ELECTRIC SIGNAL INPUT APPARATUS

The invention relates to an electric signal input apparatus for a vehicle for producing an operating signal, representing a degree of operation of an operating element, that contains at least the following: the operating element, an inductive sensor device that is arranged in a housing (4) and has a solenoid arrangement (42) containing at least one solenoid (12a, 12b) through which alternating current flows, at least one plunger body (6) that is mounted in mobile fashion in the housing (4) and can plunge in and out of the at least one solenoid (12a, 12b), wherein the inductance (L) of the at least one solenoid (12a, 12b) varies on the basis of the depth to which the plunger body (6) plunges into the at least one solenoid (12a, 12b), and also having evaluation electronics (14) that are in electrical contact with the at least one solenoid (12a, 12b), wherein the at least one plunger body (6) is operatively connected to the operating element such that the depth to which the plunger body (6) plunges into the at least one solenoid (12a, 12b) is dependent on a degree of operation of the operating element. The invention provides for at least two solenoids (12a, 12b) arranged coaxially in succession to be provided such that operation of the operating element from an initial position, which represents no operation, into an operating position, which represents a certain degree of operation, prompts the at least one plunger body (6) to plunge out of a solenoid (12a) at least to some extent and to plunge into the solenoid (12b) that axially adjoins a solenoid (12a) at least to some extent, and that at least two of the solenoids (12a, 12b) are connected into a respective dedicated resonant circuit (18a, 18b), delivering a respective dedicated resonant circuit signal (26a, 26b), and the then at least two resonant circuits (18a, 18b) and/or the at least one plunger body (6) is (are) in a form such that the changing degree of operation of the operating element prompts the resonant circuit signal (26a, 26b) of one resonant circuit (18a, 18b) to diverge or converge in relation to the resonant circuit signal (26a, 26b) of the other resonant circuit (18a, 18b), wherein the evaluation electronics (14) produce the operating signal on the basis of the resonant circuit signals (26a, 26b) of the at least two resonant circuits (18a, 18b).