IP Library Granted Patent US 12675126
Granted Patent B2
US 12675126 · App. 18/545,242 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Operation mechanism and input device

Inventor: Hiroshi Ohara (Miyagi, JP)
Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
G05G1/02G05G5/05H01F7/02H01F7/06G05G2505/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12675126
App. No.
18/545,242
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An operation mechanism includes a magnet; a first movable plate formed of a magnetic material and connected to one pole of the magnet; and a second movable plate formed of a magnetic material and connected to another pole of the magnet, wherein, while the first movable plate is not being operated, the second movable plate is at a return position that overlaps the first movable plate, and wherein, while the first movable plate is being operated, the first movable plate pushes down a middle portion of the second movable plate, such that the middle portion of the second movable plate remains in contact with the first movable plate and the second movable plate is tilted, so as to cause a free end of the second movable plate to be separated from the first movable plate.

Claims (21)

1 . An operation mechanism comprising:

a magnet;

a first movable plate formed of a magnetic material and connected to one pole of the magnet;

a second movable plate formed of a magnetic material and connected to another pole of the magnet;

a first yoke provided between the first movable plate and the one pole of the magnet; and

a second yoke provided between the second movable plate and the another pole of the magnet,

wherein, while the first movable plate is not being operated, the second movable plate is at a return position that overlaps the first movable plate, and

wherein, while the first movable plate is being operated, the first movable plate pushes down a middle portion of the second movable plate, such that the middle portion of the second movable plate remains in contact with the first movable plate and the second movable plate is tilted, so as to cause a free end of the second movable plate to be separated from the first movable plate.

2 . The operation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the first movable plate and the second movable plate is provided to be tiltable with a terminal end as a fulcrum, and

wherein a free end of the first movable plate overlaps the middle portion of the second movable plate to be always contactable.

3 . The operation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first movable plate is connected to the one pole of the magnet at a terminal end, and is provided to be extending from the terminal end toward the another pole side of the magnet, and

the second movable plate is connected to the another pole of the magnet at a terminal end, and is provided to be extending from the terminal end toward the one pole side of the magnet, and

a portion on the free end side of the first movable plate and a portion on the free end side of the second movable plate overlap each other while the first movable plate is not being operated.

4 . The operation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

an operation member formed using an elastic material and configured to operate the first movable plate in response to a pressing operation performed by an operator.

5 . The operation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

an operation member on which a pressing operation is performed by an operator; and

an intervening member interveningly provided between the operation member and the first movable plate, and configured to operate the first movable plate by moving in conjunction with the operation member.

6 . An input device comprising:

the operation mechanism as claimed in claim 1 ; and

an input mechanism that can be switched by tilting the second movable plate.