Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: A rotating machine system include a rotating machine. The rotating machine system can include a housing. The housing can include an inner surface. The housing can surround at least a portion of the rotating machine. The inner surface of the housing can be spaced from the rotating machine such that a space is defined therebetween. The rotating machine system can include a plurality of vibration isolators. The vibration isolators can be positioned in the space and can be operatively connected to the rotating machine and to the inner surface of the housing. The vibration isolators can be compression-type vibration isolators.

Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat can be configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant in conditions when lateral acceleration is experienced. Shape memory material members can be operatively positioned with respect to a seat portion of the vehicle seat. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated by an activation input. When activated, the shape memory material members can engage a seat pan so as to cause the seat pan to tilt in a respective lateral direction. As a result, a seat cushion supported by the seat pan can also tilt in the respective lateral direction. The seat cushion can be tilted in a lateral direction that is opposite to the direction of the lateral acceleration. Thus, the effects of lateral acceleration felt by a seat occupant can be reduced. The shape memory material members can be selectively activated based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and/or lateral acceleration.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle system can include a saddle body. The system can include a vibration isolator including a stack of a plurality of conical springs. An intermediate structure can be operatively positioned between the saddle body and the vibration isolator. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be located within a portion of the bicycle frame. In some instances, the vibration isolator can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The system can be used to provide improved vibration isolation performance when using a bicycle saddle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and a plurality of vibration isolators interposed between the seat frame and the seat pan for limiting transmission of vibrations from the seat frame to the seat pan.

Abstract: A vibration isolator cartridge can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a housing. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a plunger. The plunger can be configured to be depressed toward a distal end portion of the housing. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a plurality of spring members operatively positioned within the housing between the plunger and the distal end portion of the housing. The plurality of spring elements can be arranged in a stack. The vibration isolator cartridge can be used to provide improved vibration isolation performance in various applications, such as a bicycle saddle.

Abstract: A coaxially arranged energy storage device suitable for energy storage and structural support for a composite component is provided. The coaxially arranged energy storage device contains an anode core of a continuous carbon fiber;, an electrolyte coating coaxially arranged on the continuous carbon fiber core; and a cathode layer coating coaxially arranged to the continuous carbon fiber core on the electrolyte coating. The electrolyte coating comprises a gel or elastomer of a cross-linked polymer and a lithium salt and a Young's modulus of the gel or elastomer of a cross-linked polymer is from 0.1 MPa to 10 Mpa. The cathode layer comprises particles of a cathode active material embedded in a matrix of an electrically conductive polymer. Methods to prepare the coaxially arranged energy storage device are described and utilities described.

Abstract: A saddle for a bicycle can be configured to provide improved vibration isolation performance. The saddle can include a saddle body. The saddle can include a plurality of isolators. The plurality of isolators can be operatively connected to the saddle body. Each of the plurality of isolators can include a stack of a plurality of conical springs. The stack of the plurality of conical springs does not include a central shaft.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a seatbelt with head restraint are provided. A seatbelt assembly for a vehicle may include a plurality of airbags and an electrostatic clutch to control a deployment of the plurality of airbags. The electrostatic clutch may be operable to limit a movement of the plurality of airbags relative to each other to define a deployment shape of the airbags. Associated vehicles including the seatbelt assembly are provided. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A cargo organizer is constructed from one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator per bi-stable strip. The cargo organizer can reside in the bi-stable strips elongated (flat) stable state and require little or no volume of the cargo compartment that it resides. Upon actuating a SMA actuator, the rapid conversion to the curved stable state can occur with the formation of a barrier to partition the cargo compartment into at least to portions. The transformation into the flat stable state removes the partition where the transformation can be via a second SMA actuator or manually. The cargo organizer can be incorporated into the cargo compartment in a manner that it translates from one site and orientation to one or more other sites or orientations by activation an actuator that can be an additional SMA actuator.

