Tactile feedback mechanism for a multidirectional switch
US5721405A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2300/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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 o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.