This invention teaches a motion control system for self-closing or self-opening pivot hung doors, gates and windows being disposed within a hollow chamber of a pivot hung door, gate or window connected to the door surrounding structure only at the door pivots. The system stores elastic strain energy as the door is displaced from its nominal position and controllably releases that energy to self restore the system to its nominal position. The system consists of serially connected torsion means and dampening means wherein torsion means includes a torsion bar and a torque modulator, and dampening means includes a housing and a rotor operatively rotational in housing.

A door hinge is provided to slant such that a free end of a door is rotated obliquely upward while the door is opened, and an energizing type balancer to assist an opening/closing operation of the door is provided. A hinge axis of the door hinge slants relative to a vertical line, having an upper side thereof being positioned on an inward side in a vehicle width direction and on a forward side in a vehicle longitudinal direction such that a locus of the free end of the door while the door is opened becomes substantially horizontal or lowers in an opening direction at a point before the door is opened to a maximum open position.

A hinge has two arms that can be pivoted relative to one another between a closed initial position and a second position. A first arm has a first guide slide. A second guide slide can be shifted along the pivot axis and can contact the first guide slide. When the two arms are moved towards the initial position, at least one cylinder-piston unit can be loaded by means of the second guide slide. The second guide slide can be rotationally fixedly coupled to the second arm in a first pivoting angle sub-range bordering the initial position and to the first arm in a second pivoting angle sub-range bordering the second position. The hinge has a first control slide rigidly connected to the second arm and a second control slide that makes contact with the first control slide and that is coupled against rotation to the first guide slide.

A counterbalanced system has first and second components e.g. vehicle panel pivotably connected to a vehicle. The counterbalanced system has a counterbalance assembly coupled to the first and second components. The counterbalance assembly includes at least one counterbalance subassembly having a cam secured to the first component, a cam bracket secured to the first second component, a bracket secured to the second component, and at least one torsion element extending between the cam bracket and the bracket. If two or more subassemblies are used, the torsion elements of each of the counterbalance subassemblies can extend along a common torsion axis or along parallel torsion axes spaced from a pivot axis. The counterbalance subassemblies are spaced from one another in a direction parallel to or along a common torsion axis. Each subassembly can be adjusted within a range of torque values. The counterbalanced system may comprise a hinge.

A torque rod for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions. The first end portion is configured to be connected to a first hinge member connected to the closure panel. The second end portion is configured to be connected to a second hinge member connected to the closure panel. The fixing portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body structure. A first coiled spring portion is disposed between the first end portion and the fixing portion. A second coiled spring portion is disposed between the second end portion and the fixing portion.

A hinge based counterbalance mechanism for operating a hinge of a closure panel of a vehicle to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel between a closed position and an open position about a pivot axis, the hinge drive mechanism including: a hinge having a body side portion for connecting to a body of the vehicle and a panel side portion for connecting to the closure panel, the body side portion and the panel side portion coupled via the pivot axis; a torsion element having a fixed end coupled to the body and a free end coupled to the body side portion, the fixed end inhibited from rotating relative to the free end and the free end able to rotate about a torsion axis of the torsion element; and a mechanical coupling mechanism coupling the free end to the panel side portion, the mechanical coupling mechanism providing for variability in torque output of the torsion element applied from the torsion element to the panel side portion as the hinge moves between the open position and the closed position.

A hinge has two arms that can be pivoted relative to one another between a closed initial position and a second position. A first arm has a first guide slide. A second guide slide can be shifted along the pivot axis and can contact the first guide slide. When the two arms are moved towards the initial position, at least one cylinder-piston unit can be loaded by means of the second guide slide. The second guide slide can be rotationally fixedly coupled to the second arm in a first pivoting angle sub-range bordering the initial position and to the first arm in a second pivoting angle sub-range bordering the second position. The hinge has a first control slide rigidly connected to the second arm and a second control slide that makes contact with the first control slide and that is coupled against rotation to the first guide slide.

A power trunk device includes a hinge arm coupled to a trunk lid and configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body panel to define a trunk space, the hinge arm being configured to open and close the trunk lid, a torsion bar link rotatably coupled to a middle of the hinge arm, a torsion bar connected between the torsion bar link and the vehicle body panel in front of the hinge arm, the torsion bar being configured to provide elastic force in a direction in which the trunk lid is opened, and an electric drive unit connected between the hinge arm and the torsion bar, the electric drive unit being configured to be moved together with the hinge arm while providing rotational force to the hinge arm.

A torque rod for a closure panel of a vehicle includes a first end portion, a second end portion, a fixing portion, and first and second coiled spring portions. The first end portion is configured to be connected to a first hinge member connected to the closure panel. The second end portion is configured to be connected to a second hinge member connected to the closure panel. The fixing portion is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body structure. A first coiled spring portion is disposed between the first end portion and the fixing portion. A second coiled spring portion is disposed between the second end portion and the fixing portion.

In one embodiment, a system, comprising: a damper assembly, the damper assembly comprising: a structural member; at least one door pivotably coupled to the structural member; a clip connected to the damper assembly and comprising plural spring end constraining segments; a spring comprising a first end and a second end, wherein at least the first end comprises a hook, the spring coupled at the first end to one of the plural spring end constraining segments and at the second end fixably coupled to the damper assembly, the clip configured to accept a hookable connection to the spring at any one of the plural spring end constraining segments, each of the plural spring end constraining segments constraining movement of the hook, when connected thereto, during opening and closing of the at least one door, wherein the spring is at a first tension when hooked to the one of the plural spring end constraining segments and at a second tension when hooked to another of the plural spring end constraining segments.