Abstract: An operator control element (1) for selecting and setting a driving mode of the vehicle, wherein a rotational element (2) on the steering wheel of the vehicle is provided with a sensing element (3) which detects the rotation of the rotational element (2) and the stationary position of the rotational element, wherein the rotation of the rotational element can be sensed by counting the rotational steps, wherein a position and sequence of the rotational steps is assigned to each selectable driving mode, with the result that the driving modes are selected by rotating the rotational element to a stationary position and by counting the rotational steps when the rotational direction is detected.

Abstract: A steering wheel has at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. In order to improve the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is distinguished by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle.

Abstract: An operator control element (1) for selecting and setting a driving mode of the vehicle, wherein a rotational element (2) on the steering wheel of the vehicle is provided with a sensing element (3) which detects the rotation of the rotational element (2) and the stationary position of the rotational element, wherein the rotation of the rotational element can be sensed by counting the rotational steps, wherein a position and sequence of the rotational steps is assigned to each selectable driving mode, with the result that the driving modes are selected by rotating the rotational element to a stationary position and by counting the rotational steps when the rotational direction is detected.

Abstract: A steering wheel has at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. In order to improve the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is distinguished by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle.

Abstract: A metal-ceramic composite material has a ceramic matrix and a metallic phase, which are intermingled with one another, together form a virtually completely dense body and are in contact with one another at boundary surfaces. An interlayer between the metallic phase and the ceramic matrix has a thickness of between 10 nm and 1 000 nm and is composed of reaction products of the metallic phase and the ceramic phase.

Abstract: A die provided for fixing a porous ceramic insert for producing a light metal component which is reinforced by the insert. For this purpose, the insert is positioned in the die in such a way that any force which occurs for the purpose of fixing the insert is compensated for by a collinear force, which minimizes the bending moments exerted on the insert. Furthermore, shielding elements are used to protect the insert from a casting metal flowing into the die. Furthermore, the invention describes a process in which the velocity of a casting plunger which moves the casting metal into the die is regulated in such a way that the insert is not damaged by the kinetic energy of the casting metal. This is achieved by filling the die at a low velocity until the metal has flowed around the insert. Then, the casting plunger is accelerated, thus ensuring optimum filling of the die with the casting metal.