Abstract:
The invention relates to a drive for a flap provided on a vehicle, especially an engine hood. The drive comprises an electric motor, an actuation shaft that is connected to the flap, and a reduction gear by means of which the rotor of the electric motor is coupled to the actuation shaft. The drive further comprises an energy accumulator by means of which the actuation shaft can be driven independently of the electric motor. The reduction gear is configured in such a way that the actuation shaft is driven in a rotational direction only by the energy accumulator and the electric motor drives the actuation shaft in an opposite rotational direction, thereby supplying to the energy accumulator an energy that is needed to drive the actuation shaft in the rotational direction. The invention further relates to a pedestrian protection means provided on a vehicle and equipped with such a drive.
Abstract:
A connection wire is connected to a part of a rear door popped up in a door-opening direction by an urging force. A pulley rotates responsive to a driving motor inside a wire-winding device to wind the connection wire thereon. In this manner, the rear door is automatically closed. The pulley is urged in a connection wire-winding direction by a power spring. A clutch is between the pulley and the driving motor. When the rear door is pressed by an operator's hands in a door-closing direction while the rear door is being closed, the pulley is rotated by the power spring, thus winding the connection wire thereon and preventing the connection wire from becoming loose. At this time, the connection between the pulley and the driving motor is cut off by the clutch. Thus, the pulley is rotated by the power spring freely and rapidly. In this manner, the rear door can be closed manually even while it is being closed automatically. Further, the connection wire can be prevented from becoming loose and from being sandwiched between the body of the vehicle and the periphery of a rear opening thereof.
Abstract:
A retractable sliding door apparatus includes a door housing, a sliding door slidably mounted in the door housing, and a retractable spring mechanism mounted to the door housing and to the sliding door for retracting an open door to a closed position. The retractable spring mechanism includes a spring drum having a constant force retractable spring attached to it and in which the constant force retractable spring has one end attached to a bracket mounted on the door. The constant force retractable spring is made of a spiral strip of steel which has been heat treated while coiled to a predetermined curvature so that when the steel is extended, the stress in the steel resists the loading force at an approximate constant rate so that the sliding door is opened against a generally constant force and returns from an open to a closed position at a generally constant rate of movement under the force of a constant force spring to thereby avoid the door slamming shut.
Abstract:
A retraction device for automatically closing a panel, such as a door or window, after the panel has been opened. The retraction device includes a drum, a coiled spring power assembly for driving the drum, a centrifugal brake for controlling the power assembly and the drum to eliminate slamming of the panel during closing, and a gear train transmission assembly to connect the power assembly and the centrifugal brake. In one embodiment, the drum is a spool which carries a cable to connect the panel to the retraction device. In another embodiment, the drum has a rim which frictionally engages a frame supporting the panel. The centrifugal brake is adjustable to take into account a wide range of panel sizes and frictional conditions. This adjustment can be made through an aperture in the device's housing for quick and easy on-site installation. A one-way clutch mechanism is coupled between the power assembly and the brake to actuate the brake only when the panel is being retracted. This clutch mechanism is formed by two members, each of which is integrally molded of plastic.
Abstract:
A normally pressure-free, failsafe, emergency door closer for use in hospitals, nursing homes or other locations where handicapped persons are housed, comprising an actuating mechanism triggered by a sensing device such as a smoke detector, a spring-loaded arm with a bumper on one end to engage the door and the other end of the arm rotatably attached to the wall adjacent to and above the door and free to rotate in a horizontal plane. The spring-loaded arm is retained in an open position by a vertical pin engaging the horizontal closer arm. The pin is mechanically linked to the armature of an electromagnet opposed by a coil spring. On signal from the sensing device the electromagnet releases the armature and the coil spring urges the pin upwards releasing the closer arm, the end of which engages the door and closes it.
Abstract:
A door frame having a head member defining the top of a door opening with the head member optionally supporting an electrically actuated door holder-closer. A module having a frame shell section and a detector for the particulate products of combustion supported on the interior of the frame shell section with access openings being formed in the shell section to enable particulate products of combustion to pass through the shell to the detector. A socket formed in the head member receives the module so that any particulate products of combustion flowing through the door opening pass through the module access openings to actuate the detector. The detector is electrically connected to the door holder-closer to effect closing of an otherwise open door in response to the detection of the products of combustion. The detector may be either an ionization or photocell type detector.
Abstract:
An electric window operating mechanism, for example for use on a road vehicle, comprises a worm and worm wheel speed reducer, the worm being connected to an electric drive motor, an operating axle of the mechanism extends through the worm wheel and a member is slideable along the axle by an auxiliary handle to de-clutch the speed reducer to enable the axle to be rotated and thus the window operated, by rotation of the handle in the event of breakdown of the electric drive, said member can be the worm wheel itself or can be separate therefrom.
Abstract:
An operating mechanism for raising and lowering windows, particularly automobile windows which move upwardly and downwardly in a guide track wherein the movement is controlled by the displacement of a threaded flexible cable which is guided from the rotating mechanism, which may be operated by a hand crank or a motor, to the connecting part for the window pane which is guided in a track. The driving mechanism for the threaded flexible cable includes a housing mounting a driving pinion which engages the cable and which also rotates a spring pulley which carries a spring which is wound during the opening of the window and which is unwound to aid in the driving force during the closing of the window. The construction includes a housing having two interengageable parts which together define an enclosing tube for receiving and holding a rigid plastic tube in which the cable is movable. The rigid tube is held in a secure position within the housing tubular formation in a manner which prevents axial displacement as well as rotation thereof by a formation of plastic sleeves at each end of the housing tubular formation which are formed directly over the rigid plastic tube carrying the threaded cable and which includes projections which engage within recesses of the housing and prevent rotation or axial displacement of the plastic tube. The tube and the plastic sleeves are preferably made of a material such as copolymerized polyacetals and are formed such as by spraying directly over a rigid tube formation for the threaded cable which has been provided with knurlings or grooves on its exterior surface for facilitating interengagement of the sleeve with the rigid tube. The rigid tube containing the threaded cable is provided with a notch or cut-away portion at the location on the interior of said housing to facilitate meshing engagement of a driving pinion within the housing with the threaded cable contained within the tube.