A device and method that relate to restoring function and operation to a malfunctioning or inoperable hinges by attaching a flexible resilient material to the malfunctioning or inoperable hinge when the function and/or operation of a partially broken hinge pin spring and/or the function and/or operation of a partially broken hinge interlocking leaf or leaves cause the hinge to malfunction when the hinge is used to connect an out-swinging closure to a fixed structure.

A controlling method of a vehicle includes: detecting a location of a user around the vehicle in response to receiving opening closing signals for opening and closing a power tail gate of the vehicle, respectively; and controlling opening and closing speeds of the power tail gate according to a distance between the vehicle and the user when opening and closing the power tail gate, respectively, in response to receiving the respective opening and closing signals of the power tail gate.

A method for activating a closure element arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the closure element arrangement has a closure element, a drive arrangement assigned to the closure element, and a control arrangement. In the context of operator control event monitoring by the control arrangement, monitoring is carried out to ascertain whether a predetermined operator control event is present. An activation of the drive arrangement is performed depending on the result of the operator control event monitoring. With assumed freedom of collision of the closure element from the motor vehicle surroundings, the occurrence of various special conditions does not permit the operator control event monitoring, or permits it only to a restricted extent. The control arrangement detects the occurrence of predetermined special conditions and the activation of the closure element arrangement is deactivated depending on the respectively detected special condition.

A drive assembly, in particular for driving a flap (5), includes a hinge assembly (2), comprising a first hinge part (3) connectable to a vehicle body and a second hinge part (4) connectable to a vehicle flap (5), a joint assembly (7) comprising at least a first joint part (8) hingedly connecting said first hinge part (3) with said second hinge part (4) and a first actuator (10) for driving the second hinge part (4) to move between an opened and a closed position during a normal operation. The first actuator (10) has a first end (10a) coupleable to a vehicle body pivotally about a first pivot axis (P1) and a second end (10b). The drive assembly also includes a bearing element connected (16) to the first actuator (10) and a coupling assembly (14) for coupling the first actuator (10) to the hinge assembly (2), comprising a first coupling part (15) having a first end (15a) and a second end (15b). The first end (15a) of the first coupling part (15) is coupled to one of the second hinge part (4) and first joint part (8) pivotally about a second pivot axis (P2). The bearing element (16) of the first actuator (10) is coupled to the second end (15b) of the first coupling part (15) pivotally about a third pivot axis (P3) spaced apart from the second pivot axis (P2). The drive assembly provides a possibility to move a vehicle flap drivingly between a closed and an opened position and further provides a reliable pedestrian protection function.

A furnishing element hinge movably connecting a door to a fixed structure of a furnishing element is provided. The fixed structure rests on a support surface and delimits a compartment. The furnishing element hinge has a fixed hinge part connected to the fixed structure and a movable hinge part connected to the door. The movable hinge part is movable at least rotatably with respect to the fixed hinge part at least between a first position, adapted to open the compartment, and a second position, adapted to close the compartment. The furnishing element hinge has a support foot connected to the fixed hinge part and resting on the support surface to unload at least the weight of the door directly onto the support surface.

A method for controlling a power tailgate in a vehicle power tailgate system includes steps of controlling operation of a motor to attempt to lower or raise a tailgate operably connected to the motor, determining that a clutch interposed between the motor and the tailgate (and operably connected to the motor and the tailgate) slipped by at least a predetermined slip amount during operation of the motor to attempt to lower or raise the tailgate and, responsive to the determination that the clutch slipped by at least the predetermined slip amount, generating an alert indicating a need for manual reset of the tailgate.

A furnishing element hinge movably connecting a door to a fixed structure of a furnishing element is provided. The fixed structure rests on a support surface and delimits a compartment. The furnishing element hinge has a fixed hinge part connected to the fixed structure and a movable hinge part connected to the door. The movable hinge part is movable at least rotatably with respect to the fixed hinge part at least between a first position, adapted to open the compartment, and a second position, adapted to close the compartment. The furnishing element hinge has a support foot connected to the fixed hinge part and resting on the support surface to unload at least the weight of the door directly onto the support surface.

A slide-and-swing wing system includes at least one rail profile. At least two wings, each displaceably mounted in the at least one rail profile via two support elements The at least one rail profile has a lateral outlet opening for unlatching a support element of a wing. One wing functions as a door leaf which, with all other wings in the latched state, is pivotable into the remaining opening. A closure mechanism makes it possible to prevent the door leaf from being opened and includes a drive, and also an operating part, via which the drive can be actuated. The door leaf is displaceable, via the drive, in the rail profile in the direction of the adjacent wing to such an extent that no support element of the door leaf is aligned with the outlet opening, thereby preventing a support element from coming out through the lateral outlet opening.

An actuating drive includes an actuating arm pivotally supported about a pivoting axis, and movably supported between a closed position and an open position. A force storage member applies a force to the actuating arm, and a coupling device can brake or prevent a pivotal movement of the actuating arm. The coupling device includes a movably-supported first coupling element having a tooth arrangement, and the first coupling element can engage a second coupling element when a predetermined pivotal speed of the actuating arm is exceeded to brake or prevent the pivotal movement of the actuating arm. The second coupling element includes an engagement section for engaging the two coupling elements together, and includes a freewheel section separate from the engagement section. In the closed position, the first coupling element is within the freewheel section of the second coupling element, whereby the two coupling elements are decoupled from one another.

An engine hood drive for an engine hood system of a motor vehicle includes a drive unit for delivering a torque at a predetermined adjusting angle between a passive position and an active position. A drive lever is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to the drive unit for pivoting between the passive position and the active position and which has an actuating end. A driving slot has a guide receiver for the actuating end of the drive lever. The driving slot is pivotable about a flap hinge for an engine hood at a predetermined flap angle between a closed position and an open position. The driving slot is transferrable in the direction of the open position as a result of a pivoting movement of the drive lever from the direction of the passive position in the direction of the active position.