Switch device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

In a push-in type switch device, suppression of sagging of a pushed-in portion of a skin material is achieved. 【Solution means】The switch device (10) includes a base material (20) in which a hard portion (21) and a soft portion (30) are integrally formed, a skin material 40 provided on the front side of the base material so as to cover an opening formed in the hard portion, and a switch operating member (63) disposed at a position corresponding to the opening on the back side of the base material. The switch operating member and the peripheral edge of the opening are in a positional relationship with a gap therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the switch operating member. The soft portion is provided so as to be located between the skin material and the switch operating member on the front side of the opening of the base material. The soft portion has rubber elasticity and has an expansion / contraction allowance (31) for allowing expansion and contraction. The expansion / contraction allowance constitutes a portion corresponding to the portion between the switch operating member and the peripheral edge of the opening of the base material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a switch device and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a push-in type switch device has been known as a switch device for controlling the operation of various devices.

[0003] The push-in type switch device includes a rigid base material, a switch operating member fitted into an opening formed in the base material, and a skin material provided in a state of being stretched over the surface of the base material so as to cover the surface of the switch operating member. In this switch device, the switch operating member is pushed through the skin material to the back side of the base material to perform a switch operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the push-in type switch device as described above, when the switch operating member is pushed through the skin material, the skin material is pressed against the peripheral edge of the opening of the base material and stretched, and local elongation occurs in the skin material starting from the peripheral edge of the opening of the base material. Therefore, when the number of push-in operations of the switch device increases, the pushed-in portion of the skin material becomes slack and wrinkles are generated.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress slackening of the pushed-in portion of the skin material in a push-in type switch device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, in the present disclosure, a soft portion having rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material and the switch operating member so that the pushing operation of the switch operating member can be performed by bending the soft portion.

[0008] Specifically, a first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a switch device. The switch device of the first aspect includes a base material having a rigid portion formed with an opening, a skin material provided on the front side of the base material so as to cover the opening, and a switch operating member disposed at a position corresponding to the opening on the back side of the base material. The switch device is configured to be able to push in the switch operating member by applying a pressing force exerted on the switch operating member when the skin material is pushed in. The switch operating member and the periphery of the opening are in a positional relationship spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the switch operating member. A soft portion that is softer than the rigid portion and has rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material and the switch operating member. The soft portion is supported by the rigid portion and is located inside the opening or on the front side of the opening, and has an expansion and contraction allowance that constitutes a portion corresponding to the space between the switch operating member and the periphery of the opening.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a switch device in which, in the switch device of the first aspect, the skin material and the soft portion are adhered to each other at a portion corresponding to the opening.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a switch device in which, in the switch device of the first or second aspect, the soft portion is provided so as to cover the opening on the front side of the rigid portion.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a switch device in which, in the switch device of the first or second aspect, the soft portion is provided so as to close the opening of the rigid portion. And the surface of the soft portion and the surface of the rigid portion are flush with each other.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure is a switch device according to the first or second aspect, in which the soft part is integrally formed with the hard part to form the base material.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing the switch device according to the first aspect. In the method of manufacturing the switch device according to the sixth aspect, the hard part and the soft part are integrally formed to prepare a base material having a flat surface, and the skin material is laminated on the surface of the base material using vacuum pressure forming or pressure forming.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the first aspect, the switch operating member and the peripheral edge of the opening of the base material are in a positional relationship spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the switch operating member. A soft part having rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material and the switch operating member. The soft part is supported by the base material and is located inside the opening or on the front side of the opening, and has an expansion / contraction margin that constitutes a portion corresponding to the space between the switch operating member and the peripheral edge of the opening of the base material. When the switch operating member is pushed through the skin material, the soft part is bent with the stretching of the expansion / contraction margin. At this time, the bending generated in the soft part is relatively gentle, so that the local elongation generated in the skin material is reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the depression of the pushed-in portion of the skin material.

[0015] According to the second aspect, the skin material and the soft part are adhered to each other at a portion corresponding to the opening of the base material. When the soft part is bent by the pushing operation of the switch operating member, the skin material is bent in the same way in accordance with the deformation of the soft part. Thereby, the elongation generated in the skin material can be dispersed around the pushed-in site. This is advantageous for suppressing the depression of the pushed-in portion of the skin material.

[0016] According to the third aspect, the opening of the base material is covered by a soft part provided on the front side of the hard part. For example, if the soft part is provided only within the opening of the base material and the periphery of the opening of the base material is applied to the skin material, a joint formed at the boundary between the periphery of the opening of the base material and the soft part will be formed on the front side. Therefore, the joint may be reflected as a parting line on the skin material, deteriorating the appearance of the switch device. On the other hand, when the opening of the base material is covered by the soft part, the joint between the hard part and the soft part is not formed on the front side, and no parting line is generated on the skin material, so the appearance of the switch device can be improved.

[0017] According to the fourth aspect, the opening of the hard part is closed by the soft part. And the surface of the soft part and the surface of the hard part are flush with each other. By doing so, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step at the boundary between the periphery of the opening of the base material and the soft part. As a result, it is possible to make it difficult for a parting line corresponding to the joint between the hard part and the soft part to be reflected on the skin material. This is advantageous for improving the appearance of the switch device.

[0018] According to the fifth aspect, the base material is configured to include a hard part and a soft part. This base material can be formed by two-color molding. By using such a two-color molded product as the base material, the number of parts and the assembly man-hours required for manufacturing the switch device can be reduced.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect, a base material having a flat surface is prepared by integrally molding the hard part and the soft part, and a skin material is laminated on the surface of the base material. In the process of laminating the skin material, vacuum pressure air molding or pressure air molding is used. According to vacuum pressure air molding or pressure air molding, the skin material can be laminated on the surface of the base material with good followability. Thereby, the step generated on the surface of the skin material can be suppressed. This is advantageous for manufacturing a switch device with a good appearance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the case where the switch device according to the present disclosure is applied to a center console will be described as an example. Note that the drawings are for conceptually explaining the technology of the present disclosure. Therefore, in the drawings, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified for easy understanding of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0022] <<Embodiment 1>> The switch device 10 of this Embodiment 1 is incorporated into the center console 1 shown in FIG. 1. The center console 1 is installed at the front center of the vehicle floor located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat of the automobile. The center console 1 includes a shift operation unit 3, a box unit 5, and a console panel 7. The console panel 7 is an example of an interior part of the vehicle.

