An operation input unit includes a board unit including a switch, and a base. An external force application portion moves by a button portion being pushed, and changes an open or closed state of the switch by varying an external force acting on the board unit in accordance with the movement. A board deflection portion forms a space between the board deflection portion and the base in a state that the button portion is not pushed, and deflects toward a movement direction of the external force application portion by the external force application portion moving by the pushing of the button portion.

A switch control device includes at least one silicone dome (7) and at least one actuator (5) acting upon the at least one silicone dome (7), which is adapted to close and selectively open electric contacts of at least one switch (6). The actuator (5) is moved by a force exerted via a thrusting element (3). Between the thrusting element (3) and the at least one actuator (5) is at least one elastic element (4) adapted to be compressed by the thrusting element (3) as the at least one silicone dome (7) is compressed, and to extend as the at least one dome (7) collapses towards the switch (6).