An operation device (1) includes three contact circuits (20) each of which includes fixed terminals (21, 22) and a slider (23) as a movable contact that selectively changes a state between the fixed terminals (21, 22) to an ON state or an OFF state, a determination unit (30) to which the contact circuits (20) are connected, and an operation signal generation unit (40) that outputs a signal indicating that an operation unit (10) is in a state of ON operation. In response to an ON operation performed on the operation unit (10), the slider (23) moves from an initial position (P1) where all contact circuits (20) are in an OFF state to an end position (P3) where all contact circuits (20) are turned on. Assuming that one of the contact circuits (20) is a reference contact circuit (20A) and the others are output contact circuits (20B, 20C), the reference contact circuit (20A) is provided such that a distance from the initial position (P1) to a position (P2) where the reference contact circuit (20A) is turned on is smaller than that for the output contact circuits (20B, 20C).

Sensor and method for encoding and detecting a plurality of discrete positions are provided. The sensor comprises an array of electromagnetic assemblies 12. Each assembly may be made up of a magnet 14, and a flux-sensing switch 18 electromagnetically coupable to the magnet to generate a signal having a respective logical state in response to the presence or absence of flux from the magnet. A flux mask 16 is movably interposed between each magnet and flux-sensing switch. The flux mask includes a window array configured to pass or block flux from each magnet. The window array is further configured so that each flux-sensing switch can generate in response to whether or not flux passes therethrough, a signal set encoded to uniquely identify each of the discrete positions as the flux mask is set at any of the discrete positions.

The slide switch (15) includes five fixed contact points (28a to 28e) and five movable contact points (32a). The movable contact points (32a) slide along the fixed contact points (28a to 28e) to switch the connection state with the fixed contact points (28a to 28e). A substrate (25) for the slide switch (15) has the fixed contact points (28a to 28e) and terminals (23a to 23e), each of which is electrically connected to one of the fixed contact points (28a to 28e). Each fixed contact point (28a to 28e) and the corresponding terminal (23a to 23e) are integrally formed. According to the substrate (25), a process to connect each fixed contact point (28a to 28e) to the corresponding terminal (23a to 23e) is omitted. Therefore, the number of manufacturing processes for the substrate (25) is reduced.

To make it possible to facilitate an accurate positioning of an inhibitor switch with respect to an automatic transmission. There is provided a tack-fastening member (29), which is mounted in advance between a terminal block (3) and a moving block (7) before an inhibitor switch is fixed on an automatic transmission, for tack-fastening the terminal block and moving block at a relatively rotational position to detect a specific shift position of the automatic transmission and for being broken at a set torque. By this tack-fastening member, the moving block (7) is temporarily fastened on the terminal block (3), and the moving block in the temporarily fastened state is fitted on a manual shaft at the specific shift position. After this, the inhibitor switch is fixed on the automatic transmission, and the manual shaft is rotated to break the tack-fastening member from the temporarily fastened state.

To enable correctly performing detection of speed change positions. In an inhibitor switch (1) having a terminal block (3) with fixed contacts (9, 11) and a moving block (7) which is mounted and fitted onto a manual shaft of an automatic transmission, has a signaling contact (31) and large capacity current-carrying contacts (33,35), and is rotatable relative to the terminal block, and for electrically detecting a speed change position of the automatic transmission on the basis of a relative rotating positional relationship of the fixed contacts and the signaling contact in accordance with rotation of the manual shaft, the moving block having a boss portion (25) formed of a resin and being mounted on the manual shaft and a contact support portion (27) mounting thereon the signaling contact and large capacity current-carrying contacts, the contact support portion being formed of metal and the signaling contact being joined to the contact support portion by caulking.

An inhibitor switch is constructed such that a movable base 1 adapted to be rotatable in accordance with the transmission operating position of an automatic transmission device is supported rotatably by a cover body 2 and a pole base 3 having magnetic sensors 9. The movable base 1 is integrally formed with a yoke 5 through a injection molding method. The yoke 5 has folded sections 5c exposed to the upper surface of the movable base 1 and bottom pieces 5b for receiving the permanent magnets 4. Moreover, the yoke 5 is composed of a plurality of bottom pieces 5b connected with each other and the folded sections 5c formed at each end of the bottom pieces 5c.

A control switch for an automatic vehicle transmission comprises a movable body turning in association with an operation of a gearshift lever of the automatic vehicle transmission provided in an automobile and a housing (1) storing the movable body and having fixed contacts to be brought in and out of touch with movable contacts in consequence of the turn of the movable body. The control switch indicates a shift position of the automatic vehicle transmission in accordance with a position of the fixed contacts. Wherein a ventilation hole (30) communicating interior to exterior of the housing is opened at a face at a side of the housing where the housing is mounted to the automobile.