Abstract: A multi-directional operation switch device that can smoothly move a slider that is movable in four directions back to a neutral position is provided. The multi-directional operation switch device includes: a slider movable in the four directions; four push switches provided in the four directions to detect a movement of the slider; and four pressing members provided between the slider and the push switches. The slider includes four side face portions, each intersecting a first axis or a second axis, each axis extending in at least one of the four directions. Each side face portion includes a sloped region sloped toward a center of the slider. The push switches include movable portions, each movable portion self-returning and moving to an original position when pressing is released. Each pressing member is in contact with a corresponding one of the movable portions and a corresponding one of the side face portions.

Abstract: A multi-directional operation switch device that can smoothly move a slider that is movable in four directions back to a neutral position is provided. The multi-directional operation switch device includes: a slider movable in the four directions; four push switches provided in the four directions to detect a movement of the slider; and four pressing members provided between the slider and the push switches. The slider includes four side face portions, each intersecting a first axis or a second axis, each axis extending in at least one of the four directions. Each side face portion includes a sloped region sloped toward a center of the slider. The push switches include movable portions, each movable portion self-returning and moving to an original position when pressing is released. Each pressing member is in contact with a corresponding one of the movable portions and a corresponding one of the side face portions.

Abstract: An illumination switch device includes a push button, a plurality of indicator lenses, a holder, a detector, a plurality of light emitters, and a base. The push button has an internal space and an opening. Each indicator lens has a columnar shape. The indicator lenses are juxtaposed in the internal space of the push button. The holder holds the push button such that the push button is movable in a longitudinal direction of each indicator lens. The detector detects a displacement of the push button in the longitudinal direction. The light emitters are respectively disposed opposite one ends of the indicator lenses in the longitudinal direction. The base is made of an opaque resin, and covers side faces of the indicator lenses while being in tight contact with the side faces. The base is integrated with the indicator lenses.

Abstract: A rotary input device includes: a rotary operating unit which has an operating tubular portion formed from a first material and rotationally operated, and a gripper formed from a second material which has more elasticity than the operating tubular portion, the gripper covering an outer surface of a one-end side of the operating tubular portion; a casing which has the rotary operating unit disposed therein rotatably about an axis of the rotary operating unit, and which has a locking portion for restricting a rotational range of the rotary operating unit; and an input unit which transmits a predetermined signal with the rotation of the rotary operating unit. The operating tubular portion further includes, on the other-end side thereof, a portion to be locked that has a rotational range restricted to a predetermined rotational angle by the locking portion.

Abstract: An illumination switch device includes a push button, a plurality of indicator lenses, a holder, a detector, a plurality of light emitters, and a base. The push button has an internal space and an opening. Each indicator lens has a columnar shape. The indicator lenses are juxtaposed in the internal space of the push button. The holder holds the push button such that the push button is movable in a longitudinal direction of each indicator lens. The detector detects a displacement of the push button in the longitudinal direction. The light emitters are respectively disposed opposite one ends of the indicator lenses in the longitudinal direction. The base is made of an opaque resin, and covers side faces of the indicator lenses while being in tight contact with the side faces. The base is integrated with the indicator lenses.

Abstract: A rotary input device includes: a rotary operating unit which has an operating tubular portion formed from a first material and rotationally operated, and a gripper formed from a second material which has more elasticity than the operating tubular portion, the gripper covering an outer surface of a one-end side of the operating tubular portion; a casing which has the rotary operating unit disposed therein rotatably about an axis of the rotary operating unit, and which has a locking portion for restricting a rotational range of the rotary operating unit; and an input unit which transmits a predetermined signal with the rotation of the rotary operating unit. The operating tubular portion further includes, on the other-end side thereof, a portion to be locked that has a rotational range restricted to a predetermined rotational angle by the locking portion.

Abstract: A push switch includes a casing, an operation body movable into and out of the casing, and a switch element operable with the movement of the operation body into and out of the casing. The casing includes a first outer peripheral wall, a first inner peripheral wall, a first guide provided to the first outer peripheral wall, and a second guide provided to the first inner peripheral wall. The operation body includes a second outer peripheral wall, a second inner peripheral wall, a first engagement portion provided to the second outer peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the first guide, and a second engagement portion provided to the second inner peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the second guide. A clearance between the second guide and the second engagement portion is smaller than a clearance between the first guide and the first engagement portion.

