A shift by wire system is configured to systematically separate a shift dial and an autonomous driving dial, thereby preventing an erroneous manipulation of an autonomous driving mode and allowing effortless selection of the autonomous driving mode. The shift by wire system includes a shift dial shifting to engage a stop gear, a reverse gear, and a forward gear and an autonomous driving dial hidden by the shift dial in the stop gear or reverse gear and exposed from the shift dial in the forward gear to implement the autonomous driving mode.

A shift by wire system is configured to systematically separate a shift dial and an autonomous driving dial, thereby preventing an erroneous manipulation of an autonomous driving mode and allowing effortless selection of the autonomous driving mode. The shift by wire system includes a shift dial shifting to engage a stop gear, a reverse gear, and a forward gear and an autonomous driving dial hidden by the shift dial in the stop gear or reverse gear and exposed from the shift dial in the forward gear to implement the autonomous driving mode.

A shifter assembly for a vehicle includes: a body; a shift lock; and a shift lock lever that is supported by the body such that the shift lock lever is movable between a first position and a second position to cause corresponding movement of the shift lock between a locked position, in which the vehicle is immovable, and an unlocked position, in which the vehicle is movable. The shift lock lever includes a first end portion, and an opposite second end portion that is configured for contact with the shift lock. The second end portion is generally L-shaped in configuration, and defines an interior region that is configured to receive the shift lock to inhibit (if not entirely prevent) contact between the shift lock and other components of the vehicle to reduce any likelihood of inadvertent disengagement of the shift lock and unintended movement of the vehicle.

A shifter assembly for a vehicle includes: a body; a shift lock; and a shift lock lever that is supported by the body such that the shift lock lever is movable between a first position and a second position to cause corresponding movement of the shift lock between a locked position, in which the vehicle is immovable, and an unlocked position, in which the vehicle is movable. The shift lock lever includes a first end portion, and an opposite second end portion that is configured for contact with the shift lock. The second end portion is generally L-shaped in configuration, and defines an interior region that is configured to receive the shift lock to inhibit (if not entirely prevent) contact between the shift lock and other components of the vehicle to reduce any likelihood of inadvertent disengagement of the shift lock and unintended movement of the vehicle.

An embodiment of the invention is to provide a shift apparatus that performs switching of shift ranges of a vehicle, the shift apparatus including: an operation member; a shift control section; and a regulation mechanism, wherein the shift control section is configured to select a second range when the operation member moves from a first position to a second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and the shift control section is configured to select a first range when that a shift mechanism is in a shift restriction state and the operation member moves from the first position to the second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and to allow an operation control section to execute the regulation by the regulation mechanism.

An embodiment of the invention is to provide a shift apparatus that performs switching of shift ranges of a vehicle, the shift apparatus including: an operation member; a shift control section; and a regulation mechanism, wherein the shift control section is configured to select a second range when the operation member moves from a first position to a second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and the shift control section is configured to select a first range when that a shift mechanism is in a shift restriction state and the operation member moves from the first position to the second position before being regulated by the regulation mechanism, and to allow an operation control section to execute the regulation by the regulation mechanism.

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.

A printer device includes a main housing including a print media cassette receiving slot. A first drive assembly of the main housing includes a motor operatively coupled to rotate a drive gear. A print media cassette is removably inserted into the print media cassette receiving slot, and includes a second drive assembly having a driven gear that is engaged with the drive gear. One of the drive gear or the driven gear is mounted for movement such that at least one of (i) a position of an axis of the drive gear is movable relative to the main housing or (ii) a position of an axis of the driven gear is movable relative to the printer cassette. A retaining mechanism includes a portion movable into a gear train coupling position in which the drive gear and the driven gear are held in driving contact with each other.

A printer device includes a main housing including a print media cassette receiving slot. A first drive assembly of the main housing includes a motor operatively coupled to rotate a drive gear. A print media cassette is removably inserted into the print media cassette receiving slot, and includes a second drive assembly having a driven gear that is engaged with the drive gear. One of the drive gear or the driven gear is mounted for movement such that at least one of (i) a position of an axis of the drive gear is movable relative to the main housing or (ii) a position of an axis of the driven gear is movable relative to the printer cassette. A retaining mechanism includes a portion movable into a gear train coupling position in which the drive gear and the driven gear are held in driving contact with each other.