[0023] The shift operation unit 3 is for operating a transmission mounted on the automobile. The shift operation unit 3 is provided near the front end of the center console 1. The shift operation unit 3 includes a shift lever and an indicator for displaying the operation position of the shift lever.

[0024] The box unit 5 is a storage container having a storage space inside. The box unit 5 is provided at the rear of the center console 1. The upper part of the box unit 5 is configured to be opened and closed by a lid 6. The lid 6 can be used as an armrest in a state where the box unit 5 is closed.

[0025] The console panel 7 constitutes the exterior part of the center console 1. The console panel 7 has a U-shaped cross-section that is open downward. The shift operation unit 3 is assembled to the console panel 7. The console panel 7 includes a console panel main body 8 and a cover panel 9.

[0026] The console panel main body 8 is a constituent part that forms the main body of the console panel 7. A fitting opening 8a is provided on the upper surface of the console panel main body 8. The cover panel 9 is fitted into the fitting opening 8a of the console panel main body 8 and constitutes the upper surface part of the console panel 7.

[0027] -Configuration of the Switch Device- The switch device 10 is configured to include a part of the cover panel 9. The switch device 10 is provided between the shift operation unit 3 and the box unit 5 in the center console 1. A light-transmitting display unit 11 is provided at the part of the cover panel 9 that constitutes the switch device 10. The light-transmitting display unit 11 is a part that lights up and displays the icon 13 (shown as "○" for convenience in FIG. 1), and constitutes the operation unit 15 of the switch device 10. The operation unit 15 receives the user's pushing operation on the switch device 10.

[0028] The operation unit 15 is constituted by a part of the cover panel 9, and its position can be confirmed by the display of the icon 13. That is, the switch device 10 is operated by pushing the part where the icon 13 of the light-transmitting display unit 11 is displayed. The function of the switch device 10 is, for example, to switch the operating state of the in-vehicle system indicated by the icon 13. When the light-transmitting display unit 11 does not light up the icon 13, its appearance becomes the same as other parts of the console panel 7 and it becomes invisible.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the switch device 10 includes a base material 20, a skin material 40, and a functional module 50 including switch components 55 and a switch operating member 63. The base material 20 and the skin material 40 constitute the cover panel 9. The switch device 10 is configured such that when the skin material 40 is pushed, the pressing force is exerted on the switch operating member 63, enabling the switch operating member 63 to be pushed in, and allowing a pushing operation to be performed on the switch components 55 via the switch operating member 63.

[0030] <Base material> The base material 20 is a member that forms the base of the cover panel 9, and has a hard part 21 and a soft part 30. In this example, the base material 20 is integrally formed by two-color molding of the hard part 21 and the soft part 30. The hard part 21 is a part made of a hard resin. The hard part 21 is a constituent part that forms the base of the base material 20 and has light-shielding properties. As used in this specification, "light-shielding properties" means the property of being opaque and blocking visible light. The hard part 21 includes a front plate part 23 and a side plate part 25.

[0031] The instrument panel portion 23 is a plate-like portion located on the front side of the base material 20 and constitutes the upper plate portion of the cover panel 9. The side plate portion 25 is a plate-like portion extending from at least both end edges in the vehicle width direction among the peripheral edges of the instrument panel portion 23 to the back side of the base material 20, and is inserted into the fitting opening 8a of the console panel main body 8. The first opening 27 is formed in the instrument panel portion 23 so as to include the location corresponding to the operation portion 15 inside.

[0032] A plurality of bosses 29 (only two are shown in FIG. 2) are integrally provided on the back surface of the instrument panel portion 23. Each boss 29 is provided around the first opening 27 and protrudes to the back side of the base material 20. The plurality of bosses 29 are used as fixing portions of the support panel 51 with respect to the base material 20. Although not shown, the base material 20 is further provided with claw pieces and the like used for assembling to the console panel main body 8.

[0033] The hard portion 21 is made of synthetic resin. Examples of the material of the hard portion 21 include polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, polycarbonate (PC), and a composite of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin (PA-ABS).

[0034] The soft portion 30 is a plate-like portion provided on the surface of the instrument panel portion 23 in the hard portion 21, and is integrally formed with the hard portion 21 to constitute the base material 20. The soft portion 30 is supported by the hard portion 21 and is located on the front side of the first opening 27, and is provided so as to cover the first opening 27 on the front side of the hard portion 21. The soft portion 30 of this example is not provided inside the first opening 27. The soft portion 30 is located between the skin material 40 and the switch operating member 63. The surface of the base material 20 is formed into a flat surface by the soft portion 30.

[0035] The soft part 30 is softer than the hard part 21 and has rubber elasticity. The soft part 30 has a relatively low hardness. The Type A hardness of the soft part 30 is, for example, about 1 to 90, more preferably about 10 to 15. The "Type A hardness" referred to here is the value of the hardness measured using a Type A durometer for general medium-hard rubber materials as defined in JIS K 6253. The thickness of the soft part 30 is, for example, about 1 mm to 10 mm.

[0036] The soft part 30 is adhered to the skin material 40 at least at a portion corresponding to the first opening 27 of the hard part 21. For the adhesion between the skin material 40 and the soft part 30, an adhesive or a sticky agent is used. In this example, the soft part 30 is adhered to the skin material 40 over the entire surface. The soft part 30 has an expansion allowance 31 for allowing expansion and contraction. The expansion allowance 31 constitutes a portion corresponding to the portion between the switch operating member 63 and the periphery of the first opening 27 of the base material 20. The expansion allowance 31 is a portion that forms the bottom surface of a groove-like portion 33 described later in the soft part 30. The expansion allowance 31 contributes to ensuring the pushable amount (stroke amount) of the operation part 15.

