Abstract:
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, a cable drive system for a vehicle, and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, and a sliding panel movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating element is coupled to the sliding panel for heating the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly further includes a conductive cable coupled to the sliding panel and the heating element. The conductive cable is configured to transfer electrical current to energize the heating element and to undergo mechanical force to move the sliding panel relative to the track between the open and closed positions.
Abstract:
An actuator system for use in selectively engaging an input to an output. The actuator system includes an input sub-system having an input component configured to connect to an input element which is in turn connected to a work source. The actuator system also includes an output sub-system being connectable to the input sub-system for receiving work from the work source via the input sub-system. The actuator system further includes an actuator sub-system having an active material and an actuating component. The actuator sub-system is configured so that the active material, when activated, causes the actuating component to move from a first state to a second state to disengage the input and output sub-systems.
Abstract:
A dishwasher includes a movable door, an opening mechanism and an opening actuator configured to move the door from a closed position to an at least partially open position. A decorative panel is resiliently attached to the door. A sensor is configured to detect movement of the decorative panel relative to the door. A controller is configured to activate the opening actuator based on movement detected by the sensor.
Abstract:
A transmitter is provided having a signal generator configured to generate a sparse code signal where the signal has a substantially small duty cycle of about 0.5% and substantially small pulse widths, with the distance between the pulses defined by the sparse code, and sufficiently low carrier signal level so that the signal can only be detected via a matched receiver.
Abstract:
A door closer with a teach mode is disclosed. The door closer that can be self powered and includes a control unit to intelligently control a valve within the door closer to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit includes a teach mode that can be invoked at installation time, or any other time, so that appropriate information can be stored in memory regarding an installation configuration, relative jamb position, swing (right or left handed) and other parameters. These values can be accessed by control circuitry in the controller for use in controlling the door closer during operation.
Abstract:
A system, method, and computer storage configured for determining period-ending positions of multiple parts movable by select actuation of corresponding active materials. The operations include receiving, from a work-source sensor, work-source input indicating a distance moved by the work source and a direction of the movement, and determining, based on the work-source input and a first and second status histories, corresponding to a first and a second part, respectively, first and second distances travelled by the parts, respectively. Operations also include calculating, based on the first and second distances determined and first and second period-starting positions, corresponding to the first and second parts, respectively, first and second period-ending positions for the first and second parts, respectively.
Abstract:
Provided is a small plug door device capable of performing an opening/closing operation and a plugging operation with a door drive mechanism for causing a force in a vehicle front-rear direction to act on a door, and further applicable also to a one-panel sliding door. A slide base 12 is installed slidably in a vehicle width direction relative to a fixed base 11. A door drive mechanism 13 for moving one door 104 in a vehicle front-rear direction via a connecting portion 19 has a drive portion 13a including an electric motor 21, a drive wheel member 13b, a follower wheel member 13c, and an endless member 13d, and is installed on the slide base 12. A guide portion 15 guides a shaft portion 14 provided on the connecting portion 19 so as to move the shaft portion 14 in a vehicle width direction. In a double-speed rail 16 in which a pinion 16c is disposed between two racks (16a, 16b), one rack 16b is connected to the slide base 12, the other rack 16a is connected to the door 104 side, and the pinion 16c is connected to the connecting portion 19.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a locking unit for a first flap, a second flap and a carrier, comprising a locking element which can be housed in a displaceable manner on the first flap and which comprises a tappet, and a driveable actuation device which is used to displace the locking element. In a first position, said locking element couples the first flap to the second flap in order to form a unit, and in a second position, the first flap is released from the second flap, and in an intermediate position, the first flap and the second flap are fixed together in the carrier. An active connection between the tappet of the locking element and the actuation element can be formed in said intermediate position.
Abstract:
A door closer with a self-powered control unit is disclosed. The control unit for the door closer includes a drive gear configured to rotate in response to movement of a door, and a chain arranged to cooperate with the drive gear to produce linear motion in response to rotation of the drive gear. At least one gear creates rotational motion from the linear motion of the chain to turn a generator and generate electricity to power the control unit. In some embodiments, a set of clutch gears is disposed between the chain and the gear creating the rotational motion from the chain so that only one direction of the rotational motion is transferred to the generator in response to movement of the door in any direction. The control unit can additionally include a power management circuit to store energy from the generator.
Abstract:
A leading end assembly for a movable partition may include a frame, an exterior skin coupled to the frame for covering a leading surface and two opposing side surfaces of the frame, the exterior skin including a leading member forming at least a portion of a leading surface of the leading end assembly and at least two side members, each side member being formed separately from the leading member and forming at least a portion of a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly. Movable partitions may include leading end assemblies and leading end assemblies may be formed by related methods.