The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door switch actuating apparatus (100). The apparatus includes an actuating element (104) having an actuating surface (110), a mechanical switch (112), and a mechanism for transferring a compressive force applied by a user to the actuating surface (110) onto the mechanical switch (112) in order to flip the mechanical switch (112). The mechanism includes: a first component (102) on which the mechanical switch (112) is fixed at least in the switching direction; and a lever (120) pivotally supported about a pivot axis (124) relative to the first component (102) or the first component group and connected to the actuating element (104) via a first bearing on a first side (111) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is supported on the first component (102) or the first component group via a second bearing on a second side (113) of the actuating surface (110). The actuating element (104) is flexibly configured such that, when manual pressure is applied to the actuating surface (110), it flexibly bends, thereby causing a change in the distance between the first bearing and the second bearing, in particular a shortening or lengthening of the distance, and thus causes the lever to pivot about the pivot axis (124). The mechanical switch (112) is arranged such that, by pivoting the lever, the mechanical switch (112) is flipped. The lever (120) extends substantially parallel to the first side (111) of the actuating surface (110).

The present invention relates to a vehicle control panel comprising a switch cap comprising electrical connection pads arranged on a side of the switch cap, and an electric circuit printed on an inside surface of the switch cap associated with selecting a state of the function. A panel member has an opening in which the switch cap is pivotally and releasably attached. The panel member has electrical circuit closing members attached on an inner surface of the panel member. Pairs of the electrical connection pads are adapted to coincide and make contact with a respective one of the electrical circuit closing members to close an electric circuit portion in the switch cap such that an external electrical circuitry operates the function.

An exemplary embodiment of a load control device with a light indicator is disclosed. The load control device may include an actuator assembly and a light source. The actuator assembly may include a frame, a light pipe, and an actuator having two surfaces. The light pipe may be arranged within the actuator and include first and second legs. The first leg may extend towards the first surface, and the second leg may extend towards the second surface. When the actuator is in a first position, the light source may be optically aligned with one of the first and second legs; and, when the actuator is in a second position, the light source may be optically aligned with the other of the first and second legs. When the light source is illuminated, the light pipe may direct the light towards the respective surface of the actuator.

An operation device includes an operation knob that is operable by a pull-up operation and a push-down operation about a shaft and includes a front-end operation region on a front-end side far from the shaft and a rear-end operation region on a rear end side close to the shaft, a contact detection unit to detect contact of a user with the front-end operation region and the rear-end operation region, an operation detection unit to detect the pull-up operation and the push-down operation performed on the operation knob, and a determination unit that determines an operation performed by combining contact with the front-end operation region and the rear-end operation region detected by the contact detection unit and the pull-up operation and the push-down operation detected by the operation detection unit, and also determines that at least an operation performed on the rear-end operation region is invalid when the contact is detected.

An exemplary embodiment of a load control device with a light indicator is disclosed. The load control device may include an actuator assembly and a light source. The actuator assembly may include a frame, a light pipe, and an actuator having two surfaces. The light pipe may be arranged within the actuator and include first and second legs. The first leg may extend towards the first surface, and the second leg may extend towards the second surface. When the actuator is in a first position, the light source may be optically aligned with one of the first and second legs; and, when the actuator is in a second position, the light source may be optically aligned with the other of the first and second legs. When the light source is illuminated, the light pipe may direct the light towards the respective surface of the actuator.

An electrical control mechanism having a support. A central body that is movable in rotation about a central axis of rotation (AXROTC) carries a button that is movable in rotation relative to the central body about an offset axis of rotation (AXROTD) parallel to the central axis of rotation (AXROTC). First return means are interposed between the central body and the button, with second return means being interposed between the central body and the support. Two primary electric switches are interposed between the button and the central body on either side of a plane containing the central axis of rotation (AXROTC) and the offset axis of rotation (AXROTD). Two secondary electric switches are interposed between the support and the central body on either side of the plane.

The present invention relates to a vehicle control panel comprising a switch cap comprising electrical connection pads arranged on a side of the switch cap, and an electric circuit printed on an inside surface of the switch cap associated with selecting a state of the function. A panel member has an opening in which the switch cap is pivotally and releasably attached. The panel member has electrical circuit closing members attached on an inner surface of the panel member. Pairs of the electrical connection pads are adapted to coincide and make contact with a respective one of the electrical circuit closing members to close an electric circuit portion in the switch cap such that an external electrical circuitry operates the function.

An exemplary embodiment of a load control device with a light indicator is disclosed. The load control device may include an actuator assembly and a light source. The actuator assembly may include a frame, a light pipe, and an actuator having two surfaces. The light pipe may be arranged within the actuator and include first and second legs. The first leg may extend towards the first surface, and the second leg may extend towards the second surface. When the actuator is in a first position, the light source may be optically aligned with one of the first and second legs; and, when the actuator is in a second position, the light source may be optically aligned with the other of the first and second legs. When the light source is illuminated, the light pipe may direct the light towards the respective surface of the actuator.

In a switch device, an operating knob is capable of being pushed so as to swing around a first axis from a non-operated position to a predetermined push operation position with respect to a switch case and is capable of being toggled so as to swing around a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis from the non-operated position to a predetermined toggle operation position. A first engagement portion where the operating knob engages with a push switch is disposed on the second axis, and a second engagement portion where the operating knob engages with a toggle switch is disposed at a position closer to the first axis in a direction along the second axis than the first engagement portion where the operating knob engages with the push switch.

Multiple position switches and specifically in-line multiple position switches where a user has definitive points of on and off switching which are used to turn multiple redundant internal circuit switches on and off. This can provide for increased reliability of switch operation. The multi-position switch is typically a five-position switch with all five positions in-line and with double or triple redundancy at each position. The switches can also provide for the feel of a snap action mechanism between positions.