Abstract: A four bar linkage is configured in non parallelogram form as a hinge for pivotally guiding a closure panel in a predetermined opening motion between a closed position closing an access opening and a fully open position longitudinally adjacent one side edge of the opening and generally parallel with a side of a vehicle or compartment body. In the opening motion, one edge of the panel first moves outward to clear a structural body member at one edge of the opening and another edge of the panel first rotates and moves longitudinally away from the opposite side of the opening as the panel pivots outward and then inward to the fully open position. The closure panel may be paired with a conventionally hinged front door of a vehicle to allow both the door and the panel to be independently opened or closed regardless of the position of the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing kinematic analysis of linkages using generalized mechanisms selected from a catalog of mechanisms. From an initial selection of mechanisms, the one most closely matching a desired behavior is chosen and an optimization procedure is conducted. The method may be preceded by a qualitative kinematic analysis or the qualitative analysis may be used in lieu of a catalog selection. An improved optimization technique and a closed form kinematic analysis method is described.