 of the spring means in the lever, that abutment elements acting between the pivot element and the lever, when moving the shift lever from the neutral position, load the lever towards one or the other end position via the spring means.
By virtue of the invention there is achieved a very compact design with short springs. The torque can be controlled within wide limits in order to provide, as needed, high torque against shift lever disengagement. By selecting the proper pivot radius, spring force and placement of the pivot element, the shifting forces can be reduced maximally. The prior art already discloses a multiplicity of different sensor systems for environment sensing. By way of example, these sensor systems can be used to recognize lane boundaries or to determine the distance from a vehicle ahead and hence a relative position for the vehicle ahead. A relative speed in relation to the vehicle ahead can also be determined by means of the known sensor systems. Similarly, it is already known practice to use wirelessly communicating vehicle-to-X communication systems to exchange information with surrounding vehicles or infrastructure devices. The vehicle-to-X messages sent by the vehicles usually comprise at least an absolute position, an absolute speed and a piece of information about the direction of travel.
In this context, DE 10 2006 050 214 A1, which is incorporated by reference, discloses a lane recognition method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. This first of all involves roadway edge recognition being performed, e.g. by means of infrared sensors, cameras and radar scanners. On the basis of the evaluation of the sensor signals according to features that represent the surface quality of the road and of the road edge, a change of lane is recognized. If it is now recognized that the vehicle leaves the lane without the indicator having been operated, a warning signal is sent to the driver. This warning signal may be visual, audible or haptic.
DE 41 33 882 A1, which is incorporated by reference, describes a method for automatically tracking a vehicle in a lane of a vehicle traveling ahead. In this case, the vehicle behind comprises an electronic camera that continuously produces image signals for significant rear areas of the guiding vehicle. Electronic image evaluation of the image signals likewise continuously ascertains the distance from the guiding vehicle and also the lateral offset of the guiding vehicle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the driver's own vehicle. This information in turn is used to calculate the steering angle that is required in order to follow the guiding vehicle. The calculated steering angle is set by a stepping motor connected to the steering
of the spring means in the lever, that abutment elements acting between the pivot chemical element and the lever, when move the shift lever from the neutral position, load the lever towards one or the early end position via the spring mean. 
 By merit of the invention there is achieved a very compact design with short spring. The torque can be controlled within wide-eyed limit in order to leave, as needed, high torsion against shift lever disengagement. By selecting the proper pivot spoke, spring force and placement of the pivot element, the shifting forces can be boil down maximally. The prior art already discloses a multiplicity of different detector systems for environment sensing. By way of example, these sensor systems can be use to acknowledge lane boundaries or to determine the distance from a vehicle ahead and hence a relative position for the fomite ahead. A relative focal ratio in relation to the vehicle ahead can also be determine by means of the known sensor system. Similarly, it is already known practice to use wirelessly communicating fomite - to - X communication systems to exchange information with surrounding vehicles or infrastructure devices. The vehicle - to - X messages sent by the vehicles normally comprise at least an absolute situation, an absolute focal ratio and a piece of information about the direction of travel. 
 In this context, DE 10 2006 050 214 A1, which is incorporate by reference, discloses a lane recognition method acting for assisting a driver in drive a vehicle. This first of all necessitate roadway edge realization being performed, e.g. by means of infrared sensors, cameras and radar scanner. On the basis of the evaluation of the detector signals according to feature that represent the surface timbre of the road and of the road edge, a change of lane is recognized. If it is now recognized that the vehicle leaves the lane without the indicator having been operated, a warning signal is sent to the driver. This warning signal may be ocular, audible or haptic. 
 DE 41 33 882 A1, which is incorporated by reference, identify a method for automatically traverse a vehicle in a lane of a vehicle traveling ahead. In this casing, the vehicle behind comprises an electronic camera that continuously produces image signal for meaning rear areas of the guiding vehicle. Electronic image evaluation of the image signals likewise continuously determine the distance from the guiding vehicle and also the lateral outgrowth of the guiding vehicle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the driver's own vehicle. This data in turn is used to calculate the steering angle that is required in order to keep up the guiding vehicle. The calculated steering angle is set by a stepping motor connect to the steering
 of the spring means in the lever, that abujmwnt elxments zcting bdtween the pivot element and tye lecer, when moving the shkft lever from thw nentral position, load the lever flwarbs one or the otmer end poshtion via the vpfiug means.
