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: A flap assembly for a vehicle includes a flap, which by way of a linear actuator drive is pivotably drivable about a pivot axis counter to the gravity of the flap from a closed position to an opened position. The flap assembly 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 a component of the body of the vehicle, and an actuator rod being deployable from the other end of the housing. An external end of said actuator rod is articulated on the flap at a radial spacing from the pivot axis. The spring assembly is releasably disposed on the flap-side end region of the housing of the actuator drive and has a compression spring supported on the actuator housing and the flap at an initial opening angle of the flap <10°. In the closed position of the flap, the spring is pretensioned by the flap.

Abstract: A piston rod is connected to a piston and extends through a seal in the end face of a cylinder. A locking tube which surrounds the cylinder when the piston rod is retracted has a first end section mounted to the free end of the piston rod so that the locking tube is pivotable between a release position, wherein the locking tube is substantially coaxial to the piston rod, and a locking position, wherein the locking tube is inclined toward the piston rod. An opposed second end section has a supporting stop which can be positioned axially against the free end of the cylinder when the piston rod is extended and the locking tube is in the locking position. An actuable retaining device retains the locking tube in the locking position only by manually pivoting the locking tube into the locking position when the piston rod is extended.

Abstract: A displacement element includes a first piston, a second piston, a cylindrical housing filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston rod, and a spring. Each of the pistons is adapted to the respective internal diameter of its section and divides the respective section into two pressure chambers. The first piston is arranged at one end of the piston rod, and both pistons each include means for damping the movement of the piston rod respectively in one direction. The second piston is arranged on the side of the first piston facing away from the piston rod and is capable of displacement by means of the first piston in a direction facing away from the open end. The spring is arranged on the side of the second piston facing away from the first piston, and supported by the second piston and the housing.

Abstract: A piston rod is connected to a piston and extends through a seal in the end face of a cylinder. A locking tube which surrounds the cylinder when the piston rod is retracted has a first end section mounted to the free end of the piston rod so that the locking tube is pivotable between a release position, wherein the locking tube is substantially coaxial to the piston rod, and a locking position, wherein the locking tube is inclined toward the piston rod. An opposed second end section has a supporting stop which can be positioned axially against the free end of the cylinder when the piston rod is extended and the locking tube is in the locking position. An actuable retaining device retains the locking tube in the locking position only by manually pivoting the locking tube into the locking position when the piston rod is extended.

Abstract: A displacement element includes a first piston, a second piston, a cylindrical housing filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston rod, and a spring. Each of the pistons is adapted to the respective internal diameter of its section and divides the respective section into two pressure chambers. The first piston is arranged at one end of the piston rod, and both pistons each include means for damping the movement of the piston rod respectively in one direction. The second piston is arranged on the side of the first piston facing away from the piston rod and is capable of displacement by means of the first piston in a direction facing away from the open end. The spring is arranged on the side of the second piston facing away from the first piston, and supported by the second piston and the housing.

Abstract: A catch for two objects moveable in relation to one another, in particular a door catch, includes a cylinder, which is operatively connected to a first object, a friction surface carrier, which is operatively connected to a second object, a friction element for creating a frictional grip between the cylinder and the friction surface carrier through an energy input. The friction element being connected to an electrical voltage supply device, wherein a change in the volume of the friction element, which constitutes an actuating movement of the friction element in relation to the friction surface, occurs as a function of the voltage applied to the friction element.

Abstract: A catch for two objects moveable in relation to one another, in particular a door catch, includes a cylinder, which is operatively connected to a first object, a friction surface carrier, which is operatively connected to a second object, a friction element for creating a frictional grip between the cylinder and the friction surface carrier through an energy input. The friction element being connected to an electrical voltage supply device, wherein a change in the volume of the friction element, which constitutes an actuating movement of the friction element in relation to the friction surface, occurs as a function of the voltage applied to the friction element.

Abstract: Door hinge with a locking device based on a field force, including a cylinder divided by a piston into working spaces that are filled with an operating medium whose viscosity can be changed by means of a field force. The working spaces are connected to one another by at least one flow connection that is subject to the influence of a field force generating element. The door hinge is designed as a pivot bearing, wherein the cylinder takes the form of a bearing eye and the piston takes the form of a rotary piston with at least one blade.

Abstract: A valve that influences flow through a fluid connection includes a valve member that executes a motion in which the distance between a valve seat surface and the valve member varies. The valve member is in operative engagement with a damping arrangement that counteracts its motion.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit, comprising a cylinder which is subdivided by a piston on a piston rod into two working chambers. Between the two working chambers, there is a fluid connection which can be blocked by means of a valve arrangement having at least two individual closing valves arranged in series, each with a valve inflow side and a valve outflow side. The valves open sequentially. In the flow path between the individual valves, there is a throttle arrangement which produces a pressure reduction between the valve outflow side of the first closing valve towards the valve inflow side of the following closing valve. As the opening of the first closing valve increases, the effect of the throttle arrangement decreases; to the same extent, the pressurization increases on the valve inflow side of the following closing valve. The valve arrangement features two flow-through directions and is made so that each can be blocked.