Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a first door and a second door movable from an open position to a closed position. The assembly includes a first anchor supported by the first pillar movable along an axis to an engaged position. The assembly includes a first rod supported by the first door movable along an axis to an engaged position. The assembly includes a second rod supported by the second door movable along the axis to an engaged position. The first anchor is lockingly engaged with the first rod when first anchor is in the engaged position. The first rod is lockingly engaged with the second rod when the first rod is in the engaged position and the first anchor is in the engaged position.

Abstract: An embodiment sliding door mounting reinforcement structure includes a sliding door lower reinforcement configured to be mounted on a side of a vehicle body along a length direction of the vehicle body, the sliding door lower reinforcement including a guide rail mounted therein, the guide rail being configured to guide movement of a sliding door, and a center floor cross unit configured to be mounted in a width direction of the vehicle body, wherein the sliding door lower reinforcement and the center floor cross unit are combined.

Abstract: A sliding door device for a vehicle, includes: a door that opens or closes a door opening formed in a vehicle body; a door arm provided with a first end portion rotatably connected to the door and a second end portion movable along a side sill of the vehicle body; a first slider pivotally coupled to the second end portion of the door arm so that the door arm rotates; a second slider coupled to the first slider to provide a path in which the first slider moves and to linearly move along the side sill; and a lower arm pinion gear which is rotatably coupled to the second end portion of the door arm and gear-engaged with the second slider to provide rotation force to the door arm so that the door arm rotates when the first slider moves in a longitudinal direction of the second slider.

Abstract: A vehicle skeleton structure includes: a first front pillar portion provided at a first side portion of a vehicle body; a second front pillar portion provided at a second side portion of the vehicle body; a front upper cross portion coupled to upper portions of the first and second front pillar portions; a front lower cross portion coupled to lower portions of the first and second front pillar portions; a first rear pillar portion provided at the first side portion along a rear peripheral edge portion of the door opening portion; a second rear pillar portion provided at the second side portion; a rear upper cross portion coupled to upper portions of the first and second rear pillar portions; and a rear lower cross portion coupled to lower portions of the first and second rear pillar portions.

Abstract: A step device for a vehicle includes a movable step and a coupling member. The movable step includes a guide rail. The coupling member is configured to cause the movable step to move from a deployed position to a retracted position as a engaging part comes into sliding contact with a side wall of the guide rail that is located on an inner side in a vehicle width direction and, while pressing the side wall, moves inside the guide rail in a direction of closing a sliding door. The guide rail is configured such that a terminal end region on a closing side including a terminal end position at which the engaging part is located when the sliding door is fully closed constitutes a closing-side free running zone in which the engaging part does not press either of the side walls.

Abstract: Doors on a vehicle may be controlled by a door positioning system that moves the doors freely and fluidly relative to the body of the vehicle. The doors may include front and rear doors on each side of the vehicle. The door positioning system may control the movement and positioning of each door using a door mechanism coupled between the door and the body of the vehicle. The door positioning system may determine a position or path of motion for each door based on sensor data and user input. The door positioning system may issue corresponding control signals to actuators in the door mechanism to position the door accordingly. For example, the front door may slide open at an angle to accommodate an angled tire. Front and rear doors may open in opposite directions to create a large, unobstructed space for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle.

Abstract: A slide door structure includes: a slide door provided to be movable with respect to a vehicle body; and a wire harness routed between the vehicle body and the slide door by allowing an electric wire bundle to pass through a bendable exterior member. The wire harness is connected to the slide door by door-side fixture including an outer member attached to the slide door and an inner member provided on the wire harness and supported by the outer member so as to be rotatable about an axis in an upper-lower direction as a center. In the door-side fixture, the inner member is supported by the outer member so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A vehicle including: a sliding door configured to block an opening provided in a vehicle body when in a closed state, a trajectory of sliding movement of the sliding door overlapping a trajectory of turning of a steered wheel; a steering mechanism configured to turn the steered wheel; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: control the steering mechanism in order to perform autonomous driving, and control the steering mechanism prior to the vehicle stopping so as to adjust a steering angle of the steered wheel, such that the steered wheel moves out of the trajectory of the sliding door in a case in which the steered wheel is within the trajectory of the sliding door during autonomous driving.