[0037] The soft part 30 of this example further has translucency. The "translucency" referred to in this specification means the property of transmitting visible light. The light transmittance in the thickness direction of the soft part 30 is 3% or more (for example, 3% to 60%). The "light transmittance" referred to in this specification is measured using a commercially available transmittance meter in accordance with JIS K 7361. As the transmittance meter, for example, the spectro-radiometer SR-LEDW manufactured by Topcon Corporation is used.

[0038] The soft part 30 is made of an elastomer. As the material of the soft part 30, thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-based (SBC), olefin-based (TPO), vinyl chloride-based (TPVC), urethane-based (PU), ester-based (TPEE), and amide-based (TPAE) are used. As the material of the soft part 30, thermosetting elastomers such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, and urethane rubber may be used.

[0039] <Skin material> The skin material 40 is a sheet-like object that constitutes the surface of the cover panel 9. The skin material 40 is provided on the front side of the base material 20 so as to cover the first opening 27 together with the soft portion 30. The skin material 40 covers the surface of the base material 20 (the surface of the soft portion 30 in this example) and constitutes the design surface of the cover panel 9. The outer peripheral portion of the skin material 40 covers the side plate portion 25 of the base material 20 and is wound around to the back side of the base material 20, and is fixed to the base material 20 using a bonding material such as double-sided tape or an adhesive.

[0040] The skin material 40 has both stretchability and flexibility. The thickness of the skin material 40 is, for example, about 0.2 mm to 3 mm. The skin material 40 has a light-transmitting layer 41 and a light-shielding layer 43. The light-transmitting layer 41 is a layer that forms the base of the skin material 40. The skin material 40 is formed, for example, by calendar molding, extrusion molding, slush molding, injection molding, mold skin molding, or spray skin molding.

[0041] The light-transmitting layer 41 is made of a synthetic resin containing a pigment. Examples of the material of the light-transmitting layer 41 include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic olefin (TPO), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), and the like. A material suitable for the adopted molding method is used for the material of the light-transmitting layer 41.

[0042] The thickness of the light-transmitting layer 41 is about 0.1 mm to 2.5 mm. The light-transmitting layer 41 contains a pigment such as black, but the content is relatively small and it has light-transmitting properties. The light-shielding layer 43 in this example contains only a black pigment as a pigment and exhibits a gray-tone smoky color. The light transmittance in the thickness direction of the light-transmitting layer 41 is, for example, about 3% to 60%.

[0043] The light-shielding layer 43 is provided over the entire back surface of the light-transmitting layer 41. The light-shielding layer 43 has light-shielding properties and is a layer that blocks the light L trying to pass from the back side to the front side of the cover panel 9. The light-shielding layer 43 is composed of a coating film containing a black pigment. The thickness of the light-shielding layer 43 is, for example, about 5 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably 8 μm to 10 μm. The light transmittance in the thickness direction of the light-shielding layer 43 is, for example, 0%.

[0044] In the portion constituting the light-transmitting display portion 11 of the light-shielding layer 43, a light-transmitting hole 45 for passing the light L is formed. The light-transmitting hole 45 is formed in a predetermined pattern shape for lighting display, in this example, the same shape as the icon 13. The light-transmitting hole 45 is formed by irradiation with laser light. When the light-shielding layer 43 is formed by screen printing, the light-transmitting hole 45 may be provided using masking or may be included in the printing pattern.

[0045] <Functional module> The functional module 50 is a mechanism that realizes the functions of illumination and switch for lighting display. The functional module 50 includes, in addition to the switch component 55 and the switch operating member 63, a support panel 51, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 57, and a compression coil spring 59. The LED 57 is an example of a light source.

[0046] The support panel 51 is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening 27 on the back side of the hard portion 21 of the base material 20. The support panel 51 is fixed to a plurality of bosses 29 provided on the base material 20 using tapping screws 54. The support panel 51 is positioned at a distance from the front plate portion 23 of the hard portion 21. A light-shielding wall 53 is provided on the support panel 51.

[0047] The light-shielding wall 53 protrudes to the front side of the support panel 51 and is formed in a frame shape so as to correspond to the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 15. A plurality of claw pieces 53a (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are provided at the tip portion of the light-shielding wall 53. The plurality of claw pieces 53a are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the light-shielding wall 53 and each protrudes to the inner peripheral side of the light-shielding wall 53. Each claw piece 53a functions as a retaining portion that prevents the switch operating member 63 from coming out from inside the light-shielding wall 53.

[0048] The switch component 55 and the LED 57 are mounted on the same substrate 61, and the substrate 61 is fixedly provided inside the light-shielding wall 53 of the support panel 51. The switch component 55 is disposed at a position closer to the light-shielding wall 53 within the space surrounded by the light-shielding wall 53. The switch component 55 is, for example, a tact switch and has a pressing surface that receives a pressing operation. The LED 57 is disposed at a position corresponding to the center of the space surrounded by the light-shielding wall 53. The LED 57 emits light L (strictly speaking, visible light) toward the light-transmitting display unit 11.

[0049] The switch operating member 63 is provided so as to be retractable inside the light-shielding wall 53 of the support panel 51 and is disposed at a position corresponding to the first opening 27 on the back side of the base material 20. The switch operating member 63 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner peripheral shape of the light-shielding wall 53. The switch operating member 63 includes a receiving plate portion 65 and a peripheral wall portion 67. The receiving plate portion 65 constitutes a flat surface that receives an external force by the pushing operation of the switch device 10. The peripheral wall portion 67 is a portion that extends in a cylindrical shape from the peripheral edge of the receiving plate portion 65 to the back side. The outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 67 faces the inner peripheral surface of the light-shielding wall 53 and is slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the light-shielding wall 53.

[0050] A switch contact portion 69 is integrally provided on the back side end surface of the peripheral wall portion 67 of the switch operating member 63. The switch contact portion 69 protrudes to the back side of the switch operating member 63 and faces the pressing surface of the switch component 55. The back side end surface of the switch contact portion 69 contacts the pressing surface of the switch component 55 or is close to the pressing surface with a slight gap therebetween. A spring insertion portion 71 is further integrally provided on the back side end surface of the peripheral wall portion of the switch operating member 63. The spring insertion portion 71 protrudes to the back side of the switch operating member 63 and faces the support panel 51.

