Various embodiments of a detent assembly are disclosed. The detent assembly includes a base having a major surface, a first magnetic region, and a second magnetic region, where the first and second magnetic regions are disposed on or within the major surface. Each of the first and second magnetic regions includes a magnetic polarity. The detent assembly further includes an actuator connected to the base, where the actuator includes a major surface and a magnetic region disposed on or within the major surface. The magnetic region of the actuator includes the same magnetic polarity as the magnetic polarity of the first and second magnetic regions of the base. The base and the actuator are adapted to move relative to each other. Further, the first and second magnetic regions of the base repel the magnetic region of the actuator to define detent positions between the base and the actuator.

A keyswitch includes a board, a cap, a lifting mechanism, a returning device, first and second blocks. The lifting mechanism is disposed between the board and the cap and includes first and second plates pivoted to the board and opposite to each other. The returning device is located between the first and second plates and includes first and second magnetic members. The first magnetic member extends from the first plate corresponding to the second magnetic member disposed on the board. An abutting part extends from the second plate and abuts under the first magnetic member. The first and second blocks are formed on the cap and respectively spaced from the first and second plates. When the first and second plates are pressed to deform, the first and second blocks abut against the first and second plates respectively to keep the abutting part located under the first magnetic member.

In an electromagnetically controlled actuator of an electrical contactor, switching is done by the actuator with a set of fixed contacts and a set of movable contacts. The movable contacts are carried on a movable contact carrier. The movable contact carrier is coupled to and driven by an armature surrounded by a coil. The armature carries a coupling shaft, and the coupling shaft carries at least part of a bistable coupling mechanism which joins the armature to the movable contact carrier and allows the movable contact carrier and armature to keep the fixed and movable contacts separated when a short circuit current creates a contact welding situation.

A multi-directional operating device includes an operating member, a support body, movable members, a pair of movable magnetic members, a facing magnetic member, stopper portions, a drive member, and a cam member. One of the drive member and the cam member has a guide surface having a first projection, and another of the drive member and the cam member has a sliding surface having a second projection. When the operating member is inclined in a first direction, one of the movable magnetic members is inclined, and inclination of another movable magnetic member is stopped by one of the stopper portions. When the operating member is inclined in a second direction, the first projection and the second projection are moved beyond projecting portions of each other and slide on each other. This multi-directional operating device is preferably applied to a vehicle shift apparatus.

A multi-directional operating device includes an operating member, a support body, movable members, a pair of movable magnetic members, a facing magnetic member, stopper portions, a drive member, and a cam member. One of the drive member and the cam member has a guide surface having a first projection, and another of the drive member and the cam member has a sliding surface having a second projection. When the operating member is inclined in a first direction, one of the movable magnetic members is inclined, and inclination of another movable magnetic member is stopped by one of the stopper portions. When the operating member is inclined in a second direction, the first projection and the second projection are moved beyond projecting portions of each other and slide on each other. This multi-directional operating device is preferably applied to a vehicle shift apparatus.

A keyswitch uses a magnetic attraction force produced between and by a fixed part, fixedly disposed relative to a base, and a movable part, movably disposed relative to the base, as a driving force for returning a keycap to its original position. The movable part is between the fixed part and the base. The keyswitch also uses a force transmission part disposed between the keycap and the movable part as an intermediate for transferring force from the keycap to the movable part. When a force for pressing the keycap downward overcomes the magnetic attraction force, the movable part moves toward the base and then triggers a switch.

Disclosed herein are electronic devices with a sensor configured to breakaway from an input button or input/output interface. In one example, the electronic device includes a button positioned within an opening of a chassis or housing. A sensor is in communication with the button, wherein the button is configured to contact the sensor in a first sensor position upon application of an activation force. At least one magnet is configured to retain the sensor in the first sensor position by a frictional or magnetic force. Additionally, the sensor is configured to move from the first sensor position to a second sensor position upon application of a force greater than the frictional or magnetic force and less than a sensor damage force. The activation force is less than the frictional or magnetic force, which is less than the sensor damage force.

Disclosed herein are electronic devices with a sensor configured to breakaway from an input button or input/output interface. In one example, the electronic device includes a button positioned within an opening of a chassis or housing. A sensor is in communication with the button, wherein the button is configured to contact the sensor in a first sensor position upon application of an activation force. At least one magnet is configured to retain the sensor in the first sensor position by a frictional or magnetic force. Additionally, the sensor is configured to move from the first sensor position to a second sensor position upon application of a force greater than the frictional or magnetic force and less than a sensor damage force. The activation force is less than the frictional or magnetic force, which is less than the sensor damage force.

In an electromagnetically controlled actuator of an electrical contactor, switching is done by the actuator with a set of fixed contacts and a set of movable contacts. The movable contacts are carried on a movable contact carrier. The movable contact carrier is coupled to and driven by an armature surrounded by a coil. The armature carries a coupling shaft, and the coupling shaft carries at least part of a bistable coupling mechanism which joins the armature to the movable contact carrier and allows the movable contact carrier and armature to keep the fixed and movable contacts separated when a short circuit current creates a contact welding situation.

A bicycle control device for issuing at least one command to at least one bicycle equipment comprises a body configured to be mounted on the bicycle, at least one manual actuation member associated with the body, and a clicking mechanism. The clicking mechanism comprises a magnetic clicking switch having a first element that is fixed with respect to the body, and a second element that is movable with respect to the first element and actuatable by said at least one manual actuation member when said manual actuation member issues said command.