The door check includes a retaining bar (20) which can be connected to one of the two door assembly parts, i.e. the door (8) or the door frame (6), and a retaining housing (13) which can be connected to the other door assembly part. In order to design a door check that allows a vehicle door to be reliably and safely blocked in an automated manner, a threaded bar (50) can be accommodated in an axially movable fashion in a cavity of the retaining bar (20).

The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.

A system for enabling both the remote monitoring and receipt of remote change-of-door status commands, via the Internet, of the open or closed status of the garage door. The system includes an encoder generating signal pulses as a function of the motor and garage door movement. A microprocessor processes the signal pulses to generate digital pulses indicative of the open or closed status of the garage door, which status is wirelessly transmitted, via the Internet, for remote monitoring. Change-of-door status commands remotely transmitted, via the Internet, are received by the system to activate a warning and delayed change of door status.

Systems and methods described in this application are directed to hatch lid actuation systems. Actuation systems of the inventive subject matter are configured to effect the opening and closing of lids that are hingedly coupled with an opening. An embodiment featuring a rotational actuator, e.g., a motor, as well as an embodiment featuring a linear actuator are described. Embodiments having rotational actuators can additionally feature a gearbox. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter can also include sensor packages that can determine various hatch lid conditions (e.g., whether a lid is open, closed, wet, etc.).

Door operator (10) for an overhead door system (400), said door operator (10) being configured to move a door (401) of said door system (400), comprising: a first electric motor (100), a second electric motor (200), a planetary gearing (300), a control unit (11) configured to control the first (100) and second electric motor (200), and wherein the first electric motor (100) is connected to a first planetary gearing input shaft (301) and the second electric motor (200) is connected to a second planetary gearing input shaft (302), and wherein a planetary gearing output shaft (303) is associated with a shaft (402) for movement of the door (401).

An apparatus for opening and closing a deck lid of a vehicle body includes a jack-screw type drive unit having two elongated relatively rotatable drive elements which are threadably engaged for bi-directional displacement. An electric motor engages the rotatable drive element. A first mounting device pivotally connects the rotatable drive element to a relatively fixed point on the vehicle. A second mounting device pivotally connects the non-rotatable drive element to the deck lid, or vice versa. The motor is energized to affect bi-directional control of the drive unit while enabling low back-drive effort. A concentric spring counters loading due to the weight of the deck lid.

A system for moving a barrier includes a motor with an integrated encoder operative to generate pulses as a function of rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor. A preferred form of encoder is a rotary optical encoder to generate optical pulses as a function of rotational movement of the rotatable shaft. Control circuitry is configured to receive the optical pulses from the motor, convert the optical pulses to electrical pulses, and thereafter to digital pulses indicative of the status of the barrier.

The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.

A garage door position sensing system and devices includes an encoder assembly installed on a movable barrier door drive assembly, wherein the shaft associated with the barrier door drive assembly is positioned through a shaft interfacing portion of the encoder assembly and the shaft is operatively connected to the toothed pulley of the encoder assembly. A quadrature sensor is mounted within the encoder assembly, such that the sensing head of the sensor is fixed at a pre-determined distance from the teeth of the pulley. When the door moves from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa, the pulley is rotated accordingly in response to the application of upward or downward forces on the shaft. The encoder assembly can be installed on any existing moveable barrier door and functions as a pneumatic door operator for sensing the position of travel without the need to use any mechanical switches.

The technology relates to assisting in the closing of a vehicle door by automatically pulling a door closed. One or more computing devices having one or more processors may receive, from one or more sensors, information indicating that a door on the vehicle is not closed. In response to the received information indicating that the door is not closed, the one or more computing devices may determine to send a triggering signal to close the door. The one or more computing devices may send the triggering signal to the actuator and the actuator may receive the triggering signal. In response to receiving the triggering signal the actuator may be activated to close the door of the vehicle without user input.