Decorative member, input device, and display device

Abstract

The present invention has: a light-transmitting soft layer (10); a light-shielding layer (20) that covers the light-transmitting soft layer (10); and a concealing layer (30) that covers the light-shielding layer (20), wherein the light-shielding layer (20) has a light-shielding portion (21) that blocks light traveling from the light-transmitting soft layer (10) side to the concealing layer (30) side, and an opening portion (22) that allows light to pass therethrough, and the concealing layer (30) has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting soft layer (10) and the color of the light-shielding portion (21). According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for making the boundary between a light-shielding portion and an opening portion of a decorative sheet less visible when a backlight is not illuminated.

Description

Decorative member, input device and display device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a decorative member, an input device, and a display device.

[0002] For example, there is known a technology relating to an input device that illuminates the back side of a decorative component that constitutes the interior material of a vehicle or the wall material of a building, displays various information on the front side, and prompts the operator to perform input operations (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2021-133695 A, FIGS. 4 and 5

[0004] The "decorative member" on which the "input device" is mounted has an "opening" through which light from the back side passes to the front side, and a "light-shielding portion" that blocks light from the back side. This "opening" becomes a decorative illumination portion for characters, figures, etc., and the illumination pattern is formed with a two-dimensional spread. Then, the shape of the illumination pattern illuminated from the back side of the "decorative member" is displayed on the front side of the "decorative member," allowing the operator to visually recognize the function arranged in that area of ​​the "input device" from the outside.

[0005] In such a "decorative member," the boundary between the "opening" and the "light-shielding portion" is visible, a phenomenon known as a pattern visibility phenomenon. The pattern visibility phenomenon in the "decorative member" leads to a deterioration in the design.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique that makes it difficult to see the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening of the decorative member when the backlight is turned off.

[0007] Some aspects disclosed in this application are configured to have the following characteristics.

[0008] That is, one aspect of the present disclosure is a decorative member having a light-transmitting soft layer, a light-shielding layer covering the light-transmitting soft layer, and a concealing layer covering the light-shielding layer, wherein the light-shielding layer has a light-shielding portion that blocks light traveling from the light-transmitting soft layer side toward the concealing layer side, and an opening that is formed to penetrate the light-shielding layer and through which the light passes, and the concealing layer has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting soft layer and the color of the light-shielding portion.

[0009] For example, the color difference ΔE between a blackish, low-brightness light-shielding portion and a whiteish, high-brightness opening is large, making the boundary between them easily visible. However, because the decorative member has a medium-brightness concealing layer that covers both the low-brightness light-shielding portion and the high-brightness opening, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer that covers the light-shielding portion and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer that covers the opening can be reduced. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be prevented from being visible when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer of the decorative member.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the concealing layer reduces the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the opening, thereby making it possible to suppress the visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer of the decorative member.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the decorative member further has a light-transmitting skin layer on the surface facing the concealing layer.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure is a decorative member having a light-transmitting soft layer, a light-shielding layer covering the light-transmitting soft layer, a concealing layer covering the light-shielding layer, and a light-transmitting skin layer laminated on the concealing layer, wherein the light-shielding layer has a light-shielding portion that blocks light traveling from the light-transmitting soft layer side toward the concealing layer side, and an opening that is formed to penetrate the light-shielding layer and through which the light passes, and the concealing layer has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting soft layer and the color of the light-shielding portion.

[0013] Many decorative members that are illuminated from the back side toward the front (display surface) side are used with a skin layer fixed to their surface. However, the presence of a skin layer in a decorative member tends to reduce light transmittance and lower the brightness of the display surface compared to a decorative member without a skin layer. In contrast, if a light-transmitting skin layer with high transmittance is used, the brightness of the display surface when illuminated increases, but the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening becomes easily visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer.

[0014] However, because the decorative member has a medium-brightness concealing layer that covers both the low-brightness light-shielding portion and the high-brightness opening, it is possible to reduce the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the light-transmitting skin layer in which the light-shielding portion is covered with the concealing layer and the colorimetric value of the light-transmitting skin layer in which the opening is covered with the concealing layer. This makes the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening less visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening when viewed from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0015] On the other hand, in the decorative member of the present disclosure, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening is difficult to see from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer. Therefore, even if a light-transmitting skin layer with higher transmittance is used, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening is prevented from becoming easily visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer. In other words, the decorative member of the present disclosure can use a light-transmitting skin layer with higher transmittance. Therefore, a decorative member can be realized in which the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening is difficult to see from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer, and the display surface has high brightness when illuminated.

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of a light-transmitting skin layer in which the light-shielding portion is covered with a concealing layer and the colorimetric value of a light-transmitting skin layer in which the opening is covered with the concealing layer is 9.0 or less. This makes the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening less visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be less visible when viewed from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the concealing layer is a light diffusing layer.

[0018] Because the concealing layer is a light-diffusing layer, the direction of travel of light changes due to reflection and transmission in various directions within the concealing layer. The change in the direction of travel of light in the concealing layer blurs the boundary between the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the concealing layer covering the opening. Therefore, a decorative member in which the concealing layer is a light-diffusing layer can prevent the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening from being visible from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer.

[0019] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the concealing layer is a toning layer, and a color difference ΔE between a color measurement value in the toning layer covering the light-shielding portion and a color measurement value in the opening is 15 or less.

[0020] By using a concealing layer that has a small color difference ΔE from the light-transmitting soft layer, it is possible to cover, for example, a black, low-brightness light-shielding portion with a toning layer that is close to the color of a white, high-brightness light-transmitting soft layer. This allows the color of a black light-shielding portion viewed from the surface of the concealing layer to be closer to the color of the white light-transmitting soft layer. This reduces the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric values ​​of the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the concealing layer covering the opening. Furthermore, by using a color difference ΔE between the colorimetric values ​​of the light-transmitting soft layer and the toning layer that is 15 or less, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening is less visible from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be less visible from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0021] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the toning layer has an edge covering portion that covers an edge of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening in the layer thickness direction.

[0022] The toning layer has an edge covering portion that covers the edge of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening in the layer thickness direction, so that the toning layer can fill the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening. Therefore, at the edge of the light-shielding portion along the layer thickness direction, which is easily visible as a boundary, the color visible from the surface of the concealing layer of, for example, a black light-shielding portion can be made closer to the color of the white light-transmitting soft layer. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be prevented from being visible from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0023] Furthermore, the light-shielding portion may be formed by a light-shielding layer laminated on the opening. In this case, a step exists between the light-shielding portion and the opening. That is, it is considered that the light-shielding portion and the opening are easily visible not only due to the difference in color between them but also due to the presence of the step. However, by covering the end of the light-shielding portion with the toning layer, the toning layer can fill the step between the light-shielding portion and the opening. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening from being visible from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0024] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the concealing layer includes a toning layer covering the light-shielding layer and a light-diffusing layer covering the toning layer, and a color difference ΔE between a colorimetric value of the light-diffusing layer on the toning layer covering the light-shielding portion and a colorimetric value of the light-diffusing layer covering the opening is 15 or less.

