An actuator for activating a plurality of operating functions in a technical system may include one or more of the following: a rotary knob, the rotary knob being rotatable about a rotational axis to an actuation position corresponding to a first operating function of a plurality of operating functions; a first sensor unit, where the actuation position is detectable by the first sensor unit such that a corresponding actuation position signal is sent to a control unit of the technical system causing activation of the first operating function; a second sensor unit for sending a shut-off signal to the control unit, where the technical system is set to a basic function of the plurality of operating functions upon receipt of the shut-off signal; and at least one sliding track partially encircling the rotary knob radially over an angle of less than 360.

An actuator for activating a plurality of operating functions in a technical system may include one or more of the following: a rotary knob, the rotary knob being rotatable about a rotational axis to an actuation position corresponding to a first operating function of a plurality of operating functions; a first sensor unit, where the actuation position is detectable by the first sensor unit such that a corresponding actuation position signal is sent to a control unit of the technical system causing activation of the first operating function; a second sensor unit for sending a shut-off signal to the control unit, where the technical system is set to a basic function of the plurality of operating functions upon receipt of the shut-off signal; and at least one sliding track partially encircling the rotary knob radially over an angle of less than 360.

At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first body rotatable among multiple positions, a second body rotatable among multiple positions, a retainer and first and second actuators. The retainer is movable relative to the second body between a first position in which the retainer prevents rotation of the second body, and a second position in which the retainer permits rotation of the second body. The first actuator is coupled to the retainer to move the retainer between the first and second positions. And the second actuator provides a force on the second body to rotate the second body when the retainer is in the second position.

At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first body rotatable among multiple positions, a second body rotatable among multiple positions, a retainer and first and second actuators. The retainer is movable relative to the second body between a first position in which the retainer prevents rotation of the second body, and a second position in which the retainer permits rotation of the second body. The first actuator is coupled to the retainer to move the retainer between the first and second positions. And the second actuator provides a force on the second body to rotate the second body when the retainer is in the second position.

A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.

A shift device for a vehicle having an automated parking mode is provided that includes a shift body and a display section. The shift body is movable into a variety of shift positions, i.e. D, N, R, and P. The display section displays not only the range of shift positions but can also display an automatic parking mode state (AP) when the shift body is in the park (P) state. The display section does not remain in the park P when the vehicle is driven into a parking place by the automatic parking mode, but instead displays the particular shift position (D, R, or N) the vehicle is in as it is being automatically parked.

A shift device for a vehicle having an automated parking mode is provided that includes a shift body and a display section. The shift body is movable into a variety of shift positions, i.e. D, N, R, and P. The display section displays not only the range of shift positions but can also display an automatic parking mode state (AP) when the shift body is in the park (P) state. The display section does not remain in the park P when the vehicle is driven into a parking place by the automatic parking mode, but instead displays the particular shift position (D, R, or N) the vehicle is in as it is being automatically parked.

The shift by wire shifter device comprises a selector that is movable relative to a fixed part according to a first shifting movement defined by a first shifting path and according to a second shifting movement defined by a second shifting path for selecting gearshift positions. One or both shifting paths extends from different gearshift positions. The selector and the fixed part are directly joined by a joint member such that the first shifting movement is a translational movement and the second shifting movement is a rotational movement, with the first and second shifting paths lying on the same plane.

The shift by wire shifter device comprises a selector that is movable relative to a fixed part according to a first shifting movement defined by a first shifting path and according to a second shifting movement defined by a second shifting path for selecting gearshift positions. One or both shifting paths extends from different gearshift positions. The selector and the fixed part are directly joined by a joint member such that the first shifting movement is a translational movement and the second shifting movement is a rotational movement, with the first and second shifting paths lying on the same plane.