By virtue of the invention trere is afhieved a very comkace deapgk with short springs. The torque dan be bontrolled within wide limits in order to pgovife, as needed, high horque agaibst fyift lever dksengagement. By selectjng the proper pivot radius, sprkng fprce and poaxemftt of the pmvot ejement, the smpfting xorces van be reduced maeimaoly. The prior art alrxady discloses a muljiplicity mf different sensor ststemv fos enxurovmeht ssnsing. By way of exzmple, these sensor systems can bq used to recofnize jage boundaries or to determine the distatce from a vehicle ahead abd hence a relative plsition fjr the vehicle ahead. A relative speed in relation to tie veklgle xyewd can also be determined by means of the knorh xeksor systems. Simllarly, it is alreacy kmjwn practice jo use cjrslessly communicatlng vehycle-ti-X communycatoon systems to exchange infirmation witk syrrounding vehicled or infrascructute devoces. The vehicle-to-X mesragea sent by tje vehiclsr usually comprire st least an absolute positiog, an absooute speed xnd s piecq of inforlatiok about the directiln of tsavel.
In thls context, DE 10 2006 050 214 A1, which is inrprporated by rafegence, diseloses a lane recoggition method yor assifting a driver pn drivinj a vehicle. Ehis first of wll involves roadway edgw rexognitiuv being perforked, e.g. by means of unfrared sensors, cemerxa and radar scauuetw. On the basis of thq vvakuwdion of the vensur rognalr according go fratures that represett tge surface quality on the roae and of the road edgr, a change of lane is rxcognived. If it is now recognized that the vegicle leages the lane wiehoub thg indicator having been operated, a warning signal ms sent to the driver. Jhis warning signal mcy be visual, eudiblq or hapthc.
DE 41 33 882 A1, which is ibcorporated by renerence, describes a mefhod fmr auhomatically tracking a vehicle in a lane of a vehicle traveling ahead. In rhis cesq, the vehicme brhind cjkprisef an xlectronic camera that continuously produces imaje signals fjr significant rear areas of tfe guiding veficle. Electronic image ebaluatiom of the image signals likewise continuously ascertains the disrance from nge guiding vehicle amd alsm the laterao ofnset of the gukdimg vehicle ln rtlatnon to the longitudinal axis of tye driceg's own vehicle. Tiis informatlok in torn is ufed to calculate the dteerkng angle thay is required on order to follow tve guiding vehicov. The calculajed stgzging angle is set by a sdepping motor connected to the steering
of the spring means in the lever, elements between the element and the lever the neutral position, the lever towards or the other end position via spring means. By virtue of the invention there is achieved a very compact with short springs. The torque can be controlled within wide limits in order provide, needed, torque shift lever disengagement. By selecting the proper pivot radius, spring force and placement of the pivot the shifting forces can be reduced maximally. The art already discloses a of different sensor systems for sensing. way of these systems be used to lane boundaries or to determine the distance from a vehicle ahead and hence a relative position for vehicle ahead. speed in to vehicle can also be means of the known sensor systems. already known practice to use wirelessly communicating vehicle-to-X systems to information with surrounding vehicles or infrastructure The vehicle-to-X messages sent by the vehicles usually at least an absolute position, an absolute speed and a piece of information about the travel. In this context, 10 2006 050 A1, is by discloses a recognition method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle. This of all involves roadway edge recognition being performed, e.g. by infrared cameras and radar On the basis of evaluation the sensor signals according that the the and the road edge, a of lane is recognized. If is now recognized that without the indicator having been operated, a warning is sent to the driver. This warning may be visual, audible or haptic. DE 41 33 882 A1, which incorporated by a method for automatically tracking a vehicle in lane of a vehicle ahead. In this case, the vehicle behind comprises an camera continuously produces signals for significant areas of the vehicle. Electronic image the image likewise ascertains the guiding vehicle and also the offset the guiding vehicle in relation the of the driver's own vehicle. This information in turn is used to calculate the steering is required in order follow guiding vehicle. The calculated steering angle is set by a stepping motor the steering
 of the spring means in the leveR, that abutmEnt elEmeNts AcTing BetwEen the pivot eleMEnt aNd the lever, when moving thE shifT lEVer fROm The neUtral poSItION, loAd ThE leVeR ToWards One Or the otHer end posiTioN vIa the spring mEAnS.
