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 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 system for a motor vehicle door is provided including an electric motor and a hinge for fastening the motor vehicle door. The hinge includes a door leaf, a body leaf for attachment to the body and a hinge pin arranged coaxially to the hinge axis, and rotatably mounted on the body leaf. The electric motor includes a stator and a rotor arranged coaxially with the hinge axis in the stator and mounted rotatably about the hinge axis relative to the stator. The hinge pin is disposed in sections within the rotor, the rotor being coupled to the hinge pin in a gearless manner to transmit rotation. The drive system includes a tolerance ring arranged between the rotor and the hinge pin for transmitting the rotation from the rotor to the hinge pin, wherein the tolerance ring is coupled frictionally to the hinge pin or to the rotor.

Abstract: A gas pressure spring is provided including an expanding wax as a compensating medium for reducing a temperature dependency of a spring force of the gas pressure spring in an operating temperature range of the gas pressure spring spanning a minimum temperature of ?40° C. to +10° C. up to a maximum temperature of +40° C. to +100° C. The expanding wax includes at least one liquid phase and at least one solid phase in the entire operating temperature range, the expanding wax comprising a number of primary alcohols. Also provided is a drive system for a flap including a gas pressure spring for supporting the flap, and an electromechanical drive for driving the flap.

Abstract: A method and a system for contactless obstacle detection for a motor vehicle having a front side door and a rear side door, using a single primary obstacle sensor provided on the motor vehicle, preferably in the form of a ToF sensor, which is configured to monitor an opening region of the front side door, and, at least as long as the front side door is closed, also to monitor an opening region of the rear side door, the method comprising the following step, which is carried out repeatedly: determining a current maximum allowed opening angle for the rear side door based on an output of a monitoring of the opening region of the rear side door by the primary obstacle sensor and taking into account a current opening state of the front side door.

Abstract: A damping apparatus (10) can be self-centering and include one or more precompressed and preloaded mechanical springs (16). A solar tracking apparatus (100) can include a solar panel (102) mounted on a rotating shaft (104), and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the rotating shaft (104) to compensate for torque created when the solar panel (102) is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus (50) operatively connected to the steering levers.

Abstract: A fluid damper for modulating a retaining force of a seat belt is provided. The fluid damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder encloses an inner space. The fluid damper includes a piston shiftable in the inner space. The fluid damper includes a duct. The duct conductively connects a front fluid chamber disposed in front of the piston to a rear fluid chamber disposed behind the piston and/or a reservoir for the damping fluid. The duct includes an outer duct portion and an inner duct portion. The inner cylinder is deflectable from a rest position by a force acting on the piston so that the deflection of the inner cylinder causes an adjustment of an overlap of the outer duct portion and the inner duct portion depending on the magnitude of the force.

Abstract: A damping apparatus can be self-centering and include one or more pre-compressed and preloaded mechanical springs. A solar tracking apparatus can include a solar panel mounted on a rotating shaft, and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the rotating shaft to compensate for torque created when the solar panel is rotated at an angle to horizontal. A steering assembly for a zero-turn riding lawn mower can include a pair of steering levers and a self-centering damping apparatus operatively connected to the steering levers.

Abstract: An actuator includes a spindle drive, a first gear which causes a translational displacement of a first connection unit connected to the spindle drive, and a second gear which engages with the first gear and is connected to a second connection unit. The relative rotation of the two gears causes an actuation of the spindle drive and a rotation of the spindle drive about the rotational axis of the second gear.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator for the rotary drive of a vehicle flap. The actuator includes an electric motor, which has a output shaft with a center axis, an output unit, which is in force-transmitting connection with the electric motor in such a manner that activation of the electric motor causes a rotational displacement of the output unit about an axis of rotation of the output unit, and a mounting unit which is configured to support the actuator in force-transmitting connection with a superordinate assembly relative to the drive unit such that, upon activation of the electric motor, a displacement of the drive unit relative to the mounting unit takes place. Also disclosed is a storage apparatus for a vehicle door and a motor vehicle.

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: A system for actively attenuating acoustic vibrations of a rail for rail traffic is provided including at least one sensor for detecting at least a vertical acoustic vibration of the rail, at least one actuator for exciting at least a vertical counter-vibration of the rail and at least one control unit communicatively connected to the at least one sensor and the at least one actuator for controlling the at least one actuator depending on the vibration detected by the sensor, the counter-vibration being adapted to destructively interfere with the detected vibration, and the at least one actuator being mechanically coupled to the rail and to a carrier element supporting the rail. Also provided is a carrier element for the system and a method for actively attenuating acoustic vibrations of a rail for rail traffic.

Abstract: An electric side door drive assembly for a vehicle having a length-adjustable electric actuator to bring about opening and closing of the side door, and a door movement sensor unit designed to detect stopping and a current position of the side door during opening or closing of the side door. In the event of stopping of the side door detected by the door movement sensor unit, a controller determines, on the basis of side door position data provided by the door movement sensor unit, a necessary current strength which is to be supplied to the electric motor to hold the side door in its current position, and to deliver the necessary current strength to the motor of the actuator for a holding operation.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature-driven valve assembly which can be manufactured in a cost-effective and simple manner as well as a gas pressure spring including the valve assembly which enables more reliable and safer operation of the gas pressure spring.

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 spindle drive for a motorized adjustment of an adjustment element of a motor vehicle includes a tubular or half-shell-like spindle drive housing. An annular or disk-like connection portion is inserted and secured in one end region of the spindle drive housing. The annular or disk-like connection portion is connected via a damping element comprising a resilient damping material to a connection for discharging axial drive movements. The connection portion has a coaxial recess with an inner radially peripheral wall having a radially peripheral groove. The connection with the end region thereof facing the spindle drive housing protrudes axially into the recess of the connection portion and has a radially peripheral flange which protrudes radially into the groove. The damping element is arranged in a gap disposed between the side walls of the groove and the side walls of the flange.

Abstract: Provided is a brake device for braking a rotational movement of a shaft about the longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is mounted so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a direction of rotation and in a counter direction which opposes the direction of rotation. Brake devices typically use constant and relatively high braking torques, to ensure a controlled movement of a movement portion, braked by the brake device, in every situation. However, this increases the energy consumption for a movement of the movement portion, and the wear of the brake device. A brake device equipped with a setting device for mutually opposing setting of a braking torque on the shaft during rotation of the shaft in the direction of rotation, and a counter braking torque during rotation of the shaft in the counter direction is provided. Also provided is a method for controlling a brake device.

Abstract: Actuating device for a vehicle part movable relative to a body of a vehicle, and in particular a vehicle door or a vehicle hatch, including a drive assembly having a drive unit and a drive element driven by the drive unit, and an actuating element which can be displaced relative to the drive assembly along a displacement axis by means of the drive unit, where the actuating element is connected to a carriage assembly which is in threaded engagement with a spindle, where the spindle can be driven rotationally about an axis of rotation by the drive unit, and where in that a central axis of the drive element is oriented at an angle to a plane which is defined by the displacement axis and the axis of rotation of the spindle.

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.