US 12,242,675 B2
Multi-way input device
Kunio Hosono, Fukushima (JP); Yasuji Hagiwara, Miyagi (JP); Tetsuo Muranaka, Miyagi (JP); and Sadayuki Yaginuma, Miyagi (JP)
Assigned to ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Feb. 29, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/591,492.
Application 18/591,492 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2022/010660, filed on Mar. 10, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-144605 (JP), filed on Sep. 6, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0201798 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 3/0338 (2013.01); G05G 9/047 (2006.01); G06F 3/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/033 (2013.01); G06F 3/0346 (2013.01)
CPC G06F 3/0338 (2013.01) [G05G 9/047 (2013.01); G06F 3/0205 (2013.01); G06F 3/033 (2013.01); G06F 3/0346 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-way input device comprising:
a strain-generating element;
multiple strain detection elements provided for the strain-generating element; and
a tilt operation unit including an operation shaft configured to tilt, the tilt operation unit having a lower surface,
wherein the strain-generating element includes
a base portion provided at a central portion of the strain-generating element,
detection arms extending in respective directions from the base portion,
support legs provided to protrude downward from respective ends of the detection arms, and
locking arms each of which is provided to extend from the base portion, each of the locking arms having an upper surface and being situated between adjacent detection arms among the detection arms,
wherein the upper surface of each of the locking arms contacts the lower surface of the tilt operation unit, and
wherein each of the detection arms does not contact the lower surface of the tilt operation unit.