A multidirectional input device includes a case, and a movable body that is restrained from rotating relative to the case, disposed so as to face the case, and mounted on the case so as to be movable in directions with a predetermined neutral position as a base point. The multidirectional input device further includes a first position detector that outputs a first signal in response to a position of the movable body, and a cam part formed on one of a surface, facing the case, of the movable body, and a surface, facing the movable body, of the case. The multidirectional input device further includes a restraint member having a tip which is in elastic contact with the cam part to urge the movable body to the neutral position, and a second position detector that outputs a second signal in response to a position of the restraint member.

In order to provide an input/output operation device having high operability, an input/output operation device (750) includes: an actuator (165) including a movable unit (180) freely rotatable independently about two axes orthogonal to each other, a fixed unit supporting the movable unit (180) for free rotation, and a drive part driving the movable unit (180) with respect to the fixed unit; a detection circuit part (360) to output a position signal corresponding to a position of an operation part (850); a drive circuit part (350) controlling the drive part; a control calculation processing part (94) controlling the drive circuit part (350); and a rotation body (550) on which the actuator (165) is installed, and which rotates about a rotation axis, in which the control calculation processing part (94) controls the drive of the operation part (850) through use of a coordinate system stationary with respect to a reference rotation angle of the rotation body (550) at different rotation angles of the rotation body (550).

The invention relates to a manually operable control device for controlling movable elements of a vehicle, said control device comprising a control rod element, which is mounted so as to be slidable within a first guide path of a first control disc and within a second guide path of a second control disc, the first guide path being designed differently from the second guide path and the two control discs being mounted so as to rotate independently of one another about a common axis in a continuous manner.

A user interface device includes a frame, rigid body in rotary engagement with the frame, a plurality of force sensors, which in response to force acting on the frame produces information that represents a first force component in a first direction with respect to the frame, and a second force component in a second direction with respect to the frame; and an angle sensor, which in response to torque applied to the rigid body produces information that represents rotary movement of the rigid body with respect to the frame about an axis extending vertically through the rigid body. The rigid body can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate one or more feet of a user. The user interface device advantageously combines or mixes isometric and isotonic control input or sensors.

A joystick includes a stick and a base attached to the stick. The joystick includes a housing in which part of the base is disposed. The housing includes a baseplate. A predetermined number of magnets correspond to the number of pivot-axes. The magnets are attached to the base, and each of the magnets defines a pivot-axis around which the base can be. The pivot-axis is defined by one of the magnets diametrically opposite to this magnet. A magnetic element, in particular a plate, is attached to or is part of the baseplate. The joystick further includes a sensor for detecting rotation of the base around at least one of the predetermined number of pivot-axes. The base and the magnets attached to the base are disposed facing the magnetic element and interacting with the magnetic element such that an attractive force is pulling the magnets toward the magnetic element.

A joystick module includes a base, a joystick body, a joystick cover and a second protruding edge. The base includes a casing and a first protruding edge. A top part of the casing has an opening. The first protruding edge is formed on a periphery of the opening of the casing. The joystick body is installed in the base. A first end of the joystick body is protruded through the opening so as to be rotated. The joystick cover is installed in the base and connected with the joystick body. In response to a rotation of the joystick body, the joystick cover is correspondingly rotated. During the rotation of the joystick body, a part of the second protruding edge is contacted with an inner surface of the casing. When the part of the second protruding edge is contacted with a part of the first protruding edge, the rotation of the joystick body is limited.

A multidirectional input device of the present disclosure includes a case, a movable body that is mounted on the case so as to be movable in a plurality of directions with a predetermined neutral position as a base point, a first position detector that outputs a first signal in response to a position of the movable body, a second position detector that outputs a second signal when the movable body is located at the neutral position, and a controller that detects a moving direction of the movable body by the first signal. The controller corrects a threshold value for determination for detecting the moving direction in response to the first signal and the second signal.

An input/output operation device (165) includes: an operation part (850); a movable unit (180) including a loosely fitted space inside, a main body supporting the operation part (802) and including a first loosely fitted surface (820) exposed in the loosely fitted space, and at least one drive magnet (401, 402); a fixed unit including a second loosely fitted surface (821) in point- or line-contact with the first loosely fitted surface of the movable unit, a holder (811) supporting the movable unit for free rotation, a base (811) including a space for accommodating at least a part of the movable unit and supporting the holder, and at least one drive coil (301, 302); a drive part to rotate the movable unit with respect to the fixed unit; and a detector to detect a position of the operation part in the fixed unit. One of the first and second loosely fitted surfaces includes an inner peripheral surface formed into a recessed portion, and another one of the first and second loosely fitted surfaces includes at least one protruded spherical surface.

A remote controller includes a fixed body equipped with pivots in a first axis and pivots in a second axis, together with an operating lever. The remote controlling further includes a main frame configured to pivot about the axes to transmit pivoting movement of the lever to a pivoting sensor. The main frame is coupled by pivots to the lever. The lever has two pairs of arms to control the pivoting of the main frame and the pivoting of the auxiliary frame. The auxiliary frame is coupled to the lever by an intermediate frame. The intermediate frame is coupled to the auxiliary frame by a swivel. The frames are located under a plane of the axes and the lever is located above the plane of the axes.

A controller having a joystick which can be moved in three dimensions is disclosed. The joystick is connected by a Y (yaw) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an R (roll) link. The R link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. Alternately, the joystick is connected by an R (roll) link which is, in turn, connected to a P (pitch) link, which is, in turn connected to an Y (yaw) link. The Y link is rotatable about a fixed-position mounting base. In either of these manners, one can rotate a joystick around any of three axes. When used to control a vehicle, rotation around the yaw and roll axes can steer (with one being more fine-tuned steering), and rotation around the pitch axis can control acceleration and deceleration.