A sliding door mechanism includes a track that is fixed in position relative to a door opening, a post fixed in position relative to the track, and a member that is moveable longitudinally with respect to the track, the member being configured to be guided by the track. The mechanism further includes an arm mounted to the member, the arm rotatable about a vertical axis and configured to be pivotably attached to the sliding door. The arm defines a slot that is configured to receive the post as the door is moved from an open position toward a closed position such that the post urges the arm to rotate relative to the carriage such that the arm transmits a force to the door to urge the door to move laterally into the door opening.

A door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly includes a door frame, a door panel, a rotating strut, and a linear door guide. The door opens and closes through a combination of rotating and sliding motion, which minimizes the required operational footprint. The strut is mounted on the door panel such that the strut is hidden from view when the door is in an open position.

A structure includes a lower rail mounted to a lower portion of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof. A lower-rail roller part is rollably connected to the lower rail. A lower-rail swing arm is rotatably connected to the lower-rail roller part and the door. A lower guide rail is mounted to the door and defines a lower guide path in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A lifter has a first end that comes into contact with the lower guide path, and a second end that is fixed to the vehicle body, and applies a force in a direction of pushing the lower guide rail. An upper guide rail is mounted to an upper portion of the vehicle body. An upper-guide roller part is mounted to the door to be seated in the upper guide rail.

A structure includes a lower rail mounted to a lower portion of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof. A lower-rail roller part is rollably connected to the lower rail. A lower-rail swing arm is rotatably connected to the lower-rail roller part and the door. A lower guide rail is mounted to the door and defines a lower guide path in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A lifter has a first end that comes into contact with the lower guide path, and a second end that is fixed to the vehicle body, and applies a force in a direction of pushing the lower guide rail. An upper guide rail is mounted to an upper portion of the vehicle body. An upper-guide roller part is mounted to the door to be seated in the upper guide rail.

A roof system for a vehicle, comprises a movable roof panel for a roof opening. Stationary guide rails slidably guide an operating mechanism that operates the panel. The operating mechanism comprises a first device for moving the panel rear edge towards a raised position and a second device including a lever for moving the panel front edge in a vertical direction. A guiding slide is driven to move the panel both vertically and horizontally through the first and second devices. The lever comprises a first pivotal connection to the panel, and, remote from that spaced second and third connections. The third connection connects the lever to the guiding slide. A fourth connection on the lever is arranged near the third connection and connects the lever to the guiding slide when the third connection is disconnected from the guiding slide during a movement of the front edge of the panel upwardly.

A roof system for a vehicle, comprises a movable roof panel for a roof opening. Stationary guide rails slidably guide an operating mechanism that operates the panel. The operating mechanism comprises a first device for moving the panel rear edge towards a raised position and a second device including a lever for moving the panel front edge in a vertical direction. A guiding slide is driven to move the panel both vertically and horizontally through the first and second devices. The lever comprises a first pivotal connection to the panel, and, remote from that spaced second and third connections. The third connection connects the lever to the guiding slide. A fourth connection on the lever is arranged near the third connection and connects the lever to the guiding slide when the third connection is disconnected from the guiding slide during a movement of the front edge of the panel upwardly.

A door opening assembly is provided for moving a door of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle, a link is coupled to the frame member, and a link arm pivotally coupled to the link. A pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame member and a pivot bracket is pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm. The pivot bracket includes a slot such that a pin on the link arm slides therethrough. The assembly includes a gear rack and a gear operably coupled to the gear rack. The gear is driven by a motor as the door moves between its open and closed positions. The assembly further includes a guide track coupled to the vehicle and a roller rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions.

A door opening assembly is provided for moving a door of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle, a link is coupled to the frame member, and a link arm pivotally coupled to the link. A pivot arm is pivotally coupled to the frame member and a pivot bracket is pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm. The pivot bracket includes a slot such that a pin on the link arm slides therethrough. The assembly includes a gear rack and a gear operably coupled to the gear rack. The gear is driven by a motor as the door moves between its open and closed positions. The assembly further includes a guide track coupled to the vehicle and a roller rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions.

A door drive assembly including: a drive arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the drive arm and configured to rotate the drive arm between an open position and a closed position. The door drive assembly also includes a control arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a race configured to be disposed between the body and the first end of the control arm where the first end of control arm is configured to translate by a first distance along the race as the drive arm rotates between the open and closed positions.

A door drive assembly including: a drive arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the drive arm and configured to rotate the drive arm between an open position and a closed position. The door drive assembly also includes a control arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a race configured to be disposed between the body and the first end of the control arm where the first end of control arm is configured to translate by a first distance along the race as the drive arm rotates between the open and closed positions.