Abstract: An operation device includes a movable part movable in X- and Y-axis directions, a magnet movable integrally with the movable part, and a magnetic field sensor detecting a magnetic field of the magnet. The magnet includes a magnetic field detection surface including X-axis-direction sides, Y-axis-direction sides, and connection sides. The X-axis-direction sides are parallel with each other along the X-axis direction. The Y-axis-direction sides are parallel with each other along the Y-axis direction. The connection sides each shaped as an arc or a line connect respective end portions of the X-axis-direction sides and respective end portions of the Y-axis-direction sides. The magnetic field detection surface is line-symmetric with respect to respective lines parallel with the X- and Y-axis directions. The magnetic field sensor is opposed to the magnetic field detection surface and detects respective components of a magnetic flux density of the magnet in the X- and Y-directions.

Abstract: A rotation state detection device is applied to an operation device having a rotating body that rotates in response to an input of an operation force, and a supporting body that supports the rotating body rotatably. The rotation state detection device includes: a first electrode arranged at the rotating body; and a second electrode arranged at the supporting body and generating a capacitance with the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to vary the capacitance periodically each time the rotating body rotates by a predetermined angle and make a shape of a capacitance waveform representing a change in the capacitance to be different. A rotational angle of the rotating body is calculated based on the number of periodic times the capacitance varies, and a rotational direction of the rotating body is determined based on the shape of the capacitance waveform.

Abstract: A manipulation apparatus that generates a manipulation reaction force on a manipulation knob by energizing a coil disposed between a coil-side yoke and a magnet. A permanent magnet is disposed on a contact portion for a housing of a knob base on which the manipulation knob is mounted. An electromagnet is disposed on a support portion of the housing that supports the contact portion. The electromagnet is energized to generate a repulsive force between the support portion and the contact portion. This reduces a friction force exerted between the support portion and the contact portion.

Abstract: The manipulation device includes: a fixing portion having a fixing surface to be fixed on an object; a moving part that has a moving surface arranged to face the fixing surface and is configured such that the relative position of the moving surface with respect to the fixing surface is manually adjusted; a fixing portion side circuit component that is arranged at the fixing portion; a moving portion side circuit component that is arranged at the moving portion so as not to be in contact with the fixing portion side circuit component, and includes an electric circuit where the impedance as measured from the fixing portion side is a predetermined impedance; and an input portion that is arranged at the moving portion manually operable, and changes the impedance of the electric circuit measured from the fixing portion.

Abstract: An item selection apparatus storing multiple items being classified into multiple groups, and selecting a desired item on a display screen by displaying the multiple items on the display screen and by changing a group with which the items are displayed, is provided. The item selection apparatus includes an operation portion, a selection candidate display portion, a selection candidate change portion, a determination portion, and a group change portion. The operation portion has a predetermined reference position and is rotated from the reference position. The selection candidate display portion displays an item of a selection candidate in a mode different from another item. The selection candidate change portion changes the item at a speed corresponding to a rotational angle. The determination portion determines the item as a selected item. The group change portion changes the group with which the multiple items are displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A rotation state detection device is applied to an operation device having a rotating body that rotates in response to an input of an operation force, and a supporting body that supports the rotating body rotatably. The rotation state detection device includes: a first electrode arranged at the rotating body; and a second electrode arranged at the supporting body and generating a capacitance with the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to vary the capacitance periodically each time the rotating body rotates by a predetermined angle and make a shape of a capacitance waveform representing a change in the capacitance to be different. A rotational angle of the rotating body is calculated based on the number of periodic times the capacitance varies, and a rotational direction of the rotating body is determined based on the shape of the capacitance waveform.

Abstract: An operation device includes: a magnet; a coil; an operation unit; a holding body; a mobile body; and a coil-side yoke. The holding body holds the coil. The mobile body holds the magnet so as to provide a predetermined clearance between the coil and the magnet. The mobile body is in contact with the holding body and movable relatively with respect to the holding body due to the operation force input into the operation unit. The coil-side yoke is disposed on the coil opposite to the magnet so as to lead the magnetic line generated by the magnet to the coil. The coil-side yoke is held by the mobile body so as to be movable with the magnet.

Abstract: A sliding portion of a slider slides on a sliding surface of a base. This slider is biased toward the base by a stabilizer formed by an elastic, small-diameter, rod-shaped member. Specifically, the stabilizer is formed by a center portion, a link portion, a spring portion, and an abutting portion. When the abutting portion abuts an abutting recess of a cover attached over the slider to be biased toward the base, the spring portion plastically deforms about an arc portion. Due to a resulting reaction force, a pressing portion formed by the center portion biases the sliding portion of the slider toward the base. Accordingly, play may be suppressed with a small number of components.

Abstract: A two-dimensional operation section includes a stick-shaped rocking shaft having an end having an operation knob. The operation knob is operated within a predetermined two-dimensional operation surface determined as an operation range such that a rocking axis of the rocking shaft tilts from a predetermined neutral angular position to a direction corresponding to an instructed position. A one-dimensional operation section has an operation surface exposed in a main surface of the operation knob, the main surface being an end surface of the rocking shaft. The one-dimensional operation section can be operated in a predetermined one-dimensional operation direction determined within the two-dimensional operation surface relative to the operation surface.