[0025] When the concealing layer is a toning layer having a small color difference ΔE from the light-transmitting soft layer, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the opening can be reduced. Furthermore, when the concealing layer is a light-diffusing layer, the boundary between the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the concealing layer covering the opening can be blurred. Therefore, with a decorative member in which the concealing layer includes a toning layer and a light-diffusing layer, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be more effectively prevented from being seen, whether from the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer.

[0026] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the toning layer has an edge covering portion that covers an edge of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening in the layer thickness direction.

[0027] The toning layer has an edge covering portion that covers the edge of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening in the layer thickness direction, allowing the toning layer to fill in the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening. Therefore, at the edge of the light-shielding portion along the layer thickness direction, which is easily visible as a boundary, the color visible on the surface of the concealing layer of, for example, a black light-shielding portion can be made closer to the color of the white light-transmitting soft layer. Furthermore, the light-diffusing layer covering the toning layer can blur the boundary between the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the concealing layer covering the opening. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening can be more effectively prevented from being seen from either the surface of the concealing layer or the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer of the decorative member.

[0028] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the light-transmitting soft layer has a total light transmittance Tt of 5% or more and 80% or less.

[0029] Since the total light transmittance Tt of the light-transmitting soft layer is 5% or more, it is possible to prevent the brightness of the display surface of the decorative member from decreasing when illuminated.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the light diffusing layer is a glitter coating containing a light interference pigment.

[0031] Since the light diffusion layer contains a light interference pigment, a glittering coating film that has the ability to conceal the substrate can be obtained.

[0032] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the light diffusion layer has a total light transmittance Tt of 30% or more and 99% or less.

[0033] Since the total light transmittance Tt of the light diffusion layer is 30% or more, it is possible to prevent the brightness of the display surface of the decorative member from decreasing when illuminated.

[0034] One aspect of the present disclosure is an input device including the decorative member described above and a sensor sheet for a touch sensor that detects a touch operation on the decorative member.

[0035] Since the input device is equipped with the above-mentioned decorative member, it is possible to suppress visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer of the decorative member, and it is possible to realize an input device that is capable of detecting touch operations on the decorative member.

[0036] One aspect of the present disclosure is a display device including the above-described decorative member and a light source provided on the back side of the decorative member when the hidden layer side of the decorative member is the front side of the decorative member.

[0037] Since the display device includes the above-described decorative member, it is possible to realize a display device capable of suppressing visual recognition at the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening portion as viewed from the surface of the hidden layer of the decorative member.

[0038] Plan view of a decorative sheet according to an embodiment. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to a reference embodiment. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to the first embodiment. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to the second embodiment. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to the third embodiment. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to the fourth embodiment. Cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A of a decorative sheet according to the fifth embodiment taken along line VII-VII. Cross-sectional view corresponding to line VII-VII of FIG. 1A of an input device according to the sixth embodiment.

[0039] Hereinafter, the “decorative member”, “input device” and “display device” according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be specifically described. However, the following description is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, and should be understood as a description of exemplary embodiments. The following description does not unduly limit the scope of the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential as solutions.

[0040] In the following description, the terms indicating the directions of “up”, “down”, “left” and “right” are used for convenience of explanation, and do not indicate the usage method and usage mode unless it is clearly stated in the context that the direction is limited. The terms “first”, “second”... “n (n is an arbitrary natural number)” and the like described in this specification and the claims are used as identification terms for distinguishing different elements, and do not indicate a specific order or superiority or inferiority.

[0041] The terms used in the following description are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Elements according to an aspect described in the present specification and claims are intended to include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and / or" refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements. The terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and / or "comprising" used in the present specification and claims specify the presence of features, operations, elements, or steps. However, these terms are not intended to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, steps, and / or groups thereof.

[0042] The "decorative object" on which the "decorative member" of the present disclosure is provided is not particularly limited, and can be provided on, for example, vehicle interior materials such as door trim, instrument panel, and armrest, wall materials of buildings, electrical components, and other objects on which decorative illumination is provided. The "decorative member" does not necessarily have to include an input device. The "decorative member" of the present disclosure can be configured to include or not include a decorative object.

[0043] A "decorative member" according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light-transmitting soft layer, a light-shielding layer covering the light-transmitting soft layer, and a concealing layer covering the light-shielding layer. Hereinafter, the "decorative member" according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using an example in which the light-transmitting soft layer is a light-transmitting foam.

[0044] For convenience, in this specification and claims, the left-right direction of the decorative sheet 1 as one embodiment of the "decorative member" is referred to as the X direction, the front-rear direction as the Y direction, and the height direction (up-down direction) as the Z direction, as shown in Figures 1, 3, etc. Furthermore, in the decorative sheet 1 shown in Figure 3, the side on which the concealing layer 30 is provided is referred to as the upper side in the Z direction (outside, front side), and the side on which the light source 100 is arranged is referred to as the lower side in the Z direction (inside, back side). However, these do not limit the arrangement orientation of the decorative sheet 1 and the input device 50, the input operation direction of the decorative sheet 1 and the input device 50, etc.

[0045] Structure of decorative sheet 1 (Fig. 1)

[0046] It is known to illuminate a decorative sheet 1 from the rear side with a backlight to illuminate and display any illumination pattern such as letters, symbols, diagrams, patterns, or combinations thereof on the front side of the decorative sheet 1. As shown in Fig. 1A, when the decorative sheet 1 is illuminated, the illumination pattern P displays, for example, the English letter "S." The illumination pattern P may be one or multiple, and the size and shape of the illumination pattern P are also arbitrary.

[0047] 1B, when the backlight is turned off, i.e., when the decorative sheet 1 is not illuminated, the illuminated pattern P blends in with the surroundings and becomes invisible. This allows the decorative sheet 1 to achieve a seamless design in which the boundary between the illuminated pattern P and the surroundings is not visible when not illuminated, thereby improving the design of the object to be decorated.

[0048] Reference form of decorative sheet (Fig. 2)

[0049] In conventional decorative sheets, urethane foam is provided on the backside of the skin layer that forms the exterior surface to provide a soft feel. In such conventional decorative sheets, it is sometimes desired to provide an illuminated display or an input switch.

[0050] Another conventional decorative sheet has a structure in which a backlight is provided on the back surface of a skin layer that constitutes the exterior surface via a light-blocking layer. Because such a conventional decorative sheet is hard, it is sometimes desired to have a soft and flexible feel.

