A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

A braking device for a movable door wing comprising an electric motor operated as a generator wherein its motor shaft is rotatable by a movement of the door wing and which outputs a motion-dependent motor voltage, and a braking circuit to which the motor voltage is applied or can be applied and via which the electric motor can be short-circuited in order to dampen a movement of the door wing. In addition, it is provided that the braking device comprises a safety device with a current sensor which is designed to detect amperage generated by the electric motor. The safety device is designed to modify the braking circuit depending on the detected amperage in such a way that upon reaching or exceeding a predetermined or predeterminable overload amperage, the current in the braking circuit is reduced.

A door closer with an electric motor-assisted closing feature, that may generate its own power to assist in closing, and controls the speed of opening and closing of the door during generation is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are realized by a motorized door closer that electrically creates a latch boost force for a closing door. The door closer includes a motor disposed to operatively connect to a door so that the door will be moved toward closed when the motor moves, and a position sensor to determine a position of the door. A processor is programmed to exert a closing force on the door in the latch boost region or when it otherwise detects that a motor assist is needed.

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.

Certain embodiments relate to a hold-open assembly for a door closer including a pinion operable to rotate in a closing direction and an opposite opening direction. The hold-open assembly includes a ratchet wheel, a pawl, a controller, and a driver. The ratchet wheel is structured to be mounted to the pinion for joint rotation therewith. The pawl has an engaged position in which the pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel in the closing direction, and has a disengaged position in which the pawl permits rotation of the ratchet wheel in both the opening direction and the closing direction. The controller is operable to determine a release condition and is configured to transmit a release signal in response to determining the release condition. The driver is configured to move the pawl from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to the release signal.

A hinge device includes: a first and a second hinge components having a common reference axis; and a power generating device. The first and the second hinge components are engaged with each other, so as to be rotatable about the reference axis relative to each other, and so that one of the first and the second hinge components supports the other. The power generating device includes a housing and an input shaft, and generates electric power by rotation of the input shaft. The housing of the power generating device is fixed to the first hinge component, so that the input shaft of the power generating device is positioned on the reference axis. The input shaft of the power generating device is restrained to the second hinge component with respect to the direction of rotation about the reference axis, so that the input shaft of the power generating device rotates by as much as rotation of the second hinge component when the second hinge component rotates about the reference axis.

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 dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

Release mechanism (12) for an energy harvesting arrangement (10) for an electronic locking system (78), the release mechanism (12) comprising a drive device (18); a harvesting elastic element (30); at least one magnet (36); an input device (38); and an engaging profile (52); wherein the input device (38) is arranged to engage the drive device (18) by means of a magnetic force such that the drive device (18) can be displaced from a starting position (32) by movement of the input device (38) along a harvesting path (58); and wherein the engaging profile (52) is arranged to engage the drive device (18) at an engaging position (60) of the drive device (18), such that further movement of the input device (38) along the harvesting path (58) causes a relative inclination between a drive device surface (26) and a input device surface (42). An energy harvesting arrangement (10) and an electronic locking system (78) are also provided.

A door closer system is provided that includes a motor, a spring, a reduction gear set, and a rack and a pinion mechanism. The spring and pinion may be coupled to the rack, and the pinion may be selectively coupled to the gear set. The motor may be selectively mechanically coupled to the gear set. The pinion may rotate in a first direction via the rack as the spring is compressed in a second direction opposite the first direction as the spring is expanded. The motor is operable to rotate and act upon the pinion through the gear set, thereby rotating the pinion in the second direction and assist the spring in closing the door.