Abstract:
A method and apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to automatically reset a rollable fire door curtain in the raised position. In one embodiment, a brake is coupled to a rolling fire door axle by an electromechanical clutch. The fire door is pre-disposed to unroll and close the opening, however, the brake prevents the door from unrolling. When a switch, a signal, or a fusible link indicates that the fire door should close, an electromechanical circuit board sends an electrical signal to an electromechanical clutch which opens the clutch. With the clutch open, the brake is no longer coupled to the fire door and the door closes. When the switch or signal is reversed, the clutch closes, re-coupling the fire door axle to the brake. The brake allows input rotation in both directions, but prevents the rolling door from closing under its own weight. Therefore, upon raising the curtain, the fire door is automatically reset and ready to close in the event of a fire.
Abstract:
An opening and closing device for a vehicle sliding door slidably attached to a vehicle body. The device has a latch engageable with a striker, a ratchet engageable with the latch for maintaining the engagement between the latch and the striker, a first motor, a second motor, a wire drum rotated by the first motor, a wire cable provided between the sliding door and the wire drum for pulling the sliding door toward an open position or close position thereof when the wire drum is rotated, a power transmission provided between the second motor and the latch for turning the latch from a half-latch position to a full-latch position under power of the second motor, a safety lever operatively connected to the open handle for cutting off the power transmission when the open handle is manipulated, detecting apparatus for detecting actuation of the safety lever, and a control for operating the first motor to move the sliding door toward the open position when the detecting apparatus senses activation of the safety lever.
Abstract:
A manually assistable electric driving device for a lid of an automobile luggage compartment has a clutch mechanism disposed between an electric motor and an output member drivingly connected to the lid. The clutch mechanism is so constructed that, when the lid is being driven by the motor in either direction, the lid can be manually moved in the same direction and at a speed higher than the speed caused by the motor drive.
Abstract:
Rotary damper (15), comprising a casing (17), an intermediate element (31) mounted on the casing (17), a braking fluid provided between the casing (17) and the intermediate element (31) so as to brake the movement of the intermediate element (31) relative to the casing (17), a rotor (50) mounted on the intermediate element (31) rotably about an axis of rotation (x), and a unidirectional coupling arranged between the intermediate element (31) and the rotor (50). The unidirectional coupling comprises at least one radial block (60) arranged between a radially outer surface (52) of the rotor (50) and a radially inner surface (34) of the intermediate element (31), and at least one actuating lobe (55) formed on the rotor (50) and projecting radially from the radially outer surface (52) thereof, the radial bock (60) comprising a wedge part (61) designed to be engaged by the actuating lobe (55) of the rotor (50) during rotation in the first direction of rotation (A) so as to push the radial block (60) in the centrifugal direction and lock it between the rotor (50)
Abstract:
In at least some implementations, a cable control system includes a spool on which a portion of a cable may be taken up and released, an input shaft coupled to the spool, and a motor coupled to the input shaft to drive the input shaft and spool in a first direction to take up cable on the spool and in a second direction to release cable from the spool. The control system also has two clutches that allow rotation of the spool without corresponding rotation of the motor. Each clutch may have a first member coupled to the input shaft and a second member coupled to the spool and relative rotation between the first and second members of the clutch allows rotation of the spool relative to the motor or input shaft.
Abstract:
A variable rate friction damper has variable torque dampening resistance without the use of oil. The variable rate friction damper uses interference friction to generate variable torque dampening resistance depending on the rotational position of the damper.
Abstract:
A hinge on a cover for a container, has a pivot axis and includes at least one first member fixed against rotation and at least one second member rotatable about the axis, which first and second members are arranged coaxially along the axis. A third member is arranged coaxial with the first and second members. A damper element is provided between the first and the third members in order to dampen the relative rate of rotation between the members. A first spring is arranged between the second and the third tubular members, which first spring is connected to the respective second and third members so that relative rotation between the tubular members is permitted in a first direction, when the cover is pivoted towards a first position, and prevented in a second direction, when the cover is pivoted towards a second position. A container provided with such a hinge is described.
Abstract:
A refrigerator comprises: a body having a storage chamber; a door for selectively shielding the storage chamber; a hinge coupling portion for hinge-coupling the door to the body; and a height control unit for lifting up or lowering the door by repeatedly opening and closing the door. Since the door has a controllable height by being opened and closed, a moment arm becomes longer than when using the conventional tool such as a spanner. This may allow the height of the door to be controlled by using less force. Since the height of the door is controllable at a user's eye height, the user may control the height of the door more rapidly and precisely without errors.
Abstract:
A piston device for the controlled rotatable movement of a closing element anchored to a stationary support structure includes a tubular body removably insertable into at least one seat of a hinge device, an actuating head external to the tubular body, a plunger member slidably movable unitarily with the actuating head between a retracted end position and an extended end position, an elastic contrast member acting on the plunger member for the returning thereof from the retracted end position to the extended end position, and a working fluid acting on the plunger member to hydraulically counteract the action thereof. A hinge device, in which a piston device according to the invention is removably insertable.