A multi-directional input device includes an operating member that can be tilted and pushed in, a metal dome that functions as a push-in operation detector that detects a push-in operation of the operating member, a magnet holding member that is relatively movable with respect to the operating member only in a direction along a push-in direction and is interlocked only in a tilting direction, a magnet held by the magnet holding member, and a magnetic sensor that is disposed at a position facing the magnet and detects a movement of the magnet.

A manipulation input device has a first detector and a second detector, disposed at different positions on a manipulative member, that detect the displacement of the manipulative member, the displacement being caused when the manipulative member receives a manipulation force, and also has a processor that performs processing to identify a position at which the manipulative member has received the manipulation force according to detection results obtained from the first detector and second detector and to the positions of the first detector and second detector on the manipulative member.

A human-machine interface comprising: —a magnetic rocker rotatably movable between a rest position wherein an implement is maintained in a neutral position and a tilted position wherein the implement is in a reclined position, —a magnetic assembly, attached to a frame, capable of cooperating with the magnetic rocker to generate a magnetic return force that constantly urges the magnetic rocker towards its rest position, —a sliding connection comprising a flange and a slide, and —the implement comprises one of the slides, and the flange and the magnetic rocker comprise the other of the slide and the flange such that the sliding connection transforms the movement of the implement towards the reclined position by moving the magnetic rocker towards its tilted position and vice versa.

A joystick apparatus includes a handgrip connected to a hinge mechanism by a rigid bar. The hinge mechanism includes two living hinges that surround the bar and provide a restoring spring force in six degrees of motion. A third living hinge surrounds the bar and includes a disc member positioned between the center of the third living hinge and the bar. The third living hinge provides a restoring force in five degrees of motion, while rotation of the bar along its longitudinal axis causes the disc member to rotate relative the third living hinge. The rotation of the disc member relative to the third living hinge may be tracked with a Hall effect sensor. Other sensors may be provided on the hinge mechanism to track the motion of the bar and to cause a connected device to move in a fashion corresponding to movement of the joystick.

In an operation input device, a supporting part supports an operation part to be displaceable with respect to the base part, and a reaction force generating part generates reaction force in an axial direction coaxial with the displacement direction in response to the displacement. The supporting part includes: a support member having: one end connected to the base part and another end protruded from the base part; and a plurality of plate springs respectively having a plate surface perpendicular to a center axis of the support member, arranged radially around the center axis, and a tip in a radial direction connected to the operation part. The reaction force generating part includes: an electromagnet generating magnetic force in an axial direction parallel to the center axis of the support member; and a magnetic member arranged opposite to the electromagnet to receive magnetic force to apply reaction force to the operation part.

An operation device includes a housing provided with a through hole; a cylinder-shaped lever inserted into the housing through the through hole of the housing, that can be operated to be tilted; an actuator contained in a cylinder-shaped opening of the lever; and an elastic member provided between the actuator and the lever. A step is provided in the opening of the lever on one side of the elastic member. A step is provided in the actuator on another side of the elastic member. A surface of the step of the actuator is inclined with respect to a surface of the step in the opening of the lever.

A seat adjustment switch includes a multidirectional force sensor, a carrier plate, and a button cap. The multidirectional force sensor is arranged on the carrier plate and includes a sensor pin. The sensor pin is pivotable via which the multidirectional force sensor is actuatable. The button cap is connected to the sensor pin. The button cap serves as an actuating element operable by an operator for pivoting the sensor pin in order to actuate the multidirectional force sensor. The carrier plate includes a receiving sleeve that is integrally formed with the carrier plate and is connected to other portions of the carrier plate via flexible regions, the sensor pin is guided through the receiving sleeve for the multidirectional force sensor to be arranged on the carrier plate. The button cap forms a form-fit connection with the receiving sleeve.

A multi-directional input device includes an operating member that can be tilted and pushed in, a metal dome that functions as a push-in operation detector that detects a push-in operation of the operating member, a magnet holding member that is relatively movable with respect to the operating member only in a direction along a push-in direction and is interlocked only in a tilting direction, a magnet held by the magnet holding member, and a magnetic sensor that is disposed at a position facing the magnet and detects a movement of the magnet.

A seat adjustment switch includes a multidirectional force sensor, a carrier plate, and a button cap. The multidirectional force sensor is arranged on the carrier plate and includes a sensor pin. The sensor pin is pivotable via which the multidirectional force sensor is actuatable. The button cap is connected to the sensor pin. The button cap serves as an actuating element operable by an operator for pivoting the sensor pin in order to actuate the multidirectional force sensor. The carrier plate includes a receiving sleeve that is integrally formed with the carrier plate and is connected to other portions of the carrier plate via flexible regions, the sensor pin is guided through the receiving sleeve for the multidirectional force sensor to be arranged on the carrier plate. The button cap forms a form-fit connection with the receiving sleeve.

An operation device includes a housing provided with a through hole; a cylinder-shaped lever inserted into the housing through the through hole of the housing, that can be operated to be tilted; an actuator contained in a cylinder-shaped opening of the lever; and an elastic member provided between the actuator and the lever. A step is provided in the opening of the lever on one side of the elastic member. A step is provided in the actuator on another side of the elastic member. A surface of the step of the actuator is inclined with respect to a surface of the step in the opening of the lever.