A motor vehicle has a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from a plurality of defined vehicle operating modes. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has at least one drive motor and an electronically controllable, automated transmission, which is operable in at least one automatic program and in at least one manual program. The motor vehicle also has an electric control arrangement and at least one button for triggering a changeover from an automatic program to a manual program. The electronic control arrangement is configured such that, upon activation of the button for triggering a manual program for a predefined minimum duration by the driver, an operating mode, which is not selectable via the control element based on dynamics, independent of the activation of the control element, is automatically activatable and displayable on the display instead of a selectable operating mode.

A motor vehicle has a control element for selecting a vehicle operating mode from a plurality of defined vehicle operating modes. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has at least one drive motor and an electronically controllable, automated transmission, which is operable in at least one automatic program and in at least one manual program. The motor vehicle also has an electric control arrangement and at least one button for triggering a changeover from an automatic program to a manual program. The electronic control arrangement is configured such that, upon activation of the button for triggering a manual program for a predefined minimum duration by the driver, an operating mode, which is not selectable via the control element based on dynamics, independent of the activation of the control element, is automatically activatable and displayable on the display instead of a selectable operating mode.

A rotary control device for a vehicle may include a user interface surface, in particular a knob, that is embodied to rotate with respect to a housing of the device around a rotational axis of the device, further comprising a sensor unit for monitoring the orientation and/or rotational movement of the user interface surface with respect to the housing, a processing unit, and a communications interface for transmitting control signals according to an output from the processing unit, said output being generated by the processing unit on the basis of sensor data from the sensor unit.

A shifter assembly having a housing supporting a detent locking wheel with a biasing return spring. A plunger housing subassembly is rotatably supported within the locking wheel and operating in response to an external input to be rotated between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. A solenoid is supported by the housing and is linked to a lock lever assembly pivotally engaged in the housing in proximity to the locking wheel, an extending portion of the lock lever assembly engaging the locking wheel. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and is communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the solenoid being energized to retract the lock lever assembly to permit the return spring to rotate said wheel to the Park position.

A vehicle includes a shift by wire (SBW) module that allows for electronic shifting between various gears, such as park, neutral, drive, etc. The SBW module includes one or more buttons that enable the shifting between the various gears. When the park gear is selected, a light source illuminates a symbol or a portion of the button associated with placing the vehicle into park. A controller is programmed to darken or dim the light source in response to an operator pressing one of the buttons while the vehicle is in the park gear. For example, when the vehicle is already in park, another depression of the park button can darken or dim the light source associated with the park button.

An activation apparatus for a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a gear selector that is configured to move in a shift gate to thereby select first drive programs, and an activation device that is connected to the gear selector. Actuation of only the gear selector activates the first drive programs. The first drive programs include a forward drive program and a reverse drive program. The gear selector is configured take up a monostable rest position in the shift gate. Simultaneous actuation of both the gear selector and the activation device activates a second drive program that is different from the first drive programs. The activation device is a spring-loaded switch that is activated by actuating the gear selector.

The present disclosure includes a system for improving the perceived ease of operation in a work vehicle with an internal combustion engine. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system comprises a torque converter coupled at one end to the internal combustion engine and is coupled to a transmission at an opposite end via at least a transmission input shaft. The system also comprises at least two governors coupled to the internal combustion engine, wherein the governors are configured to adjust an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine. In addition, the system comprises a vehicle control unit communicatively coupled to the governors wherein the vehicle control unit is configured to receive a first and a second speed signal. This vehicle control unit commands the engine control unit to enable to at least one of the governors when a ratio of the first speed signal to the second speed signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

The present disclosure includes a system for improving the perceived ease of operation in a work vehicle with an internal combustion engine. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the system comprises a torque converter coupled at one end to the internal combustion engine and is coupled to a transmission at an opposite end via at least a transmission input shaft. The system also comprises at least two governors coupled to the internal combustion engine, wherein the governors are configured to adjust an operating parameter of the internal combustion engine. In addition, the system comprises a vehicle control unit communicatively coupled to the governors wherein the vehicle control unit is configured to receive a first and a second speed signal. This vehicle control unit commands the engine control unit to enable to at least one of the governors when a ratio of the first speed signal to the second speed signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

A shifter assembly having a housing supporting a detent locking wheel with a biasing return spring. A plunger housing subassembly is rotatably supported within the locking wheel and operating in response to an external input to be rotated between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. A solenoid is supported by the housing and is linked to a lock lever assembly pivotally engaged in the housing in proximity to the locking wheel, an extending portion of the lock lever assembly engaging the locking wheel. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and is communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the solenoid being energized to retract the lock lever assembly to permit the return spring to rotate said wheel to the Park position.

A kickdown shift control device for a work vehicle. The work vehicle has a transmission with at least a range and a lower range having more power. The kickdown shift control device comprises a shift switch for switching a travel direction of the work vehicle and for shifting the transmission. The shift switch has a rocker with a forward position, a reverse position, a neutral position, and a kickdown position for shifting the transmission from the range to the lower range. The rocker is positioned in the forward position, the reverse position, and the neutral position with a first force. The rocker is positioned in the kickdown position by pressing the rocker towards the forward position with a second force that is greater than the first force.