Source: {"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"}

The present invention relates to a vehicle door open-limiting device in which a door can be held at any open angle.
If a swinging door of a vehicle is carelessly opened nearly to a fully-open position close to another vehicle or a wall, not only the door but also the other is likely to be damaged by hitting the other. A liftgate of a vehicle is likely to hit the ceiling. To prevent such accident, a device for preventing the door from opening all the way is proposed.
In JP3461986B2, a locking device for preventing a door from opening comprises a rack which moves with opening of the door; a pinion which engages with the rack; a ratchet elastically fixed to the pinion; a locking member which engages with and disengages from the ratchet for locking and unlocking respectively; and a solenoid for actuating the locking member.
The locking device comprises a lot of elements such as the locking member, rack and pinion for keeping the door from opening, so that the structure is complicated and becomes larger.