A foreign substance removing device includes: a cylinder including a support portion; a piston configured to send out a fluid flowing into the cylinder; a spring configured to urge the piston; and a mechanism configured to apply a moving force to the piston. A direction in which the fluid is sent out is a first direction. The piston is moved in the first direction by an urging force of the spring. An operation portion of the piston is formed with a convex or concave portion. The support portion is formed with an insertion concave portion into which the convex portion is capable of being inserted or an insertion convex portion capable of being inserted into the concave portion. A compression space is formed in the moving space when the piston is moved in the first direction and the convex portion or the insertion convex portion is inserted.

The present invention relates to an actuator (10) comprising a first connection unit, a second connection unit, a spring arranged between the first and second connection unit, a guide tube (12) arranged inside the spring, and a dip rod configured to be displaceable relative to the guide tube (12) so that it dips into the guide tube (12), wherein the dip rod is mounted in a guide bush (14), characterised in that the guide bush (14) comprises a recess (18) in the circumferential direction of the guide bush (14) adapted to accommodate a tapered end of the guide tube (12).

A multi-spring mechanical actuator includes a first spring having a first spring constant and a second spring having a second spring constant different than the first spring constant, wherein a load actuator is configured against the first spring under one loading condition and against a spring differential between the first spring and the second spring under a different loading condition.

A multi-spring mechanical actuator includes a first spring having a first spring constant and a second spring having a second spring constant different than the first spring constant, wherein a load actuator is configured against the first spring under one loading condition and against a spring differential between the first spring and the second spring under a different loading condition.

A spring device for the motion drive of a movable component from a rest position into a displaced position includes a gas spring and a preloaded spring, the movable component being loaded into the displaced position by a preloaded spring. The gas spring includes a pressurized gas-filled cylinder with a first end closed by a first end plate and a second end closed by a second end plate. A piston divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The piston having a first piston rod extending through the first working chamber and through the first end plate in a sealed manner, a free end of the first piston rod being fixed to the movable component or a stationary component, and a second piston rod extending through the second working chamber and through the second end plate in a sealed manner.

A spring device for the motion drive of a movable component from a rest position into a displaced position includes a gas spring and a preloaded spring, the movable component being loaded into the displaced position by a preloaded spring. The gas spring includes a pressurized gas-filled cylinder with a first end closed by a first end plate and a second end closed by a second end plate. A piston divides the interior of the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. The piston having a first piston rod extending through the first working chamber and through the first end plate in a sealed manner, a free end of the first piston rod being fixed to the movable component or a stationary component, and a second piston rod extending through the second working chamber and through the second end plate in a sealed manner.

A bicycle is disclosed as having a seat and a seat post assembly supported supporting the seat. The seat post assembly includes a lower seat support, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable (e.g., telescopically) relative to the lower seat support, a locking mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and an actuating mechanism to facilitate moving the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support. The actuating mechanism comprises a spring having first and second nodes, and a drive system adapted drive the second node while the first node is engaged with the upper seat support to energize the spring. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a reciprocating driver constructed to drive either one of the first node and the second node. Preferably, the reciprocating driver is driven by a unidirectional rotor.

A multi-spring mechanical actuator includes a first spring having a first spring constant and a second spring having a second spring constant different than the first spring constant, wherein a load actuator is configured against the first spring under one loading condition and against a spring differential between the first spring and the second spring under a different loading condition.

A multi-spring mechanical actuator includes a first spring having a first spring constant and a second spring having a second spring constant different than the first spring constant, wherein a load actuator is configured against the first spring under one loading condition and against a spring differential between the first spring and the second spring under a different loading condition.

A device for switching medium and/or high voltages has a spring-loaded drive for driving a kinematic chain. At least one energy storage spring and at least one damping element for generating a drive movement with specific drive characteristics are included. The at least one damping element is an active damping element. The damping is actively determined during switching or it is predetermined, in particular depending on environmental variables and/or the type of switching situation, by changing the settings of the at least one damping element.