초록 ▼

A sliding door system for a motor vehicle, including a door that is configured to be disposed within a door opening that is formed in the vehicle body, a trim panel connected to the door, and an opening formed through the trim panel. A hinge arm extends through the opening in the trim panel and has

A sliding door system for a motor vehicle, including a door that is configured to be disposed within a door opening that is formed in the vehicle body, a trim panel connected to the door, and an opening formed through the trim panel. A hinge arm extends through the opening in the trim panel and has a first end connected to the vehicle body and a second end slidably connected to the door for movement of the door between a closed position and an open position. A closure panel is moveable between a deployed position, wherein the closure panel obstructs at least a portion of the opening in the trim panel, and a stowed position, wherein the closure panel does not obstruct the opening in the trim panel.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A sliding door system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle body having a door opening formed therein, the sliding door system comprising: a door configured to be disposed within the door opening; a trim panel connected to the door; an opening formed through the trim

What is claimed is: 1. A sliding door system for a vehicle, the vehicle including a vehicle body having a door opening formed therein, the sliding door system comprising: a door configured to be disposed within the door opening; a trim panel connected to the door; an opening formed through the trim panel, the opening having a front end and a rear end; a hinge arm that extends through the opening in the trim panel, the hinge arm having a first end connected to the vehicle body and a second end slidably connected to the door for movement of the door between a closed position, wherein the hinge arm extends through the opening near the rear end thereof, and an open position, wherein the hinge arm extends through the opening near the front end thereof; and a closure panel moveable between a deployed position, wherein the closure panel obstructs at least a portion of the opening in the trim panel, and a stowed position, wherein the closure panel does not obstruct the opening in the trim panel. 2. The sliding door system of claim 1, wherein the closure panel engages the trim panel adjacent to the opening in the trim panel when the closure panel is in the deployed position. 3. The sliding door system of claim 2, wherein the closure panel extends from the hinge arm to a front end of the opening when the closure panel is in the deployed position. 4. The sliding door system of claim 1, wherein the closure panel is transversely spaced from the trim panel when the closure panel is in the stowed position. 5. The sliding door system of claim 1, wherein the door is restrained against moving from the closed position to the open position while the closure panel is in the deployed position. 6. The sliding door system of claim 1, further comprising: a linkage for connecting the closure panel to the door, wherein the linkage is configured to move the closure panel from the deployed position to the stowed position in response to engagement of the hinge arm with the closure panel during movement of the door from the closed position to the open position. 7. The sliding door system of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator for moving the closure panel from the deployed position to the stowed position prior to movement of the door from the open position to the closed position. 8. The sliding door system of claim 1, further comprising: a cavity defined between the door and the trim panel, wherein the opening in the trim panel is in communication with the cavity and the closure panel is configured to block visibility of the cavity from within the vehicle body when the door is in the closed position. 9. The sliding door system of claim 1, further comprising: a cavity defined between the door and the trim panel, wherein the second end of the hinge arm is disposed within the cavity. 10. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body having a door opening formed therein; a door configured to be disposed within the door opening; a body track formed on the vehicle body below the door opening; a support arm connected to the door and slidably engageable with the body track; a plurality of door tracks connected to an interior surface of the door; a carriage slidably connected to the door tracks for movement between a front end of the door tracks and a rear end of the door tracks; a trim panel connected to the interior surface of the door, wherein the door tracks and the carriage are disposed between said trim panel and the door; an opening formed through the trim panel adjacent to the door tracks; a hinge arm that extends through the opening in the trim panel, the hinge arm having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle body and a second end pivotally connected to the carriage, wherein the carriage, the door tracks, and the hinge aim cooperate to move the door from a closed position, wherein the door is disposed within the door opening and the carriage is disposed at the rear end of the door tracks, and an open position, wherein the door is not disposed within the door opening and the carriage is disposed at the front end of the door tracks; and a closure panel configured to block visibility of the door tracks from within the vehicle body when the door is in the closed position, the closure panel moveable between a deployed position, wherein the closure panel engages the trim panel adjacent to the opening to thereby occupy at least a portion of the opening in the trim panel, and a stowed position, wherein the closure panel does not occupy the opening in the trim panel. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising: the opening having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein a first track of the plurality of door tracks is disposed above the upper edge of the opening and a second track of the plurality of door tracks is disposed below the lower edge of the opening. 12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the closure panel has a height greater than the distance from the upper edge of the opening to the lower edge of the opening. 13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the closure panel engages the trim panel adjacent to the opening in the trim panel when the closure panel is in the deployed position. 14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the closure panel is disposed between the carriage and the door when the closure panel is in the stowed position and the closure panel is disposed between the interior surface of the door and the carriage when the closure panel is in the deployed position. 15. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the closure panel extends from the hinge arm to a front end of the opening when the door is in the closed position. 16. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the closure panel is transversely spaced from the trim panel when the closure panel is in the stowed position. 17. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the door is restrained against moving from the closed position to the open position while the closure panel is in the deployed position. 18. A method for opening and closing a vehicle door, comprising: providing a door having a track disposed on an interior surface thereof and a carriage slidably connected to the track; concealing the track using a closure panel when the door is in a closed position, wherein the closure panel is in a deployed position when the door is in the closed position; revealing the track by moving the closure panel to a stowed position; moving the door to an open position by sliding the carriage with respect to the track after revealing the track, wherein the closure panel is prevented from moving from the stowed position to the deployed position while the door is in the open position; and moving the door to the closed position from the open position, wherein the closure panel returns to the deployed position to conceal the track.