An actuation device for mounting on a vehicle part, in particular in the form of a door or a hinged closure element, is provided. The subject actuation device includes: an electrical switch having at least one switching element for triggering a vehicle function; and a housing unit having at least a first and a second housing portion, which at least partly form a housing interior, in which the switching element is arranged, the second housing portion being movable, at least in some regions, relative to the first housing portion from an idle position into an actuation position in order to actuate the switching element. A vehicle and an actuation method are also provided.

An input device includes: an operation component that tilts in a first direction in response to a user operation; an expansion component that tilts in the first direction relative to the operation component, in conjunction with tilting of the operation component; a magnet supported by the expansion component; a sensor board that is disposed to face the magnet, and detects a tilting movement made by the operation component; a detent pin supported by the expansion component in a retractable manner; and an energizing component that energizes the detent pin toward a detent surface to press a tip of the detent pin against the detent surface. With respect to a tilt amount of the operation component, the expansion component increases a movement amount of the magnet and a movement amount of the tip of the detent pin in a direction parallel to the detent surface.

Provided is a grip heater apparatus for a construction machine that can improve operability by heating the grip portions of left and right operating levers and maintaining a favorable operating environment for the left and right operating levers when work is carried out in a cold region and the operator's hands get cold. The grip heater apparatus includes: left and right grip heaters 31 and 32 provided in grip portions of left and right operation levers 26 and 28, respectively; a battery supplying electric power to the left and right grip heaters; a heater switch 34 for instructing the left and right grip heaters to be turned on or off; and a control device supplying the electric power from the battery to the left and right grip heaters only when the engine is running, the gate lock lever 27 is at a getting-on/off prevention position, and the heater switch instructs the left and right grip heaters to be turned on.

Provided is a grip heater apparatus for a construction machine that can improve operability by heating the grip portions of left and right operating levers and maintaining a favorable operating environment for the left and right operating levers when work is carried out in a cold region and the operator's hands get cold. The grip heater apparatus includes: left and right grip heaters 31 and 32 provided in grip portions of left and right operation levers 26 and 28, respectively; a battery supplying electric power to the left and right grip heaters; a heater switch 34 for instructing the left and right grip heaters to be turned on or off; and a control device supplying the electric power from the battery to the left and right grip heaters only when the engine is running, the gate lock lever 27 is at a getting-on/off prevention position, and the heater switch instructs the left and right grip heaters to be turned on.

A multidirectional input device is capable of performing a tilting operation and a pressing operation. The device includes a strain inducing body that includes a cylindrical portion and one or more deformable portions provided on an outer side of the cylindrical portion, a plunger provided inside of the cylindrical portion of the strain inducing body, a strain detecting element provided at the deformable portion of the strain inducing body, a substrate provided on a bottom portion of the cylindrical portion of the strain inducing body, and an elastic member provided between the substrate and a bottom portion of the plunger. The strain inducing body is fixed to a device main body at an outer end portion of the deformable portion. The substrate is fixed to the strain inducing body.

A multidirectional input device is capable of performing a tilting operation and a pressing operation. The device includes a strain inducing body that includes a cylindrical portion and one or more deformable portions provided on an outer side of the cylindrical portion, a plunger provided inside of the cylindrical portion of the strain inducing body, a strain detecting element provided at the deformable portion of the strain inducing body, a substrate provided on a bottom portion of the cylindrical portion of the strain inducing body, and an elastic member provided between the substrate and a bottom portion of the plunger. The strain inducing body is fixed to a device main body at an outer end portion of the deformable portion. The substrate is fixed to the strain inducing body.

A throttle pedal assembly comprises a housing having a first and second side, top, bottom, front and back walls; a main chamber open to the front and bottom of the housing and a sensor cavity. A pedal assembly comprises a pedal, a pedal arm, and a head at an end of the pedal arm rotatable a pivot axis. A magnet is operatively connected to the pedal assembly to rotate on the pivot axis as the pedal assembly rotates about the pivot axis. A Hall effect sensor assembly mounted in the sensor cavity to be proximate the magnet yet separated from the magnet. The cavity and Hall effect sensor assembly are respectively shaped and sized such that the Hall chip and the magnet lay on a common axis such that the Hall chip and the magnet are coaxially aligned. The sensor cavity is sealed to prevent contaminants from entering the cavity.

A throttle pedal assembly comprises a housing having a first and second side, top, bottom, front and back walls; a main chamber open to the front and bottom of the housing and a sensor cavity. A pedal assembly comprises a pedal, a pedal arm, and a head at an end of the pedal arm rotatable a pivot axis. A magnet is operatively connected to the pedal assembly to rotate on the pivot axis as the pedal assembly rotates about the pivot axis. A Hall effect sensor assembly mounted in the sensor cavity to be proximate the magnet yet separated from the magnet. The cavity and Hall effect sensor assembly are respectively shaped and sized such that the Hall chip and the magnet lay on a common axis such that the Hall chip and the magnet are coaxially aligned. The sensor cavity is sealed to prevent contaminants from entering the cavity.

An operating device includes a moving member that reciprocates, a motor that applies a force for moving forward and a force for moving rearward to the moving member, a position sensing unit that detects a position to which the moving member is moved, and a control device that varies a load applied to the motor in accordance with an output signal from the position sensing unit. According to the operating device, a reaction force that acts on a finger or the like can be changed in accordance with the position of the moving member that is operated by using a hand or the finger.

An inceptor apparatus and method for operating a machine, the operation of the machine providing an output from at least one inertial sensor. The apparatus comprises a stick member having a base portion, and a grip portion extending from the base portion in only one direction. The apparatus further comprises at least one sensor for generating actual stick member position data, and a control unit configured to receive an inertial force signal from the or each inertial sensor and the actual stick member position data. The control unit is operable generate a first stick member position compensation signal in dependence upon the inertial force signal and actual stick member position data.