A switch unit includes a switch body and a switch base. The switch body is subjected to a pull-up operation from a normal position to an operated position. The switch base supports the switch body such that the switch body is pivotable about an axis parallel to a first direction extending. The switch body includes an aesthetic wall disposed to extend along an opening, and an operation wall extending toward an inner side relative to the aesthetic surface from one side at an outer edge of the aesthetic wall, the one side extending in the first direction. The operation wall is located inward of an arc centered on the axis, the arc passing through the one side extending in the first direction. A shielding wall intersecting the first direction is provided at at least one of both side edges of the operation wall in the first direction.

A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.

A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.

A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.

Provided is an information input device that allows two types of operation, namely, rotation operation and tilt operation, and that can be downsized. In a case where the rotation operation component is seen in a direction orthogonal to a rotation axis direction of the rotation operation component, the rotation operation component has a first slope that faces a tilt operation component and that is on an inner periphery side of an annular shape of the rotation operation component and is inclined relative to the rotation axis of the rotation operation component. In the case where the rotation operation component is seen in the direction orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the rotation operation component, a distance of the first slope from the rotation axis of the rotation operation component increases as a distance of the first slop from the rotation detection unit increases.

A control stick includes a control portion, a first electrical contact portion and a second electrical contact portion. The control portion has plural first moving contact points, the first electrical contact portion has a control board and plural first static contact points corresponding to the first moving contact points respectively, and a gap exists between the first moving contact point and the respective first static contact point. The first static contact points are electrically connected with the control board. When the control portion swings towards one of the first moving contact points, the first moving contact point is contacted and conducted with the first static contact point. This control stick is capable of achieving the control of a multiple of variables to meet the requirements of controlling a multiple variable in some occasions.

A multi-directional switch is provided to include a spring electrode supported by a base housing and having a plate shape divided in multiple directions. A fastening bolt is fastened to the base housing through penetrating the spring electrode and has an upper surface on which a curved surface is formed. A P-type switch is supported by the curved surface of the fastening bolt and includes a push part configured to press the spring electrode.

An operating device for a steering wheel comprises an operating element, which can be selectively rotated about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis for controlling a control system by means of an actuation, wherein the operating element can be rotated to an actuation stage from a starting position, wherein the first rotation axis is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the operating element, and the second rotation axis is substantially transverse to the first rotation axis, wherein a force application point has a mechanical advantage with respect to the second rotation axis when actuated about the second rotation axis, and wherein the force application point has no substantial mechanical advantage in relation to the second rotation axis when the operating element is actuated about the first rotation axis, in order to prevent a simultaneous actuation of the operating element about the first and second rotation axes.

A control pad assembly for an input device includes a bracket with a support having a bearing surface, a button cap configured to pivot relative to the bracket, the button cap including a peripheral lip and a pivot member configured to abut against the bearing surface of the support, and a return mechanism configured to bias the button cap towards the bracket. The return mechanism includes a hub portion positioned at least partially between the button cap and the bracket, and at least a first spring having a fixed end connected to the hub portion and a free end that is configured to deflect relative to the fixed end, the free end being coupled to a first portion of the peripheral lip of the button cap.

An apparatus for interacting with a graphical user interface, including: a printed circuit board, a plurality of push detection elements disposed on or over the top surface of the printed circuit board, wherein four push detection elements are arranged orthogonally from each other in the cardinal directions, a flexible pad layer disposed on or over the plurality of push detection elements, a navigation key disposed over and covering the four push detection elements, wherein the bottom surface of the navigation key has an annular-shaped cavity, four plungers, each one of the four plungers disposed above a respective one of the four push detection elements and configured to actuate a respective push detection element when a corresponding plunger is actuated, and at least one post disposed in an angular region between two plungers of adjacent cardinal directions.