A multi-directional input device has: a manipulation knob for which a movement manipulation in a horizontal direction and a pressing-down manipulation in a perpendicular direction are possible; a manipulation direction detection switch that is switched to an on-state when the movement manipulation is performed on the manipulation knob; and a common switch that is pressed down both when the movement manipulation is performed on the manipulation knob and when the pressing-down manipulation is performed on the manipulation knob, by which the common switch generates a different manipulation feeling than the manipulation direction detection switch and is switched to an on-state.

A switch device includes an operation knob on which a sliding operation can be performed in a horizontal direction, a holder member that holds the operation knob and moves in the horizontal direction, a drive member that tilts as the holder member moves in the horizontal direction, a switch that is pressed down by the drive member as the drive member tilts, and a support member that supports the holder member such that the holder member can move in the horizontal direction. The holder member has a base at a center in the horizontal direction and a flange extending outward from the base in the horizontal direction. The support member has an upper wall that restricts a movement of the holder member in a vertical direction by contacting an upper surface of the flange, and a slit between the upper wall and a middle wall lower than the upper wall.

An operation device includes a support portion, a moving body operated by an operator and movably supported by the support portion, a detection unit that detects movement of the moving body, and contact portions respectively provided on the support portion and the moving body and brought into contact with each other. The contact portion of one of the support portion and the moving body has an elastic region that is first brought into contact with the contact portion of the other when the contact portions are brought into contact with each other and a rigid region provided adjacent to the elastic region and continuously brought into contact with the contact portion of the other following the contact of the elastic region to regulate the movement of the moving body.

The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

A multi-directional operation switch device that can smoothly move a slider that is movable in four directions back to a neutral position is provided. The multi-directional operation switch device includes: a slider movable in the four directions; four push switches provided in the four directions to detect a movement of the slider; and four pressing members provided between the slider and the push switches. The slider includes four side face portions, each intersecting a first axis or a second axis, each axis extending in at least one of the four directions. Each side face portion includes a sloped region sloped toward a center of the slider. The push switches include movable portions, each movable portion self-returning and moving to an original position when pressing is released. Each pressing member is in contact with a corresponding one of the movable portions and a corresponding one of the side face portions.

An operation device includes a support portion, a moving body operated by an operator and movably supported by the support portion, a detection unit that detects movement of the moving body, and contact portions respectively provided on the support portion and the moving body and brought into contact with each other. The contact portion of one of the support portion and the moving body has an elastic region that is first brought into contact with the contact portion of the other when the contact portions are brought into contact with each other and a rigid region provided adjacent to the elastic region and continuously brought into contact with the contact portion of the other following the contact of the elastic region to regulate the movement of the moving body.

The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

The signal input device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept may have effects in that the number of buttons included in the signal input device can be reduced because different types of input signals can be generated depending on a direction of a laterally pushed manipulation force, and a configuration can be simplified, a production cost can be significantly reduced and two or more input signals can be simultaneously generated because a laterally pushed manipulation force can be detected although a separate pressure sensor is not provided.

An input device includes: an operation part being slidable in a first direction along a reference plane and in a second direction along the reference plane; and a slide detector detecting that the operation part slides. The slide detector includes a rocking body and a rocking motion detector, the rocking body is inclined with respect to the reference plane in accordance with a sliding movement of the operation part, and the rocking motion detector detects that the rocking body is inclined.