A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

The door check includes a retaining bar (20) which can be connected to one of the two door assembly parts, i.e. the door (8) or the door frame (6), and a retaining housing (13) which can be connected to the other door assembly part. In order to design a door check that allows a vehicle door to be reliably and safely blocked in an automated manner, a threaded bar (50) can be accommodated in an axially movable fashion in a cavity of the retaining bar (20).

Examples herein relate to a hinge. In some examples, a hinge can include a first bracket connected to a shaft, a second bracket connected to the first bracket, a member connected to the shaft and magnetically attracted to a magnet at a first position, where the member translates relative to the magnet to a second position as the shaft rotates about an axis of the shaft, and the magnet to generate a magnetic attraction force between the member and the magnet, where the magnetic attraction force is higher at the second position than the first position.

A door check apparatus for a vehicle includes a first tubular member connected to a vehicle body to be pivotable relative to the vehicle body, a second tubular member movable relative to the first tubular member in an axial direction, a bracket connecting the second tubular member to a swing door in such a manner that the second tubular member is pivotable relative to the swing door, the second tubular member including a pair of engagement protrusions forming a pivot shaft of the second tubular member, the bracket including a pair of support walls including engagement holes engaging with the engagement protrusions, and at least one of the support walls being provided with an opening portion allowing the engagement protrusion to be inserted into the engagement hole and a closing member closing the opening portion in a state where the engagement protrusion is inserted in the engagement hole.

A door-operating assembly has first and second subassemblies each having a housing, a magnet, a sleeve carrying the sleeve and rotatable in the respective housing about an axis, an actuator for rotating the first sleeve about the respective axis, and a rotation limiter restricting rotation of the respective sleeve and magnet. The magnets in a first position repel and push the respective sleeves axially away from each other such that the first rotation limiter is effective in a first direction on the first sleeve and the second rotation limiter is effective in a second rotation direction on the second sleeve. Conversely, the magnets in a second position attract and pull the sleeves axially toward each other such that the first rotation limiter is effective against the first rotation direction on the first sleeve and the second rotation limiter is effective against the second rotation direction on the second sleeve.

It is provided a driving device for adjusting a vehicle part, in particular a tailgate, comprises an electric drive for driving the vehicle part, with an output shaft for transmitting an adjusting force to the vehicle part, and a first braking device operatively connected to the output shaft, which includes at least one permanent magnet element and is configured to provide a braking force for arresting the vehicle part in a currently adopted position. There is also provided a second braking device that is configured to switch the electric drive into a generator braking mode in order to at least partly feed a power generatorically produced by the drive back into the drive and thereby provide a braking force for braking a movement of the vehicle part.

A door component has a controllable rotary damper and two connector units which can be moved relative to one another. One of the two connector units can be connected to a load-bearing construction and the other one can be connected to a movable door device of a vehicle, in order to damp a movement of the door device between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner. Two mutually engaged spindle units are arranged between the two connector units, one spindle unit being a threaded spindle and the other being a spindle nut. A first spindle unit is fastened rotatably on a coupling rod connected to one of the connector units. A magnetorheological transmission device is arranged between the coupling rod and the first spindle unit, in order to brake a rotational movement of the first spindle unit as required.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

A movement damping device travels along a fixed track on roller wheels. Trolleys mounted on the roller wheels support the door along the track for movement of the door. Eddy-current interaction occurs between travelling magnets mounted on the device and fixed side plates of the track. The trolley moves horizontally as the roller wheels travel along horizontal support rails of the track. The track would be fixed to a supporting host structure and opposing side plates of the track support the respective rails. The trolley travels between the side plates when the door moves. The relative motion between the magnets and the side plates causes eddy-currents in the conducting side plates and consequent motion resistance

An embodiment integrated operating apparatus for different types of gates includes a driving motor, a main shaft rotatable by the driving motor, a first clutch portion at a first side of the main shaft and configured to selectively transmit power to a first gate of a vehicle, the first clutch portion including a first clutch and a first gear selectively engaged with each other, and a second clutch portion at a second side of the main shaft and configured to selectively transmit power to a second gate of the vehicle, the second clutch portion including a second clutch and a second gear selectively engaged with each other, wherein the first and second gates are configured to be independently operated based on the first clutch portion being in an engaged state or a released state and the second clutch portion being in the engaged state or the released state.