Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.

Olympus Corporation

Tetsu Numata

Hiroshi Wakuda

Reiji Koyama

Hajime Suzuki

Ko Owada

Akihiro Kusaka

Shigeto Gorai

Shunsuke Kimura

Kunio Sato

Kunio Hosono

Tetsuo Muranaka

Sadayuki Yaginuma

Toshiki Tachioka

An input device includes a strain generation body having an operation shaft, a load sensor configured to detect a load in a horizontal direction applied to the operation shaft, an operation member disposed in an upper portion of the operation shaft, the operation member being configured to be operated in a pressing operation, a switch section configured to detect the pressing operation performed by using the operation member, and a controller configured to output a detection value of the load in the horizontal direction detected by the load sensor and a detection value of the pressing operation detected by the switch section to an external device. The controller is configured not to update the output value of the detection value of the load in the horizontal direction while the pressing operation is being detected by the switch section.

Input device

A switch to be attached to a panel having an opening in a surface includes: a stationary member to be attached to the panel; a movable member to be placed at a distance from the panel, the movable member having a manipulation surface separated from the panel in the opening with a gap intervening between the manipulation surface and the panel, the manipulation surface being exposed from the opening; and a vibration element disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the vibration element vibrating the movable member.

Switch, switch module, and method of manufacturing switch module

A switching device includes a switch unit with a contact structure and a first operation shaft. The switching device includes a second flange with a contact portion to be in contact with the first operation shaft, and includes a second operation shaft. The switching device includes a holding member with an engagement portion to be engaged with an upper surface of the second flange. The switching device includes a switch operator in which the holding member is inserted. When a lateral pressing force is applied to the switch operator, a second contact portion between the second flange and the engagement portion serves as a support, and thus the second operation shaft rotates with the support. The first operation shaft rotates in accordance with the rotation of the second operation shaft, so that the contact structure is electrically conductive.

Switching device

When an operation knobformed of silicone rubber is pushed laterally, a stemtilts with a contact portion (i) as a fulcrum, a push button portionis pushed, and a contact point in a switch mechanism portionoperates to turn on a switch circuit. Even if, by a large operating force Fbeing applied, the operation knobis extended and the inner surface portion, which is a ceiling surface of an internal spaceof the operation knob, rides on an upper end portion, a reinforcing surfaceprovided on the inner surface portionslides on the upper end portion, and the operation knobreturns to the initial shape.

Operation device

An input device and an input module are provided that vibrate in a direction along the surface of a cantilevered operation unit. The input device includes a fixed member rotatably supporting a rotation shaft, an operation unit having an end rotatably supported by the rotation shaft and being rotatable relative to the fixed member, and a vibrating element that generates vibration of the operation unit in the axial direction of the rotation shaft in response to a rotation operation performed on the operation unit.

Input device and input module

Growing community of inventors

Miyagi, Japan

Tetsu Numata