Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In a further example, the park brake interface module includes recessed fixed parking brake actuation switches. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example, “pinch to park” and “reach to release.”

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.

A regulatory-compliant touch force detecting window lift switch for an automobile is described, in which a load cell, such as a strain gauge, a resistance bridge, or an amplifier, is used to detect a driver's or passenger's touch force, and software is used to assess whether to responsively send a control signal to a window lift motor controller to adjust the position of the automobile's windows.

A switch device includes an operating knob to receive switch operations for plural devices to be controlled, a detection unit attached to the operating knob to detect an operation position on the operating knob, a housing displaceably supporting the operating knob, and a control unit to control at least one of the plural devices to be controlled in response to the operation position detected by the detection unit. The control unit identifies the at least one device to be controlled in response to a displacement state of the operating knob.

In a switch device, a switch part is turned ON/OFF by operation of an operating knob housed in a recessed part of a panel so that a movable terminal and a fixed terminal are in contact or are separated. An outside face, opposing an inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel, of the operating knob is an inclined face that is inclined inward of the operating knob in going downward. A gap that widens in going downward is formed between the outside face of the operating knob and the inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel. Accordingly, the device can ensure stable operation of the operating knob by discharging, from the gap between the panel and the operating knob, liquid that has entered the gap, and that can improve the appearance.

A switch device includes an operation knob unit integrally including an operation knob, a detection part to detect proximity to or contact with the operation knob, a conduction part electrically connected to the detection part, a first control unit that is electrically connected to the detection part via the conduction part, determines proximity to or contact with the operation knob based on a first output signal outputted from the detection part and outputs a determination result as a second output signal, and a sub-substrate that is attached to the operation knob and includes the first control unit.

A switch device includes a first rubber dome, a second rubber dome, and a slider disposed on the first rubber dome and the second rubber dome. The slider presses the upper surface of the first rubber dome, causing deformation of the first rubber dome when the slider is moved toward the first and second rubber domes, and presses the upper surface of the second rubber dome, causing deformation of the second rubber dome when the slider is further moved toward the first and second rubber domes in a state in which the first rubber dome is subjected to the deformation. A thick portion is formed on each side of the second rubber dome so as to increase the thickness on the each side of the second rubber dome. Each side of the second rubber dome is in a direction in which the first and second rubber domes are aligned.

An operation device includes an operation unit to which a plurality of functions of an operated object are assigned corresponding to a position to be touched by an operation finger, a detection unit that is arranged on at least one plane extended including a plane facing the operation unit to detect the operation finger performing an operation on the operation unit, and a determination unit to determine an instructed function based on a combination of the operation performed on the operation unit and the touch position of the detected operation finger.

In a switch device, a switch part is turned ON/OFF by operation of an operating knob housed in a recessed part of a panel so that a movable terminal and a fixed terminal are in contact or are separated. An outside face, opposing an inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel, of the operating knob is an inclined face that is inclined inward of the operating knob in going downward. A gap that widens in going downward is formed between the outside face of the operating knob and the inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel. Accordingly, the device can ensure stable operation of the operating knob by discharging, from the gap between the panel and the operating knob, liquid that has entered the gap, and that can improve the appearance.

Various examples of park brake interface modules which are utilized as human machine interfaces (HMI) in vehicles are provided. In one example, a park brake interface module for a vehicle includes a park brake switch device to actuate the park brake. The park brake switch device is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake apply mode upon receipt of a pinch signal. In another example, the park brake interface module includes a park brake switch device which is capable of actuating the vehicle park brake in a brake release mode upon receipt of a reach signal. In a further example, the park brake interface module includes recessed fixed parking brake actuation switches. In operation, the electronic interface module and park brake switch devices allow the operator to apply or release the vehicle park brakes according to memorable mnemonics, for example, “pinch to park” and “reach to release.”