[0051] A compression coil spring 59 is inserted into the spring insertion portion 71. The compression coil spring 59 is interposed between the peripheral wall portion 67 of the switch operating member 63 and the support panel 51, and constantly applies a biasing force to push the switch operating member 63 toward the front side. By this, the switch operating member 63 is maintained in a state where the receiving plate portion 65 is placed inside the first opening 27 of the base material 20 and abuts against the back surface of the soft portion 30. In a state where the switch device 10 is not pushed in, a space larger than the pushing depth (stroke) of the switch operating member 63 is provided between the switch operating member 63 and the support panel 51.

[0052] The switch operating member 63 is a hard member made of synthetic resin and has translucency. Examples of the material of the switch operating member 63 include polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and the like. The switch operating member 63 is formed by injection molding.

[0053] The switch operating member 63 and the periphery of the first opening 27 of the base material 20 are in a positional relationship with a gap therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the switch operating member 63, that is, in a direction along the surface of the cover panel 9. A groove-shaped portion 33 is provided on the outer periphery of the receiving plate portion 65 of the switch operating member 63, with the outer peripheral surface of the receiving plate portion 65 and the inner peripheral surface of the first opening 27 of the base material 20 as side surfaces and the back surface of the soft portion 30 as the bottom surface. The distance D between the outer peripheral surface of the receiving plate portion 65 of the switch operating member 63 and the inner peripheral surface of the first opening 27 of the base material 20 (the width of the groove-shaped portion 33), that is, the width of the expansion and contraction allowance 31, is, for example, 1 mm to 20 mm, and more preferably about 5 mm.

[0054] -Operation of the switch device- In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 1, the light L emitted by the LED 57 irradiates the cover panel 9 from the back side of the base material 20. This light L passes through the switch operating member 63 and the soft portion 30 of the base material 20, and illuminates the corresponding translucent display portion 11 from the back side. The illumination light L passes through the skin material 40 through the light transmission holes 45, thereby projecting the icon 13. As a result, the translucent display portion 11 lights up the icon 13. When the translucent display portion 11 is in the lit state, the operation portion 15 of the switch device 10 is revealed.

[0055] And in the switch device 10, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user presses the operation portion 15 with the finger UF, the soft portion 30 deforms so as to bend toward the back side of the base material 20 according to the degree of the pressing, and a pressing force is exerted on the switch operating member 63 through the soft portion 30. By this, the switch operating member 63 retreats toward the support panel 51 side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59, and the pressing surface of the switch component 55 is pushed in by the switch contact portion 69. As a result, the switch component 55 is pushed in.

[0056] Also, in the switch device 10, when the user releases the pressing on the operation portion 15, the soft portion 30 recovers its deformation by elastic restoration, and the switch operating member 63 is pushed up to the front side and advances along with the recovery of the deformation of the soft portion 30 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59. By this, the operation portion 15 returns to the state before being pressed. As a result, the pushing in of the switch contact portion 69 against the pressing surface of the switch component 55 disappears, and the pushing-in operation of the switch component 55 is released.

[0057] - Method for manufacturing a switch device - To manufacture the switch device 10, first, a base material 20 having a flat surface in which the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30 are integrally formed is prepared. Such a base material 20 can be formed using two-color molding. Next, the skin material 40 is laminated on the surface of the base material 20 using vacuum pressure forming. For the lamination work of the skin material 40 on the surface of the base material 20, a vacuum pressure forming device 100 as shown in FIG. 4 is used.

[0058] The vacuum-pressure forming apparatus 100 includes a forming box 110, a heater 130, a base material support 140, a vacuum-pressure device 150, and a vacuum device 160. In the description of this Embodiment 1, as shown in each figure, the upper side and the lower side of the vacuum-pressure forming apparatus 100 are defined, but this is only defined for the convenience of explanation. For example, the orientation of the vacuum-pressure forming apparatus 100 can be changed so that the vertical direction becomes the horizontal direction (lateral direction).

[0059] The forming box 110 includes a lower box component 111 and an upper box component 119. The lower box component 111 and the upper box component 119 are each a divided body of the forming box 110, and are arranged with their openings corresponding to each other in the vertical direction. The lower box component 111 is located below with the opening facing upward. The upper box component 119 is located above with the opening facing downward.

[0060] The lower box component 111 has a bottom wall portion 113 and a lower peripheral wall portion 115. The lower peripheral wall portion 115 extends upward from the periphery of the bottom wall portion 113. A lower flange 117 is provided at the upper end portion of the lower peripheral wall portion 115. The lower flange 117 has a portion that protrudes horizontally toward the outer peripheral side of the lower peripheral wall portion 115 and a portion that protrudes horizontally toward the inner peripheral side of the lower peripheral wall portion 115. The upper surface of the lower flange 117 is the portion on which the skin material 40 is placed.

[0061] The upper box component 119 has an upper wall portion 121 and an upper peripheral wall portion 123. The upper peripheral wall portion 123 extends downward from the periphery of the upper wall portion 121. An upper flange 125 is provided at the lower end portion of the upper peripheral wall portion 123. The upper flange 125 protrudes horizontally toward the outer peripheral side of the upper peripheral wall portion 123. The lower surface of the upper flange 125 is the portion that sandwiches and holds the skin material 40 between it and the lower flange 117 when the forming box 110 is in a closed state.

[0062] A box moving device (not shown) is connected to the upper box component member 119. The box moving device moves the upper box component member 119 in a direction (vertical direction in this example) approaching and separating from the lower box component member 111. The box moving device is composed of, for example, a hydraulic cylinder operating with hydraulic pressure. The box moving device is controlled by a forming control device (not shown).

[0063] In the closed forming box 110, the box moving device moves the upper box component member 119 upward to separate it from the lower box component member 111, thereby opening the forming box 110 to an open state. Also, in the open forming box 110, the box moving device moves the upper box component member 119 downward to approach the lower box component member 111, thereby bringing the upper flange 125 and the lower flange 117 together with the skin material 40 sandwiched therebetween, and closing the forming box 110 to a closed state.

