JP2016006728A - Light transmissive molded body and method for forming the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively provide a high-quality molded body that indicates a display element using transmitted light.SOLUTION: A light transmissive molded body includes a light transmissive substrate and a light reducing layer to reduce an amount of light that passes through the substrate and is released to the outside. A surface of the substrate has a light reducing region for forming the light reducing layer, and a light display region for forming a display element that permits light transmission to form thereon a display element indicating a symbol or graphic.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light transmission molded body and a method for forming the same.

  Many electronic devices include a switch using a molded body. For this switch, in order to improve functions such as design or visibility, a molded body that decorates the switch with light emitted from an internal light source is often used. For example, in the illuminated decorative molded body of Patent Document 1, a display layer that forms a display element is formed on a transparent substrate, and the display layer is edge-lit by light transmitted through the substrate. As a method for forming the display layer on the substrate, two-color molding is generally used in which the display layer is molded on the substrate using a mold after the substrate is molded.

JP 2007-213839 A

  However, when the display element is formed by the display layer provided on the substrate as in Patent Document 1, the number of members of the molded body increases, and thus the manufacturing cost increases. Further, when the display element is edge-lit, the display element itself becomes darker than its surroundings, so that the display element may appear blurred and cannot be clearly recognized.

  Further, when the display layer is formed by two-color molding, the mold for forming the display layer has a complicated structure and is expensive. Therefore, the manufacturing cost further increases. Further, it is necessary to continuously form the display layer so that a part of the display layer is not separated from the substrate when the molded body is removed from the mold. For example, when a display element indicating a character such as “i” is formed as it is, the display layer becomes discontinuous. For this reason, a connecting portion is conventionally provided between discontinuous portions of the display layer. However, if the connecting portion is provided, the display elements are arranged, so that the display elements cannot be accurately expressed.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, and it aims at providing the high quality molded object which displays a display element using transmitted light at low cost.

  In order to achieve the above object, a light-transmitting molded body according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light-transmitting base and a light-reducing layer that reduces the amount of light that passes through the base and is emitted to the outside. The surface of the substrate includes a light reduction region in which a light reduction layer is formed, and a light display region that transmits the light and forms a display element that represents a symbol or a graphic (first configuration); Is done.

  According to the first configuration, the surface of the light-transmitting substrate has a light-reducing region in which a light-reducing layer that reduces the amount of light that passes through the substrate and is emitted to the outside is formed, and transmits the light. And a light display area forming a display element representing a symbol or a figure. Therefore, when light is incident on the substrate, the light display area shines brighter than the dimming area. Therefore, the display element can be displayed by the difference in brightness of the light display area with respect to the dimming area. Further, the light display region can be formed relatively easily without adding a new display element forming member, for example, by removing the light reducing layer. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-quality molded body that displays the display element using transmitted light at a low cost.

  Further, in the light transmission molded body having the first configuration, the top surface of the base has a first light reduction region where a light reduction layer is formed, and a light display region, and the side peripheral surface of the base is It is good also as a structure (2nd structure) which has the 2nd light attenuation area | region where a light attenuation layer is formed in connection with the periphery of a top | upper surface, and the light transmission area | region which is not connected to the periphery of a top | upper surface.

  According to the second configuration, since the light display area is on the top surface of the substrate, the display element can be displayed on the top surface. Further, on the side peripheral surface of the base, the second light attenuation region where the light reduction layer is formed is connected to the periphery of the top surface, but the light transmission region is not connected to the periphery of the top surface. Therefore, when light is incident on the substrate, the light transmission region shines brighter than the second dimming region on the side peripheral surface. Therefore, when the internal light source is turned on with the light transmission molded body attached to the casing so that a part of the top surface and the side peripheral surface are exposed, the periphery of the light transmission molded body is obtained by indirect illumination from the light transmission region. Can be shining dimly. Therefore, the design around the light-transmitting molded body can be improved.

