Navigation switch device

Abstract

A navigation switch apparatus with simple construction is capable of operating in eight directions including longitudinal, lateral and diagonal directions. The apparatus has a printed circuit board having four conductors provided thereon with small spaces between each conductor. Together the conductors are shaped like a doughnut. A cap-shaped body arranged opposite the printed circuit board is provided with short-circuiters for making contact with the respective four conductors when a navigation lever is operated in the eight directions. Each conductor includes two opposing comb-shaped conductive layers. The central portion of one conductive layer has a diametrically directed comparatively-coarse comb shape. Both of the end portions of the other conductive layer have a circumferentially directed comparatively-fine comb shape, and the cap-shaped body has a thin-walled portion on its outer periphery. Thick-walled portions extending in the eight directions, and together forming a substantially regular octagon are formed in the vicinity of the thin-walled portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.