Abstract: In a power steering gear for motor vehicles, a control device (1) is used to control an adjusting element (6) for changing the steering characteristics as a function of the road speed of the motor vehicle. In the process, in addition to the road speed, the chronological change of the road speed, i.e. the acceleration and deceleration, is taken into account when controlling the adjusting element (6). A differentiation element (5) is arranged in the control device (1) parallel with an element (3) for detecting the road speed. Both the clement (3) for detecting the road speed as well as the differentiation element (5) supply their signals to a device (4) for signal processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a crash test on a motor vehicle is described, in which the vehicle is accelerated on a track by means of a driving arrangement before it strikes an obstacle. A data recording unit associated with the vehicle and serving to record the measuring data of the crash test is not mounted on the vehicle itself, but on a follower vehicle guided behind the vehicle. This follower vehicle has associated with it a braking mechanism, which brings about braking of it before the vehicle crashes against the obstacle. A measuring cable connection is provided between the vehicle and the follower vehicle, which has a length at least great enough to cover the distance between the vehicle in the crashed condition and the follower vehicle in the braked condition. Preferably, a cable storage device for the measuring cable is provided on the follower vehicle, from which the measuring cable is hung in meander-like loops and is automatically released on braking of the follower vehicle.

Abstract: Auxiliary power steering for motor vehicles with an electromagnetically activated proportional valve whose magnetic coil is regulated as a function of a pulsed voltage frequently produces whistling sounds. The invention remedies this in that the starting sides of the voltage pulses commence at different time intervals with respect to each other. The resultant negligible "white noise" is not disturbing in the general noise level of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A valve is intermittently actuated under control of speed dependent signals to influence operation of an auxiliary power steering system. Digital speed signals from a sensor are processed in a microprocessor storing steering function data for transmission by an interfacing stage to an electromagnetic actuator for the valve.