[0051] 2, a decorative sheet 101 according to a reference embodiment that meets these demands includes a light-transmitting foam layer 10, a light-shielding layer 20, and a light-transmitting skin layer 40 stacked in this order above a light source 100. The light-shielding layer 20 has a light-shielding portion 21 that blocks the light from the light source 100 from passing upward, and an opening 22 that allows the light from the light source 100 to pass upward.

[0052] However, in the decorative sheet 101, when the light source 100 was turned off, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 was visible through the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40, i.e., "pattern visibility" occurred. In this case, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the light-shielding portion 21 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 and the colorimetric value of the opening 22 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 was 9.2. Similarly, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value of the opening 22 was 69.0.

[0053] On the other hand, in the decorative sheet 101, when illuminated by the light source 100, the luminance in the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is 173 cd / m ２ It was.

[0054] As described above, the decorative sheet 101 has room for improvement in making the boundaries between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 of the decorative sheet 101 less visible when the backlight is not illuminating. On the other hand, there is also room for improvement in increasing the luminance of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 when the backlight is illuminating.

[0055] First embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 3)

[0056] The decorative sheet 1 is a laminate. The decorative sheet 1 has a thin plate (sheet, film) shape that is extremely short (thin) in length in the Z direction (thickness, plate thickness, film thickness) relative to a plane (plate surface) extending along the X and Y directions. As shown in FIG. 3 etc., the decorative sheet 1 has a light-transmitting foam layer 10, a light-shielding layer 20 covering the light-transmitting foam layer 10, and a concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding layer 20. That is, the decorative sheet 1 has the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the light-shielding layer 20, and the concealing layer 30 laminated in this order. The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is located on the back side of the decorative sheet 1, and the concealing layer 30 is located on the front side of the decorative sheet 1.

[0057] A backlight light source 100 is provided on the back side of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 to illuminate the decorative sheet 1 from the back side. The light source 100 emits light from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side toward the concealing layer 30 side. An operator can sense the light emitted from the light source 100 and passing through the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the light-shielding layer 20, and the concealing layer 30 from the front side of the decorative sheet 1.

[0058] The light source 100 shown in Fig. 3 is a so-called direct type light source arranged on the back side of the light-transmitting foam layer 10. However, the light source 100 may be arranged on the side of the decorative sheet 1 and may be an edge light type (light guide plate type) in which light emitted from the light source 100 is guided to the back side of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 via a light guide plate. The light source 100 is preferably an LED (Light Emitting Diode). However, the light source 100 is not limited to an LED and may be a cold cathode fluorescent tube, an incandescent lamp, an electroluminescence panel, a hot cathode fluorescent tube, a laser, or the like.

[0059] The light source 100 has a luminance of, for example, 20850 cd / m ２ The light source 100 is provided at a distance of, for example, 5 mm from the decorative sheet 1.

[0060] The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is a layer that combines high light transmittance and flexibility. The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is a layer made of a highly bright material. Furthermore, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is porous to improve flexibility, and contains a large amount of air within the layer. As a result, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 has light diffusibility. As a result, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 in an uncolored state exhibits a white-based color such as white or milky white.

[0061] Here, for example, urethane foam, which is widely used to impart flexibility to vehicle interior materials, has insufficient light transmittance. In contrast, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 has high light transmittance, allowing light emitted from the light source 100 to pass through to the light-blocking layer 20, thereby increasing the brightness on the front side of the decorative sheet 1. Therefore, when light is irradiated from the light source 100, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 allows the operator to sense necessary information from the front side of the decorative sheet 1. Furthermore, because the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is flexible, it can make the decorative sheet 1 soft to the touch. Therefore, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 can impart a soft feel to the decorative sheet 1 when touched by an operator, thereby improving comfort when operating the input device 50 described below.

[0062] The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is formed from a resin, and is preferably a polyolefin-based foam layer. The polyolefin-based foam layer is formed by foaming a foamable resin composition containing a polyolefin resin. Examples of polyolefin resins include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. Among these, polypropylene resin is preferred from the viewpoint of heat resistance. Although two or more types of resins may be mixed and used, it is preferable to use only one type. By using only one type of resin, cloudiness due to blending is less likely to occur, and the light transmittance of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 can be increased.

[0063] Examples of polyethylene resins include low-density polyethylene resin (LDPE), medium-density polyethylene resin (MDPE), and high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE). A specific example of a suitable low-density polyethylene resin is linear low-density polyethylene resin (LLDPE). The polyethylene resin may be an ethylene homopolymer, or a copolymer of ethylene and a small amount of an α-olefin, with ethylene as the main component (preferably 75% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more of the total monomers). The α-olefin preferably has 3 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 10 carbon atoms. Specific examples include 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene. In the copolymer, these α-olefins can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The polyethylene resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0064] The polypropylene resin may be a homopolypropylene, which is a homopolymer of propylene, or a copolymer of propylene with a small amount of ethylene and an α-olefin other than propylene, with propylene as the main component (preferably 75% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more of all monomers). Examples of copolymers of propylene with an α-olefin other than ethylene and propylene include block copolymers (block polypropylene), random copolymers (random polypropylene), and random block copolymers. The α-olefin other than propylene is the same as the ethylene described above. Among these, ethylene is preferred from the viewpoints of moldability and heat resistance. In the copolymer, these α-olefins can be used alone or in combination of two or more. The polypropylene resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0065] The ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer used as the polyolefin resin may be, for example, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer containing 50% by mass or more of structural units derived from ethylene. Because the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has high compatibility with polyethylene resins and polypropylene resins, the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer may be used in combination with one or more resins selected from polyethylene resins and polypropylene resins.

[0066] The polyolefin foam layer may be composed solely of the above-mentioned polyolefin resin, or may be a mixture of a polyolefin resin and an elastomer. Examples of elastomers include ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), styrene rubber, urethane rubber, urethane gel, silicone rubber, and silicone gel. Examples of elastomers include thermoplastic elastomers. Examples of thermoplastic elastomers include olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers. The content of the polyolefin resin in the polyolefin foam layer is preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 70% by mass or more, and even more preferably 90% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the foam layer.

[0067] The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is formed by foaming a foamable resin composition containing a polyolefin resin and a foaming agent, etc. Examples of foaming methods include a method using a foaming agent such as a thermal decomposition type foaming agent or water, and a method using an inert gas such as carbon dioxide or butane gas.

