Abstract: Each of the control elements for steering the rear wheels of a motor vehicle is equipped with an electro-magnetically operated lock. This is designed in such a way that, when current is not flowing, it limits the maximum possible sliding movement of a control rod to the amount which is necessary for steering at high driving speeds. At low driving speeds, the lock is released, so that the wheels can be turned at a greater angle to facilitate parking.

Abstract: In an electric motor-driven positioning element for steering the rear wheels of a passenger car, a rotor of an electric motor is mounted on a ball nut which is adapted to effect axial displacement of a ball screw. The ball nut supports on a flange the shafts of pinions of a planetary gear unit, with the sun wheel of that planetary gear unit being driven by the rotor of the electric motor. The housing accommodates an electro-magnetic dog clutch which serves to block the ball nut during the time the electric motor is not energized.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a motor vehicle with all-wheel steering, comprising a steerable front axle and a steerable rear axle. Associated with the steerable rear axle is an electrical steering gear that can be acted upon by an electronic control unit to turn the rear wheels of the rear axle out of their straight-ahead position. An additional, separate steering device independent of the electrical steering gear, is associated for this purpose with each rear wheel.

Abstract: A differential gear unit for the drive axles of motor vehicles has a positive differential lock comprising a jaw clutch plate which is connected non-rotatably but movable axially with the differential case and which works in conjunction with a jaw clutch counterplate which is mounted non-rotatably and axially immobile on a differential gear drive shaft. The jaw clutch plate also serves as an armature for an electromagnet shaped as a ring magnet, which can be switched on and off manually. The jaw clutch plate is released from the jaw clutch counterplate by the preloaded spring means when the ring magnet is switched off. The electric circuit for controlling the ring magnet includes an electronic control unit developed as a velocity sensor which allows switching on of the ring magnet only below a predetermined velocity limit of the vehicle. Above this velocity limit the ring magnet switches off automatically.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit for a motor vehicle consisting of a housing comprising two housing chambers separated by a wall located inside the housing, in which a reciprocating pump is supported by the wall located inside the housing and is arranged in a first housing chamber which forms a hydraulic fluid reservoir. A drive member for the reciprocating pump is led out of the first housing chamber. A nonreturn valve provided in the wall located inside the housing establishes a fluid communication from the reciprocating pump to a pressure chamber in the second housing chamber, which is separated from a gas pressure reservoir also provided in the second housing chamber by a reservoir piston guided in the second housing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a steerable front axle for motor vehicles with a steering knuckle for each of the two front wheels, which steering knuckle is pivotedly mounted on at least one axle connecting rod supported pivotedly on the chassis via a connecting rod bearing. The axes of rotation of the connecting rod bearings are essentially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A steering tie rod, which is linked with the corresponding steering knuckle, is associated with each of the front wheels. A steering mechanism connected to the steering tie rods is provided between the two steering tie rods. The steering tie rods have an expansion chamber for the hydraulic length adjustment, into which hydraulic fluid can be admitted.

Abstract: An elastic mounting for engines, machine assemblies and the like, constructed as a housing formed by a rigid mounting lower portion and a vulcanized buffer portion wherein the bearing load can be introduced into the mounting lower portion and into the buffer portion and compressed gas with controllable pressure can be admitted into the inner space of the housing, which acts as an air cushion, as well as a damper portion mounted in the housing with at least one throttle bore communicating with the inner space of the housing.

Abstract: A mounting for resilient, vibration-damping mounting of components, in particular vehicle components, is constructed as an inner portion, an outer portion surrounding the inner portion at a distance and an elastomeric body disposed between the inner portion and the outer portion. The elastic body has recesses forming fluid chambers which communicate with each other via a throttle pipe and an additional fluid chamber is provided as a pressure chamber for receiving a compressible fluid, wherein the pressure chamber communicates with the fluid chambers connected via the throttle pipe so as to make the manufacture of the mounting simpler and less expensive and to make the setting of the predetermined damping characteristics highly reliable on a broad range.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has a permanently driven axle. A planetary gear set and viscous clutch are located in the power train leading to the second axle. The annular gear of the planetary gear set is mounted rotatably and can be stopped by a brake band. When the brake band is tensioned, the four-wheel drive, which is running via the viscous clutch, is in the state of readiness, while it is ineffective when the brake band is released.

Abstract: A power steering system for motor vehicles for assisting the manual steering effort includes an electromotive drive unit which acts upon the steering shaft in a sense corresponding to that of the manual steering. The operating mode of the drive unit is dependent on the vehicle speed and the instantaneous steering torque manually applied to the steering wheel. At low vehicle speeds and high manual steering torque the drive unit is caused to run at high speeds; at high vehicle speeds and low manual steering torque the drive unit is caused to run at low speeds. A fluid friction clutch is interposed between the drive unit and the steering shaft. In addition to transmitting force from the drive unit to the steering shaft, the fluid friction clutch assists in damping forces which are transmitted to the steering wheel by the steering system in the form of shocks or rotary oscillations.