Abstract: An electric mobility apparatus that can include at least one electric carbon fiber component. The electric carbon fiber component incorporating a structural battery, the structural battery including energy storage devices, each of the energy storage devices having an anode core of a continuous carbon fiber, an electrolyte arranged on the at least one continuous carbon fiber core, and a cathode layer arranged to the continuous carbon fiber core on the electrolyte. An interface is electrically connected to the structural battery, the interface for inputting power for charging the structural battery and for outputting power.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus includes a motion action portion. The motion action portion including a frame portion, at least part of the frame portion including a structural battery, the structural battery including one or more energy storage devices. Each of the one or more energy storage devices having at least one anode core of a continuous carbon fiber, an electrolyte arranged on the at least one continuous carbon fiber core, and a cathode layer arranged to the at least one continuous carbon fiber core on the electrolyte, and at least one interface electrically connected to the structural battery, the interface for inputting power for charging the structural battery and for outputting power.

Abstract: An electric power storage device, including a protective cover configured to protect from impact and including an electric carbon fiber component, the electric carbon fiber component incorporating a structural battery, the structural battery including energy storage devices. The energy storage devices are suitable for energy storage and structural support for the electric carbon fiber component. Each of the energy storage devices having an anode core of a continuous carbon fiber, an electrolyte arranged on the continuous carbon fiber core, and a cathode layer arranged to the at least one continuous carbon fiber core on the electrolyte, and an interface terminal electrically connected to the structural battery, the interface terminal for outputting power from the structural battery.

Abstract: A sport apparatus, including a handle, an action portion, a connection portion connecting the handle to the action portion, at least part of the connection portion including a structural battery, the structural battery including one or more energy storage devices, each of the one or more energy storage devices having at least one anode core of a continuous carbon fiber, an electrolyte arranged on the at least one continuous carbon fiber core, and a cathode layer coating arranged to the at least one continuous carbon fiber core on the electrolyte, and at least one sensor unit electrically connected to the energy storage devices, the at least one sensor unit providing signals related to use of the sport apparatus.

Abstract: A vibration isolator cartridge can be configured to exhibit a non-linear stiffness profile. The non-linear stiffness profile including a region of quasi-zero stiffness. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a housing. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a plunger. The plunger can be configured to be depressed toward a distal end portion of the housing. The vibration isolator cartridge can include a plurality of spring members operatively positioned within the housing between the plunger and the distal end portion of the housing. The plurality of spring elements can be arranged in a stack. The vibration isolator cartridge can be used to provide improved vibration isolation performance in various applications, such as a bicycle saddle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting transmission of vibrations and forces causing vibrations from one element to another are provided. A vibration isolator may include a compressible inner member and an outer member compressible with the inner member. The outer member may be positioned at least partially around the inner member to provide lateral support to the inner member. The outer member may maintain a consistent diameter and compression force when in a compressed state. The outer member may include a tube with a zero or near-zero Poisson's ratio.

Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a first conical disc spring member having a first end and a second end. A first-end spacer in contact with the first spring member first end, and a second-end spacer in contact with the first spring member second end. A second conical disc spring member has a first end and a second end. The second spring member first end is in contact with the first-end spacer. Another second-end spacer is in contact with the second spring member second end. A flexible housing of the isolator defines an interior. The housing is in contact with and extends between the second-end spacer and the other second-end spacer so that the first-end spacer and the first and second spring members are received in the housing interior. The housing includes a plurality of spaced-apart through holes formed therealong between the second-end spacer and the other second-end spacer.

Abstract: A multi-stable actuator includes a first superelastic-shape memory alloy (SE-SMA) wire extending between a first fixed support and a movable element and a second SE-SMA wire extending between a second fixed support and the movable element. The first SE-SMA wire is in tension against the second SE-SMA wire and the second SE-SMA wire is in tension against the first SE-SMA wire. The multi-stable actuator also includes at least one heating device configured to heat the first SE-SMA wire independent of the second SE-SMA wire and to heat the second SE-SMA wire independent of the first SE-SMA wire such that the movable element moves between and to at least three fixed positions without use of a brake or clutch.

Abstract: Vibration isolation for vehicle seat components can be provided and/or can be adjustable. A vehicle seat can include a seat portion. The seat portion can include a seat cushion and/or a seat pan. In some arrangements, one or more shape memory material members can be provided. The seat cushion can be supported by the one or more shape memory material members. The one or more shape memory material members can be configured to have selectively variable stiffness. In some arrangements, one or more super elastic wires can be provided. The one or more super elastic wires can be operatively connected to one or more structures such that the seat pan is suspended on the one or more super elastic wires.