[0068] The expansion ratio of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is not particularly limited. However, the expansion ratio of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is preferably 7 times or more and 40 times or less, more preferably 10 times or more and 35 times or less, even more preferably 12 times or more and 33 times or less, and particularly preferably 20 times. When the expansion ratio is 7 times or more, the Asker C hardness of the laminate is low, the feel tends to be soft, and the total light transmittance Tt of the decorative sheet 1 as a whole can be easily adjusted to an appropriate range. On the other hand, by setting the expansion ratio of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 to 40 times or less, the mechanical strength of the decorative sheet 1 can be maintained at a certain level or more.

[0069] The thickness of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is not particularly limited and is determined within a range such that the total light transmittance Tt and Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 1 are desired. The thickness of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less, even more preferably 0.6 mm or more and 3.5 mm or less, and particularly preferably 2 mm. By making the thickness of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 0.5 mm or more, the feel of the laminate tends to be soft. On the other hand, by making the thickness of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 5 mm or less, the total light transmittance Tt of the laminate can be easily adjusted within an appropriate range.

[0070] The total light transmittance (Tt) of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is preferably 5% or more and 80% or less. A total light transmittance (Tt) of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 of 5% or more can prevent the brightness of the display surface of the decorative sheet 1 from decreasing when illuminated. Furthermore, a total light transmittance (Tt) of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 of 5% or more can easily adjust the total light transmittance (Tt) of the decorative sheet 1 to an appropriate range. The total light transmittance (Tt) of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is more preferably 20% or more, and even more preferably 30% or more. On the other hand, the higher the total light transmittance (Tt) of the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the better, but it is usually 95% or less. The total light transmittance (Tt) can be measured using a haze meter in accordance with ASTM D1003.

[0071] The light-shielding layer 20 is a layer that covers the surface of the light-transmitting foam layer 10. The light-shielding layer 20 has the function of selectively blocking (blocking) light traveling from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side to the concealing layer 30 side. In other words, the light-shielding layer 20 prevents light incident from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side from leaking to the concealing layer 30 side at a desired location on the XY plane of the decorative sheet 1.

[0072] The light-shielding layer 20 has a light-shielding portion 21 and an opening 22. The light-shielding portion 21 is a layer of a low-brightness light-shielding material that covers the surface of the light-transmitting foam layer 10. On the other hand, the opening 22 is not provided with a light-shielding material. The opening 22 is a recess through which the surface of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is exposed. The light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 occupy different regions on the XY plane of the light-shielding layer 20. The light-shielding portion 21 has the function of blocking light traveling from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side toward the concealing layer 30 side. On the other hand, the opening 22 has the function of transmitting light traveling from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side toward the concealing layer 30 side. As a result, light incident from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side passes to the concealing layer 30 side only through the region occupied by the opening 22 on the XY plane of the light-shielding layer 20.

[0073] Either the light-shielding portion 21 or the opening 22 is formed to form an illumination pattern P such as letters or figures in an XY plane view. The light-shielding layer 20 is illuminated from the rear side of the decorative sheet 1, and light that passes through the opening 22 in accordance with the shape of the illumination pattern P is displayed on the front side of the decorative sheet 1, allowing the operator to visually recognize the function of that area of ​​the input device 50, which will be described later. Typically, the opening 22 is formed to correspond to the shape of the illumination pattern P such as letters or figures, and the light-shielding portion 21 is formed to correspond to the shape of the background. However, the shape of the illumination pattern P may be negative-positive inverted. That is, the light-shielding portion 21 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the illumination pattern P such as letters or figures, and the opening 22 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the background.

[0074] The concealing layer 30 is a layer that covers the surface of the light-shielding layer 20. The concealing layer 30 has a function of concealing the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. The concealing layer 30 has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the color of the light-shielding portion 21.

[0075] The concealing layer 30 has higher light transmittance than the light-shielding portion 21. Therefore, the concealing layer 30 can transmit high-intensity light emitted by the light source 100. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 100 and passing through the openings 22 in accordance with the shape of the illumination pattern P is transmitted through the concealing layer 30 and displayed on the front side of the decorative sheet 1.

[0076] Here, for example, the color difference ΔE between the blackish low-brightness light-shielding portion 21 and the whiteish high-brightness opening portion 22 is large, so the boundary between them is easily visible. However, because the decorative sheet 1 has a medium-brightness concealing layer 30 that covers both the low-brightness light-shielding portion 21 and the high-brightness opening portion 22, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the opening portion 22 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening portion 22 when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 1. Therefore, the decorative sheet 1 can prevent the opening portion 22 from "seeing a pattern" when the light source 100 is not illuminating.

[0077] As described above, in the decorative sheet 101 of the reference embodiment that does not have the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value in the light-shielding portion 21 and the color measurement value in the opening 22 when the light source 100 is not illuminating was 69.0. In contrast, in the decorative sheet 1 of the present embodiment that has the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value in the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the color measurement value in the concealing layer 30 covering the opening 22 can be improved to 32.6.

[0078] The color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portions 21 and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 is preferably 35.0 or less. When the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portions 21 and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 is 35.0 or less, the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 becomes less visible from the surface of the concealing layer 30. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 from being visible when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 1.

[0079] For example, the concealing layer 30 covering both the black light-shielding portion 21 and the white opening 22 uses a coating film made of a material having a color ranging from silver, white-silver, or white to gray. When the coating film of the concealing layer 30 is one of these colors, the black light-shielding portion 21 appears close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30. Similarly, when the coating film of the concealing layer 30 is one of these colors, the white opening 22 appears close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30. This means that the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the opening 22 is small. Therefore, both the black light-shielding portion 21 and the white opening 22 appear close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30, making it difficult to visually recognize the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 from the surface of the concealing layer 30.

[0080] The color difference ΔE can be evaluated based on an index defined as the distance between coordinates in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space in accordance with JIS Z 8781-4. This color difference ΔE can be determined using, for example, a handheld colorimeter ("NR555" manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd.), a handheld spectrophotometer ("JX777" manufactured by Color Techno Systems Co., Ltd.), a colorimeter ("CR-400" manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc.), or the like. The color difference ΔE between the chromaticity of the portion with the light-shielding portion and the chromaticity of the portion with the opening is calculated based on the following formula (1). In formula (1), (L0*, a0*, b0*) represent the chromaticity of the opening portion, and (L*, a*, b*) represent the chromaticity of the light-shielding portion. The light source 100 is, for example, a 20850 cd / m ２ The light source 100 is provided at a distance of, for example, 5 mm from the decorative sheet 1. ΔE=((L0*-L*) ２ +(a0*-a*) ２ +(b0*-b*) ２ ) ０．５ ...Formula (1)

[0081] Here, the concealing layer 30 of this embodiment is a light diffusion layer 31. Because the concealing layer 30 is a light diffusion layer 31, the traveling direction of light changes due to reflection and transmission in various directions inside the concealing layer 30. The change in the traveling direction of light in the concealing layer 30 can blur the boundary between the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the concealing layer 30 covering the opening 22. Therefore, with a decorative sheet 1 in which the concealing layer 30 is a light diffusion layer 31, it is possible to prevent the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 from being visible when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30.

