Automatic door opener for delivery trucks

An automatic door opener comprising:

• a door opener motor which is operable to open and close a door;
• a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor;
• a drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which selectively opens and closes the door;
• a motor housing supporting the door opener motor;
• and
• a mounting plate, a fastener which attaches the motor housing to the mounting plate to secure the motor housing to the mounting plate to prevent relative motion between the motor housing and the mounting plate after fastening, wherein the fastener allows a fastening position of the motor housing to be varied longitudinally along the mounting plate, wherein the mounting plate defines a longitudinal channel which receives a flange which extends from the motor housing, wherein the longitudinal channel and the flange support the weight of the motor housing independent of the fastener while allowing the motor housing to slide longitudinally along the mounting plate towards and away from the drive mechanism to change a distance between the motor and the drive mechanism.

A method for operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:

• supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising:
• a door opener motor which is operable to open and close the door;
• a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor;
• a mechanical drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which moves the door to selectively open and close the door;
• and
• a clutch which is operated by the motor control computer to selectively disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism;
• the computer operating the door opener to open or close the door in response to a user input to open or close the door;
• and
• the computer automatically disengaging the clutch after a predetermined time period after receiving a signal to open or close the door and in response to the signal to open or close the door to allow the door to move independent of operation of the door opener motor.

A method for operating an automatic door opener to control operation of a door comprising:

• supporting an automatic door opener adjacent a door, the door opener comprising:
• a door opener motor which is operable to open and close the door;
• a motor control computer connected to the door opener motor to operate the door opener motor;
• a mechanical drive mechanism which connects the door opener to the door, the drive mechanism having an input which is driven by the door opener motor and an output which moves the door to selectively open and close the door;
• and
• a clutch which is operated by the motor control computer to selectively disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism;
• the computer maintaining the clutch in a disengaged configuration to disconnect the door opener motor from the drive mechanism and thereby disconnect the door from the door opener motor;
• and
• the computer temporarily engaging the clutch for a predetermined period of time to open or close the door in response to a user signal to operate the door.