Patent ID: 9559689
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: H01H,H03K,Y10T

Claim:
1. A vehicle control switch for controlling operation of a device in a motor vehicle, the vehicle control switch comprising: an electromechanical switch switchable between ON and OFF states responsive to physical actuation of the electromechanical switch by an operator, the physical actuation comprising an application of force onto the electromechanical switch by the operator; and a capacitance sensitive touch sensor positioned adjacent the electromechanical switch and whose capacitance changes when brought into contact with a grounded object; wherein activation of the electromechanical switch into the ON state is inhibited until a grounded object is brought into contact with the capacitance sensitive touch sensor, such that an activation of the electromechanical switch to the ON state is enabled only upon contact with the capacitance sensitive touch sensor by the grounded object.