[0082] It is preferable to use silver printing using, for example, a silver ink in which aluminum powder is dispersed in an ink vehicle as the coating film for forming such a light diffusion layer 31. The silver printing has light reflectivity, which not only makes it possible to suppress the visibility of the above-mentioned boundary, but also has light transparency, which makes it possible to increase the brightness of the illumination pattern P that passes through the openings 22 and is displayed on the front side of the decorative sheet 1.

[0083] The light diffusion layer 31 preferably has a total light transmittance Tt of 30% or more and 99% or less. Since the light diffusion layer 31 has a total light transmittance Tt of 30% or more, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the brightness of the display surface of the decorative sheet 1 when illuminated. The total light transmittance Tt can be measured using a haze meter in accordance with ASTM D1003.

[0084] The decorative sheet 1 can be formed by printing. The openings 22 can also be formed by printing a masking pattern, then printing the light-shielding layer 20 and the concealing layer 30, and then peeling off the masking. The openings 22 can also be formed by first printing the light-shielding layer 20 and the concealing layer 30, and then patterning (removing) them by laser irradiation. Among these methods, it is preferable to form the decorative sheet 1 entirely by printing, from the viewpoint of easily preventing the "pattern from being visible" at the openings 22.

[0085] Second embodiment (FIG. 4)

[0086] 4, the decorative sheet 2 of this embodiment differs from the decorative sheet 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 instead of the light diffusion layer 31. The decorative sheet 2 is otherwise similar to the decorative sheet 1 in terms of its configuration and effects.

[0087] The concealing layer 30 of this embodiment is a light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32. In this embodiment, the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32, which corresponds to the light diffusion layer 31 of the first embodiment, contains a light interference pigment. Because the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 contains a light interference pigment, it is possible to obtain a glittering coating film that has the ability to conceal a base.

[0088] A glittering ink is used for the glittering coating film that forms the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32. The glittering ink is an ink in which glittering particles are dispersed in a highly transparent binder. Examples of the glittering particles contained in the glittering ink include pearl pigments, which are light interference pigments that have a pearl-like luster. The pearl pigment preferably has a structure in which a metal oxide with a high refractive index is coated on a substrate with a low refractive index. The substrate can be a material such as mica, SiO ２ , Al ２ O ３ The metal oxide is preferably titanium oxide, iron oxide, etc. The transparent binder is a transparent resin suitable for dispersing the pearl pigment.

[0089] When the content of the pearlescent pigment in the solid content of the glitter ink is 85 wt % or less, the film-forming property and adhesion of the glitter ink are good. When the content of the pearlescent pigment in the solid content of the glitter ink is 3 wt % or more, the light passing through the openings 22 can make the illumination pattern P displayed on the front side of the decorative sheet 2 appear clearly and three-dimensionally, which is preferable.

[0090] To form the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32, a coating liquid is prepared by dissolving or dispersing one or more materials selected from the above-mentioned materials, and various additives, etc., as necessary, in an appropriate solvent such as water or an organic solvent. The light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 can be formed by applying this coating liquid onto the light-shielding layer 20 by means of gravure printing, screen printing, reverse coating using a gravure plate, or the like, followed by drying.

[0091] When the above-mentioned pearl pigment is used as the light interference pigment, the coating of the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 appears gray. The light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 of the concealing layer 30 covers, for example, both the black light-shielding portions 21 and the white openings 22. In this case, because the coating of the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 is gray, the black light-shielding portions 21 appear close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30. Similarly, because the coating of the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 is gray, the white openings 22 appear close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30. This means that the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric values ​​of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portions 21 and the colorimetric values ​​of the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 becomes smaller. Therefore, both the black light-shielding portion 21 and the white opening 22 appear close to gray when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30, making it difficult to see the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 from the surface of the concealing layer 30.

[0092] As described above, in the decorative sheet 101 of the reference embodiment that does not have the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value in the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value in the openings 22 when the light source 100 is turned off was 69.0. In contrast, the decorative sheet 2 of the present embodiment that has the light-interference pigment-containing light-diffusing layer 32 as the concealing layer 30 can improve the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value in the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value in the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 to 17.4.

[0093] Third embodiment (FIG. 5)

[0094] 5, the decorative sheet 3 of this embodiment differs from the decorative sheet 1 of the first embodiment in that it has a toning layer 33 instead of a light diffusion layer 31. The decorative sheet 3 is otherwise similar in configuration and effect to the decorative sheet 1.

[0095] The concealing layer 30 of this embodiment is a toning layer 33. The toning layer 33 is a layer that has been toned to approximate the color of the light-transmitting foam layer 10. That is, the concealing layer 30 of this embodiment is a toning layer 33 that has a small color difference ΔE from the light-transmitting foam layer 10. The toning layer 33 is, for example, white, which approximates the high-brightness light-transmitting foam layer 10. The toning layer 33 may also be glossy gray.

[0096] By using the toning layer 33 as the concealing layer 30 with a small color difference ΔE from the light-transmitting foam layer 10, it is possible to cover, for example, a black, low-brightness light-shielding portion 21 with a toning layer 33 that is close to the color of the white, high-brightness light-transmitting foam layer 10. This makes it possible to make the color of, for example, the black light-shielding portion 21 visible from the surface of the concealing layer 30 closer to the color of the white light-transmitting foam layer 10. This makes it possible to reduce the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value at the opening 22.

[0097] The toning layer 33 is provided so as to cover the surface of the light-shielding layer 20. Therefore, in the area of ​​the light-shielding portion 21, the white toning layer 33 is superimposed on the light-shielding layer 20 which has a low brightness, for example, black. Therefore, the white toning layer 33 is visible from the front side of the decorative sheet 3. However, since the toning layer 33 is provided on the side opposite to the incident surface of the illuminating light to the light-shielding portion 21, i.e., on the exit side (the surface on the concealing layer 30 side), the area of ​​the light-shielding portion 21 can be made white similar to the light-transmitting foam layer 10 without impairing the light-shielding properties of the light-shielding portion 21.

[0098] The toning layer 33 preferably has a color difference ΔE of 15 or less between the color measurement value at the openings 22 on the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the color measurement value at the toning layer 33 covering the light-shielding portions 21. When the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value at the openings 22 on the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the color measurement value at the toning layer 33 is 15 or less, the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 becomes less visible from the surface of the concealing layer 30. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 3.

