The invention relates to a control device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, for controlling at least one flap configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position by an actuator, said device (1) comprising at least one member (8) made of shape memory material configured to be supplied with electric power so as to deform between a first state and a second state in order to disconnect said at least one flap from the actuator if the actuator fails.

According to the invention, said device (1) has a track holder (10) that is mounted in said device (1) in a rotationally retained manner and has at least two conductive tracks (101) for supplying said at least one member (8) made of shape memory material with electric power, and said at least one member (8) made of shape memory material has at least two contactor elements (87) configured to each be arranged in electrical contact with an associated conductive track (101) at least when said at least one member (8) made of shape memory material is in the first state.

The invention also relates to a corresponding frame.

A hood back portion moving mechanism is supported with a hinge on a side of a vehicle body such that a back end portion of a hood provided at a front portion of a vehicle body is able to be opened and closed, and the hood is lifted up by an actuator. A back end portion of a pop-up link is rotatably coupled to an upper hinge included in the hinge, the hood is rotatably coupled to a front end portion of the pop-up link, and the actuator is bridged over the upper hinge and the hood.

A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

A temperature activated door spring device includes a spring having a coil with a contiguous upper arm and lower arm. The coil includes an inner hinge pin hole and has a circumferential edge sized to mount on the top of a hinge knuckle. A collar is affixed within the inner hinge pin hole wherein the inner hinge pin hole is encompassed by the collar sized to accept an inserted hinge pin. A pellet hole is located proximate an extended end of the upper arm, wherein the pellet hole is sized to accept a fusible pellet. An upper portion of the pellet hole traverses through the upper arm and a lower portion of the pellet hole traverses through the lower arm so that when a fusible pellet is inserted into the pellet hole it holds the upper arm and the lower arm together in a spring loaded position.

A sensor device for detecting a deformation of the sensor device, for example for use in a sunroof assembly, may be cost-effectively manufactured, while providing a high reliability. The sensor device includes a first electrically conductive metal lead; a first layer being a piezo-resistive material surrounding the first conductive lead; and a second electrically conductive metal lead. In a cross-section the second metal lead is arranged spaced apart from the first metal lead and the second metal lead is in electrical contact with the first layer.

A piezoelectric energy harvester system for collecting kinetic energy is provided, wherein the kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, and wherein at least a portion of the converted electrical energy is utilized to operate a load. The system comprises an energy input portion and an energy harvesting portion. The energy input portion includes an input member configured to be actionable by an outside force. The energy harvesting portion includes a capture member, a sprocket portion, and a piezoelectric energy harvester. The capture member is adapted for receiving mechanical input from the input member. The sprocket portion is disposed for movement with the capture member. The sprocket portion includes at least one radially disposed sprocket actuator configured for making contact with and exciting the piezoelectric energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester is excited by the contact to produce the kinetic energy.

A cable includes a core with a plurality of first wires made of carbon steel and a plurality of strands surrounding the core. Each strand includes a plurality of second wires made of stainless steel. The cable has a maximum cross-sectional dimension less than 2 millimeters.

A drive device for a vehicle flap, includes a flap part assigned to a vehicle flap, a body part assigned to a vehicle body, a joint arrangement connecting the flap part and the body part in an articulated manner, a first actuator coupled to the joint arrangement for opening and closing the vehicle flap during conventional operation, a second actuator coupled to the joint arrangement for lifting the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position, a coupling device for coupling the first actuator and the second actuator, wherein the coupling device comprises a first lever and a second lever, wherein the first lever is assigned to the first actuator, and wherein the second lever is assigned to the second actuator. A reliable and compact drive device is provided in that during conventional operation, the first lever and the second lever are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner via a mechanical securing element.

A device has at least two components which are movable relative to one another. The first component is equipped with a rotary receptacle and wherein the second component is rotatably received on the rotary receptacle. A third component is coupled to the second component. Two connection units which are movable relative to one another and a controllable braking device are included, wherein the braking device is designed as a controllable rotary brake in order to provide controlled damping of a movement of a door device between a closed position and an open position. The first connection unit is formed on the first component, and the second connection unit is pivotably coupled to the third component. The pivot axis is oriented transversely with respect to an axis of rotation of the second component.

A passive ventilation control system and method. The system includes passive vents throughout a building. The vents may be arranged in multiple sets, with each set being substantially vertically aligned through multiple floors or the entire height of the building. Sensors are positioned inside and/or outside the building for sensing different environmental parameters or atmospheric conditions. The sensors send signals to a controller, which automatically adjusts airflow through the vents in response to the signals from the sensors.