[0064] The heater 130 is disposed inside the upper box component member 119. Specifically, the heater 130 is positioned along the inner surface of the upper wall portion 121 at the upper part of the upper box component member 119. The heater 130 is a heater for heating and softening the skin material 40. The heater 130 is controlled by a forming control device. The heating temperature by the heater 130 is set so as not to cause thermal damage to the skin material 40.

[0065] The base material support 140 has a base portion 141 and a pedestal portion 143. The base portion 141 extends in the vertical direction and is inserted into a through hole 114 formed in the lower box component member 111. The base portion 141 protrudes downward from the bottom wall portion 113 of the lower box component member 111. The pedestal portion 143 is provided at the upper part of the base portion 141 and is disposed inside the lower box component member 111.

[0066] The base portion 143 is placed so as to cover the base material 20. The base portion 143 holds the base material 20 in a posture where the surface of the soft portion 30 faces upward. A sealing wall portion 145 is provided at the lower peripheral edge of the base portion 143. The sealing wall portion 145 projects toward the outer peripheral side of the base portion 143 and abuts against the lower surface of the inner peripheral side portion of the lower flange 117 when the base material support base 140 moves in a direction approaching the internal space of the upper box component 119.

[0067] A base material moving device (not shown) is connected to the base portion 141. The base material moving device moves the base material support base 140 in a direction approaching and separating from the internal space of the upper box component 119 (the vertical direction in this example). The base material moving device is composed of, for example, a fluid pressure cylinder that operates with fluid pressure. The base material moving device is controlled by a molding control device (not shown).

[0068] The vacuum pressurizing device 150 is connected to the inside of the upper box component 119 via the upper pipe 151. The vacuum pressurizing device 150 has a vacuum pump and an atmosphere release valve (not shown). The vacuum pressurizing device 150 is configured to be able to evacuate the surface side space R2 formed in the molding box 110 and make the pressure of the surface side space R2 a vacuum pressure. Note that "vacuum" in this specification does not have to be a strict vacuum, and any industrially achievable degree of vacuum is acceptable.

[0069] Further, after the vacuum pressurizing device 150 makes the pressure of the surface side space R2 a vacuum pressure, it can make the pressure of the surface side space R2 an atmospheric pressure by opening the atmosphere release valve. Also, the vacuum pressurizing device 150 may be provided with a pressure pump. By the vacuum pressurizing device 150 being provided with a pressure pump, after the pressure of the surface side space R2 is made a vacuum pressure by the vacuum pump, it becomes possible to make the pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure by the pressure pump. The vacuum pressurizing device 150 is controlled by the molding control device.

[0070] The vacuum device 160 is connected to the inside of the lower box component 111 via the lower pipe 161. The vacuum device 160 has a vacuum pump and an air release valve (not shown). The vacuum device 160 is configured to evacuate the back surface side space R1 formed in the molding box 110 and make the pressure of the back surface side space R1 a vacuum pressure. Further, after making the pressure of the back surface side space R1 a vacuum pressure, the vacuum device 160 can make the pressure of the back surface side space R1 an atmospheric pressure by opening the air release valve. The vacuum device 160 is controlled by a molding control device.

[0071] In order to laminate the skin material 40 on the surface of the base material 20 using the vacuum pressure thermoforming apparatus 100, by controlling each part of the vacuum pressure thermoforming apparatus 100 by a molding control device, operations related to each of the following steps may be executed, or an operator may operate each part of the vacuum pressure thermoforming apparatus 100 to perform operations related to each of the following steps.

[0072] First, a preparation step is performed. In the preparation step, the upper box component 119 is moved upward by the box moving device. By doing so, the molding box 110 is opened. Further, the base material support base 140 is moved downward by the base material moving device. Then, in the opened molding box 110, the base material 20 is placed and held on the pedestal portion 143 of the base material support base 140.

[0073] At this time, an adhesive material such as an adhesive or an adhesive material is provided on the surface of the soft portion 30 of the base material 20, or the base material 20 on which the adhesive material is provided in advance is used. Further, a prefabricated skin material 40 is held on the upper surface of the lower flange 117 of the lower box component 111 and provided so as to cover the opening of the lower box component 111. Note that the adhesive material may be provided on the portion of the back surface of the skin material 40 corresponding to the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 instead of the surface of the soft portion 30 of the base material 20.

[0074] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, by moving the upper box component 119 downward by the box moving device, the upper box component 119 and the lower box component 111 are adjusted to sandwich the skin material 40 between the upper flange 125 and the lower flange 117, and a vacuum chamber R0 sealed inside the molding box 110 is formed. The vacuum chamber R0 includes a front side space R2 and a back side space R1. The front side space R2 is the space on the side facing the surface of the skin material 40. The back side space R1 is the space on the side facing the back surface of the skin material 40.

[0075] After the preparation process, a heating process and a vacuum process are performed. In the heating process, the skin material 40 is heated and softened by the heat of the heater 130. In the vacuum process, the vacuum pump of the vacuum pressurizing device 150 is operated to evacuate the front side space R2, and the vacuum pump of the vacuum device 160 is operated to evacuate the back side space R1. The heating process and the vacuum process may be executed simultaneously, or the heating process may be executed at a timing earlier than the vacuum process, or the vacuum process may be executed at a timing earlier than the heating process.

[0076] When it is estimated that the temperature of the skin material 40 has reached the softening temperature and the evacuation of the front side space R2 and the back side space R1 is completed, the skin pressing process is performed. In the skin pressing process, as shown in FIG. 6, the base material support table 140 is moved upward by the base material moving device. By doing so, the surface of the base material 20 is pressed against the back surface of the skin material 40, and the softened skin material 40 is molded along the surface of the base material 20.

[0077] At this time, since the back side space R1 and the front side space R2 are evacuated, it is possible to suppress the entry of air between the base material 20 and the skin material 40. Further, when the base material support table 140 moves to the upper position, the upper surface of the sealing wall portion 145 comes into contact with the lower surface of the inner peripheral side portion of the lower flange 117. Thereby, the airtightness between the back side space R1 and the front side space R2 is ensured.