[0099] If the edge of the light-shielding portion 21 is visible, the edge would appear like a black frame. Therefore, it is preferable to offset the toning layer 33 to hide the edge of the light-shielding portion 21. Therefore, the toning layer 33 is provided to have an edge covering portion 34 that covers the edge of the light-shielding portion 21 that forms the opening 22 in the layer thickness direction (Z direction). The edge covering portion 34 of the toning layer 33 allows the toning layer 33 to fill the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. Therefore, at the edge of the light-shielding portion 21 along the layer thickness direction, which is easily visible as a boundary, the color of the black light-shielding portion 21 viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 can be made closer to the color of the white light-transmitting foam layer 10. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 can be prevented from being seen from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 3.

[0100] Furthermore, the light-shielding portion 21 may be formed by a light-shielding layer 20 laminated on the light-transmitting foam layer 10. In this case, a step exists between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. That is, it is considered that the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 are easily visible not only because of the difference in color between them but also because of the presence of the step. However, by covering the end of the light-shielding portion 21 in the layer thickness direction with the toning layer 33, the toning layer 33 can fill in the step between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 from being visible when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 3.

[0101] As described above, in the decorative sheet 101 of the reference embodiment that does not have the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value in the light-shielding portion 21 and the color measurement value in the opening 22 when the light source 100 is turned off was 69.0. In contrast, the decorative sheet 3 of this embodiment that has the toning layer 33 as the concealing layer 30 can improve the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value in the concealing layer 30 that covers the light-shielding portion 21 and the color measurement value in the opening 22 to 7.5.

[0102] Fourth embodiment (FIG. 6)

[0103] 6, the decorative sheet 4 of this embodiment differs from the decorative sheet 1 of the first embodiment and the decorative sheet 3 of the third embodiment in that the concealing layer 30 has both a light diffusing layer 31 and a toning layer 33. The decorative sheet 4 is otherwise similar in configuration and effects to the decorative sheet 1.

[0104] The concealing layer 30 of this embodiment includes a toning layer 33 and a light diffusing layer 31. The toning layer 33 covers the light-shielding layer 20. The light diffusing layer 31 covers the toning layer 33 and the openings 22.

[0105] In the toning layer 33 of this embodiment, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value at the openings 22 on the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the colorimetric value at the light-diffusing layer 31 on the toning layer 33 covering the light-blocking portions 21 is also 15 or less. Because the concealing layer 30 is the toning layer 33 with a small color difference ΔE from the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value at the concealing layer 30 covering the light-blocking portions 21 and the colorimetric value at the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the concealing layer 30 is the light-diffusing layer 31, the boundary between the concealing layer 30 covering the light-blocking portions 21 and the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 can be blurred. Therefore, with a decorative sheet 4 in which the concealing layer 30 includes the toning layer 33 and the light-diffusing layer 31, the boundary between the light-blocking portions 21 and the openings 22 can be more easily prevented from being seen from the surface of the concealing layer 30.

[0106] The toning layer 33 of this embodiment is also provided so as to cover the edge of the light-shielding portion 21 that forms the opening 22 in the layer thickness direction. By covering the edge of the light-shielding portion 21, the toning layer 33 can fill the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. Therefore, at the edge of the light-shielding portion 21, which is easily visible as a boundary, the color visible from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the black light-shielding portion 21 can be made closer to the color of the white light-transmitting foam layer 10. Furthermore, the light-diffusing layer 31 covering the toning layer 33 can blur the boundary between the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the concealing layer 30 covering the opening 22. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 can be more effectively prevented from being seen from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 4.

[0107] As described above, in the decorative sheet 101 of the reference embodiment that does not have the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value in the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value in the openings 22 when the light source 100 is turned off was 69.0. In contrast, the decorative sheet 4 of the present embodiment that has the light-interference pigment-containing light-diffusing layer 32 as the concealing layer 30 can improve the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value in the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the colorimetric value in the concealing layer 30 covering the openings 22 to 4.4.

[0108] Fifth embodiment (FIG. 7)

[0109] The decorative sheet 5 of this embodiment differs from the decorative sheet 4 of the fourth embodiment in that it has a light-transmitting surface layer 40 as shown in Fig. 7. The decorative sheet 5 is otherwise similar in configuration and effects to the decorative sheet 4.

[0110] The decorative sheet 5 is a laminate. The decorative sheet 5 has a thin plate (sheet, film) shape that is extremely short (thin) in length in the Z direction (thickness, plate thickness, film thickness) relative to a plane (plate surface) extending along the X and Y directions. As shown in FIG. 7 , the decorative sheet 5 has a light-transmitting foam layer 10, a light-shielding layer 20 covering the light-transmitting foam layer 10, a concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding layer 20, and a light-transmitting skin layer 40 laminated on the concealing layer 30. That is, the decorative sheet 5 has the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the light-shielding layer 20, the concealing layer 30, and the light-transmitting skin layer 40 laminated on the concealing layer 30 in this order. The light-transmitting foam layer 10 is located on the back side of the decorative sheet 5, and the light-transmitting skin layer 40 is located on the front side of the decorative sheet 5.

[0111] A backlight light source 100 is provided on the back side of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 to illuminate the decorative sheet 5 from the back side. The light source 100 emits light from the light-transmitting foam layer 10 side toward the light-transmitting skin layer 40 side. An operator can sense the light emitted from the light source 100 and passing through the light-transmitting foam layer 10, the light-blocking layer 20, the hiding layer 30, and the light-transmitting skin layer 40 from the front side of the decorative sheet 5.

[0112] The light-transmitting foam layer 10 has high light transmittance, allowing light emitted from the light source 100 to pass through to the light-blocking layer 20, thereby increasing the brightness on the front side of the decorative sheet 5. Therefore, when light is irradiated from the light source 100, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 allows the operator to sense necessary information from the front side of the decorative sheet 5. Furthermore, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 has flexibility, making the decorative sheet 5 soft to the touch. Therefore, the light-transmitting foam layer 10 can impart a soft feel to the decorative sheet 5 that the operator touches, improving comfort when operating the input device 50, which will be described later.

[0113] The light-shielding layer 20 has a light-shielding portion 21 and an opening 22. The light-shielding layer 20 is illuminated from the rear side of the decorative sheet 5, and the light that passes through the opening 22 in accordance with the shape of the illumination pattern P is displayed on the front side of the decorative sheet 5, allowing the operator to visually recognize the function of that area of ​​the input device 50, which will be described later.

[0114] The concealing layer 30 has a function of concealing the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22. The concealing layer 30 has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the color of the light-shielding portion 21.

[0115] The concealing layer 30 has higher light transmittance than the light-shielding portion 21. Therefore, the concealing layer 30 can transmit high-intensity light emitted by the light source 100. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 100 and passing through the openings 22 in accordance with the shape of the illumination pattern P is transmitted through the concealing layer 30 and the light-transmitting skin layer 40 and displayed on the surface side of the decorative sheet 5.

