An operating element of a motor vehicle provided with a contact surface. The contact surface is provided with an element, controllable via actuators, that responds to the sense of touch of an operator, through which a feedback is provided to the operator about the currently engaged gear of the transmission of the motor vehicle.

An electronic shift system for an automated manual transmission includes a shift lever moveable between at least a neutral position and a first gear position, a clutch pedal, a biasing member connected to the shift lever that biases the shift lever to the neutral position, and a grip system configured to selectively immobilize the shift lever in the first gear position when the clutch pedal is released. An electrical circuit communicates a position of the shift lever to a control module. The control module commands the automated manual transmission to achieve the gear ratio (forward or reverse) corresponding to the first gear position when the shift lever is in the first gear position.

An electronic shift system for an automated manual transmission includes a shift lever moveable between at least a neutral position and a first gear position, a clutch pedal, a biasing member connected to the shift lever that biases the shift lever to the neutral position, and a grip system configured to selectively immobilize the shift lever in the first gear position when the clutch pedal is released. An electrical circuit communicates a position of the shift lever to a control module. The control module commands the automated manual transmission to achieve the gear ratio (forward or reverse) corresponding to the first gear position when the shift lever is in the first gear position.

A method of controlling an electromechanical interface includes commanding, by a controller, a motor to provide an operating torque on a selector, wherein the operating torque is based on a position of the selector relative to first and second positions, and commanding, by the controller, the motor to provide a detent torque on the selector at approximately the first position and at approximately the second position, wherein the detent torque is only applied over a first time period.

A method of controlling an electromechanical interface includes commanding, by a controller, a motor to provide an operating torque on a selector, wherein the operating torque is based on a position of the selector relative to first and second positions, and commanding, by the controller, the motor to provide a detent torque on the selector at approximately the first position and at approximately the second position, wherein the detent torque is only applied over a first time period.

A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.

A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.

A control circuit controls driving of a motor to switch over a shift range. A target rotation speed setting part sets a target rotation speed of the motor. A rotation speed detection part detects a present rotation speed, which is an actual rotation speed, of the motor. A rotation speed error calculation part calculates a rotation speed error, which is an error between the target rotation speed and the present rotation speed. A request torque calculation part calculates a request torque for the motor based on the rotation speed error. A phase lead correction value calculation part calculates a phase lead correction value of a current supply phase relative to a rotation phase of a rotor of the motor based on the request torque.

A control circuit switches over a shift range by controlling driving of a motor to rotationally drive a detent plate. A current detection circuit detects a current value corresponding to a driving current supplied to drive the motor. A current increase check part performs check processing to check whether the current value detected by the current detection circuit has increased. A motor rotation stop part stops rotation of the motor when the current increase check part determines that the current has increased. A reverse driving part reverses the rotation direction of the motor and rotationally drives the motor after stopping of the motor by the motor rotation stop part.

A control circuit switches over a shift range by controlling driving of a motor to rotationally drive a detent plate. A current detection circuit detects a current value corresponding to a driving current supplied to drive the motor. A current increase check part performs check processing to check whether the current value detected by the current detection circuit has increased. A motor rotation stop part stops rotation of the motor when the current increase check part determines that the current has increased. A reverse driving part reverses the rotation direction of the motor and rotationally drives the motor after stopping of the motor by the motor rotation stop part.