  Further, in the light transmissive molded body of the second configuration, a groove is formed between the second light reduction region and the light transmission region on the side peripheral surface, and the groove is connected to the first light reduction region, It is good also as a structure (3rd structure) containing the bottom face which protrudes from this top surface in planar view seen from the normal line direction, and the surrounding wall which protrudes toward the normal line direction from the periphery of a bottom face.

  According to the third configuration, the groove that opens in the normal direction of the top surface is formed between the second light reduction region and the light transmission region on the side peripheral surface of the base. For example, when a light-reducing layer is formed using a liquid material such as paint, the material may sag from the second light-reducing area on the top surface and the side peripheral surface. Since it is received by the groove portion, it can be prevented from dripping into the light transmission region. Therefore, the second light reduction region and the light transmission region can be formed with high accuracy without complicating the process of forming the light reduction layer. Therefore, the formation quality of the light attenuation layer can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the light transmission molded body having any one of the first to third configurations, the light reducing layer may have a configuration (fourth configuration) that is a light blocking layer that blocks light.

  According to the fourth configuration, since the light shielding layer is formed in the dimming region, the dimming region does not shine even when light is incident on the base. Therefore, since the difference in brightness of the light display area with respect to the light reduction area is higher, display elements formed by the light display area can be displayed more clearly.

  The light transmission molded body having any one of the first to fourth configurations may further include a configuration (fifth configuration) further including a protective layer formed on at least the light-reducing layer.

  According to the fifth configuration, at least damage of the light-reducing layer can be suppressed or prevented by the protective layer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method for forming a light-transmitting molded body according to one aspect of the present invention reduces the amount of light transmitted through the substrate and emitted to the outside on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate. A step of forming a light reducing layer to be formed, and a step of forming a light display region that transmits light and forms a display element representing a symbol or a figure on the surface of the substrate (sixth configuration) It is said.

  According to the sixth configuration, a light-reducing layer that reduces the amount of light transmitted through the substrate and emitted to the outside on the surface of the translucent substrate, and transmits the light to represent a symbol or a figure. And an optical display region forming a display element. Therefore, when light is incident on the substrate, the light display area shines brighter than the light reducing layer. Therefore, the display element can be displayed by the difference in brightness of the light display area with respect to the light reducing layer. Further, the light display region can be formed relatively easily without adding a new display element forming member, for example, by removing the light reducing layer. Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-quality molded body that displays the display element using transmitted light at a low cost.

  The method for forming a light-transmitting molded body according to the sixth configuration further includes a step of covering, with a shielding member, a region that is not connected to the peripheral edge of the top surface of the base body on the side peripheral surface of the base body (seventh configuration) ).

  According to this 7th structure, a shielding member covers the area | region which is not connected with the periphery of the top | upper surface among the side peripheral surfaces of a base | substrate. For this reason, on the side peripheral surface of the base, a light reducing layer is formed in a region connected to the periphery of the top surface, and a light reducing layer is not formed in a region not connected to the periphery of the top surface. Therefore, when light is incident on the base, the region not connected to the periphery of the top surface shines brighter than the region connected to the periphery of the top surface on the side peripheral surface. Therefore, when the light transmissive molded body is attached to the housing so that a part of the top surface and the side peripheral surface are exposed and the internal light source is turned on, the light transmissive molded body is illuminated by indirect illumination from a region away from the top surface. The edge can be shining dimly. Therefore, the design around the light transmission molded body is improved.

  Further, in the method for forming a light transmission molded body according to the sixth or seventh configuration, the step of forming the light display region includes a step of removing the light reducing layer from a partial region of the top surface (eighth). It is good also as a structure.

  According to the eighth configuration, the light display region can be formed relatively easily by removing the light reducing layer from a partial region of the top surface.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the high quality molded object which displays a display element using transmitted light can be provided at low cost.

It is a top view of a remote control device. 1 is an external view of a seesaw switch according to a first embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seesaw switch which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the formation method of the coating film in 1st Embodiment. It is an external view of the base | substrate just before forming a coating film. It is an example of formation of the display element from which all the formation areas of a coating film become continuous. It is an external view of the seesaw switch which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seesaw switch which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of spray coating of the base | substrate with which the shielding jig | tool was covered. It is a flowchart explaining the formation method of the coating film in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the seesaw switch which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the formation method of the coating film in 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a remote control device 100 having a seesaw switch 1 that displays a display element S such as a character or a symbol using transmitted light.

