Patent ID: 7856901

Claim:
An actuating device for engaging gears of a motor vehicle transmission, the actuating device comprising: a spindle having an external threading, the spindle being rotationally movable and axially fixed; a first component comprising a sleeve arranged around the spindle and a passage adapted to receive an element therethrough, the first component being axially fixed and rotationally movable for selecting gears of the motor vehicle transmission, wherein the sleeve and the spindle define a radial intermediate space therebetween; a spindle nut comprising an axial extension extending into the radial intermediate space, an external depression adapted to partially receive the element, and an internal threading threaded with the external threading of the spindle, wherein the spindle nut is arranged to be driven in a first axial direction when the spindle is rotated in a first rotational direction and a second axial direction when the spindle is rotated in a second rotational direction; and, a locking unit comprising a ring arranged around the sleeve, a spring arranged between the first component and the ring, and the element, wherein the spring supplies a retention force to the ring in the second axial direction for pressing the element into the passage and external depression when the passage and the external depression are aligned and the spindle nut is not being driven in the first axial direction, the first component and the spindle nut are axially and rotationally locked when the element is arranged within the passage and the external depression, and the retention force is overcome and the element is forced out of the passage and the external depression when the spindle nut is driven in the first axial direction.