A building sliding door system separates a first building region from a second building region and has a frame structure that has a passage region and a wall shell region. A sliding door is displaced in the frame structure between a closed position and an open position, wherein the wall shell region at least partially receives the sliding door in the open position. An electromechanical drive unit and a control device control the displacement of the sliding door. A fire protection unit has a bracket and, movably mounted on the bracket, a fire protection device made of a material having a defined fire resistance. The fire protection device is horizontally displaceable within the wall shell region with respect to the bracket between a retracted position in which the sliding door is in the open position, and an extended position in which the sliding door is in the closed position.

An actuation system for automatic actuation of at least one element covering an opening of a household appliance. The actuation system includes at least one actuation element constituted by at least one shape memory alloy element. The actuation system is adapted to actuate the element when applying heat to the actuation element.

A extension mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel for at least a portion of a path including a housing member, an extension member and one or more bushings for positioning the extension member within the housing member. The bushings can provide friction for assisting in hold positions of the extension mechanism. The extension mechanism can be incorporated as part of a biasing strut such as a spring configured strut.

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 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 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.

An actuator for opening and closing a door or a tailgate of a car contains a helical compression spring and a motor. The helical compression spring is provided for opening a door or the tailgate of a car when compressive forces of the helical compression spring are released. The motor is provided for compressing the helical compression spring in order to close the door or the tailgate of the car. The helical compression spring contains a helically coiled coated steel wire. The helically coiled coated steel wire contains a steel core and a metallic coating layer. The steel core contains a steel alloy. The steel alloy contains 0.8 to 0.95 wt % carbon, 0.2 to 0.9 wt % manganese; 0.1 to 1.4 wt % silicon; optionally one or more micro-alloying element. The microstructure of the steel core is drawn lamellar pearlite. The metallic coating layer contains at least 84% by mass of zinc.

A vehicle tailgate assembly includes a tailgate adapted to pivotally latch to a vehicle cargo box. A hinge pivot is coupled to the tailgate and includes an electromagnetic cylinder and a vane hub positioned within the cylinder and coupled to at least one of the tailgate and the cargo box. The vane hub is configured to rotate within the cylinder. A vane is coupled to the vane hub. A magnetorheological fluid is positioned around the vane.

A system and method of a latching hinge system including a first leaf, a second leaf pivotally coupled to the first leaf, a coupler mounted on a first latch surface of the first leaf and a receiver mounted on a second latch surface of the second leaf wherein at least one of the coupler and the receiver has a corresponding orientation for latching the first leaf and the second leaf at a corresponding first angle.

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.