 13. The two-color molded panel 11 set in the jig 210 is photographed by the camera 231. Even if the set position of the two-color molded panel 11 is slightly off, the position in which the laser L is irradiated onto the light-shielding film 13a is corrected by the control device 232 to the correct position on the surface of the cushion layer 9 based on the image data (external shape data of the two-color molded panel 11) acquired by the camera 231.

[0059] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 18, the masking plate 240 having an opening 241 is lowered from above (front side) of the panel body 15, which remains set in the jig 210, to insert the panel body 15 into the opening 241 of the masking plate 240, and the masking plate 240 is placed on the tip surface of the outer peripheral protrusion 212 of the jig 210. In this state, the edge of the opening 241 of the masking plate 240 approaches the outer peripheral wall 5b of the base material 5. In this state, adhesive G is applied to the panel body 15 from above using the adhesive application nozzle 242. The adhesive G is applied to the surface and outer peripheral surface of the panel body 15. At this time, since the edge of the opening 241 of the masking plate 240 is close to the outer peripheral wall 5b of the base material 5, the penetration of adhesive G into the housing groove 213 is suppressed, and adhesive G is not applied to the portion of the base material 5 that is housed in the housing groove 213, i.e., approximately half of the tip side of the outer peripheral wall 5b. Therefore, the adhesive G is applied only to approximately half of the area of ​​the outer peripheral wall portion 5b of the base material 5, specifically the area on the base end side of the outer peripheral wall portion 5b, which is the exposed surface of the cushion layer 9 within the resin inflow recess 5d. After that, the masking plate 240 is removed from the panel body 15 and the jig 210.

[0060] Next, the TOM molding apparatus 300 shown in Figures 19-21 is prepared. This TOM molding apparatus 300 comprises an upper chamber box 301 that opens downward, a lower chamber box 302 that opens upward, a table 303 that is vertically movable within the lower chamber box 302, an upper drive slider 304 that drives the upper chamber box 301, and a lower drive slider 305 that drives the table 303. A heater 306 is provided inside the upper chamber box 301. Pressure and depressurization pipes 301a and 302a are provided in the upper chamber box 301 and the lower chamber box 302, respectively.

[0061] Then, with the upper chamber box 301 raised and separated from the lower chamber box 302, the jig 210 with the panel body 15 set on it is placed on the table 303 inside the lower chamber box 302. After that, the skin 17 is set in the lower chamber box 302 so as to cover the lower chamber box 302 from the open side. Then, as shown in Figure 19, the upper chamber box 301 is lowered by driving the upper drive slider 304, and the air inside the upper chamber box 301 and the lower chamber box 302 is discharged from the pressure and depressurization pipes 301a and 302a to create a vacuum inside the upper chamber box 301 and the lower chamber box 302. Furthermore, the skin 17 is softened by heating it with the heater 306.

[0062] Then, in this state, as shown in Figure 20, the lower drive slider 305 drives the table 303 up, bringing the panel body 15 into contact with the surface 17, and by further raising the table 303, the portion of the surface 17 that is in contact with the panel body 15 is pushed up into the upper chamber box 301.

[0063] Then, in this state, air is supplied into the upper chamber box 301 from the pressure / depressurization pipe 301a to pressurize the upper chamber box 301, and as shown in Figure 21, the skin 17 is pressed tightly against the surface and outer periphery of the panel body 15. In this way, the skin 17 can be pressed tightly against the cushion layer 9 and the display layer 13 from the front side by TOM molding. The skin 17 can then be bonded to the areas on the surface and outer periphery of the panel body 15 where the adhesive G has been applied.

[0064] Subsequently, the upper chamber box 301 is raised by driving the upper drive slider 304, the panel body 15 with the skin 17 attached is removed, and the portion of the skin 17 that is not attached to the panel body 15 is cut off. As a result, as shown in Figure 22, a switch panel 3 is obtained in which the skin 17 is attached to the entire surface of the panel body 15 and approximately half of the front surface of the outer periphery. In this way, even during the process of attaching the skin 17 to the panel body 15, the thickness of the skin 17 is set to 0.1 mm or more, so the skin 17 is less likely to tear.

[0065] Subsequently, the switch device 1 can be assembled by placing the button 19 on the back of the switch panel 3, fastening the electronic circuit board 21 to the base material 5 of the switch panel 3 from the back using fastening bolts 29, and fastening the cover member 33 to the base material 5 of the switch panel 3 from the back of the electronic circuit board 21.

[0066] Therefore, according to this embodiment 1, the display layer 13 is formed by painting the surface of the cushion layer 9 which is integrally molded with the base material 5 and forming a light-transmitting region R1 by laser irradiation using the two-color molded panel 11 as a position reference. Compared to the case where a multilayer film constituting the display layer, or a surface in which the display layer is integrally formed, is attached to the cushion layer 9, it is easier to improve the positional accuracy of the light-transmitting region R1 and the light-shielding region R2 of the display layer 13.