  FIG. 1 is a top view of remote control device 100. The remote control device 100 is an operation device provided in an electric couch device (not shown) for nursing care that assists a lying person to get up and stand up. The remote control device 100 is provided with two seesaw switches 1. The seesaw switch 1 on the left side of FIG. 1 is an operation switch for moving the head side of the electric bed apparatus in order to assist the rising or lying of the body of a person lying down. The seesaw switch 1 on the right side of FIG. 1 is an operation switch for moving the leg side of the electric bed apparatus in order to assist the bending of the leg of a lying person.

  In these seesaw switches 1, display elements S such as letters and arrows and the peripheral edge L of the seesaw switch 1 shine so that the seesaw switch 1 can be viewed and operated even in a dark place. In the remote control device 100, a light source unit (not shown) for mounting a light source such as an LED is incorporated. The light emitted from the light source is transmitted through the base 2 and the display element S of the seesaw switch 1, thereby causing the display element S to shine. Further, the light emitted from the gap between the seesaw switch 1 and the casing 100a of the remote control device 100 becomes indirect illumination and shines the periphery L of the seesaw switch 1. This light source may be constantly lit or may be lit only during use when the press of the seesaw switch 1 is detected. Further, the light source may blink when not in use. If it is always lit, not only the seesaw switch 1 but also the location of the remote control device 100 can be easily seen even in a dark place, so that convenience for the user is improved. In addition, since it is turned off only when it is used, it is turned off when it is not used. Therefore, the seesaw switch 1 cannot be seen before use in a dark place, but power consumption can be suppressed. Moreover, if it blinks when not in use, the seesaw switch 1 can be visually recognized even in a dark place, and further, power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case of always lighting.

<First Embodiment>
Next, the configuration of the seesaw switch 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an external view of the seesaw switch 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seesaw switch 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a cross section taken along line XX of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the seesaw switch 1, a light-shielding coating film 3 is formed on the surface of a translucent substrate 2. The base 2 is formed using a light-transmitting resin material such as polycarbonate or ABS resin, and transmits light incident from a light source.

  The coating film 3 is formed on the top surface 21 and the side peripheral surface 22 of the base 2 and is a light shielding layer that blocks light transmitted through the base 2. The material of the coating material which forms the coating film 3 will not be specifically limited if it is a material which has light-shielding property. For example, urethane colored resin paint, acrylic colored resin paint, and the like can be used. These paints are suitable because they have a high effect of preventing damage and peeling of the coating film 3.

  On the top surface 21 of the substrate 2, the coating film 3 is applied on one surface, but in a partial region of the top surface 21, the coating film 3 is removed and the substrate 2 is exposed. This area is an optical display area in which the display element S is displayed on the top surface 21 by light transmitted through the base 2 and emitted to the outside, and forms display elements S such as characters and figures. For example, in FIG. 2, the region S where the characters “head” are formed and the region S where the upward and downward arrows are formed are light display regions where the coating film 3 is not formed. The light transmitted through 2 and emitted to the outside of the substrate 2 is transmitted as it is. In this way, since the light display area is on the top surface 21 of the base 2, the display element S can be displayed on the top surface 21. In addition, when light is incident on the substrate 2, the light shielding area where the coating film 3 is formed does not shine, so that the light / dark difference of the light display area becomes higher than the light shielding area. Therefore, the display element S can be displayed more clearly.

  In addition, the light shielding area | region in which the coating film 3 is formed in the top | upper surface 21 is an example of the 1st light attenuation area | region of this invention.