Abstract: A link type structure includes a lower rail mounted in a longitudinal direction at a lower side of a vehicle body, a lower rail roller unit rollably connected to the lower rail, a lower rail swing arm rotatably connected to the lower rail roller unit and a door, a first link member having a first end rotatably connected to the door and a second end connected to a link hinge, a second link member having a first end rotatably connected to the lower rail roller unit and a second end connected to the link hinge, and a spring provided on the link hinge. The spring is configured to supply elastic force such that one end of the first link member applies force to the door in a direction toward outside of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for charging a starter battery of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the vehicle has at least one movable opening element and a motor unit, which is coupled to the opening element and is operable in a motor-powered drive mode to drive the opening element and in a generator mode to generate an electrical voltage, said method comprising: detecting the generator mode of the motor unit using the electrical voltage generated by the motor unit, comparing the generated electrical voltage with a specified voltage value, and establishing an electrical connection from the motor unit to the starter battery to charge the starter battery, if the generated electrical voltage is greater than the voltage value.

Abstract: A weather strip structure for vehicle may include a body weather strip mounted on an opening flange and sealing a gap between a vehicle body and the doors; and an upper weather strip mounted on a roof panel and sealing a gap between the roof panel and the vehicle body; a bent portion into which a cowl cross bar is inserted and which is curvedly mounted along the vehicle body at a lateral side of a mounting unit mounted on the vehicle body; a rectilinear portion which rectilinearly connects end portions of the bent portion along the opening flange; and a frame portion which is connected to intersection points between the bent portion and the rectilinear portion and defines a frame of the body weather strip, wherein a hollow space is formed between the rectilinear portion and the bent portion, and the mounting unit is positioned inside the hollow space.

Abstract: An intelligent autonomous electrical vehicle platform assembly provides a mobile platform that comprises a self-motorized, electrical power drive to carry at least one platform container or passenger vehicle while being controlled remotely by an operator, or autonomously driven through artificial intelligence, or operated in a shared transportation system. The mobile platform has a platform chassis having wheels with a hub motor assembly contained therein. The hub motor is powered electrically from a battery charged by an external power source and/or a solar panel. The mobile platform carries a platform container that forms an enclosed area with various themes, including: a cargo transport area, a food and beverage area, a medical assistance area, or a home area having an inhabitant-assigned parking area and utility. The inhabitant of the mobile home receives creature comforts of a home environment, and controls movement, parking, energy, temperature, and payment options for the mobile home.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle door latch device capable of shortening of energization time to an electrical drive source while a moving member is restrained by abutting against a stopper portion and improvement of durability of the electrical drive source. A control unit of the door latch device controls an electric motor for driving a sector gear in a release direction based on a door operation of an operation switch, and controls to stop a power supply to the electric motor when the latch is rotated from the full-latch position to the open position and a full-latch detecting switch is activated while the moving member is brought into abutment with the stopper portion and is stopped.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin and a track assembly. The track assembly is coupled to a portion of the cabin. The track assembly includes a rail assembly. The rail assembly defines an interior aperture. The interior aperture is inaccessible from a top side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side of the rail assembly. The rail assembly defines a first external channel in the first lateral side and a second external channel in the second lateral side. The first and second external channels receive a carriage power conductor and a carriage data conductor, respectively.

Abstract: Provided is an armrest device that can be positioned in an appropriate position suitable for the build of the vehicle occupant. The armrest device (10) comprises an interior member (1) provided on an inboard side of a vehicle door, and an armrest main body (9) supported by the interior member so as to be moveable between an initial position and a projecting position more inboard and forward than the initial position.

Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure includes a battery unit that is disposed below a floor panel, a sliding door that is provided to a side section of a vehicle body, and a lower hinge that is attached to a lower portion of the sliding door, that supports the sliding door with respect to the vehicle body such that the sliding door is capable of sliding in a vehicle front-rear direction, and that is disposed further toward a vehicle upper side than the battery unit.

Abstract: A vehicle having a door slidably mounted on a shell. The vehicle includes at least one assistance device, comprising both a winder carrying a strap and a receptacle, the winder including a brake for braking unwinding of the strap from the winder, one of the winder and receptacle being fastened to the shell and one of the winder and receptacle being fastened to the door, the strap carrying a latchplate suitable for being reversibly attached to the receptacle.

Abstract: A side sill structure can be used with a vehicle mounted with opposite sliding doors. The vehicle includes a lower rail that is mounted at a lower side of a vehicle body in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The side sill structure includes a side sill that includes a side sill inner panel and a side sill outer panel coupled to define an opened cross section. The side sill inner panel is mounted on the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction. The side sill outer panel is coupled to the side sill inner panel to define a hollow portion between the side sill outer panel and the side sill inner panel. The side sill structure also includes a lower rail accommodating unit that is coupled to the side sill.

