# US 12,760,578 B2 · Door drive device having a sensor apparatus for measuring a force in the force flow > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,760,578 B2 - Document ID: US12760578B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/685,482 - Filed: 2022-08-22 - Published: 2024-10-24 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-23 - Assignees: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg - Applicants: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg - Inventors: Martin Janneck; Nadja Becker; Tobias Gagel; Daniel Schnapp; Matthias Geier; Maximilian Kunzelmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12760578B2 ## CPC - E05F 15/41: Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque (E05F15/48 takes precedence); Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings - E05F 15/611: for swinging wings - E05F 15/616: operated by push-pull mechanisms - E05F 15/622: using screw-and-nut mechanisms - E05Y 2400/44: Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement - E05Y 2900/531: Doors - E05F: DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract It is provided a door drive device for adjusting a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body comprising an adjustment part, which can be adjusted in an adjustment direction, for transmitting force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, a drive motor, a gear assembly which couples the drive motor to the adjustment part, and a gear housing which at least partially encloses the gear assembly. An adapter element is connected to the gear housing for fastening the door drive device to the vehicle door or the vehicle body. A sensor apparatus is used to determine a measured value which indicates a force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A door drive device for adjusting a vehicle door relative to a vehicle body, comprising: an adjustment part, which is movable along an adjustment direction, for transmitting force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, a drive motor, a gear assembly which couples the drive motor to the adjustment part, a gear housing which at least partially encloses the gear assembly, an adapter element connected to the gear housing and configured for fastening the door drive device to the vehicle door or the vehicle body, wherein the adapter element comprises an opening through which the adjustment part extends and in which the adjustment part is movable along the adjustment direction, a sensor apparatus for determining a measured value which indicates a force between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, wherein the gear assembly comprises a guide rail that is connected to the gear housing and a sliding element that is guided on the guide rail longitudinally along the adjustment direction, wherein the sliding element is adjustable by means of the drive motor and is coupled to the adjustment part, wherein the gear assembly comprises a spindle that is rotatable about a rotational axis and is drivable by the drive motor, wherein the sliding element is in a threaded connection with the spindle and is adjustable, for moving the adjustment part, longitudinally along the adjustment direction by rotating the spindle, wherein the sensor apparatus is configured to detect a change in position between the gear housing and the adapter element or between the gear housing and the guide rail in order to determine the measured value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the gear housing comprises a connection element which is connected to the adapter element, wherein the sensor apparatus is configured to detect a change in position between the connection element and the adapter element in order to determine the measured value. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The door drive device according to claim 2, wherein the adapter element comprises a first end and the connection element comprises a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are interconnected. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The door drive device according to claim 3, wherein the first end and the second end are rotationally fixed to one another. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The door drive device according to claim 2, wherein the adapter element and the connection element extend in parallel with one another, and their position relative to one another is resiliently variable under the action of force. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail is resiliently movable relative to the gear housing transversely to the adjustment direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter element is arranged on the end face of the guide rail. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter element extends transversely to the adjustment direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding element comprises a spindle nut portion having a threaded opening formed thereon, wherein the spindle engages in the threaded opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the gear assembly comprises a gear wheel mounted on the gear housing for transmitting force from the drive motor to the spindle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The door drive device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a strain gauge, an electrical coil or a piezoelectric sensor for detecting the change in position.