Abstract: A proximity sensor configured to detect proximity of an object based on an electrostatic capacitance includes an electrode section comprised of a tubular body formed by using a metal material and having a connecting terminal on one side in an axial direction of the tubular body, a substrate having a land formed in correspondence in position to the connecting terminal, the connecting terminal being fusedly solder-bonded to the land, with the tubular body being disposed vertically, and a detecting section mounted on the substrate and configured to detect the proximity of the object according to a change that occurs in an electrostatic capacitance at the electrode section.

Abstract: The invention provides a movable contact movable on a fixed contact or a resistor. The movable contact includes first and second sliders. The first and second sliders are arranged in such a manner as to slide along different sliding tracks from each other on the fixed contact or the resistor in accordance with movement of the movable contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for accurately detecting the direction and angle of rotation independently of ambient environments. The device is provided with an equally-spaced electrode holding plate 52 having equally-spaced electrodes 56 arranged along the circumference of a first circle, and a fixed phase electrode holding plate having ? a-phase electrodes and ? b-phase electrodes both arranged along the circumference of a second circle opposite the first circle, wherein when ? is equal to or greater than 2, two arbitrary ones of the a-phase electrodes are at positions displaced an angle of an integral multiple of 2?/N apart on the circumference of the second circle in the rotation direction. When ? is equal to or greater than 2, two arbitrary ones of the b-phase electrodes are at positions displaced an angle of an integral multiple of 2?/N apart on the circumference of the second circle in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes a body having a fixing surface, a thin-plate-like flexible substrate fixed onto the fixing surface and having a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first circle on a first electrode placement surface, a thin-plate-like electrode plate having a plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second circle on a second electrode placement surface facing the first electrode placement surface, the electrode plate being rotatable along the second circle, a dial having an operating surface and rotatable along the second circle, and a resilient member interposed between an opposite operating surface of the dial and a resilient member surface. The electrode plate has a plurality of electrode plate protrusions in the circumferential direction on the resilient member surface. The dial has a plurality of dial protrusions in the circumferential direction on the opposite operating surface.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes a body having a fixing surface, a thin-plate-like flexible substrate fixed onto the fixing surface and having a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first circle on a first electrode placement surface, a thin-plate-like electrode plate having a plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second circle on a second electrode placement surface facing the first electrode placement surface, the electrode plate being rotatable along the second circle, a dial having an operating surface and rotatable along the second circle, and a resilient member interposed between an opposite operating surface of the dial and a resilient member surface. The electrode plate has a plurality of electrode plate protrusions in the circumferential direction on the resilient member surface. The dial has a plurality of dial protrusions in the circumferential direction on the opposite operating surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for accurately detecting the direction and angle of rotation independently of ambient environments. The device is provided with an equally-spaced electrode holding plate 52 having equally-spaced electrodes 56 arranged along the circumference of a first circle, and a fixed phase electrode holding plate having ? a-phase electrodes and ? b-phase electrodes both arranged along the circumference of a second circle opposite the first circle, wherein when ? is equal to or greater than 2, two arbitrary ones of the a-phase electrodes are at positions displaced an angle of an integral multiple of 2?/N apart on the circumference of the second circle in the rotation direction. When ? is equal to or greater than 2, two arbitrary ones of the b-phase electrodes are at positions displaced an angle of an integral multiple of 2?/N apart on the circumference of the second circle in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A compound operation input device includes: an first operating body that can be pressed in a direction substantially orthogonal to a circuit board; an second operating body of annular shape, disposed around the first operating body and substantially parallel to the circuit board, tilt operable, and rotatably operable; a first switch actuable in response to pressing movement of the first operating body; second switches independently actuable in response to tilt movement of the second operating body; an attachment having an outer portion, the second operating body being provided with the outer portion, and an inner portion facing the second face of the first operating body; and a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the second operating body. The rotation detector is attached to an inner portion of the attachment and disposed in a space between the circuit board and the first operating body and inside the second switches.

Abstract: A small and thin lateral pushing type push switch of the one- or two-step operation type in which excellent operation properties of a dome-like metal plate serving as a movable contact can be obtained is provided. The push switch has a presser having: an inclined portion 9a which converts an operating force in the moving direction of a push button, to a force in the operation direction of a dome-like metal plate; a flexible hinge portion which allows the inclined portion to be moved in the operation direction of the dome-like metal plate; and a pressing portion which presses down the dome-like metal plate. The dome-like metal plate is disposed in two stages in the operation direction of the metal plate.

Abstract: A compound operation input device includes: an first operating body that can be pressed in a direction substantially orthogonal to a circuit board; an second operating body of annular shape, disposed around the first operating body and substantially parallel to the circuit board, tilt operable, and rotatably operable; a first switch actuable in response to pressing movement of the first operating body; second switches independently actuable in response to tilt movement of the second operating body; an attachment having an outer portion, the second operating body being provided with the outer portion, and an inner portion facing the second face of the first operating body; and a rotation detector for detecting rotation of the second operating body. The rotation detector is attached to an inner portion of the attachment and disposed in a space between the circuit board and the first operating body and inside the second switches.

Abstract: A small and thin lateral pushing type push switch of the one- or two-step operation type in which excellent operation properties of a dome-like metal plate serving as a movable contact can be obtained is provided. The push switch has a presser having: an inclined portion 9a which converts an operating force in the moving direction of a push button, to a force in the operation direction of a dome-like metal plate; a flexible hinge portion which allows the inclined portion to be moved in the operation direction of the dome-like metal plate; and a pressing portion which presses down the dome-like metal plate. The dome-like metal plate is disposed in two stages in the operation direction of the metal plate.