  As described above, the top surface 21 of the translucent substrate 2 includes a light shielding region where the coating film 3 on which light transmitted through the substrate 2 is shielded is formed, and a display element that transmits the light and represents a symbol or a figure. And an optical display region for forming S. Therefore, even if light is incident on the base 2, the light shielding region where the coating film 3 is formed does not shine. Therefore, the light display area shines brighter than the light shielding area, and the light / dark difference of the light display area with respect to the light shielding area is increased, so that the display element S formed by the light display area can be displayed clearly. Further, the light display area can be formed relatively easily without adding a new member for forming the display element S, for example, by removing the coating film 3 as described later. Therefore, the high-quality seesaw switch 1 that displays the display element S using transmitted light can be provided at low cost.

  On the side peripheral surface 22 of the base 2, the coating film 3 is applied to the first region 22 a that is connected to all the peripheral edges of the top surface 21, but the remaining second region 22 b that is connected to the first region 22 a Not applied. The second region 22b is not connected to the periphery of the top surface 21. Therefore, in the second region 22b, the base body 2 is exposed to the outside, and light that is transmitted from the light source through the base body 2 and emitted to the outside of the base body 2 is transmitted as it is. In the present embodiment, the first region 22a of the side peripheral surface 22 is an example of the second dimming region of the present invention, and the second region 22b is an example of the light transmission region of the present invention.

  Thus, on the side peripheral surface 22 of the base body 2, the first region 22 a where the coating film 3 is formed is connected to the periphery of the top surface 21, but the second region 22 b where the coating film 3 is not formed is the top surface 21. Do not connect to the periphery. Therefore, when light is incident on the base 2, the second region 22 b shines brighter than the first region 22 a on the side peripheral surface 22. Accordingly, when the internal light source is turned on with the seesaw switch 1 attached to the housing 100a (see FIG. 1) so that a part of the top surface 21 and the side peripheral surface 22 are exposed, the light is emitted from the second region 22b. Light becomes indirect illumination. That is, the peripheral edge L of the seesaw switch 1 can be made to shine lightly by the light leaking from the gap between the seesaw switch 1 and the casing 100a. Therefore, the design around the seesaw switch 1 can be improved.

  Further, the coating film 3 is not applied to other portions of the substrate 2. For example, a flange portion 23 extending from the lower end edge of the side peripheral surface 22, a shaft portion 24 that engages with the casing 100 a of the remote control device 100 and serves as a pivot for the swing operation of the seesaw switch 1, and light from the light source The coating film 3 is not applied to the inner surface or the like of the substrate 2 on which the light enters.

  Next, a method for forming the coating film 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for forming the coating film 3. FIG. 5 is an external view of the substrate 2 immediately before the coating film 3 is formed.

  First, the masking tape M is affixed to the area | region which does not form the coating film 3 among the outer surfaces except the top | upper surface of the base | substrate 2 (S101). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the masking tape M is attached to the surfaces of the second region 22 b, the flange portion 23, and the shaft portion 24 of the side peripheral surface 22.

  Next, a paint is applied to the outer surface of the base 2 by spray coating, for example (S103). At this time, since the paint is sprayed from above the base 2 (on the top surface 21 side), the paint is not applied to the inner surface of the base 2. However, the paint to be sprayed may wrap around the base 2 (on the opposite side of the top surface 21) and adhere to the inner surface of the base 2. Therefore, when strictly preventing the adhesion of the coating material to the inner surface, the masking tape M is attached to the inner surface of the substrate 2 in S101.

  After the application is completed, the masking tape M is peeled off from the substrate 2 (S105). The timing for performing the process of removing the masking tape M can be set according to the coating method, the type of paint, and the like. For example, the treatment may be performed before the coating film 3 is dried, or may be performed after the coating film 3 is dried. When this treatment is performed before the coating film 3 is dried, it is possible to prevent the coating film 3 from peeling off in the first region 22a of the side peripheral surface 22 where the coating film 3 is to be formed. Further, when the treatment is performed after the coating film 3 is dried, it is possible to prevent the paint from dripping onto a portion where the coating film 3 is not formed (for example, the second region 22b of the side peripheral surface 22). Note that the process of S105 may be performed after the process of S107 described below.

