# US 8,464,468 B2 · Drive unit for garage doors with universal electric connection options > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,468 B2 - Document ID: US8464468B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/160,864 - Filed: 2006-12-19 - Published: 2011-03-10 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-14 - Assignees: Sommer Antriebs-und Funktechnik GmbH - Applicants: Frank Sommer; Ralf Weissinger - Inventors: Frank Sommer; Ralf Weissinger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464468B2 ## CPC - E05F 15/67: operated by flexible or rigid rack-and-pinion arrangements - E05F 15/668: for overhead wings - E05Y 2201/434: Electromotors; Details thereof - E05Y 2201/656: Chains - E05Y 2400/30: of motors - E05Y 2400/658: with current rails - E05Y 2600/45: in or on the fixed frame - E05Y 2600/46: in or on the wing - E05Y 2900/106: for garages - 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 A drive unit for a door includes a guiding device comprising guide rail and a guide element extending in a movement direction of the door. A drive device arranged inside a carriage moves back and forth along the guide rail and is engaged in the guide element. The drive unit is supplied with power via the guide rail and the guide element. Electrical plug connectors are provided on an external power source for the electrical connection of the guide element and the guide rail. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive unit for a door, comprising: a guiding device that extends in a movement direction of the door and comprises a guide rail and a guide element; a carriage including a drive device disposed inside the carriage, the carriage being movable back and forth along the guide rail and being engaged with the guide element, wherein the drive device is supplied with power via the guide rail and the guide element; and electrical plug connectors arranged to electrically connect the guide element and the guide rail to an external power source; a connecting housing fitted onto the guide rail and comprising first and second electrical spring-loaded contacts that constitute components of the electrical plug connectors; an insert element positioned in the guide rail and including a tensioning fixture arranged to tension the guide element and a power supplying mechanism to supply electrical power to the guide element, wherein the connecting housing is fitted onto the insert element; and a third electrical spring-loaded contact, wherein the second electrical spring-loaded contact is positioned on a wall of the insert element, makes electrical contact with the third electrical spring-loaded contact, and is electrically connected via the power supplying mechanism to the guide element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical spring-loaded contact makes direct contact with the guide rail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the third spring-loaded contact is arranged on the insert element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the power supplying mechanism conducts power from the third electrical spring-loaded contact to the tensioning fixture, which is conductively connected to the guide element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the power supplying mechanism is embodied integrally with the electrical spring-loaded contacts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the tensioning fixture comprises a bolt, a holder for the guide element positioned on a bolt and a conductive ring enclosing the bolt and comprising a component of the power supplying mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drive unit according to claim 6, wherein the power supplying mechanism includes conductive eyelets for the connection to the respective electrical spring-loaded contacts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The drive unit according to claim 7, wherein the guide rail comprises a C-shaped profile and the guide element comprises a chain disposed on the inside of the C-shaped profile. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The drive unit according to claim 8, wherein the guide rail has side walls and a top with an opening, and end strips adjoin the side walls and delimit the opening in the top wall, wherein the third electrical spring-loaded contact is exposed inside the opening and wherein one of the end strips is electrically conductive and electrically coupled to the first electrical spring-load contact. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting housing has an insert opening into which the guide rail with the insert element is inserted. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drive unit according to claim 10, wherein the connecting housing is secured in its position on the guide rail. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The drive unit according claim 10, wherein the first and second electrical spring-loaded contacts project from an inside wall of the connecting housing, which delimits the insert opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The drive unit according to claim 12, wherein the first and second electrical spring-loaded contacts are arranged parallel to each other and extend in an insertion direction on the connecting housing, and wherein the insertion direction is in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further including an adapter, the connecting housing being a component of the adapter, and the drive device further includes a cable that leads from the adapter to a control unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting housing comprises a control unit housing with therein integrated control unit.