Tactile feedback mechanism for a multidirectional switch

Abstract

When an operating knob (12) is moved in an XA direction, an XB direction which is opposite to the XA direction, or a Y direction which is perpendicular to the XA and XB directions, coupling bars (44), (45) provided in a holder (20) which moves together with the operating knob (12) travel over slanted edges of push plates (34), (35), causing a pusher (22) to move in the Y direction. In other words, the pusher (22) moves in the same direction regardless of the moving direction of the operating knob (12). When the pusher (22) moves, a projection (33) formed at a far end of an elastic element (32) provided on the pusher (22) presses against a tactility-producing wall (40), resulting in an increase in force required for moving the operating knob (12). When the projection (33) enters an inside space of the tactility-producing wall (40), a resisting force exerted by the projection (33) disappears, resulting in a decrease in operating force, but leaving an appropriate level of tactile feedback produced when the operating knob (12) is operated. This construction eliminates the need for providing a multidirectional switch with separate mechanisms for creating tactile feedback in individual operating directions of the multidirectional switch, and thereby simplifies its construction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.