[0078] Subsequently, a pressing process is performed. In the pressing process, the pressure in the surface-side space R2 is made higher than the pressure in the back-side space R1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, by opening the air release valve of the vacuum pressing device 150 to make the surface-side space R2 at atmospheric pressure, the pressure in the surface-side space R2 is made higher than the pressure in the back-side space R1. At this time, the surface-side space R2 may be pressed to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the skin material 40 can be closely adhered to the surface of the base material 20 and laminated with good followability.

[0079] Next, the skin material 40 is cooled. When the skin material 40 is solidified by this cooling, an unloading process is performed. In the unloading process, the air release valve of the vacuum device 160 is opened to make the back-side space R1 at atmospheric pressure. Further, the upper box component 119 is moved upward by the box moving device to open the molding box 110. Then, the base material 20 with the skin material 40 is taken out from the opened molding box 110.

[0080] Thereafter, a post-treatment process is performed. In the post-treatment process, first, the surplus portion of the skin material 40 is cut off. Then, the outer peripheral side portion of the skin material 40 is wound around the back side of the base material 20 and fixed to the rigid portion 21 of the base material 20 using a joining material such as double-sided tape or adhesive, or staples. In this way, the skin material 40 can be laminated on the surface of the base material 20. The base material 20 with the skin material 40 thus produced constitutes the cover panel 9.

[0081] After that, as shown in FIG. 8, other components forming the functional module 50 are assembled to the base material 20 with the skin material 40. At this time, a support panel 51 on which a substrate 61 with the switch component 55 and the LED 57 already mounted is installed in advance, a switch operating member 63, and a compression coil spring 59 are prepared.

[0082] First, insert the compression coil spring 59 into the spring insertion portion 71 of the switch operating member 63. Next, fit the switch operating member 63 with the compression coil spring 59 into the inside of the light-shielding wall 53 and support it on the support panel 51. Then, fix the support panel 51 on which the substrate 61 with the switch components 55 and the LED 57 mounted, the switch operating member 63, and the compression coil spring 59 are placed to each boss 29 of the base material 20 using the tapping screw 54, thereby attaching it to the base material 20.

[0083] In the above manner, the switch device 10 can be manufactured.

[0084] -Features of Embodiment 1- In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 1, the switch operating member 63 and the periphery of the first opening 27 of the base material 20 are in a positional relationship with a gap therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the pushing direction of the switch operating member 63. A soft portion 30 having rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material 40 and the switch operating member 63. The soft portion 30 is supported by the base material 20 and is located on the front side of the first opening 27, and has an expansion / contraction margin 31 that constitutes a portion corresponding to the periphery of the first opening 27 between the switch operating member 63 and the base material 20. When the switch operating member 63 is pushed in through the skin material 40, the soft portion 30 is in a bent state with the stretching of the expansion / contraction margin 31. At this time, the bending generated in the soft portion 30 is relatively gentle, so the local elongation generated in the skin material 40 is reduced. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the depression of the pushed-in portion of the skin material 40.

[0085] In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 1, the skin material 40 and the soft portion 30 are adhered to each other at a portion corresponding to the first opening 27 of the base material 20. When the soft portion 30 is bent by the pushing operation of the switch operating member 63, the skin material 40 bends in the same way in accordance with the deformation of the soft portion 30. Thereby, the elongation generated in the skin material 40 can be dispersed around the pushed-in site. This is advantageous for suppressing the depression of the pushed-in portion of the skin material 40.

[0086] In the switch device 10 of the first embodiment, the first opening 27 of the base material 20 is covered by a soft portion 30 provided on the front side of the hard portion 21. When the first opening 27 of the base material 20 is covered by the soft portion 30, a joint between the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30 cannot be formed on the front side, and no parting line is generated on the skin material 40, so the appearance of the switch device 10 can be improved.

[0087] In the switch device 10 of the first embodiment, the base material 20 is configured to include a hard portion 21 and a soft portion 30. This base material 20 can be formed by two-color molding. By using such a two-color molded product as the base material 20, the number of parts and the assembly man-hours required for manufacturing the switch device 10 can be reduced.

[0088] In the manufacturing method of the switch device 10 of the first embodiment, the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30 are integrally molded to prepare a base material 20 having a flat surface, and the skin material 40 is laminated on the surface of the base material 20. In the step of laminating the skin material 40, vacuum pressure-air molding is used. According to vacuum pressure-air molding, the skin material 40 can be laminated on the surface of the base material 20 with good followability. Thereby, the step generated on the surface of the skin material 40 can be suppressed. This is advantageous for manufacturing a switch device 10 with a good appearance.

[0089] <<Second Embodiment>> The switch device 10 of the second embodiment has a different configuration of the base material 20 from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the switch device 10 is configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that the configuration of the base material 20 is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described for the switch device 1, and matters related to the same configuration will be left to the description of the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, in the switch device 10 of the second embodiment, the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is provided only inside the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21. Also in the base material 20 of this example, the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30 are integrally formed by two-color molding. The soft portion 30 is provided so as to close the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21. The outer peripheral surface of the soft portion 30 is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21.

[0091] The surface of the soft portion 30 and the surface of the hard portion 21 are flush with each other. By this, the surface of the base material 20 is configured as a flat surface. Note that "flush" in this specification means being parallel without a step, but it does not have to be strictly flush, and it may be a substantially flush surface with a step within the range of manufacturing tolerance. The skin material 40 covers the surface of the base material 20 (in this example, the surfaces of the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30) and the side plate portion 25, and is wound around and fixed to the back side of the base material 20 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The soft portion 30 is adhered to the skin material 40 using a bonding material such as an adhesive or an adhesive agent. The skin material 40 may also be adhered to the surface of the hard portion 21.

[0092] Also in the switch device 10 of this second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the user presses the operation portion 15 with the finger UF, the soft portion 30 deforms so as to bend toward the back side of the base material 20 according to the degree of the pressing, and a pressing force is exerted on the switch operating member 63 via the soft portion 30. By this, the switch operating member 63 retreats toward the support panel 51 side against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59, and the pressing surface of the switch component 55 is pushed in by the switch contact portion 69. Thereby, the switch component 55 is pushed in and operated.

