An automatic door opening apparatus for a vehicle. Two and three hinge joint embodiments with motors at each hinge joint to control motion of the door opening apparatus relative to the vehicle at that hinge joint. The motors are individually programmable to customize the door opening apparatus and movement to different vehicles. The motors can be in alignment or out-of-alignment with the hinge joints, but in either case the motor controls motion of the hinged components at the associated hinge joint. When a motor is out-of-alignment with the hinge joint it controls, then pulley wheels and belts can be used to connect the motor to the hinge joint. The door opening apparatus can also include a floor track, and a door arm that connects the door to the floor track.

An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.

In a passage assistance apparatus (1) according to the present invention, a storage unit (10) stores passage assistance information regarding passage through an automatic door, a passage condition regarding passage through the automatic door and information regarding an attribute of an image of the surrounding region of the automatic door are associated with each other in the passage assistance information. The passage condition is at least one of the automatic door opening/closing condition and a passage guide condition for the automatic door user, an image acquisition unit (11) acquires a real time image of the surrounding region of the automatic door, an identification unit (12) identifies attribute information, with respect to the real time image, a passage condition selection unit (13) selects a passage condition associated with attribute information in the storage unit (10) that has matched the identified attribute information, and an output unit (14) outputs the selected passage condition.

An automated window mechanism having a motor and a force measuring component. A movement path is defined for the window movement relative to a window frame. The force-measuring component measures the force required to move the window along the movement path. The force required is stored as a force map and is a function of position along the path. Deviations from the force map cause the motor to take measures which may include stopping the motor.

Improved systems and methods for operating moveable architectural elements (e.g., furniture) are described. The system can include improved features implemented throughout various elements, including hardware elements, controller elements, and/or software elements. As one example, the system can feature the ability to map a characteristic load profile across a particular length of actuation and, if during operation a measured load exceeds the profile, adjust (e.g., stop) the system's motion. The system can also advantageously map its current draw to increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system can include a positioning system that enables it to automatically determine its position upon start up and during operation. In some implementations, the system includes multiple moveable elements (e.g., furniture items). In some cases, power is distributed to the moveable element(s) using a moveable power distribution module. Many other improvements and features are contemplated and described.

An electronics system for a vehicle including at least one acceleration sensor and an electronic control unit, which on the basis of at least one measurement signal of the acceleration sensor controls at least one drive device for the power-operated adjustment of an adjustment part of the vehicle.

A vehicle having a powered tailgate is provided. The vehicle includes a body, a powered tailgate pivotally connected to the body, an actuator operatively coupled to the tailgate to move the tailgate between open and closed positions, and sensors configured to sense an object in a swing path of the tailgate. The vehicle also includes a controller for processing signals output from the sensor and identifying and classifying the object, and controlling the actuator to move the tailgate between the open and closed positions based on the classified object.

A system and method for controlling motion of a door are provided. The door is moveable between an open position and a closed position and has a balanced position whereat the door does not move towards the open position nor the closed position under an effect of gravity. The system includes a power actuator for moving the door to a partially open position between the open position and the closed position. The power actuator is adapted to allow the door to move to the balanced position after the power actuator has moved the door to the partially open position.

A method for determining and specifying necessary closing speed of a motor-operated vehicle door at the moment of reaching an initial closure detent by means of a control unit is described. The motor current of the door motor is determined and compared with a calculated maximum current, wherein the maximum current results from a motor armature resistance measured at the start of the door movement, from a minimum supply voltage of the control unit and from an adjustable factor. If the determined current is higher than the maximum current, the value of an adaptation table is changed and a higher closing speed is specified by the control unit for the next closing movement of the vehicle door; and, if the determined current is lower than the maximum current, a lower closing speed is specified by the control unit for the next closing movement of the vehicle door.

In one aspect, a garage door opener system includes a battery configured to be charged by a power source, a controller coupled to the battery, the controller configured to operate a motor that is powered only by the battery, at least one sensor coupled to the motor and the controller, the at least one sensor generating sensor data, and a battery monitoring system coupled to the battery, the controller, and the least one sensor, the battery monitoring system configured to monitor a power consumption of the battery and a state of the battery, and to update an operation configuration of the controller based on historical power consumption of the battery, the state of the battery, and the sensor data.