A refrigerator comprising a door rotatable about a hinge shaft. A door opening and closing apparatus comprises a drive motor, a first gear configured to receive power from the drive motor, a second gear, spaced apart from the first gear, configured to transmit a rotational force to the hinge shaft, a clutch gear configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis of the first gear, and configured to transmit power of the first gear to the second gear based on a position of the clutch gear around the rotation axis of the first gear, and a position detection sensor configured to detect the position of the clutch gear so that while the clutch gear is at the position, the clutch gear transmits the power received from the first gear to the second gear which transmits the rotational force to the hinge shaft to open and close the door.

An opening/closing mechanism for a tail gate includes a hinge device configured to rotate the tail gate relative to side walls, and a latch device configured for engagement with a striker provided on the side wall to hold the tail gate in a closed state. The hinge device includes an electric driving device provided on the tail gate and configured to rotate the tail gate by means of a motor, and a coupling configured to couple a body-side engagement portion provided on the side wall and an output shaft of the electric driving device together. The output shaft of the electric driving device fits in a fitting hole portion in a first cylindrical portion formed at one end side of the coupling, and the body-side engagement portion fits in a fitting recessed portion in a second cylindrical portion formed at the other end side of the coupling.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for opening and closing supported covers, in which a first compressive force is exerted onto a working body having a longitudinal axis in a first axial direction so that the working body is released from a latch connection, the working body being displaced in a spring-mounted manner from the housing into a first working position against the first compressive force direction when the first compressive force is cancelled, wherein a cover operatively connected to the working body is opened, is returned partially into the housing into a second working position by a renewed compressive force in the same axial direction of the working body; the working body, when partially returned, latches with the latch connection, and, by way of a continued compressive force in the same axial direction, the working body is returned against a resistance of a damping element into a starting position in the housing, the cover being returnable into a closed position.

An actuator for motor vehicle applications, in particular for motor vehicle closing devices, comprising an electric motor, an actuating element which can be directly or indirectly acted upon via a drive train, and, arranged on a drive shaft of the electric motor, a drive wheel with an evoloid toothing, the drive train having at least one crown gear stage.

Systems and methods are provided for protecting a door system from damage by a back electromotive force (EMF) voltage generated when a door coupled to a door actuator is manually closed. The door system may include a driver configured to drive the door actuator to move the door, and a back EMF protection circuit. The back EMF protection circuit detects a back EMF voltage generated by the door actuator when the door is moved, and determines whether the back EMF voltage exceeds an overvoltage threshold. In response to determining that the back EMF voltage exceeds the overvoltage threshold, the back EMF protection circuit causes the driver to transition to an enabled state to short the back EMF voltage to ground.

A domestic appliance includes: an appliance housing which provides an appliance compartment and has a loading opening for access to the appliance compartment; an appliance door mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot axis for closing the loading opening; a motor unit in operative connection with the appliance door and by which the appliance door is transferrable from an open position to a closed position closing the loading opening; and a clutch device arranged between the motor unit and the appliance door and in operative connection with the motor unit on a drive side thereof and with the appliance door on a driven side thereof. The clutch device has a clutch that is switchable and transferrable from a disengaged position to an engaged position and vice versa, the clutch causing an automatic switching from the disengaged position to the engaged position during operation of the motor unit.

A tailgate control system for a vehicle includes a spindle and a coupling member fixedly coupled to a tailgate of the vehicle, the coupling member having a slot formed therein. A portion of the spindle is coupled to the coupling member via the slot so as to enable relative movement between the portion of the spindle and the coupling member along the slot, and such that extension of the spindle causes a force on the coupling member which causes a closing motion of the tailgate. The portion of the spindle is also coupled to the coupling member such that a manually-generated closing motion of the tailgate causes a change in a position of the portion of the spindle along the slot.

A drive device for moving a movable part of a piece of piece of furniture between a closed position and an open position includes a motor pivotably connectable to a body of the piece of furniture via a support assembly, a first threaded element rotatably drivable by the motor, and a second threaded element engaged with said first threaded element. The second threaded element is translationally displaced along the first threaded element upon rotation of the first threaded element. An actuating element having a first stop and a second stop is included and is arranged displaceably relative to the first threaded element along an axis of motion. The second threaded element is arranged axially displaceably relative to the actuating element between the first stop and the second stop of the actuating element. Also, a fitting element pivotally connected to the actuating element and connectable to the movable furniture part is included.

An assembly for assisting in lifting a tailgate includes an elongated housing extending along a predetermined length, a spring anchored at one end at a first end of the housing, and a connector having a first end affixed to the opposite end of the spring and extending through the housing. In one embodiment, at least three rollers are provided for engaging the connector. The rollers may be arranged in a variety of configurations to maintain the connector and spring in a generally centered location within the housing. In another embodiment, at least two vertically aligned guides are provided. A vehicle for integrating the foregoing assemblies is also provided.

A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a slat; (b) a drive system adapted to move the slat; and (c) a disconnect connected to the slat and in communication with the drive system, wherein the disconnect is adapted to release from communication with the drive system so that the slat manually moves independently from the drive system.