A base element and at least one switching element are included in an operator control device which may be disposed in a vehicle. By closing at least one electrical contact, the switching element is moveable from a first position into a second position relative to the base element. The operator control device can also include at least one pushbutton switch moveable relative to the base element between a position of rest and at least one activation position. The operator control device can further include at least one restoring element, formed of silicone and supported on the base element and on the pushbutton switch, which can be elastically deformed by moving the pushbutton switch from the position of rest into the activation position. Using the restoring element, the pushbutton switch can be moved from the activation position into the position of rest by relaxing the restoring element.

An operating device includes: an operating section that rotates about a predetermined axis; and a shaft part to move integrally with the operating section. The shaft part has a first end and a second end projected in directions opposite from each other along the axis. A guide regulates movement of the shaft part in a radial direction. A first regulation part specifies a position of the shaft part in a thrust direction by contacting the first end of the shaft part. A second regulation part is press-contacted to the second end, such that the first end of the shaft part is made to contact the first regulation part. A locking part is arranged integrally with the second regulation part, and restricts the shaft part from separating from the guide, by contacting the second end.

Provided is a button guide structure that makes it possible to achieve the reduction in cost and man-hour and the improvement in quality. In a button guide structure in which a push button 23 is provided on a front panel 11 through a guide unit in a slidable manner, the push button 23 operating a switch, the front panel 11 configuring a front surface of an electronic apparatus or the like, the front panel 11 includes a tubular portion 11b into which a part of the push button 23 is inserted, the push button 23 includes: a button main body portion 23a that is inserted into the tubular portion 11b; and an outer tubular portion 23b that is provided so as to surround the button main body portion 23a and that encloses the tubular portion 11b when the button main body portion 23a has been inserted into the tubular portion 11b, and the guide unit constituted by a rib 11k and a slit 23k is provided on an outer surface 11w of the tubular portion 11b and the outer tubular portion 23b.

A switch system includes a system main relay, a temperature measuring unit, and a controller. The system main relay is configured to electrically connect a battery and an onboard device to each other by turning on a contact point, and to electrically disconnect the battery and the onboard device by turning off the contact point. The temperature measuring unit is configured to measure temperature of the contact point of the system main relay. The controller is configured to cause the system main relay to repeatedly turn on and off the contact point at a predetermined timing, (i) when the temperature of the contact point of the system main relay is a predetermined temperature or more or (ii) when an amount of rise in the temperature of the contact point is a predetermined amount or more.

Interior panels for interiors of vehicles, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for interiors of vehicles are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface. A second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface. A light source is operative to generate light and is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern. When the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern is visible on the first surface. A capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. A controller is in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.

A tailgate deactivation system. A switch includes two terminals configured to be electrically coupled to a tailgate power circuit that supplies power to at least a portion of a tailgate of a vehicle, and an actuator configured to electrically couple the two terminals in an on state to allow power to flow in the tailgate power circuit, and to electrically decouple the two terminals in an off state to inhibit power from flowing in the tailgate power circuit.

A fuse unit includes a fusible link, a holding mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The fusible link is connected to a battery terminal and includes a fusible element that melts when an overcurrent flows through the fusible link. The holding mechanism includes a base portion disposed between a post standing surface of a battery housing and the battery terminal in a state where the battery terminal is fastened to a battery post provided on the post standing surface, and a holding portion that is formed next to the base portion and that holds the fusible link above the post standing surface. The locking mechanism locks the holding mechanism onto the post standing surface. With this configuration, the fuse unit can suppress a load acting on the battery post.

A steering switch device, which is mounted on a steering wheel, includes a linear switch that includes a hollow insulator having restorability and two electrode wires arranged spirally along an inner surface of a hollow part in the hollow insulator while being kept not in contact with each other, wherein a winding pitch coiling spirally the electrode wires is at least not more than 10 mm, and a detecting device that detects a press of the linear switch by sensing a contact of the electrode wires. The linear switch is arranged so as to be along at least part of a surface of the steering wheel.

Panel assemblies and button trees for panel assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a button tree includes a frame, and a plurality of arms extending from the frame. At least one of the plurality of arms includes a plurality of branches. The button tree further includes a button connected to the frame by the plurality of arms, wherein each branch of the plurality of branches contacts the button. In another embodiment, a button tree includes a frame, and a plurality of arms extending from the frame. The button tree further includes a button defining a central axis, the button connected to the frame by the plurality of arms, the button including a face surface and an edge surface. The button tree further includes a locating feature extending on the edge surface generally co-axially with the central axis.

A multifunctional selection operation switch apparatus includes: an operation member including multiple operated portions and capable of being rotationally operated, the operated portions being capable of selective contact operation; a rotational displacement detecting device capable of detecting rotational displacement of the operation member; an operation target detecting device capable of detecting on which of the operated portions contact operation is performed; and a controlling device outputting a command signal corresponding to the displacement and the one operated portion, based on detection results of the detecting devices. Accordingly, even if the operation member is a single member, multifunctional selection operation can be performed without difficulty by outputting, whenever necessary, a desired command from multiple operation commands. It is not necessary to mechanically and operatively connect the operation member and the operated portions by a structurally-complicated interlocking mechanism, thereby achieving reduction in the number of parts and cost.