Abstract: A switch to be used mainly for controlling a variety of electronic devices in automobiles, and a method of manufacturing the same switch are disclosed for providing a switch free from positional deviation in its display section and easy to manufacture. Operating units having no display sections are mounted to a housing, then the shapes of each one of the operating units are recognized by a control circuit. An upper jig and a lower jig are moved for a laser beam device to remove a non-translucent section and expose parts of a translucent section, thereby forming the display sections. This structure allows eliminating positional deviation of the display sections and also requiring no visual checks done for confirming the display sections in manufacturing.

Abstract: A switch to be used mainly for controlling a variety of electronic devices in automobiles, and a method of manufacturing the same switch are disclosed for providing a switch free from positional deviation in its display section and easy to manufacture. Operating units having no display sections are mounted to a housing, then the shapes of each one of the operating units are recognized by a control circuit. An upper jig and a lower jig are moved for a laser beam device to remove a non-translucent section and expose parts of a translucent section, thereby forming the display sections. This structure allows eliminating positional deviation of the display sections and also requiring no visual checks done for confirming the display sections in manufacturing.

Abstract: An EL element includes a light-transmitting substrate, a light-transmitting electrode layer over a first surface of the substrate, a luminescent layer over the light-transmitting electrode layer, a back electrode layer over the luminescent layer, and a waterproof insulating layer covering the light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer. The EL element and a lighting unit have excellent resistance against water. The light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer end before an outer periphery of the substrate as well as before an end face of the substrate at each hole or notch in the substrate. This arrangement provides the EL element and the lighting unit with the excellent resistance against water.

Abstract: An EL element includes a light-transmitting substrate, a light-transmitting electrode layer over a first surface of the substrate, a luminescent layer over the light-transmitting electrode layer, a back electrode layer over the luminescent layer, and a waterproof insulating layer covering the light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer. The EL element and a lighting unit have excellent resistance against water. The light-transmitting electrode layer, the luminescent layer, and the back electrode layer end before an outer periphery of the substrate as well as before an end face of the substrate at each hole or notch in the substrate. This arrangement provides the EL element and the lighting unit with the excellent resistance against water.