Operation device and vehicular shifting apparatus using operation device

An operation device that includes an operation member and a support for pivotally supporting the operation member, and in which the operation member is pivotally shifted to a predetermined position, the operation device comprising:

• a first movable member supported by the support so as to interlock with a pivotal motion of the operation member;
• a first magnetic body attached to the first movable member;
• a permanent magnet supported by the support so as to be opposite the first magnetic body upon occurrence of a condition in which the operation member is at an operation reference position of the operation member;
• and
• an elastic member for biasing the first movable member in a direction in which the first magnetic body moves toward the permanent magnet,
• wherein the operation member is supported at the operation reference position by an attraction force acting between the first magnetic body and the permanent magnet, upon occurrence of the condition in which the operation member is at the operation reference position,
• wherein upon occurrence of a condition in which the operation member is pivotally shifted to a first step position, the first movable member positions the first magnetic body away from the permanent magnet against the attraction force acting between the first magnetic body and the permanent magnet as well as a biasing force of the elastic member, so that the operation member is pivotally shifted to a predetermined position,
• wherein the operation member is configured to be pivotally shifted, from the operation reference position, in a first pivotal direction and in a second pivotal direction opposite to the first pivotal direction, and wherein the first movable member, the first magnetic body, and the elastic member are disposed in each of the first pivotal direction and the second pivotal direction, interposing the permanent magnet.