A vehicle door device includes a first link mechanism formed of first and second link arms having a first rotary coupling point with respect to a vehicle body and a second rotary coupling point with respect to a door of a vehicle, and a second link mechanism formed of the first and second link arms provided independently of the first and second link arms forming the first link mechanism. First and second doors respectively supported by the first and second link mechanisms open and close independently in different directions based on operations of the first and second link mechanisms. At least one of the first and second link arms forming the first link mechanism and the first and second link arms forming the second link mechanism is provided with a coupling length variable mechanism that allows a coupling length between the first and second rotary coupling points to vary.

A vehicle door device includes a first link mechanism formed of first and second link arms having a first rotary coupling point with respect to a vehicle body and a second rotary coupling point with respect to a door of a vehicle, and a second link mechanism formed of the first and second link arms provided independently of the first and second link arms forming the first link mechanism. First and second doors respectively supported by the first and second link mechanisms open and close independently in different directions based on operations of the first and second link mechanisms. At least one of the first and second link arms forming the first link mechanism and the first and second link arms forming the second link mechanism is provided with a coupling length variable mechanism that allows a coupling length between the first and second rotary coupling points to vary.

A powered actuator for moving a motor vehicle closure panel from a closed position to an open position and method of construction thereof. Powered actuator includes an electric motor configured to rotate a driven shaft and a gearbox coupled to the driven shaft. An extensible member extends through the gearbox to a proximal end on one side of the gearbox for attachment to one of a vehicle body or the closure member and to a distal end on an opposite side of the gearbox. Extensible member is configured to move between retracted and extended positions in response to rotation of the driven shaft. A contamination cover enshrouds the extensible member between the gearbox and the distal end of the extensible member. Contamination cover moves between an axially extended state and an axially retracted state while the extensible member moves between the respective retracted position and the extended position.

A vehicle tailgate with an integrated collapsible door comprises a tailgate having an outer wall, an inner wall and a cavity there between, a door section of the tailgate having an inboard wall and an outboard wall and being moveable between a closed position and an open position substantially within the envelope of the tailgate, the inboard wall and the outboard wall being connected by a linkage to permit relative movement there between, a first track to guide the motion of the inboard wall and a second track to guide the motion of the outboard wall, and a power drive unit to power the motion of the door section, such that in the closed position of the door section the inboard wall is flush with the inner wall of the tailgate and the outboard wall is flush with the outer wall of the tailgate, and in the open position of the door section at least a portion of the inboard wall and at least a portion of the outboard wall lie within the cavity between the outer wall and the inner wall of the tailgate.

A vehicle tailgate with an integrated collapsible door comprises a tailgate having an outer wall, an inner wall and a cavity there between, a door section of the tailgate having an inboard wall and an outboard wall and being moveable between a closed position and an open position substantially within the envelope of the tailgate, the inboard wall and the outboard wall being connected by a linkage to permit relative movement there between, a first track to guide the motion of the inboard wall and a second track to guide the motion of the outboard wall, and a power drive unit to power the motion of the door section, such that in the closed position of the door section the inboard wall is flush with the inner wall of the tailgate and the outboard wall is flush with the outer wall of the tailgate, and in the open position of the door section at least a portion of the inboard wall and at least a portion of the outboard wall lie within the cavity between the outer wall and the inner wall of the tailgate.

A door opening and closing apparatus includes a rail module including: a rail member extending along a front-and-rear direction; a drive device mounted on the rail member; and a supporting member coupled to one end portion of a closing cable the other end portion of which is connected to the drive device and one end portion of an opening cable the other end portion of which is connected to the drive device. The rail module is provided with the drive device fastened to an outside of a vehicle body such that a part of the drive device goes inside the vehicle body through an opening provided on the vehicle body. At least the opening inversion member is provided at an upper portion of the other end portion of the rail member.

A door opening and closing apparatus includes a rail module including: a rail member extending along a front-and-rear direction; a drive device mounted on the rail member; and a supporting member coupled to one end portion of a closing cable the other end portion of which is connected to the drive device and one end portion of an opening cable the other end portion of which is connected to the drive device. The rail module is provided with the drive device fastened to an outside of a vehicle body such that a part of the drive device goes inside the vehicle body through an opening provided on the vehicle body. At least the opening inversion member is provided at an upper portion of the other end portion of the rail member.

A structure for shielding a rail exposed to an outside of a sliding door vehicle includes a rail configured to be mounted in a vehicle, a drive unit movably connected to the rail, and a cover unit having one side connected to the drive unit and configured to be foldable and unfoldable. The cover unit is configured to move to open or close a space in which the rail is positioned.

A structure for shielding a rail exposed to an outside of a sliding door vehicle includes a rail configured to be mounted in a vehicle, a drive unit movably connected to the rail, and a cover unit having one side connected to the drive unit and configured to be foldable and unfoldable. The cover unit is configured to move to open or close a space in which the rail is positioned.

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. A door is positioned on the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A door opener includes a casing, a gear box, a sliding nut movable relative to the gear box, and a finger extending through the gear box. The finger is movable with the sliding nut. The door opener also includes a sensor. The finger extends outside of the casing to contact an inner surface of the door when the door is in the closed position and the door opener is in a zero position. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the door opener from the zero position.