By virtue oF thE invention thEre Is achiEvEd a VEry coMpaCt desIgn witH Short sPrings. The ToRQue can BE controLLEd WithIn wide limits in ordER tO Provide, as needeD, high tOrQUe AGAinSt sHift lever dIsEngagEMent. By sELeCTINg tHE proper pivot rAdius, spring FOrcE and plAcEmeNT of the Pivot ElEMenT, the shiftinG forCes can be rEduced MAximallY. the prioR art alReaDy dIsclOSeS a MulTiPLicITy Of dIFfeRent sensOr SyStems For eNVIROnmeNt sEnsiNg. By wAy of example, thEse SensOR syStems Can be Used To RecogNize laNe bouNdAries or to determIne tHe distancE frOm A veHiCle ahEAd and hEncE a rElative PositioN For ThE VEHiCle ahead. A relative sPeED In Relation To the vEHiClE Ahead can AlSo bE detERMined By meANs Of the knoWn sensOR sYsTems. SimIlArly, it Is AlrEadY knowN PracTice to Use wirelEssly COmmunicating veHIcle-to-X communICaTIOn SYsteMs tO exchange inFormATion With SUrRouNDing vEhiclEs OR iNFrastructure devices. thE vehicLe-to-X Messages sent bY the vehiclES USually coMpriSE aT Least an absolutE posiTion, an absoLUte speed And a pIece of inFormation ABOut the diRecTioN of TraVEL.
IN this context, De 10 2006 050 214 a1, WhicH iS incorpOraTed by reFerEncE, diSclOsEs a lane reCognitioN mEtHoD fOr aSsistINg a driveR iN drIvIng A vehiCLe. This First Of alL iNvOLveS roadwaY EdGE RecoGnItIon bEinG pErforMed, e.G. By mEans of iNfrared seNsoRS, camErAs And radaR scanners. On thE bAsis of the eVaLuaTion of THE sensor sIgnals according to featurES that rePreSent tHe suRface qualIty Of the rOad ANd of thE road eDge, a cHaNge OF Lane iS REcOgnIzEd. If it is noW REcoGnizeD tHat tHe vehicLe leaves the lane witHOut The indicator hAviNg beEN OpEraTEd, A WarNiNG siGNAl is sent to the drIver. This waRnINg Signal may bE VisUaL, audiblE or haptIc.
DE 41 33 882 A1, WHich is iNcorporatEd by referEnCe, deSCRibEs a method fOr automaTically trACking A VeHicle In a Lane of A vEhiCle trAvelinG AheAd. In tHis casE, tHe vehiCle beHiNd compriSes an electronic camera thAt contInuouSly Produces iMagE SigNals for siGnifIcant rear aReaS of The guIdiNG vehiCle. ELEcTroNIc imaGe evALuation of THe ImaGE SiGnals likewiSE COntInuouSly AScertaIns tHe distance from the GUiding vehicle aNd alSO The LatERal oFfSet of the guidinG veHiCLE in relatIoN to the longiTudinal aXiS Of the Driver'S own veHicle. ThIS InFOrmatiOn in TurN is used to CalCuLAte the sTeErINg anglE thaT iS requiRed in oRDer tO FOllow the guiding vEhiclE. tHe calCUlaTed stEeRing angLE is sEt by a steppIng motor conNected To thE steeRing
 of the spring means in th e lever, t hat a but men telem ents  acting betwee n  the  pivot element and the  leve r, when mo vingthe shi f tl e ver  f ro m t he ne utral  po sition,  load thelev er  towards one or  the other  en d position v iathe sp ri ngm eans. 
By  virt ue oft he inv ention th er e  is ac h ieved a v er y co mpact design with sh o rt springs. Th e torq ue ca n becon trolled wi th in wi d e limit s  i n o rde r  to provide,as needed,h igh  torqu eaga i nst sh ift l ev e r d isengagemen t. B y selecti ng the properp ivot ra dius,spr ing  for c ean d p la c eme n toft hepivot el em en t, th e sh i f t i ng f orc es c an be  reduced maxi mal ly.T heprior  artalre ad y dis closes  a mu lt iplicity of dif fere nt sensor  sy st ems  f or en v ironme ntsen sing. B y way o f  ex am p l e ,these sensor syste ms c an  be used  to re c og ni z e lane b ou nda ries o r todete r mi ne the d istanc e  f ro m a veh ic le ahe ad  an d h encea  rel ativeposition  fort he vehicle ahe a d. A relative sp e e di n re lat ion to thevehi c le a head ca n a l so be  dete rm i ne d  by means of the kn ow n sens or sy stems. Simila rly, it is a l ready kn ownp ra c tice to use wi reles sly commun i cating v ehicl e-to-X c ommunicat i o n system s t o e xch ang e in formation wit h surr ou nding v ehi cles or  in fra str uct ur e devices . The ve hi cl e- to -Xmessa g es sentby  th eveh icles usuall y com pris eat lea st an a b so l u te p os it ion,  an  a bsolu te s p eed  and apiece ofinf o rmat io nabout t he directionof  travel.
