Operation panel device

An operation panel device comprising:

• a plurality of operation buttons from each of which the corresponding operation signal is produced according to the operation of each button,
• a string-like resistor body held in a resistor holding plate,
• said string-like resistor body including;
• a tube-like elastic outer resistor member;
• an inner resistor member loosely arranged within said outer resistor member;
• and
• insulating spacers arranged between said inner resistor member and said outer resistor member at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of said inner resistor member so that the inner periphery of said outer resistor member and outer periphery of said inner resistor member are constantly separated from each other, and
• a control unit provided to produce said operation signal, when each operation button is pressed, at the corresponding position, said outer resistor member is elastically deformed to be brought into contact with said inner resistor member so that said control unit decides which operation button is pressed on the basis of the resistance at an individual contact position and produces the corresponding operation signal.