[0067] Furthermore, compared to the case where a coating (light-shielding film) is formed on the back surface of the skin 17 and a display layer is formed by peeling off a portion of the coating (light-shielding film) with a laser, it is not necessary to make the skin 17 thicker in order to eliminate the effect of laser processing on the surface shape of the skin 17, so the skin 17 can be made thinner. As a result, the shape of the light-transmitting region R1 of the display layer 13 can be displayed more clearly on the front side of the switch panel 3. In addition, by making the skin 17 thinner, the shape of the protruding portion 9b of the cushion layer 9 can be reflected more clearly on the surface of the skin 17. As a result, the shape of the protruding portion 9b can be easily recognized when touching the bulging portion 17a of the skin 17.

[0068] Furthermore, as in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide another printing layer on the front side of the printing layer having a light-transmitting region and a light-shielding region, so the distance from the surface of the skin 17 to the layer having the light-transmitting region R1 and the light-shielding region R2 can be shortened. Therefore, the shape of the light-transmitting region R1 of the display layer 13 can be displayed more clearly on the front side of the switch panel 3.

[0069] Furthermore, if the user has previously memorized the positional relationship between the bulge 17a of the epidermis 17 and the area on the epidermis 17 that overlaps with the button 19, they can recognize the position of the area on the epidermis 17 that overlaps with the button 19 simply by touching the bulge 17a of the epidermis 17, thus facilitating blind operation.

[0070] Furthermore, since a portion of the cushion layer 9 is housed in the bulging portion 17a of the epidermis 17 from the underside, the bulging portion 17a of the epidermis 17 feels softer to the touch.

[0071] Furthermore, since the tip of the first protruding piece 7f of the proximity sensor 7 protrudes to the back side and penetrates the electronic circuit board 21, the first protruding piece 7f of the proximity sensor 7 and the electronic circuit 21a of the electronic circuit board 21 can be easily connected by soldering without using lead wires.

[0072] (Embodiment 2) Figure 23 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4 of Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, no groove portion 9a is formed on the back surface of the cushion layer 9. Instead, four recesses 9e, which are approximately square in shape when viewed from above, are formed on the back surface of the cushion layer 9 in the region that overlaps with the first to fourth switch openings 5e to 5h of the base material 5.

[0073] The other components of the switch device 1 are the same as those in Embodiment 1 described above, so the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0074] According to this second embodiment, the recess 9e forming region in the cushion layer 9 is easily flexible to the back side. Therefore, the button 19 has a good feel when operated.

[0075] (Embodiment 3) Figure 24 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 14 of Embodiment 3, and Figure 25 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 15 of Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, the proximity sensor 7 is made of a resin film on which a copper circuit is printed. Therefore, the sensor body portion 7a of the proximity sensor 7 is also formed in a film shape. The thickness of the sensor body portion 7a is set to approximately 100 μm. The back surface of the sensor body portion 7a of the proximity sensor 7 is exposed on the back side of the base material 5. In addition, the height of the protrusion 9d of the cushion layer 9 is higher than in Embodiment 1.

[0076] Furthermore, the protrusion height of the second positioning projection 123 of the first cavity mold 120 of the injection molding die 100 is set higher than in Embodiment 1, and the first positioning projection 114 is not formed on the core mold 110. Then, with the substrate molding cavity C1 formed, the second positioning projection 123 of the first cavity mold 120 presses the proximity sensor 7 against the molding surface 111 of the core mold 110.

[0077] The configurations of the other switch device 1 and the injection molding die 100 are the same as in Embodiment 1 above, so the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0078] In this third embodiment, the proximity sensor 7 is made of a resin film with a copper circuit printed on it, but it may also be made of a conductive resin film.

[0079] In embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the display layer 13 was formed by painting on the surface of the cushion layer 9, but it may also be formed by printing on the surface of the cushion layer 9. In this case, the light-transmitting region R1 and the light-shielding region R2 of the display layer 13 are formed as a printed pattern. Therefore, the formation of the light-transmitting region R1 by the laser L is unnecessary.

[0080] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the light-shielding film 13a was formed by spraying paint P, but it may also be formed by transfer such as hot stamping.

[0081] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the tip of the first protruding piece 7f of the proximity sensor 7 was made to penetrate the electronic circuit board 21 from the front side, but it may be made to be brought close to the surface of the electronic circuit board 21 without penetrating it. Then, an electronic circuit 21a may be provided on the surface of the electronic circuit board 21, and the tip of the first protruding piece 7f may be soldered to this electronic circuit 21a.