Abstract: A kit for use in realigning a door connected to a jamb includes a plurality of replacement hinges having different sized gaps formed between the leaves thereof when pivoted to extend in parallel, juxtaposed alignment, including gaps that are narrower and wider than a standard gap of the conventional hinges currently used to hang the door, prior to installation. A zero gap replacement hinge may have no gap between the leaves when in the closed position. The kit may include multiple reduced gap replacement hinges with varying sized gaps and multiple enlarged gap replacement hinges with varying sized gaps. To rehang a sagging door, the top conventional hinge may be replaced with a reduced gap replacement hinge and the bottom conventional hinge may be replaced with an enlarged gap replacement hinge. The reduced gaps and the enlarged gaps of the replacement hinges may be formed using a swaging technique.

Abstract: A sliding door (12) for a vehicle (1) comprises an outer panel (21) defining an outer side surface of the vehicle, and an inner panel (22) joined to the outer panel along an outer periphery thereof, and having a central part spaced from the outer panel (21) on an inboard side of the outer panel. The inner panel includes a first inner wall portion (41, 51) extending forward from a rear edge of the inner panel and having a major plane facing laterally, and a second inner wall portion (42, 52) extending in an inboard direction from a front end of the first inner wall portion and having a major plane facing in a fore and aft direction, and a light emitter (81) or a reflector (91) is affixed to a rear surface of the second inner wall portion so as to irradiate light rearward.

Abstract: A wind deflector arrangement includes a wind deflector configured to reduce air resistance, the wind deflector being arranged on a cab roof of a vehicle, the wind deflector being pivotable around a substantially transversal axis of the vehicle, wherein the wind deflector arrangement further includes at least one air pressure sensor for measuring an air pressure during traveling of the vehicle, wherein the at least one air pressure sensor is arranged within a space formed by the wind deflector and the cab roof of the vehicle. A method for controlling a wind deflector arrangement and a vehicle including such a wind deflector arrangement are also provided.

Abstract: A resin waterproof cover for covering an outside of a motor apparatus is comprising a cylindrical cap, a cap cover, a lead wire guide portion for inverting and leading out a power supply lead wire from inside of a motor case to the outside of the waterproof cover into a U shape, and cap engagement portions. The resin waterproof cover further comprises a first seal portion made of a photo-curable adhesive formed between the outer periphery near the bottom of the motor case, the other end of the cylindrical cap, and an end bracket of a reduction gear structure, a second seal portion made of a photo-curing adhesive formed on the lead wire guide portion, and a third seal portion made of a light curable adhesive formed between the periphery of one end of the cylindrical cap and the cap cover.

Abstract: A wire harness includes: a flexible conductor; a flexible restricting member extending along the conductor and restricting a path of the conductor; a flexible armoring member through which the conductor and the restricting member are inserted; a first holding member including a first recessed part and fixed to the vehicle body, the first recessed part having a first end of the restricting member inserted therein; and a second holding member including a second recessed part and fixed to the movable body, the second recessed part having a second end of the restricting member inserted therein. Respective ends of the armoring member are fixed to the first holding member and the second holding member. The respective ends of the restricting member are held by the first recessed part and the second recessed part.

Abstract: An opening and closing body control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lock device that has a latch mechanism; and a control device that controls an operation of the lock device. The lock device has a rotation member rotating in first and second directions, and the latch mechanism performs close and release operations according to a rotating direction of the rotation member. The control device executes a close control for rotating the rotation member from a neutral position to a first position in the first direction to cause the latch mechanism to perform the close operation. The control device includes a neutral return control portion. The neutral return control portion includes a counter, a neutral return determination portion, and a count holding portion. In a case where the neutral return control is restarted, the count-up of the counter is restarted from the count value at the time of interruption.

Abstract: Provided is an opening/closing apparatus for a vehicle capable of protecting a cable configured to open and close an opening/closing body even when a large external force is applied to the opening/closing body. A cross-sectional shape of a cable holding groove in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of a cable guide is an arc shape configured to be in surface contact with a closing-side cable and an opening-side cable. Accordingly, a pressing force applied to the closing-side cable and the opening-side cable can be dispersed in a wide range of the closing-side cable and the opening-side cable rather than only in one part.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door, including: an outer panel; an inner panel; a module panel to which devices are fixed; a first reinforcement member for reinforcing a sliding-direction end portion of the inner panel; and a fixation part to which the inner panel, the module panel and the first reinforcement member are fixed is provided.