  Next, after the coating film 3 is sufficiently dried, the top surface 21 of the substrate 2 is irradiated with a processing laser, and the coating film 3 on the portion where the display element S is formed (that is, on the light display area) is removed from the top surface 21. It is removed (S107). Although the processing laser is not particularly limited, for example, a semiconductor laser such as an infrared laser and a UV laser, a carbon dioxide laser, a YAG laser, or the like can be used. By this removal processing, the base 2 is exposed to the outside in the light display area where the display element S is formed on the top surface 21. Therefore, the light transmitted through the substrate 2 passes through the light display area as it is and is emitted to the outside.

  According to the process of S107, the light display region for forming the display element S can be formed relatively easily by removing the coating film 3 from a partial region of the top surface 21. Further, when the display element S is formed by removing the coating film 3, a portion where the light-shielding region where the coating film 3 is formed becomes discontinuous (for example, “e”, for example, the display element S “head” in FIG. 2). , “A”, “d”) can be formed as they are. In other words, there is no need to arrange the shape of the display element Sa, for example, leaving the connecting part a so that all the formation regions of the coating film 3 are continuous as shown in FIG. Therefore, the display element S can be naturally formed with good visibility.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a groove 223 that opens toward the normal direction of the top surface 21 is formed on the side peripheral surface 22 of the base 2. The groove portion 223 includes, on the side peripheral surface 22, a first side peripheral surface 221 (corresponding to the first region 22 a) on which the coating film 3 is formed and a second side peripheral surface 222 (second region) on which the coating film 3 is formed. 22b). In the second embodiment, the coating film 3 is formed on the base 2 using the shielding jig J. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a configuration different from the first embodiment will be described. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an external view of the seesaw switch 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the seesaw switch 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the side peripheral surface 22 of the base 2 includes a first side peripheral surface 221, a second side peripheral surface 222, and a groove 223.

  The first side peripheral surface 221 is connected to all the peripheral edges of the top surface 21, and the second side peripheral surface 222 is provided at a position different from the first side peripheral surface 221. In the present embodiment, the first side peripheral surface 221 is an example of the second light reduction region of the present invention, and the second side peripheral surface 222 is an example of the light transmission region of the present invention.

  The groove 223 is formed between the first side peripheral surface 221 and the second side peripheral surface 222. The groove 223 is provided along all the peripheral edges of the top surface 21 in a plan view viewed from the normal direction of the top surface 21 so as to surround the top surface 21. The groove 223 includes a part of the first side peripheral surface 221, a bottom surface 223a, and a peripheral wall 223b.

  The bottom surface 223 a extends from all lower end edges of the first side peripheral surface 221 toward the outside of the base 2 in a direction intersecting the first side peripheral surface 221. That is, all inner peripheral edges of the bottom surface 223 a are connected to all lower end edges of the first side peripheral surface 221. The bottom surface 223 a protrudes from the top surface 21 in a plan view viewed from the normal direction of the top surface 21.

  The peripheral wall 223b protrudes in a direction intersecting the bottom surface 223a from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 223a toward the normal direction of the top surface 21. The outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 223b is a part of the second side peripheral surface 222.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the coating film 3 is formed on the first side peripheral surface 221 and the inner surface of the groove portion 223 in addition to the top surface 21. For example, in the groove part 223, the coating film 3 is also formed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 223b facing the bottom surface 223a and the first side peripheral surface 221.

  This coating film 3 is formed by spraying and coating P on the base body 2 with a simple shielding jig J placed on the base body 2. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of spray coating P on the base 2 covered with the shielding jig J. As shown in FIG. 9, an opening Ja is formed in the shielding jig J. The base 2 is spray-painted with the top surface 21 and the first side peripheral surface 221 protruding from the opening Ja.

  The size of the opening Ja of the shielding jig J is larger than the top surface 21 and smaller than the peripheral wall 223b of the groove portion 223 in a plan view viewed from the normal direction of the top surface 21. Therefore, the coating material is applied to the top surface 21 and the first side peripheral surface 221 of the base 2 without the shielding jig J coming into contact with the side peripheral surface 22 of the base 2. Moreover, when spray coating P is performed, damage to the first side peripheral surface 221 and the coating film 3 applied to the first side peripheral surface 221 can be prevented. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the paint from being applied to the second side peripheral surface 222.

