Patent ID: 7804036

Claim:
A control switch apparatus for performing selection function operation, comprising: a control switch that includes an operating portion to be operated by an operator and a fixed portion; a detent crest member that has a concave/convex pattern which is aligned in an operating direction of the operating portion and is provided on one of the operating portion and the fixed portion; a plunger member that is provided on the other of the operating portion and the fixed portion and includes an urging member and a piece member to be brought into elastic contact with the concave/convex pattern by the urging member so that a click feeling is generated at the operating portion when the piece member gets over a projection portion of the concave/convex pattern at the time of operating the operating portion; and an operation restriction mechanism that includes a stopper member for directly or indirectly acting on the detent crest member and restricting motion of the operating portion to switch the operation of the operating portion between an enable state and a disable state, wherein the stopper member is movably assembled into the plunger member; and wherein the operation restriction mechanism includes: a driving portion that drives the stopper member so as to press the piece member to the concave/convex pattern so that the motion of the operating portion is restricted by the piece member; a detector that detects an operating state in which the operator operates the operating portion; and a controller that controls and drives the driving portion in accordance with an amount of detection acquired by the detector and causes the stopper member to restriction the motion of the piece member, thereby controlling the enable state and the disable state of the operation of the operating portion.