BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-directional input device.

2. Description of the Related Art

There exists a known multi-directional input device in which an elastic member is elastically deformed by operating an operation member operable in multiple directions so as to bring a movable contact portion corresponding to an elastically deformed portion into contact with fixed contact portions on a board, thereby turning on a switch.

Examples of related art include Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-216027.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, when the switch is turned on only by elastically deformation of the elastic member, an operator is, in some cases, unlikely to obtain a clear sensation of turning on of the switch in a desired direction.

The present disclosure provides a multi-directional input device with which an operator is likely to obtain a clear sensation of turning on of a switch in a desired direction.

A multi-directional input device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an operation knob, a plurality of direction setting switches, and a sensation generation unit. The operation knob is configured to be operable in multiple operation directions. The plurality of direction setting switches are configured to be turned on by being pressed when the operation knob is operated. The sensation generation unit is configured to generate different operation sensation from operation sensation generated by the direction setting switches. Sensation is generated by the sensation generation unit after at least one of the plurality of direction setting switches has been turned on in a predetermined operation direction out of the multiple operation directions.

According to the present disclosure, the operator is likely to obtain the clear sensation of turning on of the switch in the desired direction.