[0093] Further, also in the switch device 10, when the user releases the pressing on the operation portion 15, the soft portion 30 recovers the deformation by elastic recovery, and the switch operating member 63 is pushed up to the front side and advanced together with the recovery of the deformation of the soft portion 30 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 59. By this, the operation portion 15 returns to the state before being pressed. Thereby, the pushing in of the switch contact portion 69 against the pressing surface of the switch component 55 disappears, and the pushing in operation of the switch component 55 is released.

[0094] -Features of the Second Embodiment- In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 2, the first opening 27 of the rigid portion 21 is closed by the soft portion 30. And, the surface of the soft portion 30 and the surface of the rigid portion 21 are flush with each other. By this, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step at the boundary between the peripheral edge of the first opening 27 of the base material 20 and the soft portion 30. Thereby, it is possible to make it difficult for the parting line corresponding to the joint between the rigid portion 21 and the soft portion 30 to be reflected on the skin material 40. This is advantageous for improving the appearance of the switch device 10.

[0095] <<Embodiment 3>> The switch device 10 of this Embodiment 3 has a different configuration of the base material 20 from that of the above Embodiment 1. In this Embodiment 3, the switch device 10 is configured in the same manner as in the above Embodiment 1 except that the configuration of the base material 20 is different from that of the above Embodiment 1. Therefore, a configuration different from that of the above Embodiment 1 will be described for the switch device 10, and matters related to the same configuration will be left to the description of the above Embodiment 1, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 11, in the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 3, the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is provided so as to be located inside the first opening 27 of the rigid portion 21 and on the front side of the first opening 27. Also in this example, the rigid portion 21 and the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 are integrally formed by two-color molding. The soft portion 30 is laminated on the surface of the front plate portion 23 of the rigid portion 21, and is provided so as to cover the first opening 27 on the front side of the rigid portion 21 and is also provided inside the first opening 27.

[0097] -Features of Embodiment 3- In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 3, the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is provided so as to be located inside the first opening 27 of the rigid portion 21 and on the front side of the first opening 27. By this, the thickness of the soft portion 30 constituting the operation portion 15 can be provided relatively thick. The ease of bending of the soft portion 30 when the push-in operation of the switch device 10 is performed changes according to the thickness of the soft portion 30. Therefore, the pressing force applied to the operation portion 15 required for the push-in operation of the switch device 10 can be adjusted.

[0098] <<Embodiment 4>> The switch device 10 of this Embodiment 4 is different from that of the above Embodiment 1 in the configuration of the base material 20 and in that it includes a cushioning material 80. In this Embodiment 4, the switch device 10 is configured in the same manner as in the above Embodiment 1 except that the configuration of the base material 20 and the inclusion of the cushioning material 80 are different from those of the above Embodiment 1. Therefore, the configuration of the switch device 1 that is different from that of the above Embodiment 1 will be described, and matters related to the same configuration will be left to the description of the above Embodiment 1, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 12, in the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 4, the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is provided only at a portion corresponding to the front side of the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21 and at an outer peripheral portion of the first opening 27 on the surface of the hard portion 21. Also in this example, the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 are integrally formed by two-color molding. The soft portion 30 is supported by the outer peripheral portion of the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21 and is located on the front side of the first opening 27, and is provided so as to cover the first opening 27 on the front side of the hard portion 21. The soft portion 30 of this example is not provided inside the first opening 27.

[0100] The cushioning material 80 is provided at a portion of the surface of the hard portion 21 where the soft portion 30 is not provided. The cushioning material 80 is made of a foamed resin such as foamed polyurethane (PU) and has both flexibility and elasticity. A second opening 81 is formed in the cushioning material 80. The second opening 81 is formed at a position and in a shape corresponding to the soft portion 30 of the base material 20. The soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is fitted into the second opening 81. The thickness of the cushioning material 80 and the thickness of the soft portion 30 are about the same.

[0101] And the surface of the cushioning material 80 and the surface of the soft portion 30 are flush with each other. By this, the surface of the base material 20 is configured as a flat surface. The skin material 40 covers the surface of the base material 20 (in this example, the surfaces of the soft portion 30 and the cushioning material 80) and the side plate portion 25, and is wound around and fixed to the back side of the base material 20 in the same manner as in the above Embodiment 1. The soft portion 30 is adhered to the skin material 40 using a bonding material such as an adhesive or an adhesive. The skin material 40 may also be adhered to the surface of the cushioning material 80.

[0102] -Features of Embodiment 4- In the switch device 10 of this Embodiment 4, the soft portion 30 of the base material 20 is provided only in the first opening 27 of the hard portion 21 and the portion corresponding thereto, and a cushioning material 80 is provided in the portion where the soft portion 30 is not provided on the surface of the hard portion 21. The cushioning material 80 imparts cushioning properties to the surface of the cover panel 9. Thereby, the feel of the surface of the cover panel 9 can be improved. Further, the tactile sensation on the surface of the cover panel 9 can be made different between the portion corresponding to the soft portion 30 and the portion corresponding to the cushioning material 80. This is useful for confirming the position of the operation portion 15 by the tactile sensation on the surface of the cover panel 9.

[0103] 《Other Embodiments》 In the above Embodiments 1 to 4, it is assumed that the biasing force for pushing the switch operating member 63 toward the front side is constantly applied using the compression coil spring 59, but it is not limited to this. A spring member other than the compression coil spring 59 may be used to constantly apply the above biasing force to the switch operating member 63, and the function of constantly applying the biasing force to the switch operating member 63 may be provided to the switch component 55 without using a spring member.

[0104] In the above Embodiments 1 to 4, it is assumed that the light shielding wall 53 is integrally provided on the support panel 51, but it is not limited to this. The light shielding wall 53 may be integrally provided with the hard portion 21 of the base material 20. Further, the light shielding wall 53 may be a member separate from the support panel 51. That is, the switch device 10 may include a member forming the light shielding wall 53 separately from the support panel 51.

[0105] In the above Embodiments 1 to 4, the cover panel 9 has the translucent display portion 11, and the icon 13 displayed on the translucent display portion 11 indicates the position of the operation portion 15 of the switch device 10 as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, an icon 13 may be printed on the portion of the cover panel 9 that constitutes the operation portion 15 of the switch device 10. In this case, the switch device 10 does not include a light source such as the LED 57, and no light transmission hole 45 is formed in the light shielding layer 43 of the skin material 40.