[0116] The light-transmitting surface layer 40 is a layer that serves as an interior material for a vehicle, which will be the "object to which the decorative sheet 5 is to be installed." The front side of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 serves as the exterior surface. In other words, the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is used as decoration for the "object to which the decorative sheet 5 is to be installed," has the function of protecting the surface of the decorative sheet 5, and is also the part that comes into contact with the operator's fingers, etc.

[0117] The material constituting the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is not particularly limited. However, a resin sheet is preferred as the material for the light-transmitting surface layer 40 from the viewpoint of easily adjusting the total light transmittance Tt within a desired range. Examples of resin sheets that can be used to form the light-transmitting surface layer 40 include urethane sheets (TPU (urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer)), polyvinyl chloride sheets, mixed resin sheets of polyvinyl chloride and ABS resin, polypropylene sheets, polyethylene sheets, and olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) sheets.

[0118] In addition to resin sheets, examples of materials for the light-transmitting skin layer 40 include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and nonwoven fabrics made from natural or artificial fibers, and leathers such as artificial leather and synthetic leather. To enhance design, a grain pattern may be formed on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. A leather grain or wood grain pattern may be formed on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 using a silicone stamper or the like with an indentation transferred from genuine leather, stone, wood, or the like. Furthermore, to prevent scratches, various coatings may be applied to the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. The light-transmitting skin layer 40 may be colored. The light-transmitting skin layer 40 may be colored by coloring the sheet itself, or by laminating a colored layer.

[0119] The light-transmitting skin layer 40 may be laminated by a thermal lamination method or may be adhered with an adhesive.

[0120] The total light transmittance Tt of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is preferably 10% or more. When the total light transmittance Tt of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is 10% or more, the brightness of the decorative sheet 5 when illuminated can be increased. The total light transmittance Tt of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 is more preferably 20% or more, and even more preferably 30% or more.

[0121] Here, most decorative sheets that are illuminated from the back side toward the front (display surface) side are used with a skin layer fixed to the surface. However, when a decorative sheet has a skin layer, the light transmittance tends to decrease and the brightness of the display surface tends to be lower than when the decorative sheet does not have a skin layer. In contrast, when a skin layer with high light transmittance is used, the brightness of the display surface when illuminated increases, but the boundary between the light-shielding portion and the opening becomes easily visible from the surface of the skin layer.

[0122] However, the decorative sheet 5 has a medium-lightness concealing layer 30 that covers both the low-lightness light-shielding portions 21 and the high-lightness openings 22. This reduces the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric values ​​of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 in which the light-shielding portions 21 are covered with the concealing layer 30 and the colorimetric values ​​of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 in which the openings 22 are covered with the concealing layer 30. The color difference ΔE is preferably 9.0 or less. When the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric values ​​of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 in which the light-shielding portions 21 are covered with the concealing layer 30 and the colorimetric values ​​of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 in which the openings 22 are covered with the concealing layer 30 is 9.0 or less, the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 is less visible from the surface of the light-transmitting surface layer 40. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portions 21 and the openings 22 can be less visible when viewed from the surface of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 of the decorative sheet 5.

[0123] On the other hand, in the decorative sheet 5 of the present disclosure, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 is difficult to see from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. Therefore, even if a light-transmitting skin layer 40 with a higher transmittance is used, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 is prevented from becoming easily visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. In other words, the decorative sheet 5 of the present disclosure can use a light-transmitting skin layer 40 with a higher transmittance. Therefore, it is possible to realize a decorative sheet 5 in which the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 is difficult to see from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 and which has a high brightness of the display surface when illuminated.

[0124] The decorative sheet 5 may have both the light diffusion layer 31 or the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 and the toning layer 33 in the concealing layer 30, or may have only the light diffusion layer 31 and the light interference pigment-containing light diffusion layer 32 or the toning layer 33. In this case, when the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the colorimetric value of the toning layer 33 is 15 or less, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 becomes less visible from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. Therefore, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 can be prevented from being visible when viewed from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 of the decorative sheet 5.

[0125] When the decorative sheet 5 has a toning layer 33, the toning layer 33 preferably covers, in the layer thickness direction, the end of the light-shielding portion 21 that forms the opening 22. By covering, in the layer thickness direction, the end of the light-shielding portion 21 that forms the opening 22 with the toning layer 33, the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 can be filled in by the toning layer 33. Therefore, at the end of the light-shielding portion 21 that is easily visible as a boundary, the color visible from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the black light-shielding portion 21 can be made to approach the color of the white light-transmitting foam layer 10.

[0126] Furthermore, when the decorative sheet 5 also has a light diffusion layer 31, the light diffusion layer 31 covering the toning layer 33 can blur the boundary between the concealing layer 30 covering the light-shielding portion 21 and the concealing layer 30 covering the opening 22. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the visibility of the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 when viewed from the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 of the decorative sheet 5.

[0127] As described above, in the decorative sheet 101 of the reference embodiment that does not have the concealing layer 30, the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value at the shading portion 21 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 when the light source 100 is off and the colorimetric value at the opening 22 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 was 9.2. In contrast, the decorative sheet 5 of the present embodiment, which has the optical interference pigment-containing light-diffusing layer 32 and the light-diffusing layer 31 as the concealing layer 30, can improve the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value at the shading portion 21 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 and the colorimetric value at the opening 22 measured on the surface of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 to 1.1.

[0128] On the other hand, in the decorative sheet 101, when illuminated by the light source 100, the luminance in the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is 173 cd / m ２ In contrast, in the decorative sheet 5, even if the total light transmittance Tt of the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is changed from 10% to 20%, for example, the "pattern visibility" can be suppressed. As a result, in the decorative sheet 5, when illuminated by the light source 100, the luminance in the light-transmitting surface layer 40 is 331 cd / m ２ can be improved to.

[0129] If the total light transmittance Tt of the decorative sheet 5 is greater than 0.01%, the light transmittance is good and necessary information can be viewed from the side of the light-transmitting skin layer 40. The total light transmittance Tt of the decorative sheet 5 at the opening 22 is preferably 0.02% or more, more preferably 0.5% or more, and even more preferably 1% or more. On the other hand, it is preferable that the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 of the decorative sheet 5 cannot be viewed from the side of the light-transmitting skin layer 40 when not illuminated. From this perspective, the total light transmittance Tt of the laminate is preferably 7% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 4% or less.