Abstract: A push switch includes a casing, an operation body movable into and out of the casing, and a switch element operable with the movement of the operation body into and out of the casing. The casing includes a first outer peripheral wall, a first inner peripheral wall, a first guide provided to the first outer peripheral wall, and a second guide provided to the first inner peripheral wall. The operation body includes a second outer peripheral wall, a second inner peripheral wall, a first engagement portion provided to the second outer peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the first guide, and a second engagement portion provided to the second inner peripheral wall and slidably engaged with the second guide. A clearance between the second guide and the second engagement portion is smaller than a clearance between the first guide and the first engagement portion.

Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a case; a slider slidable in a first direction and mounted to the case; a movable member mounted on an upper surface of the slider so as to be slidable in a second direction; a first reflection portion provided on any one of the movable member, the case, and the slider; a first light-emitting device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion; and a first light-receiving device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion, wherein the first reflection portion has a plurality of steps confronting the side facing the first light-emitting device, and a distance between the first reflection portion and the first light-emitting device in a third direction varies according to an area.

Abstract: A vehicle switch includes a case having an opening, an operation body, a mounting plate, a cover, a switch contact, and a spacer. The operation body is accommodated in the case, has an operation portion protruding from the opening, and moves in the direction perpendicular to the opening. The mounting plate is mounted on the periphery of the opening of the case. The cover covers the operation body and the mounting plate. The switch contact is housed in the case, and performs electric contact according to movement of the operation body. The spacer is disposed on at least the periphery of the opening on a surface that faces the cover of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a case; a slider slidable in a first direction and mounted to the case; a movable member mounted on an upper surface of the slider so as to be slidable in a second direction; a first reflection portion provided on any one of the movable member, the case, and the slider; a first light-emitting device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion; and a first light-receiving device arranged to be opposite to the first reflection portion, wherein the first reflection portion has a plurality of steps confronting the side facing the first light-emitting device, and a distance between the first reflection portion and the first light-emitting device in a third direction varies according to an area.

Abstract: A vehicle switch includes a case having an opening, an operation body, a mounting plate, a cover, a switch contact, and a spacer. The operation body is accommodated in the case, has an operation portion protruding from the opening, and moves in the direction perpendicular to the opening. The mounting plate is mounted on the periphery of the opening of the case. The cover covers the operation body and the mounting plate. The switch contact is housed in the case, and performs electric contact according to movement of the operation body. The spacer is disposed on at least the periphery of the opening on a surface that faces the cover of the mounting plate.

Abstract: Electronic parts that have axially extending leads are separated from a first strip on which they are supplied for being rearranged and retaped to provide a second strip for supply to an automatic assembly machine. The parts are separated from the first strip by cutting the strip transverse to the strip at locations between adjacent parts. The tape chips remaining on the separated parts are removed by engaging them with movable jigs, located on opposite sides of a body portion of the part, and by moving the jigs along the leads away from the body portion. The jigs are mounted on a rotating rotor and engage grooves in a stationary cam. The jigs move toward and away from each other by the engagement with the grooves as the jigs are moved around the stationary cam. After the parts are separated and the tape chips removed, the parts are transferred to a retaping machine to be attached to the second strip.

Abstract: An inspection machine for detecting flaws in the surface of cylindrical fuel pellets, which comprises a pellet infeed section for successively transporting pellets to be inspected, a conveyer section for successively conveying delivered pellets to a plurality of inspection points, a plurality of inspection stations for detecting, at each inspection point, flaws at the corners, peripheral surface and end faces of the pellets by utilizing variations in back pressure prevailing in a sensor caused by the contact of an air stream with said flaws, an unacceptable pellet rejection station for rejecting pellets assessed to be unacceptable at any inspection station, and an acceptable pellet outfeed section for successively collecting pellets assessed as being acceptable.