Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A fastening device for the articulated fastening of a first construction unit, e.g., a drive device which can be varied in length by motor, to a second construction unit, e.g., a motor vehicle. The fastening device comprises a ball pin with a bolt shaft defining a bolt axis. One end of the bolt shaft is configured for fastening to the second construction unit and the other end comprises a ball head mounted in a ball socket of a ball socket unit. An attachment unit attaches the ball socket unit to the first construction unit. The ball socket unit has two integral contact portions, which are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the bolt axis and are in contact with the bolt shaft. The contact portions may each be provided with an indentation area, such that they are elastically deformable in a direction away from the bolt shaft.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for use with a solar panel array and a solar tracking device that is operatively connected to the solar panel array to control positioning of solar panels. The damping apparatus can absorb kinetic energy from movement of the solar panels and convert the kinetic energy to heat energy. The damping apparatus can include one or more sensors that measure collect data corresponding to the heat energy. The damping apparatus can send instructions to the solar tracking device for adjusting the position of the solar panels based on the analysis of the sensor data.

Abstract: A drive device for a hatch, in particular for a tailgate, comprising a cable, which is connected at one end to a cable pulley, which is configured to wind or unwind the cable according to the direction of rotation of the cable pulley, wherein the cable pulley is connected to a first superordinate assembly, such as a vehicle body, and which is connected at its other end to a second superordinate assembly, such as the hatch, which is pivotably attached relative to the first superordinate assembly, comprising an actuator, which is configured to drive the cable pulley, wherein the drive device furthermore comprises at least one deflection unit which has a deflection roll over which the cable runs between the cable pulley and the hatch.

Abstract: A length-adjustable assembly and method including a connecting element for connecting the assembly to a component so that the connection can be subjected to tensile loads and compressive loads, the connecting element being plugged along the longitudinal axis onto an axial end section with respect to the longitudinal axis of the assembly. The connecting element includes a latching arm elastically bendable outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis in a mounting configuration of the connecting element for plugging the connecting element onto the end portion, wherein the latching arm includes a latching element, wherein the latching element to positively cooperate with a mating latching element of the end portion, the mating latching element of complementary shape to the latching element, in an operating configuration of the connecting element fitted onto the end portion along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A self-regulating damper unit comprising a cylinder having a first working chamber and a second working chamber, a piston, a piston rod, and a through-hole between the first working chamber and the second working chamber. The damper unit also comprises a shiftable weight which modifies a passage cross-section of the through-hole. The shiftable weight is movably mounted such that retardation of the piston causes enlargement of the passage cross-section. A seat belt unit comprises a seat belt and the damper unit.

Abstract: Provided is a gas strut, including: an outer working space arranged radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the outer working space being connected to the inner working space in a gas-conducting manner; an equalizing piston enclosing the working cylinder radially to the stroke axis, the equalizing piston) being mounted displaceably along the stroke axis, delimiting the outer working space on one side transversely to the stroke axis and being subjected to a pressure of the working medium and a pressure of the equalizing medium so as to increase the volume of the outer working space; and a restoring medium arranged in a restoring space radially to the stroke axis between the working cylinder and the equalizing cylinder, the equalizing piston being subjected to a pressure of the restoring medium so as to decrease the volume of the outer working space.

Abstract: A piston assembly for use in a gas spring or damper can include a piston rod partially positioned within a pressure tube, and a linear position sensing apparatus capable of tracking and determining the velocity of the piston rod. The linear position sensing apparatus can include a sensor, such as a waveguide sensor, connected to the piston rod such that the sensor moves with the piston rod. A beacon, such as a magnet, can be contained within the pressure tube and the sensor can detect the position of the beacon relative to the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operational force support device that is adapted to support a user when operating a lid (10). The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a force (FH) that has to be applied by a user to operate a lid (10). Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer module adapted to output an amplification factor and/or an armature voltage that is/are used in the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Provided is a drive device for the movement of a closure element of a motor vehicle relative to a body of the motor vehicle including an outer tube with a longitudinal axis for coupling to the body, an inner element arranged in the outer tube for coupling to the closure element, a helical compression spring arranged between the inner element and the outer tube, and an internal guide element arranged between the inner element and the helical compression spring and axially fixed to the inner element for the internal guidance of an internal guide end section of the helical compression spring. The inner element is extendable along the longitudinal axis from the outer tube. The helical compression spring is compressed against a spring tension of the helical compression spring when the inner element is pulled out of the outer tube.

