A vehicle door checker integrated with a power drive unit for an automobile door includes a direct current permanent magnet electric motor subject to cogging torque. The electric motor includes a central shaft. The vehicle door checker also includes a cogging torque increase device that is mounted to the central shaft externally of the motor. The cogging torque increase device includes pairs of oppositely magnetized permanent magnets that are mounted coaxially in a stator and rotor respectively about the motor shaft. The stator magnets and the rotor magnets shift into and out of alignment with each other as the shaft is rotated such that the motor is held in multiple discrete stable positions that correspond to check positions of an automobile door.

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 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 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 vehicle component (200) has a sensor device (201) that includes a sensor (211) for detecting a characteristic parameter for an obstacle in the vicinity of the vehicle, for example an obstacle in a movement area of the door (50). The damper device (1) can be actuated in a manner which is dependent on the parameter. A monitoring device (202) is provided which, in order to detect a characteristic parameter for a manipulation of the vehicle (100), for example damage of a vehicle exterior shell or removal of a vehicle interior compartment, is operatively connected to the sensor device (201), in order for the latter to be interrogated (1).

An electromagnetic clutch includes: a rotation shaft that transmits a drive torque; a first rotation body that rotates integrally with the rotation shaft by being supported on the rotation shaft in a non-relatively rotatable manner; a second rotation body that is supported on the rotation shaft in a relatively rotatable manner in a position facing the first rotation body in an axial direction; an electromagnet that brings the first and second rotation bodies into pressure contact to connect the first and second rotation bodies in a manner capable of transmitting a torque by moving one of the first and second rotation bodies as an armature in an axial direction based on an electromagnetic attraction force generated by energization; and a gear portion that is provided on an outer periphery of at least one of the first rotation body or the second rotation body.

A damping mechanism is provided, including a damper housing, a damping assembly provided within the damper housing, and a damper cover assembly fitted to at least a portion of the damper housing. The damper cover assembly includes a damper cover and at least one connection member attached thereto. A recess is provided on a rearward side of the damper cover, and at least one receptacle is provided, defining an opening on a bottom surface of the damper cover and being adapted to receive and retain therein at least a portion of the at least one connection member of the damper cover assembly. The recess of the damper cover and the connection member of the damper cover assembly are cooperatively adapted to provide a mechanical connection between the damping mechanism and a hinge cup of a hinge assembly in a removable manner.

A servomechanism for sliding doors of furniture item is described. An eddy-currents magnetic damper (80) to dampen the door is used to brake two carriages (26) mounted slidingly on the linear guides (20) for slidingly supporting the door.

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 vehicle door support device includes a support member and a support member that hold a door at an open position. Each of these support members includes: a cylindrical accommodating portion; a cylindrical cover connected to the accommodating portion; a cylindrical movable member movable relative to the cover in an axial direction; a gear mechanism arranged in the accommodating portion; a spindle connected to a first connecting portion of the gear mechanism; a rotation mechanism that rotates the spindle by movement of the movable member relative to the cover; and a coil spring that biases the movable member so as to advance with respect to the cover. At least the support member includes a magnetoresistive mechanism that is arranged in the accommodating portion, is connected to the second connecting portion of the gear mechanism, and applies a load to the spindle via the gear mechanism.