A control unit for establishing a functional connection between two gearing components comprises at least one control element, which can be moved in order to switch the control unit between different switching states, wherein the at least one control element is configured to provide a retaining force between the gearing components in a first switching state, and to allow movement of the gearing components in relation to one another in a second switching state. An actuator is used to move the at least one control element. A control mechanism controls the actuator. It is provided thereby that the control mechanism is configured to activate the actuator to switch the control unit from the first switching state to the second switching state, in order to move the at least one control element to reduce the retaining force (FH) based on a predetermined delay function (VF).

A dampened hinge assembly has a male leaf and a female leaf. The female leaf has spaced apart first and second end barrels coaxially rotating with respect to a central barrel of the male leaf therebetween. An axial shaft is fixed to the second end barrel of the female leaf at a proximal end of the axial shaft. The axial shaft has a distal helicoidally threaded spindle. A compression gear having a helicoidally threaded bore matching the helicoidal thread of the spindle displaces towards the first end barrel when the leaves move into alignment and towards the second end barrel when the leaves move out of alignment. The dampened hinge assembly may be reconfigured to provide soft closure, end-of-range soft closure and/or backcheck damping.

A brake device for a drivable part, in particular for use for a vehicle flap, in particular in an automobile, includes a drivable load device (11) which can be radially brought into contact with a disc (90) of the drivable part, with a first holding position and a second release position. At least one brake element rests against the periphery (92) of the disc (90) in a frictional manner in the holding position and secures the disc (90) from rotating using a specifiable force. In the release position, the at least one brake element is arranged at a distance from the periphery of the disc (90) and allows a free run of the disc (90), and the load device (11) can be adjusted between the holding position and the release position, preferably by a motor (12). A brake device or a rotating drive with which a drivable part of the drive is secured against a displacement on the basis of the mass of the component to be displaced even when the motor is not being provided with power or is deactivated is achieved in that the first holding position and the second release position are each designed as a metastable holding position.

An actuator producing an active movement between fastening elements of the actuator and damping a counter movement contains a main body having a first fastening element, an actuating body movable relative to the main body along an axial direction and having a second fastening element, and an electric motor for actively driving the actuating body exclusively in a driving direction along the axial direction and for passively damping a counter movement of the actuating body counter to the driving direction being brought about by external action on the fastening elements. An object assembly contains an object and the actuator in which the spring element is structurally separate from the rest of the actuator, and an interaction between the spring element and the rest of the actuator is achieved in an object to be operated by the actuator, at least in a correctly mounted state of the actuator.

An improved linear actuator designed as an opening and closing apparatus. The improved linear actuator includes an enclosure containing first and second cavities. A rail is designed to fit within the first cavity of the enclosure. A damper is mounted to the enclosure. First and second pegs support a tray secured to slots within the rail, and a tension spring within the second cavity of the enclosure and secured to a gear track of the rail to engage the rotary damping device whereby the first and second pegs control the movement of the tray.

A commercial vehicle used for parcel delivery is installed with a control module. The control module communicates wirelessly with a transmitter to give control to the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator can access the vehicle's cargo compartment through the bulkhead door and/or the rear door solely by using the transmitter as opposed to manually actuating the door latch. A door actuator is added to the bulkhead door such that when the bulkhead door is wirelessly actuated the door opens without operator assistance, and the process of the door opening does not damage the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle operator can initiate the control module to allow a push-button start and stop of the vehicle's ignition system. Such elements contribute to time savings and cost savings for parcel delivery operators.

A spindle drive assembly for opening and/or closing a vehicle flap is described, having a spindle extending along a spindle drive axis and a spindle drive motor which is drivingly coupled to the spindle via a gearing and the motor shaft of which is arranged substantially coaxially with the spindle drive axis, wherein a coupling compensating an axial offset and a hysteresis brake are drivingly interposed between the spindle drive motor and the gearing. In addition, a vehicle flap with such a spindle drive assembly is presented.

Disclosed is a hinge assembly for rotatably mounting a trunk lid to a vehicle body. The hinge assembly for a trunk lid of a vehicle, includes a hinge arm configured to be coupled to the trunk lid, a hinge bracket configured to be coupled to a vehicle body and having a hinge shaft, the hinge arm being rotatably coupled to the hinge bracket, a torsion bar configured to be coupled to the hinge arm and to provide an elastic force to the hinge arm in an opening direction, and a cushion assembly provided at one end of the hinge arm adjacent to the hinge shaft and configured to adjust a rotation speed of the hinge arm in response to the elastic force of the torsion bar.

Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system involve a vehicle that includes a tailgate, a motor connected with the tailgate for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit for the motor. The embodiments include, upon the initiation of a driving event in the vehicle, identifying that the tailgate is unclosed. The embodiments further include, in response to identifying that the tailgate is unclosed, upon the initiation of the driving event, irrespective of whether the tailgate is moving or not moving, checking the tailgate against movement during the driving event, wherein checking the tailgate against movement includes operating the motor circuit to electrically brake the motor.

A commercial vehicle used for parcel delivery is installed with a control module. The control module communicates wirelessly with a transmitter to give control to the vehicle operator. The vehicle operator can access the vehicle's cargo compartment through the bulkhead door and/or the rear door solely by using the transmitter as opposed to manually actuating the door latch. A door actuator is added to the bulkhead door such that when the bulkhead door is wirelessly actuated the door opens without operator assistance, and the process of the door opening does not damage the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle operator can initiate the control module to allow a push-button start and stop of the vehicle's ignition system. Such elements contribute to time savings and cost savings for parcel delivery operators.