Complex-operation input device
View Patent ↗A complex-operation input device having an operable knob held in a rotatable and slidable manner includes a rotation sensor that detects rotation of the operable knob on the basis of displacement of a second detected portion, and a slide sensor that detects sliding of the operable knob on the basis of displacement of a first detected portion. The direction in which the second detected portion moves with the sliding of the operable knob is substantially orthogonal to a rotation axis about which the operable knob rotates. The slide sensor is disposed such that, when the operable knob is slid, the slide sensor detects the sliding before the rotation sensor detects the displacement of the second detected portion.
1. A complex-operation input device that allows for rotating operation and sliding operation in a direction substantially orthogonal to a central axis of rotation of the rotating operation, the device comprising:
a first detecting portion and a second detecting portion that are mounted on a base;
a slider holder fixed on the base;
a holder-slider unit having a rotation guiding portion and a first detected portion, and slidably supported by the slide holder; and
a rotor that has a second detected portion extending in a circumferential direction of a cylindrical surface surrounding the holder-slider unit, and that is rotatably supported by the holder-slider unit via the rotation guiding portion,
wherein the first detecting portion and the slide holder are disposed within a circle obtained by projecting the cylindrical surface onto the base, and the second detecting portion is disposed on or near the circle, and
wherein a change in slide position of the first detected portion in response to sliding of the rotor and the holder-slider unit is detected by the first detecting portion, and a change in rotational position of the second detected portion in response to rotation of the rotor is detected by the second detecting portion.
2. The complex-operation input device according to claim 1 , wherein the first detecting portion and the second detecting portion are positioned apart from each other by about 90° around an intersecting point between the central axis of rotation of the rotor and the base.
3. The complex-operation input device according to claim 2 , wherein the first detecting portion and the second detecting portion are both photo-interrupters.
4. The complex-operation input device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder-slider unit slides against a bias force of a return spring during the sliding operation and is automatically returned to an original neutral position by the bias force of the return spring when a sliding operation force is released.