[0130] The Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 5 is preferably 70 or less. When the Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 5 is 70 or less, a soft feel is maintained. The Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 5 is preferably 60 or less, more preferably 50 or less, and even more preferably 40 or less. On the other hand, there is no particular restriction on the lower limit of the Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 5. However, from the viewpoint of maintaining a certain level of mechanical strength, the Asker C hardness of the decorative sheet 5 is preferably 5 or more, and more preferably 10 or more. The decorative sheet 5 may have a housing (sheet, film), for example made of resin, between the light-transmitting foam layer 10 and the light source 100 to support the light-transmitting foam layer 10.

[0131] Sixth embodiment (FIG. 8)

[0132] This embodiment is an input device 50 including the above-described decorative sheet 5. The input device 50 includes the decorative sheet 5 and a sensor sheet 51 for a touch sensor that detects a touch operation on the decorative sheet 5. The sensor sheet 51 is provided, for example, on the back side of the decorative sheet 5, as shown in FIG.

[0133] Since the input device 50 is equipped with the above-mentioned decorative sheet 5, it is possible to suppress visibility of the boundary between the shading portion 21 and the opening 22 when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheet 5, and it is also possible to realize an input device 50 that is capable of detecting touch operations on the decorative sheet 5.

[0134] In the "decorative member" and "input device" of the present disclosure, the configurations shown in the embodiments can be freely combined within a range that does not cause contradictions. For example, the light-transmitting surface layer 40 in the decorative sheet 5 of the fifth embodiment can be combined with any of the first, second, and third embodiments. Furthermore, the input device 50 of the sixth embodiment can be combined with any of the first to fifth embodiments.

[0135] In this disclosure, a touch sensor has been described as an "input device." However, the "input device" of this disclosure can also be applied to a button switch that physically opens and closes a power circuit.

[0136] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a decorative sheet according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments and a light source 100 provided on the back side of the decorative sheet (1 to 5) when the concealing layer 20 side of the decorative sheet (1 to 5) is the front side of the decorative sheet (1 to 5) (see FIGS. 3 to 7). Note that the decorative sheet and the light source have already been described, and therefore further description of the decorative sheet and the light source will be omitted.

[0137] Since the display device is equipped with the above-mentioned decorative sheets (1 to 5), a display device can be realized that can suppress visibility at the boundary between the light-shielding portion 21 and the opening 22 when viewed from the surface of the concealing layer 30 of the decorative sheets (1 to 5).

[0138] The display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured by providing a light source to the input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (see, for example, FIG. 8).

[0139] The decorative member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above using an example in which the light-transmitting soft layer is a light-transmitting foam layer. However, the light-transmitting soft layer of the decorative member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to a light-transmitting foam layer, as long as it can impart a soft feel to the decorative member. For example, the light-transmitting soft layer may be a light-transmitting rubber elastic layer. Examples of light-transmitting rubbers that constitute the light-transmitting rubber elastic layer include silicone rubber, urethane rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, fluororubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, styrene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, olefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, and urethane-based thermoplastic elastomers. Among these, silicone rubber is preferred. In addition, in order to make it easy for the concealing layer to have a brightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting rubber elastic layer and the color of the light-shielding portion, the light-transmitting rubber elastic layer may be made of a high-brightness material that is light-transmitting so that the total light transmittance Tt falls within the above range, and may be transparent or may be appropriately colored white, milky white, etc. In addition, the thickness and the like may be as described for the light-transmitting foam layer.

[0140] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0141] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Decorative sheet (first embodiment) 2 Decorative sheet (second embodiment) 3 Decorative sheet (third embodiment) 4 Decorative sheet (fourth embodiment) 5 Decorative sheet (fifth embodiment) 10 Light-transmitting foam layer 20 Light-shielding layer 21 Light-shielding portion 22 Opening 30 Concealing layer 31 Light-diffusing layer 32 Light-diffusing layer containing optical interference pigment 33 Toning layer 34 Edge covering portion 40 Light-transmitting surface layer 50 Input device 51 Sensor sheet 100 Light source ΔE Color difference P Illumination pattern

Claims

1. A decorative member comprising: a light-transmitting soft layer; a light-shielding layer covering the light-transmitting soft layer; and a concealing layer covering the light-shielding layer, wherein the light-shielding layer has a light-shielding portion that blocks light traveling from the light-transmitting soft layer side to the concealing layer side, and an opening that is formed by penetrating the light-shielding layer and through which the light passes, and wherein the concealing layer has a lightness intermediate between a color of the light-transmitting soft layer and a color of the light-shielding portion.

2. The decorative member according to claim 1, wherein the concealing layer reduces the color difference ΔE between the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the light-shielding portion and the colorimetric value of the concealing layer covering the opening.

3. The decorative member according to claim 1, further comprising a light-transmitting skin layer on the surface facing the concealing layer.

4. A decorative member comprising: a light-transmitting soft layer; a light-shielding layer covering the light-transmitting soft layer; a concealing layer covering the light-shielding layer; and a light-transmitting skin layer laminated on the concealing layer, wherein the light-shielding layer has a light-shielding portion that blocks light traveling from the light-transmitting soft layer side to the concealing layer side, and an opening that is formed to penetrate the light-shielding layer and through which the light passes, and the concealing layer has a lightness intermediate between the color of the light-transmitting soft layer and the color of the light-shielding portion.

5. The decorative member according to claim 4, wherein a color difference ΔE between a color measurement value in a light-transmitting skin layer in which the light-shielding portion is covered with the concealing layer and a color measurement value in a light-transmitting skin layer in which the opening is covered with the concealing layer is 9.0 or less.

6. The decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concealing layer is a light diffusing layer.

7. A decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concealing layer is a toning layer, and the color difference ΔE between the color measurement value in the toning layer covering the light-shielding portion and the color measurement value in the opening is 15 or less.

8. The decorative member according to claim 7, wherein the toning layer has an end covering portion that covers, in a layer thickness direction, an end of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening.

9. A decorative member described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concealing layer includes a toning layer covering the light-shielding layer and a light diffusion layer covering the toning layer, and a color difference ΔE between a colorimetric value of the light diffusion layer on the toning layer covering the light-shielding portion and a colorimetric value of the light diffusion layer covering the opening is 15 or less.

10. The decorative member according to claim 9, wherein the toning layer has an end covering portion that covers, in the layer thickness direction, an end of the light-shielding portion that forms the opening.

11. The decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light-transmitting soft layer has a total light transmittance of 5% or more and 80% or less.

12. The decorative member according to claim 9, wherein the light diffusing layer is a glittering coating film containing an optical interference pigment.

13. The decorative member according to claim 9, wherein the light diffusing layer has a total light transmittance of 30% or more and 99% or less.

14. An input device comprising: a decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a sensor sheet for a touch sensor that detects a touch operation on the decorative member.

15. A display device comprising: a decorative member according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a light source provided on the back side of the decorative member when the concealing layer side of the decorative member is the front side of the decorative member.

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