Patent ID: 7999199

Claim:
An electric commutator ( 20 ) with multiple switch ways which includes a horizontal upper panel ( 24 ) with an upper face ( 24 s), a supporting frame ( 22 ) and means ( 26 ) for locating a point of contact of a pointing element on the upper face ( 24 s) of the upper panel ( 24 ), wherein said means for locating comprises a plurality of electric switches ( 28 ) that are arranged on the supporting frame ( 22 ) and that are capable of being actuated selectively by the upper panel ( 24 ) according to the location of the point of contact of the pointing element on the upper face ( 24 s ) of the upper panel ( 24 ) and that are made so that, when a switch ( 28 ) is actuated, it applies to the upper panel ( 24 ) a resistant force, characterized in that: the switches ( 28 ) are distributed on the supporting frame ( 22 ) so as to divide the horizontal upper face ( 24 s) of the upper panel ( 24 ) into a plurality of contact zones ( 44 ), the number of which contact zones ( 44 ) is greater than the number of switches ( 28 ), so that when the pointing element is in contact with one of the said contact zones ( 44 ), at least one switch ( 28 ) that is associated with said contact zone ( 44 ) is actuated by the upper panel ( 24 ); and the upper panel ( 24 ) is mounted so as to be movable relative to the supporting frame ( 22 ) in a generally downward vertical movement, against an elastic return force of the upper panel ( 24 ) to an initial position of which the value of the return force is continuously variable, so as to generate no tactile sensation in response to the action of the pointing element.