Abstract:
A drive for pivoting a flap on a body of a vehicle about a pivot axis, with a drive motor, by means of which an output driving the flap pivotably can be driven rotatably via a drive train having an epicyclic gear. The epicyclic gear has a sun gear, an internally toothed rim, a planet gear which is in engagement with the sun gear and the internally toothed rim, and a planet carrier which carries the planet gear and which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a shaft coaxial with respect to the axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The rotational movement of a component of the epicyclic gear can be braked by a brake. In particular, the brake can stop the rotational movement of the internally toothed rim, the sun gear can be driven rotatably by the drive motor, and the shaft of the planet carrier can form the output.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the occurrence of vehicle door bumps against an adjacent object facing the door. The apparatus comprises one or more distance sensors mounted on the vehicle for measuring distance D from the door to the object, a brake for inhibiting outward movement of the door toward the object, a warning system and a controller coupled to the distance sensors, warning system and brake for applying the brake to inhibit further outward movement of the door when D≦D(MIN), a predetermined minimum distance away from the object. In a preferred embodiment, a first driver warning is activated when the initial door-to-object spacing D(INIT)≦D(SAFE), the maximum outward door reach. A second warning is desirably added when the door begins moving toward the object or has reached about (D(INIT))/2 and a third warning is activated when the brake is engaged.
Abstract:
A torque changeable pivot is described. The torque changeable pivot includes a cylinder, a spindle, and a pin. The cylinder further includes a cylinder shell and the spindle further includes a first rotational portion and a second rotational portion. A peripheral surface of the first rotational portion couples to an inner surface of the cylinder shell and the first rotational portion further includes a first coupling member eccentrically disposed on the first rotational portion. A peripheral surface of the second rotational portion couples to the inner surface of the cylinder shell and the second rotational portion further includes a second coupling member eccentrically disposed on the second rotational portion. When the first coupling member is aligned with the second coupling member and the pin is inserted into the first coupling member and the second coupling member, the first rotational portion and the second rotational portion are combined together.
Abstract:
A method of dynamically damping an electric motor (12) that is controlled by an H-bridge driver (16) by interdigitating power pulses with braking pulses by switching from a power switch mode to a shorting circuit mode with switches (22 and 26) closed that brakes the electric motor.
Abstract:
A hinge assembly for a media player having a main body and a cover body, includes a first hinge subassembly. The first hinge subassembly includes a first base plate adapted to be secured to the main body of the media player, a first joint axle secured to the first base plate, a first hinge arm adapted to be secured to the cover of the media player, several resilient bushings surrounding the first joint axle and arranged adjacent the first end of the first hinge arm, and an adjustable fastener coupled to the first joint axle for exerting an adjustable force applied to the first end of the first hinge arm. The first hinge arm has a first end pivotally coupled to the first joint axle. The adjustable fastener is positioned to generate a friction force between the first end of the first hinge arm and the at least one resilient bushing, and the friction force is sufficient to overcome gravitational force acting on the cover of the media player.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the occurrence of vehicle door bumps against an adjacent object facing the door. The apparatus comprises one or more distance sensors mounted on the vehicle for measuring distance D from the door to the object, a brake for inhibiting outward movement of the door toward the object, a warning system and a controller coupled to the distance sensors, warning system and brake for applying the brake to inhibit further outward movement of the door when D≦D(MIN), a predetermined minimum distance away from the object. In a preferred embodiment, a first driver warning is activated when the initial door-to-object spacing D(INIT)≦D(SAFE), the maximum outward door reach. A second warning is desirably added when the door begins moving toward the object or has reached about (D(INIT))/2 and a third warning is activated when the brake is engaged.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a speed regulator for an automatically closing slide door for regulating a closing speed of an automatically closing slide door which is closed automatically, comprising; a generator associated with said slide door; an one-way clutch means for converting a linear movement caused during a closing motion of said slide door into a rotational movement and for transmitting said rotational movement to said generator; a resistor connected to an output of said generator; and a speed change means for changing said closing speed of said slide door, at a predetermined position before the closed position of said slide door, from a first predetermined speed to a second predetermined speed slower than said first predetermined speed by changing a resistance value of said resistor.
Abstract:
A turning structure according to the present invention is used in note-size personal computers having a computer body 2 as a base member and a top cover 3. The turning structure is made up of a first hinge 21 and a second hinge 22. The first hinge 21 is provided with a friction member 24 to provide frictional resistance to the top cover 3 against its turn relative to the computer body 2. The second hinge 22 is provided with a torsion coil spring 73 to urge the top cover 3 relative to the computer body 2 so as to counter the rotation moment acting on the top cover 3 by its own weight when the top cover 3 turns relative to the computer body 2.
Abstract:
A motor vehicle has a pivoting door that pivots upward and downward. A control device for controlling the pivoting door comprises an electric drive unit that drives the pivoting door by an electric power; a door operation switch that permits the pivoting door to pivot between a full-close position and a full-open position with the aid of the electric drive unit when operated; a movement stopping structure that stops and holds the pivoting door at a half-open position when operated; and a control unit that controls the electric drive unit and the movement stopping structure in accordance with an ON/OFF operation of the door operation switch.
Abstract:
An adjustable speed gas spring primarily adapted for use as a part of a door closing mechanism. The gas spring includes a piston assembly which is disposed within an elongated fluid chamber and which upon relative rotation of the shaft with respect to the tubular body, permits the user to adjust the shaft extension velocity. The gas spring is fully functional in any shaft orientation.