Abstract: A vehicular door assembly that can be opened by both sliding and pivoting movements includes an outer frame portion and an inner door portion. One of the outer frame portion and the inner door portion is slidably mounted on the vehicle, and the other of the outer frame portion and the inner door portion is pivotally mounted on the vehicle. In a first embodiment, the outer frame portion is slidably mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the inner door portion is pivotally mounted on the outer frame portion. In a second embodiment, the outer frame portion is pivotally mounted on the vehicle, and wherein the inner door portion is slidably mounted on the outer frame portion.

Abstract: A vehicle rear viewing device includes an imaging device at a side portion of a vehicle configured to capture images toward a vehicle rear side. The device may also include a display device that has a display screen that displays images captured by the imaging device and a housing disposed at a vehicle front side of a side door glass of a sliding-type door and at a vehicle lower side of a front pillar. The housing may include an outer side portion that has a door handle mounted thereto and that structures a case of the imaging device and that includes an outer side through portion that exposes a lens portion of the imaging device. The housing may also include an inner side portion that structures a case of the display device and includes an inner side through portion that exposes the display screen toward a vehicle inner side.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a requested payload using an autonomous delivery vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a cargo system for use with an autonomous delivery vehicle can include a frame defining a cargo space having an opening. A plurality of partitions can be positioned within the cargo space and configured to divide the cargo space into compartments. In some embodiments, the partitions are movable so that the cargo space can be divided into efficiently-sized compartments based on, for example, size characteristics of the payload. The cargo system can further include an access system configured to selectively define an aperture over the opening of the cargo space. The access system can vary the size and position of the aperture to provide access to only a selected one of the compartments regardless of the size and/or position of the selected compartment.

Abstract: An opening and closing body control apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lock device that has a latch mechanism; and a control device that controls an operation of the lock device. The lock device has a rotation member rotating in first and second directions, and the latch mechanism performs close and release operations according to a rotating direction of the rotation member. The control device executes a close control for rotating the rotation member from a neutral position to a first position in the first direction in order to cause the latch mechanism to perform the close operation. The control device includes a neutral control portion, a vehicle state detection portion, and a restart control portion.

Abstract: A vehicle side portion structure includes a vehicle body side portion in which a door opening portion allowing an occupant to enter or leave a vehicle is formed, the vehicle body side portion being configured to include a center pillar dividing the door opening portion into front and rear portions, a slide door disposed such that the door opening portion is openable and closable, the slide door in a closed state being disposed across the center pillar in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, and an elongated reinforcing member disposed inside the slide door with a longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member directed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and intersecting with the center pillar in side view of the vehicle in the state where the slide door is closed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front fascia having a lower bumper region extending outwardly in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a bottom of a front end assembly. An undercover assembly is located rearward of the front fascia and has an undercover body including a front edge located at the lower bumper region. The undercover assembly includes an undercover reinforcement member that is connected to a surface of the undercover body and extends along a length of the undercover body to increase a stiffness within at least a region of the undercover body.

Abstract: A roller unit includes a base bracket (2) that supports a slide door, a cable holder (11) formed integrally with the base bracket (2) and that holds cable ends (112a and 113a) of cables (112 and 113), and a cable guide (40) detachably installed at the cable holder (11) and that guides the cables (112 and 113), wherein the cable guide (40) is formed to separate the cables (112 and 113) from the base bracket (2), and a load applied to the cable guide (40) by tensile forces of the cables (112 and 113) is received by the cable holder (11) and the base bracket (2).

Abstract: Dual pivoting laterally translating hinges that attach between a stationary first substrate such as a vehicle body, and a rotating second substrate such as a vehicle door, and extend laterally when the second substrate is rotated. In some examples, the hinges include a knuckle and leadscrew mechanism that changes the hinge geometry when the second substrate is rotated, causing the leadscrew to rotate by either a set of gears or a rack and pinion. In some further examples, the hinges include a jackscrew that changes length as the second substrate is rotated, causing the hinge to extent laterally.

Abstract: A door opening and closing device includes a motor that outputs driving force causing a back door of a vehicle to be opened or closed, and a controller that controls the motor. The controller executes automatic opening and closing control for automatically opening or closing the back door by the motor, and if the controller detects a stop command causing the back door to be stopped when the automatic opening and closing control is being executed, the controller decreases a target velocity of the back door at a predetermined deceleration ?1 until the back door stops.

