US 11,810,738 B2
Input device employing a flex sensor and a switch outputting first and second signals
Tatsuhiro Tomiyama, Miyagi (JP); Takeaki Maehata, Miyagi (JP); Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Miyagi (JP); Yukio Miura, Tokyo (JP); and Kazunari Takahashi, Miyagi (JP)
Assigned to ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on May 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/333,253.
Application 17/333,253 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2019/050698, filed on Dec. 24, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-006405 (JP), filed on Jan. 17, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0287862 A1, Sep. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. G06F 3/0362 (2013.01); H01H 21/24 (2006.01); B60K 37/06 (2006.01); H01H 21/04 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 21/24 (2013.01) [B60K 37/06 (2013.01); H01H 21/04 (2013.01); G06F 3/0362 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An input device comprising:
an manipulating part;
a movable member fixed to the manipulating part and having a rotating shaft;
a fixing member configured to rotatably support the rotating shaft so that the movable member is rotatable;
a flex sensor disposed on the manipulating part and configured to detect flexing of the manipulating part;
a switch disposed on the movable member or the fixing member, pressed by a rotating operation of the movable member, and configured to switch between an on state and an off state when a flexing amount of the manipulating part reaches a predetermined amount; and
a signal processor configured to output a control signal, based on a first output signal of the flex sensor, and a second output signal of the switch.