[0082] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 described above, the surface skin 17 was bonded to the panel body 15 by applying adhesive G to the panel body 15 and then adhering the surface skin 17 to the panel body 15. However, a surface skin 17 having an adhesive layer may be used, and the step of applying adhesive G to the panel body 15 may be omitted. The elongation in the MD (machine direction) and the elongation in the TD (transverse direction) of the surface skin 17 having an adhesive layer, as measured by the test method based on JIS-K-7127, are for example 579% and 696%, respectively. [Industrial applicability]

[0083] The present invention is useful as a switch panel, a switch device, and a method for manufacturing a switch panel, comprising a base material, a cushion layer provided on the surface of the base material, and a skin covering the cushion layer from the front. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Switching device 3 Switch Panel 5 Base material 5e~5h Openings for the 1st to 4th switches 7. Proximity Sensor 7f 1st protruding piece 9. Cushioning layer 9a Concave groove part 9b Protrusion 9e recess 13 Display layer 13a Light shielding film 17 Epidermis 17a Bulge 19 buttons 21 Electronic circuit board 23 LED (light source) 25a~25d 1st to 4th tact switches 110-core type 120 First Cavity Type 130 Second Cavity Type C1 Cavity for substrate molding C2 Cavity for molding cushion layer L Laser R1 Translucent area R2 Shading area

Claims

1. A base material (5) made of hard resin has an opening for a switch (5e to 5h), A light-transmitting cushion layer (9) is provided on the surface of the substrate (5) so as to cover the switch openings (5e to 5h), A display layer (13) is provided on the front side of the cushion layer (9) such that the light-transmitting region (R1) overlaps with the switch openings (5e to 5h), and the display layer (13) has a light-transmitting region (R1) that allows light to pass through and a light-blocking region (R2) that blocks the light, A switch panel (3) comprising the cushion layer (9) and the display layer (13) above, with a surface covering (17) covering the front side, The cushion layer (9) is integrally formed on the surface of the base material (5) by two-color molding using a soft resin. The display layer (13) is formed by printing, transferring, or painting onto the surface of the cushion layer (9). The above-mentioned surface (17) is a switch panel characterized by having semi-transparent properties.

2. In the switch panel according to claim 1, A switch panel characterized in that the thickness of the above-mentioned surface layer (17) is set to 0.1 mm or more and 0.55 mm or less.

3. In the switch panel according to claim 1, A switch panel characterized in that a groove (9a) is formed on the back surface of the cushion layer (9) along the outer edge of the switch opening (5e to 5h), or a recess (9e) is formed in the region overlapping with the switch opening (5e to 5h).

4. In the switch panel according to claim 1, A protrusion (9b) is formed on the surface of the cushion layer (9) described above. The above-mentioned epidermis (17) has a bulge (17a) that protrudes to the surface side. A switch panel characterized in that the protruding portion (9b) of the cushion layer (9) is housed from the back side in the bulging portion (17a) of the surface layer (17).

5. In the switch panel according to claim 1, A switch panel characterized in that a proximity sensor (7) is insert-molded into the substrate (5) so as to surround the switch opening (5e to 5h).

6. A switch panel according to claim 5, The switch panel (3) is equipped with an electronic circuit board (21) located on the back side, The proximity sensor (7) has a protruding piece (7f), and the protruding piece (7f) protrudes from the base material (5) to the back side. A switch device characterized in that the tip of the protruding piece (7f) of the proximity sensor (7) penetrates or is close to the electronic circuit board (21).

7. A switch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The display layer (13) is provided with a light source (23) that illuminates it from the back side via the cushion layer (9), On the back side of the area of ​​the cushion layer (9) that overlaps with the switch openings (5e to 5h), a translucent button (19) is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the thickness direction of the cushion layer (9), A switch device characterized by comprising a tact switch (25a to 25d) which switches on or off in accordance with the retraction of the above-mentioned button (19) to the back.

8. A method for manufacturing a switch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The core mold (110) and the first cavity mold (120) are clamped together to form a substrate molding cavity (C1), and the substrate (5) is molded by injecting and filling the substrate molding cavity (C1). Next, the core mold (110) with the substrate (5) remaining and the second cavity mold (130) are clamped together to form a cushion layer molding cavity (C2) between the core mold (110) and the substrate (5) and the second cavity mold (130). A translucent soft resin is then injected and filled into the cushion layer molding cavity (C2) to integrally mold the cushion layer (9) onto the surface of the substrate (5) so as to cover the switch openings (5e to 5h). Subsequently, the display layer (13) is formed on the surface of the cushion layer (9) by printing, transferring, or painting the surface of the cushion layer (9) such that the light-transmitting region (R1) overlaps with the switch openings (5e to 5h). A method for manufacturing a switch panel, characterized in that the switch panel (3) is obtained by adhering the surface layer (17) to the cushion layer (9) and the display layer (13) from the front side by TOM molding.

9. In the method for manufacturing a switch panel according to claim 8, A method for manufacturing a switch panel, characterized in that a light-shielding film (13a) is formed on the surface of the cushion layer (9) by transfer or painting, and then a portion of the light-shielding film (13a) is peeled off with a laser (L) to form the light-transmitting region (R1) of the display layer (13).

10. In the method for manufacturing a switch panel according to claim 8, A method for manufacturing a switch panel, characterized in that a proximity sensor (7) is placed in the above-mentioned molded substrate cavity (C1) and the above-mentioned rigid resin is injected and filled.

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