Abstract: A module for a modular, motorized drive system, in particular for doors, wherein the modular system is designed such that a number of modules arranged linearly one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the modular system form a functional group of the drive system is provided. The modular system includes at least one of a number of latching elements on a front side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and a number of receiving elements, which are complementary to the latching elements, on a rear side of the module orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and opposite the front side, wherein the receiving elements are designed to form a mechanical connection to the latching elements of a further module which is arranged with its front side parallel to the rear side of the module.

Abstract: A kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame, a pair of lateral dampers extending between the primary seat back frame and the secondary seat back frame, a pair of vertical dampers extending between the secondary seat back frame and the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of fluid reservoirs for providing a fluid into the pair of lateral dampers and the pair of vertical dampers, and an electronic control unit configured to control the rate at which the fluid is provided to and drawn out of each of the dampers to control a damping effect. In embodiments, an end of the lateral dampers is permitted to move freely relative to the secondary seat back frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring operating parameters of an actuator (10), wherein the method comprises: providing the actuator (10), providing at least two detection units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) which are designed to detect different operating parameters of the actuator (10), detecting operating parameters of the actuator (10) via the detection units (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36), outputting data relating to the measured operating parameters to an evaluation unit, combining the measured operating parameters into a state information, which indicates whether or not the technical state of the actuator (10) is in a predetermined standard state.

Abstract: Provided is a method for the production of a nozzle piston for arrangement in a damping space of a damper, which contains a damping fluid, wherein the piston divides the damping space into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. Also provided is a production method with the method according to the invention for a damper. Also provided is a nozzle piston for arrangement in a damping space of a damper, which contains a damping fluid, wherein the nozzle piston can be obtained by means of ultra-short pulse lasering of the recess from a piston blank. Also provided is a damper having a nozzle piston according to the invention. Also provided is a production plant for the production of a damper having at least one ultra-short pulse laser station for machining a piston blank for the damper by ultra-short pulse lasering.

Abstract: A flap assembly for a vehicle includes a flap, which by way of a linear actuator drive is pivotably drivable about a pivot axis from a closed position to an opened position. The drive includes a spring assembly that acts in a supporting manner on the flap. The actuator drive has an actuator housing that has one end articulated on the body of the vehicle, and an actuator rod being deployable from the other end of the housing. An external end of the actuator rod is articulated on the flap at a radial spacing from the pivot axis. The spring assembly is releasably disposed on the other end of the housing and has a compression spring supported by the actuator housing. The compression spring acts on the flap between a closed position and an initial opening angle of the flap.

Abstract: Provided is a motorized drive system for actuating a door, including at least one gear having a spindle axis and a drive axis, wherein the gear assembly is designed to convert a rotational movement about the drive axis into a rotational movement about the spindle axis; at least one spindle assembly having a threaded spindle which can be rotated about a spindle axis, wherein the threaded spindle is mechanically coupled to a part of the gear assembly that can be rotated about the spindle axis, and at least one drive assembly for driving the threaded spindle with a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is mechanically coupled to a part of the gear assembly that can be rotated about the drive axis.

Abstract: A piston and a method for producing a piston which can be secured to a piston sliding unit is provided. The piston sliding unit can be moved along its longitudinal axis in a cylinder. The piston includes a disc-shaped base body, wherein the piston is suitable and intended to seal two regions of the cylinder filled with a medium against one another. The method includes the following steps: a) producing the piston by pressing a material into a piston mold; b) smoothing the surface of the piston and/or pressing at least one flow path into the piston, by an embossing tool, which has a raised and rotationally symmetrical structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive device, comprising a cable which is connected at one end to a cable pulley, an actuator for driving the cable pulley, and a torsion bar which generates a torsional moment, wherein the torsion bar is supported on a higher-level assembly in such a way that it can move between a first and a second state of the torsion bar, wherein the torsion bar applies a torque in a first direction over a first partial movement range, applies a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction over a second partial movement range, and does not apply torque over a third partial movement range. The present invention also relates to a superordinate hatch arrangement.

Abstract: A brake module for a drive system, in particular for doors, including at least one thrust washer and at least one brake disc, wherein the at least one thrust washer and the at least one brake disc each have at least one friction surface rubbing against each other during braking operation is provided. The embodiments also relate to a drive system, in particular for doors, including such a brake module. The embodiments further relate to a production method for a brake module of the abovementioned type. Known brake modules have a high variation in the braking force on the one hand in the course of their service life and on the other hand as a function of the temperature.