[0106] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, in the manufacture of the switch device 10, the skin material 40 is laminated on the surface of the base material 20 using vacuum pressure forming, but it is not limited to this. For example, the step of laminating the skin material 40 on the surface of the base material 20 may be performed using pressure air forming in which the skin material 40 is pressed against the surface of the base material 20 by pressurizing it with compressed air.

[0107] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, the base material 20 is integrally formed by two-color molding of the hard portion 21 and the soft portion 30, but it is not limited to this. The base material 20 may be composed only of the hard portion 21, and the soft portion 30 may be composed of a soft member that is separate from the base material 20. In this case, the soft member is fixed to the base material using an adhesive or the like. Further, in the above-described Embodiment 4, the soft portion 30 and the cushion material 80 may be integrally formed by two-color molding.

[0108] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, the light-shielding layer 43 is provided on the skin material 40, but it is not limited to this. The light-shielding layer 43 may be provided, for example, on the front or back surface of the soft portion 21, or on the front or back surface of the switch operating member 63.

[0109] In the above-described Embodiments 1 to 4, the case where the switch device 10 is incorporated into the center console 1 has been described as an example, but it is not limited to this. The switch device 10 according to the present disclosure can also be incorporated into other vehicle interior parts such as an instrument panel, a door trim, a pillar trim, and a sun visor. Further, the switch device 10 according to the present disclosure can be widely applied to various products such as home appliances and game machines in addition to vehicle applications.

[0110] As described above, preferred embodiments have been described as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and is also applicable to embodiments in which appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. It is understood by those skilled in the art that various further modifications are possible within the scope not departing from the gist of the technology of the present disclosure, and such modifications also belong to the scope of the technology of the present disclosure.

[0111] Note that the descriptions such as "first", "second",... mentioned above are only used to distinguish the phrases to which these descriptions are given, and do not limit even the number and order of those phrases. Further, the description "~" of the numerical range described above means a range including the numerical values before and after it. That is, substituting X and Y for numerical values, if it is described as "X~Y", it indicates a range of "X or more and Y or less".

Industrial Applicability

[0112] As described above, the present disclosure is useful for a switch device and a method for manufacturing the same.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0113] 10 Switch device 20 Base material 21 Rigid part 27 First opening (opening) 30 Soft part 31 Expansion and contraction allowance 40 Skin material 63 Switch operating member

Claims

1. a substrate (20) having a hard portion (21) in which an opening (27) is formed; a skin material (40) provided on a front side of the base material (20) so as to cover the opening (27); a switch actuating member (63) disposed at a position corresponding to the opening (27) on the rear side of the base material (20); a switch component (55) disposed on the rear side of the switch actuation member (63), the switch actuating member (63) is separate from the base material (20) and the switch component (55); a switch device configured so that a pressing force generated when the cover material (40) is pressed in can be applied to the switch actuation member (63) to press and operate the switch part (55) via the switch actuation member (63), the switch actuating member (63) and the periphery of the opening (27) are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the pushing direction of the switch actuating member (63), a soft portion (30) which is softer than the hard portion (21) and has rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material (40) and the switch actuation member (63); The soft portion (30) is supported by the hard portion (21) and is located within the opening (27) or on the front side of the opening (27), and has an expansion and contraction allowance (31) that forms a corresponding portion between the switch actuating member (63) and the periphery of the opening (27). A switching device comprising:

2. A substrate (20) having a hard portion (21) in which an opening (27) is formed; a skin material (40) provided on a front side of the base material (20) so as to cover the opening (27); a switch actuating member (63) disposed at a position corresponding to the opening (27) on the rear side of the base material (20); a switch device configured to apply a pressing force to the switch actuation member (63) when the cover material (40) is pressed in, thereby allowing the switch actuation member (63) to be pressed in, the switch actuating member (63) and the periphery of the opening (27) are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the pushing direction of the switch actuating member (63), a soft portion (30) which is softer than the hard portion (21) and has rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material (40) and the switch actuation member (63); the soft portion (30) is supported by the hard portion (21) and is located within the opening (27) or on the front side of the opening (27), and has an expansion and contraction allowance (31) that forms a portion corresponding to the portion between the switch actuating member (63) and a periphery of the opening (27); The soft portion (30) is molded integrally with the hard portion (21) to form the base material (20). A switching device comprising:

3. 3. The switch device according to claim 1, The skin material (40) and the soft portion (30) are bonded to each other at a portion corresponding to the opening (27). A switching device comprising:

4. 3. The switch device according to claim 1, The soft portion (30) is provided so as to cover the opening (27) on the front side of the hard portion (21). A switching device comprising:

5. 3. The switch device according to claim 1, the soft portion (30) is provided so as to close the opening (27) of the hard portion (21), The surface of the soft portion (30) and the surface of the hard portion (21) are flush with each other. A switching device comprising:

6. A substrate (20) having a hard portion (21) in which an opening (27) is formed; a skin material (40) provided on a front side of the base material (20) so as to cover the opening (27); a switch actuating member (63) disposed at a position corresponding to the opening (27) on the rear side of the base material (20); the switch actuation member (63) can be pushed in by applying a pressing force to the switch actuation member (63) when the cover material (40) is pushed in, the switch actuating member (63) and the periphery of the opening (27) are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the pushing direction of the switch actuating member (63), a soft portion (30) which is softer than the hard portion (21) and has rubber elasticity is provided between the skin material (40) and the switch actuation member (63); The soft portion (30) is supported by the hard portion (21) and is positioned within the opening (27) or on the front side of the opening (27), and has an expansion and contraction allowance (31) that constitutes a portion corresponding to a portion between the switch actuating member (63) and a periphery of the opening (27), comprising: preparing a base material (20) having a flat surface formed by integrally molding the hard portion (21) and the soft portion (30); The skin material (40) is laminated on the surface of the base material (20) by vacuum pressure molding or pressure molding. A method for manufacturing a switch device comprising the steps of:

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