Multi-directional pressure-responsive input device
AssigneeAlps Electric Co., Ltd.
InventorsYoshihisa Endo, Takashi Nakai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The input device of the invention includes: a lower sheet on which four resistors are formed in a manner that each two of them with a center put in between are placed to face each other circumferentially with a spacing of about 90°; an upper sheet overlying the lower sheet with a spacing, on which conductors are formed to face the respective resistors; elastic bodies disposed over the upper sheet to face the respective conductors; and an operation member to retain upper parts of the elastic bodies. And, when the operation member is pressed downward, the elastic bodies are brought into contact with the resistors with interventions of the conductors on the upper sheet.
Claims6
An input device comprising:
- a lower sheet on which four resistors are formed in a manner that each two of them with a center put in between are placed to face each other circumferentially with a spacing of about 90°;
- an upper sheet overlying the lower sheet with a spacing, on which conductors are formed to face the respective resistors;
- elastic bodies disposed over the upper sheet to face the respective conductors;
- and
- an operation member to retain upper parts of the elastic bodies, wherein
- by the operation member being pressed downward, the elastic bodies are moved downward, the upper sheet is bent, and contact areas of the conductors and the resistors are varied;
- and
- wherein operation of the operation member is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.