Abstract: An operation device includes an operation plate, an electrode, a determination portion, an output portion, a dial, a dummy electrode, a for-dummy determination portion, and a disablement portion. The operation plate includes an operation surface that is contact-operated by an operator's fingertip. The determination portion determines whether the contact-operation is performed based on an amount of capacitance change between the fingertip and the electrode. The output portion outputs a predetermined command signal on the condition that the contact-operation is determined to be performed. When it is determined by the dummy electrode and the for-dummy determination portion that an operator's hand is placed at a position where a dial is operable, the disablement portion prohibits an output of the command signal or disables the outputted command signal.

Abstract: An operation device includes an operation plate, an electrode, a determination portion, an output portion, a dial, a dummy electrode, a for-dummy determination portion, and a disablement portion. The operation plate includes an operation surface that is contact-operated by an operators fingertip. The determination portion determines whether the contact-operation is performed based on an amount of capacitance change between the fingertip and the electrode. The output portion outputs a predetermined command signal on the condition that the contact-operation is determined to be performed. When it is determined by the dummy electrode and the for-dummy determination portion that an operator's hand is placed at a position where a dial is operable, the disablement portion prohibits an output of the command signal or disables the outputted command signal.

Abstract: A display apparatus composed of a main body and a display panel hinged to the main body is conveniently mounted on a ceiling of an automobile. The display panel is opened to a desired position to display information to a rear seat passenger, while it is closed and stays at a rest position when it is not used. Before the display panel is driven to the desired position, it is unlocked by bringing a holding device to a releasing state, and it is locked at the desired position by bringing the holding device to a holding state. At the holding state, a rotatable member connected to the display panel is gripped by the holding device, and the gripping force imposed on the rotatable member is removed at the releasing state. In this manner, the display panel is surely locked at an arbitrary position and is freely driven with a small driving force.

Abstract: An operating knob to be attached to a supporting member includes an operating part and a connector. The connector is attached to the operating part and includes a fitting cylindrical portion, a stopper disposed at an inner circumferential side of the fitting cylindrical portion to protrude on a radial inside, and housing portion. When the operating part is applied with a load greater than or equal to a predetermined value from an exterior in a direction toward the supporting member in a state where a fitting portion of the supporting member is fitted into the fitting cylindrical portion, the stopper is bent from the radial inside to a direction approximately parallel to the rotation axis so as to be housed in the housing portion and the fitting cylindrical portion moves toward the supporting member along an outer circumference of the fitting portion.

Abstract: An operating knob to be attached to a supporting member includes an operating part and a connector. The connector is attached to the operating part and includes a fitting cylindrical portion, a stopper disposed at an inner circumferential side of the fitting cylindrical portion to protrude on a radial inside, and housing portion. When the operating part is applied with a load greater than or equal to a predetermined value from an exterior in a direction toward the supporting member in a state where a fitting portion of the supporting member is fitted into the fitting cylindrical portion, the stopper is bent from the radial inside to a direction approximately parallel to the rotation axis so as to be housed in the housing portion and the fitting cylindrical portion moves toward the supporting member along an outer circumference of the fitting portion.

Abstract: A display apparatus composed of a main body and a display panel hinged to the main body is conveniently mounted on a ceiling of an automobile. The display panel is opened to a desired position to display information to a rear seat passenger, while it is closed and stays at a rest position when it is not used. Before the display panel is driven to the desired position, it is unlocked by bringing a holding device to a releasing state, and it is locked at the desired position by bringing the holding device to a holding state. At the holding state, a rotatable member connected to the display panel is gripped by the holding device, and the gripping force imposed on the rotatable member is removed at the releasing state. In this manner, the display panel is surely locked at an arbitrary position and is freely driven with a small driving force.

Abstract: A retractable display apparatus for use in a vehicle includes a main body disposed on a ceiling of the vehicle, a monitor unit rotatably held by the main body, an actuator for generating a driving force, a conversion assembly for perpendicularly converting a transmission direction of the driving force of the actuator, a transmission assembly for driving the monitor unit by transmitting the driving force from the conversion assembly to the monitor unit. The monitor unit is selectively driven to a stored position in a storage space in the main body and an extended position relative to the main body. The actuator is enclosed in the side space of the storage space in the main body. The conversion assembly is enclosed in the side space of the storage space in the main body.