Patent ID: 6504115
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: G05G,H01H,H03K

Abstract:
A multidirectional input device comprising:a frame having an upper wall; a printed wiring board which closes a lower portion of the frame and which has a fixed electrode portion; and an operating shaft supported by the frame and adapted to be tilted with respect to the upper wall of the frame, wherein a movable electrode portion is attached to the operating shaft in an opposed relation to the fixed electrode portion and is moved by operation of the operating shaft to change an opposition area between the movable electrode portion and the fixed electrode portion, and a change in capacitance between the movable electrode portion and the fixed electrode portion is detected to obtain an operational direction of the operating shaft, and an interlocking member having a longitudinal slot is mounted bridgewise in an interior of the frame, the operating shaft is inserted into the slot and is supported by the interlocking member, the operating shaft can be tilted in both the longitudinal direction of the slot and a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the slot, and when the operating shaft is tilted in the longitudinal direction of the slot, only the operating shaft rotates, while when the operating shaft is tilted in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the slot, the interlocking member rotates, centered on the longitudinal direction, with rotation of the operating shaft.