The present invention relates generally to a door assembly for a vehicle.
Generally, for vehicle access, two types of doors are provided: hinged doors arranged to pivot about an end of the door, and sliding doors arranged to translate along a guided track. Sliding doors are desirable for certain applications, such as providing greater access in close parking environments like small garages and crowded parking lots.
A typical sliding door assembly involves a channel mounted along the exterior of a vehicle for receiving a slideable door member. However, in some automotive applications use of an exterior channel is not feasible, such as with a pick-up truck, for example, where there is a gap between the cab and the truck bed precluding the use of such a channel.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved sliding door arrangement that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages.
Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a door arranged to be slideably mounted to a vehicle, a guide track attached to the door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member having a vehicle end and a slider end. The connecting member is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and attached to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and slider are also arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a door assembly is provided wherein the guide track, the slider, and the connecting member are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle between an open position and a closed position while keeping the door substantially parallel to a vehicle exterior.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The disclosed arrangement creates a linkage system whereby the rotation of connecting member 30 serves to move the door 20 out, away from the vehicle cab 10, so that it is in position to slide along the guide track as shown in
Referring to
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According to a second exemplary embodiment, the door assembly further comprises additional guide tracks 12, located at the top and bottom of the vehicle door frame 16, and additional connecting members 13 located at the top and bottom of the door 20 to further support vehicle door 20 throughout its motion.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.