  Moreover, the groove part 223 functions as a paint dripping prevention part. For example, when spray coating P is performed in a state as shown in FIG. 9, the paint is vertically applied from the top surface 21, the first side peripheral surface 221, and the gap between the first side peripheral surface 221 and the opening Ja of the shielding jig J. May flow downward and fall. Even in this case, since the paint that drips is received by the groove portion 223, it can be prevented from dripping onto the second side peripheral surface 222. That is, the paint can be prevented from adhering to the second side peripheral surface 222, the flange portion 23, and the like. Therefore, the first side peripheral surface 221 and the second side peripheral surface 222 can be accurately formed without complicating the process of forming the coating film 3. Therefore, the formation quality of the coating film 3 can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Next, a method for forming the coating film 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for forming the coating film 3.

  First, the base 2 is covered with the shielding jig J (S201). At this time, the shielding jig J is placed on the base 2 so that the top surface 21 and the first side peripheral surface 221 of the base 2 protrude from the opening Ja, and the top surface 21 and the first side peripheral surface 221 are covered with the shielding jig J. Expose to the outside. Next, paint is applied from above the base 2 and the shielding jig J by spray coating P, for example (S203). After the application is completed, the shielding jig J is removed from the base 2 (S205). Then, after the coating film 3 is sufficiently dried, the top surface 21 of the substrate 2 is irradiated with a processing laser, and the coating film 3 of the portion forming the display element S is removed from the top surface 21 (S207).

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the protective layer 4 is formed on the coating film 3 formed on the substrate 2. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a configuration different from the first embodiment will be described. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the seesaw switch 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, a protective layer 4 that suppresses or prevents damage or peeling of the coating film 3 is formed on the coating film 3 of the seesaw switch 1. The material of the protective layer 4 is not particularly limited. Any material that has a high effect of preventing damage and peeling can be used. Further, the protective layer 4 may be provided in a portion other than the coating film 3. For example, the protective layer 4 may be formed on the light display region that forms the display element S on the top surface 21, the second side peripheral surface 222, and the like. However, in the case where the protective layer 4 is also formed on such a region that transmits light, the protective layer 4 is formed using a translucent material. Further, the method for forming the protective layer 4 is not particularly limited. For example, the same formation method (such as spray coating P) as the coating film 3 can be used.

  Next, the formation method of the coating film 3 and the protective layer 4 is demonstrated. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for forming the coating film 3 and the protective layer 4.

  First, the masking tape M is affixed to the base 2 (S101), and a coating film 3 is formed by applying a paint to the outer surface of the base 2 by, for example, spray coating P (S103). After the coating film 3 is sufficiently dried, the protective layer 4 is formed on the substrate 2 by spray coating P, for example (S304). After the formation of the protective layer 4 is completed, the masking tape M is peeled off from the substrate 2 (S105). In addition, the timing which performs the process which peels the masking tape M may be performed before drying of the protective layer 4, and may be performed after drying of the protective layer 4. FIG.

  Next, after the protective layer 4 is sufficiently dried, the top surface 21 of the substrate 2 is irradiated with a processing laser, and the coating film 3 and the protective layer 4 on the portion where the display element S is formed (that is, on the light display region). Is removed from the top surface 21 (S107). Note that the process of S107 may be performed before the process of S304.