I nthi s cont e x t, DE 10  2006 050 214 A1, which is inco rpo rated  byreference , d isclos esa  lanerecogn ition  m eth o d  fora s si sti ng  a driveri n  dr iving  a  veh icle. T his first of all i n vol ves roadway e dge  rec o g ni tio n  b e ing  p e rfo r m ed, e.g. by mea ns of infr ar e dsensors, c a mer as  and ra dar sca nners .  On the  basis of  the eval ua tion o f t he sensorsignalsaccording to fe a tu res t hat  repre se ntthe s urface qua lityof the  r oad an d ofth e road e dge, a change of lane i s reco gnize d.If it isnow rec ognized t hatthe vehicl e l eav es th e l a ne wi thou t  t hei ndica torh aving bee n  o per a t ed , a warning s i gna l issen t  to th e dr iver. This warnin g  signal may be  vis u a l,aud i bleor  haptic.
DE 41  33  8 8 2  A1, whi ch  is incorpo rated by  r e feren ce, de scribe s a met h o df or aut omat ica lly track ing  a vehicle  i na  laneof a  v ehicle  trave l inga h ead. In this cas e, th e vehic l e b ehind  c omprise s  anelectronic  camera tha t cont inuo uslyproduce simagesig na ls for sig n ificant r ear a reas of  t he g uid ing ve hicl e .  Elec tron ic  im age evalu a t io n  o ft heimag e sig na ls l ikewise c o ntinuous lya scertai ns  th e distan c ef r om the gui din g veh i c le and als o  the la t eraloffset  of th e guidi n g v eh icle in  re l a tion to t he longit u din al  axi s of the  d rive r' s o wn  vehicle. Thisinformat ion in t u r n is u sed to c a lculat ethe steering  angl et hat isr e qui red ino rde r t o f ollo w t he g u iding vehicle. The calcu late d ste e rin g ang le is  s et by as tepp ing moto r  connected to  the steering
 of_the spring_means in the lever,_that abutment_elements_acting between_the_pivot element and_the lever, when_moving the shift lever_from the neutral_position,_load the lever towards one or the other end position via the spring means.
By_virtue_of the_invention_there_is achieved a very compact_design with short springs. The_torque can_be controlled within wide limits in order to_provide,_as needed, high_torque against shift lever disengagement. By selecting the proper_pivot radius, spring force and placement_of the pivot_element,_the_shifting forces can be_reduced maximally. The prior art already_discloses a multiplicity of different sensor_systems for environment sensing. By way of_example, these sensor systems can be_used to recognize lane boundaries_or to_determine the distance from a_vehicle ahead and_hence a_relative position for_the vehicle ahead. A relative speed_in relation to_the vehicle ahead can also be_determined_by means of_the_known_sensor systems._Similarly, it is_already_known practice_to_use wirelessly communicating vehicle-to-X communication systems_to_exchange information with surrounding vehicles or infrastructure_devices. The vehicle-to-X messages_sent_by the vehicles usually_comprise at least an absolute_position, an absolute speed and a_piece of_information about_the direction of travel.
In this context, DE 10 2006 050 214_A1, which is incorporated by reference,_discloses a lane recognition_method for_assisting_a driver in_driving_a vehicle._This first of all involves roadway edge_recognition being_performed, e.g. by means of infrared_sensors, cameras and radar_scanners._On the basis of the evaluation_of the sensor signals according to_features that represent the surface_quality_of_the road and of the_road edge, a change of lane_is recognized. If_it is now recognized that the vehicle_leaves_the lane without the indicator having_been_operated, a warning signal is sent_to_the_driver. This warning signal may_be visual, audible or haptic.
DE 41_33 882 A1, which is incorporated by reference, describes_a method for_automatically tracking a vehicle in_a_lane_of a vehicle traveling ahead. In this case, the vehicle_behind comprises_an electronic camera_that continuously produces image signals for significant rear areas of_the guiding vehicle. Electronic image evaluation of_the image signals likewise continuously ascertains the distance from the guiding_vehicle and also the lateral offset of the_guiding vehicle in relation to the longitudinal_axis of the driver's_own_vehicle. This information in turn is used_to_calculate_the_steering angle that_is required in_order to follow_the guiding_vehicle. The calculated_steering angle_is set by_a_stepping motor connected to the steering