Patent ID: 8366176

Claim:
A vehicle door open-limiting device comprising: a door supported on a vehicle body to open and close between a closed position and a fully-open position; a motor; a driving-force transmitting unit that rotates with the motor to open and close the door, the driving-force transmitting unit comprising a first reduction gear driven by the motor, a second reduction gear that meshes with the first reduction gear, a pinion that rotates with the second reduction gear, and a third gear that meshes with the pinion; a ratchet that engages with and disengages from the pinion, the ratchet keeping the pinion from turning in a direction for opening the door when the ratchet engages with the pinion, the ratchet also being capable of disengaging from the pinion to permit the pinion to turn in a direction for closing the door; a spring that forces the ratchet to engage with the pinion; and an electric actuator that allows the ratchet to engage with or disengage from the pinion against a force of the spring.