  In the present embodiment, the coating film 3 and the protective film 4 are formed on the substrate 2 having the same shape as that of the first embodiment, but may be formed on the substrate 2 having the same shape as that of the second embodiment. it can. In that case, after performing S203 in FIG. 10, the formation process of the protective layer 4 (S304 in FIG. 12) may be performed with the coating film 3 sufficiently dried. By so doing, the formation process of the coating film 3 and the protective layer 4 can be performed continuously, so that an increase in the number of manufacturing process steps can be suppressed. Alternatively, after performing S203 and S207 in FIG. 10, the light-transmitting protective layer 4 is formed (S304 in FIG. 12) in a state where the coating film 3 is sufficiently dried, and then the shielding jig J May be performed (S205 in FIG. 10). In this way, the protective layer 4 can be formed also on the area of the top surface 21 where the display element S is formed.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Note that the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and various modifications can be made to each component and combination of processes, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that they are within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the above-described first to third embodiments can be combined within a range in which the configuration and operation do not contradict each other.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned 1st-3rd embodiment, although the light-shielding coating film 3 is formed in the surface of the translucent base | substrate 2, this invention is not limited to this illustration. The coating film 3 may be a light reducing layer that at least reduces the amount of light transmitted through the substrate 2 and emitted to the outside. In this way, when light is incident on the substrate 2, the light display area forming the display element S shines brighter than the light reduction area where the coating film 3 is formed. Accordingly, the display element S can be displayed based on the difference in brightness of the light display area with respect to the dimming area. Further, the light display region can be formed relatively easily by removing the coating film 3 without adding a new member for forming the display element S, for example. Therefore, the high-quality seesaw switch 1 that displays the display element S using transmitted light can be provided at low cost.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned 1st-3rd embodiment, although the coating film 3 is formed by application | coating of a coating material, this invention is not limited to this illustration. The forming method may employ other forming methods such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned 1st-3rd embodiment, although the coating film 3 is formed in the base surface 2 on the side peripheral surface 22 besides the top | upper surface 21, this invention is not limited to this illustration. The coating film 3 should just be formed in the top | upper surface 21 at least.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the seesaw switch 1 provided in the remote control device 100 of the care bed is described as an example, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this illustration. A light-reducing layer is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 to reduce the amount of light transmitted through the translucent substrate 2 and emitted to the outside, and the light is transmitted by removing a part of the light-reducing layer. The light-transmitting molded body that forms the display element S representing the symbol or figure on the surface of the substrate 2 may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Remote control device 100a Case 1 Seesaw switch 2 Base body 21 Top surface 22 Side peripheral surface 22a 1st area | region 22b 2nd area | region 221 1st side peripheral surface 222 2nd side peripheral surface 223 Groove part 223a Bottom surface 223b Peripheral wall 23 Flange part 24 Shaft part 3 Coating 4 Protective layer S Display element M Masking tape P Spray coating J Shielding jig Ja opening

Claims (8)

A translucent substrate, and a light reducing layer that reduces the amount of light transmitted through the substrate and emitted to the outside,
The surface of the base is a light-transmitting molded body having a light-reducing area where the light-reducing layer is formed and a light display area that transmits the light and forms a display element representing a symbol or a figure. The top surface of the substrate has a first dimming area where the dimming layer is formed, and the light display area,
The side peripheral surface of the base has a second light reduction region in which the light reduction layer is formed to be connected to the periphery of the top surface, and a light transmission region that is not connected to the periphery of the top surface. The light-transmitting molded article described in 1. In the side peripheral surface, a groove is formed between the second dimming region and the light transmission region,
The groove portion is connected to the first dimming region, and protrudes in the normal direction from a bottom surface protruding from the top surface in a plan view as viewed from the normal direction of the top surface, and from a peripheral edge of the bottom surface. The light-transmitting molded body according to claim 2, comprising a peripheral wall.   The light transmission molded body according to claim 1, wherein the light reducing layer is a light shielding layer that shields the light.   The light transmission molded body according to claim 1, further comprising a protective layer formed on at least the light reducing layer. Forming a light-reducing layer on the surface of the light-transmitting substrate to reduce the amount of light transmitted through the substrate and emitted to the outside;
Forming a light display region on the surface of the base to form a display element that transmits the light and represents a symbol or a figure;
A method for forming a light transmission molded body comprising:   The method for forming a light transmission molded body according to claim 6, further comprising a step of covering, with a shielding member, a region of the side peripheral surface of the base that is not connected to the periphery of the top surface of the base.   The method for forming a light transmission molded body according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the step of forming the light display region includes a step of removing the light reducing layer from a partial region of the top surface.

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