US Patent 11885168 Sliding barrier tracking system

Disclosed herein is a sliding door system including a motor, a driveshaft coupled to the motor, and a coupling mechanism fastened to the sliding door. The coupling mechanism is configured to convert rotation of the driveshaft into linear motion of the sliding door, such that movement of the coupling mechanism is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door. The sliding door system also includes a rotary encoder, a belt mechanically coupled to the coupling mechanism. The belt, as moved by the coupling mechanism, is configured to turn the rotary encoder as the sliding door moves, such that movement of the rotary encoder is directly correlated to movement of the sliding door and not directly correlated to movement of the motor and driveshaft.