Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electrically power-assisted steering device for vehicles including a control unit providing control information to a steering device. The method and apparatus includes a setpoint signal value transmitter providing setpoint value information and obtaining actual value information from the steering device. The actual value information is fed to the setpoint signal value transmitter and a difference value information is obtained from the setpoint value information and actual value information with the difference value information fed to the control unit. A filter unit filters information components from one of the actual value information provided, the actual value information fed to the setpoint signal value transmitter, the setpoint value information or the difference value information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter ensure that a hands-free driving situation of a motor vehicle can be detected. In the case of such detection of a hands-free driving situation, requirements of a driving assistance system are preferably reset with respect to steering corrections made by the driving assistance systems. In this manner, virtually independent steering of the vehicle such as, for example, and autopilot type of driving assistance functionality is therefore advantageously avoided.

Abstract: Described is a toothed-rack steering gear having a drive pinion (3) which is rotatably mounted in a steering housing (2) and which engages into a toothed rack (4) which is axially movably mounted in the steering housing (2), having a thrust piece (5) which preloads the toothed rack (4) against the drive pinion (3), and having at least one further machine element (15) which is operatively connected to the toothed rack (4) and which is mounted so as to be radially immovable with respect to the toothed rack (4), wherein the preload force exerted on the toothed rack (4) by the thrust piece (5) causes bending of the toothed rack (4).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electrically power-assisted steering device for vehicles including a control unit providing control information to a steering device. The method and apparatus includes a setpoint signal value transmitter providing setpoint value information and obtaining actual value information from the steering device. The actual value information is fed to the setpoint signal value transmitter and a difference value information is obtained from the setpoint value information and actual value information with the difference value information fed to the control unit. A filter unit filters information components from one of the actual value information provided, the actual value information fed to the setpoint signal value transmitter, the setpoint value information or the difference value information.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting increased internal friction in a steering mechanism of a vehicle having a steering system including a steering linkage and a steering wheel. The method includes detecting a steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value of an element of the steering system and comparing the steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value with a stored maximum steering acceleration threshold value {umlaut over (?)}n, max. Based on the comparison, if the steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value is greater than the maximum steering acceleration threshold value {umlaut over (?)}n, max, the method generates at least one first signal r1 for further processing. The method may further include counting a number of events n occurring owning to the first signal r1 and comparing n with a possible maximum number of events nmax. If n is greater than nmax, the method generates a second signal r2.

Abstract: Described is a ball screw for a steering device of a motor vehicle, which ball screw has a threaded spindle (2) and a nut (3) having a nut body which runs on the threaded spindle (2) via balls (4) guided in ball channels, wherein the nut body has a first body element (5) and a second body element (6) which interact via at least one elastic damping body (7) arranged between them. Also described is a steering device for a motor vehicle, in which the ball screw according to the invention is used.

Abstract: Proposed is a ball screw for a steering device of a motor vehicle, which ball screw has a threaded spindle (2), a first nut (3) and a second nut (4), wherein the nuts (3, 4) run on the threaded spindle (2) in each case via balls guided in ball channels, and the nuts (3, 4) can be elastically preloaded by means of at least one spring element (6). The nuts (3, 4) can be coupled to one another by means of a sleeve (9) such that a translatory relative movement of the nuts (3, 4) is possible but a rotational relative movement of the nuts (3, 4) is inhibited. Also described is a steering device for a motor vehicle, in which the ball screw according to the invention is used.

Abstract: A rack-type steering gear (1) comprising a steering gear housing (2), a pinion (3) connected non-rotatably to a steering shaft and mounted rotatably in the steering gear housing (2), and a rack (5) mounted axially displaceably in the steering gear housing (2) is described, the toothing of the pinion (3) engaging with the toothing of the rack (5). The pinion (3) can be preloaded against the rack (5) and the rack (5) is mounted in the steering gear housing (2) by means of linear rolling bearings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive subject matter ensure that a hands-free driving situation of a motor vehicle can be detected. In the case of such detection of a hands-free driving situation, requirements of a driving assistance system are preferably reset with respect to steering corrections made by the driving assistance systems. In this manner, virtually independent steering of the vehicle such as, for example, and autopilot type of driving assistance functionality is therefore advantageously avoided.

Abstract: Described is a toothed-rack steering gear having a drive pinion (3) which is rotatably mounted in a steering housing (2) and which engages into a toothed rack (4) which is axially movably mounted in the steering housing (2), having a thrust piece (5) which preloads the toothed rack (4) against the drive pinion (3), and having at least one further machine element (15) which is operatively connected to the toothed rack (4) and which is mounted so as to be radially immovable with respect to the toothed rack (4), wherein the preload force exerted on the toothed rack (4) by the thrust piece (5) causes bending of the toothed rack (4).

Abstract: A method and system for detecting increased internal friction in a steering mechanism of a vehicle having a steering system including a steering linkage and a steering wheel. The method includes detecting a steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value of an element of the steering system and comparing the steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value with a stored maximum steering acceleration threshold value {umlaut over (?)}n, max. Based on the comparison, if the steering acceleration {umlaut over (?)}L value is greater than the maximum steering acceleration threshold value {umlaut over (?)}n, max, the method generates at least one first signal r1 for further processing. The method may further include counting a number of events n occurring owing to the first signal r1 and comparing n with a possible maximum number of events nmax. If n is greater than nmax, the method generates a second signal r2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for controlling the valve tappet of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In this case, the movement of the valve tappet is generated by contraction/expansion or flexion or stretching of at least one artificial muscle. Furthermore, the artificial muscle can form a gas pressure chamber, by the action of pressure upon which a counterforce can be exerted on the valve tappet. Alternative embodiments of the invention relate particularly to the movement of valve flaps by artificial muscles and to the closing of a valve orifice by an artificial muscle of variable form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for controlling the valve tappet of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. In this case, the movement of the valve tappet is generated by contraction/expansion or flexion or stretching of at least one artificial muscle. Furthermore, the artificial muscle can form a gas pressure chamber, by the action of pressure upon which a counterforce can be exerted on the valve tappet. Alternative embodiments of the invention relate particularly to the movement of valve flaps by artificial muscles and to the closing of a valve orifice by an artificial muscle of variable form.