Patent ID: 8490509

Claim:
An actuating device for selecting shift stages of a shift-by-wire gear shifting transmission, the actuating device comprising: a selector lever ( 1 ) having stable selector lever positions, the selector lever ( 1 ) being movable between at least one gear selection position and a parking lock position and comprising a detent mechanism having a spring-loaded detent element ( 9 ) and a notched gate ( 8 ) having at least first and second detent positions (P, R, N, D), the detent element ( 9 ) being connected to the selector lever ( 1 ), a cylindrical gate shaft ( 4 ) having a cylindrical surface in which the notched gate is notched and having at least one helically wound return groove ( 10 ) which receives the detent element ( 9 ), and the gate shaft ( 4 ) being rotatable ( 7 ) about a longitudinal axis so as to change an axial location of the detent element within the return groove, the return groove extending circumferentially about the gate shaft from a start position to a target position, both ends of the return groove are connected to the notched gate such that the return groove and the notched gate form an endless groove about the gate shaft.