Patent ID: 7732724

Claim:
A detent changeover switch apparatus for performing a selection function operation, comprising: an operation switch that includes an operation portion to be operated by an operator and a support portion; a plurality of detent mechanisms, wherein each of the detent mechanisms includes a detent crest member that has a concave/convex pattern along an operating direction of the operation portion and is formed on one of the operation portion and the support portion, and a plunger member that includes a biasing member and a piece member resiliently brought into contact with the concave/convex pattern by the biasing member and is formed on the other of the operation portion and the support portion; and a detent changeover mechanism that includes an actuator for bringing the piece member of the plunger member of one of the detent mechanisms into resilient contact with the corresponding concave/convex pattern to allow the operation portion to generate click feeling when the piece member gets over a projection portion of the concave/convex pattern at the time of operating the operation portion, whereby the detent changeover mechanism changes over click feeling of the operation portion by selecting one of the detent mechanisms and bringing the selected detent mechanism into an operation state.