Abstract: A vehicle door opening and closing apparatus includes: a closing latch mechanism having a first latch and a first ratchet; an opening latch mechanism having a second latch and a second ratchet; a release electric mechanism configured to operate the first ratchet to a released position; an opening latch interlocking mechanism configured to operate in a cancel direction from an initial position in association with movement of the second latch from the unlatched position to the latched position; a relay mechanism configured to enable returning of the first ratchet stopped at the released position by switching over from a connected state to a disconnected state; and a cable that is routed through inside of a door trim and that transmits the operation of the opening latch interlocking mechanism in the cancel direction to the relay mechanism.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for window short drop for a vehicle with an electronic latch. An example door of a vehicle includes a door control unit communicatively coupled to an electronic latch. The electronic latch, in response to detecting a user touching an exterior handle, requests authorization from the vehicle. In response to receiving authorization, the electronic latch sends a request to the door control unit to lower a window of the door. Additionally, in response to receiving a confirmation from the door control unit, the electronic latch unlatches the door.

Abstract: Provided is a guide roller for a vehicular slide door. The guide roller has an annular metal inner ring; a retainer holding a bearing; an annular metal outer ring and a sliding layer including a synthetic resin. When the sliding layer is sectionalized into a sliding surface side area, an intermediate area and an interface side area, from the sliding surface to an interface with the outer ring, the synthetic resins in the sliding surface side area, the intermediate area and the interface side area have, respectively, a degree of crystallizations X1, X2 and X3 and nanoindenter hardnesses Y1, Y2 and Y3 wherein X2?X1 is less than 5%, and X2?X3 is less than 5% and wherein Y2 is not less than 115% of Y1, and Y2 is not less than 115% of Y3.

Abstract: An opposed opening and closing type door structure of a vehicle is provided. The opposed opening and closing type door structure includes a front door and a rear door that are rotatably disposed in the vehicle to be oppositely opened and closed. A center pillar is rotatably disposed in the rear door and an active striker is disposed in the front door. A latch locked with or released from the active striker and is disposed in the center pillar. Accordingly, the weight of the vehicle and the number of parts of the vehicle is reduced and the front door and the rear door are independently opened and closed.

Abstract: A sliding door structure in which a position where a door side end-section of a vehicle body rail support member is coupled to a door main body being further to a door closing direction side than a center-of-gravity position of a door, and a position of a door side end-section of a door rail support member in a fully open state being further to a door closing direction side than the center-of-gravity position of the door and further to a door opening direction side than a position where the door side end-section of the vehicle body rail support member is coupled to the door main body, and that further includes: an inclination suppressing wall provided at a vehicle body and configured so as to be abutted, from a vehicle lower side, by a reaction force generating section at least in the fully open state.

Abstract: A deflector arrangement for a tractor is provided, the tractor being connectable to a trailer that forms an aerodynamic drag source. The deflector arrangement includes a deflector, a mount for connecting the deflector to the tractor, an arrangement for selectively deploying and retracting the deflector relative to the tractor, a sensor arranged to sense that the trailer that forms the aerodynamic drag force is attached to the tractor and send a loaded signal in response thereto, and a controller arranged to receive the loaded signal from the sensor and to control the selectively deploying and retracting arrangement to deploy the deflector in response to the loaded signal.

Abstract: A belly pan is provided for a motor vehicle. The belly pan includes a body having at least one stiffener with a forwardmost zone of peak section force F1, an intermediate zone of peak section force F2 and a rearwardmost zone of peak section force F3 where F1<F2<F3. Advantageously, the belly pan functions to provide pedestrian protection while simultaneously limiting vehicle damage resulting from a low-speed collision.

Abstract: A door operation apparatus for a vehicle is provided to open or shut a door at a speed corresponding to a user's force or information selected by the user. In particular, the door operating apparatus installed in a body to open and shut an internal room of the body includes: a power member connected to the door for applying a moving force to the door; a detector for detecting a force applied by the user to the door; a controller for determining an open and shut speed corresponding to the detected force and controlling the power member to be driven to open and shut the door at the determined open and shut speed; and a driver for driving the power member based on a command from the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle sliding door assembly includes a rail that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a hard stop spaced apart from the rail in a vehicle vertical direction, a slide assembly including a follower member that is slidably engaged with the rail, and a closing member pivotally coupled to the follower member, where the closing member is repositionable between an open position, in which the closing member is spaced apart from the hard stop in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a closed position, in which the closing member contacts the hard stop.

Abstract: A vehicle door opening device opens and closes a door with a motor. In the vehicle door opening device, an opening reversible member on which an opening cable is wound is disposed on a top surface of a center guide rail, and a closing reversible member on which a closing cable is wound is disposed under a lower surface of the center guide rail. A moving member moves along the center guide rail and comprises a closing coupling portion to which the closing cable is coupled and an opening coupling portion to which the opening cable coupled. The closing cable moves along the lower surface of the center guide rail, and the opening cable moves along the top surface of the center guide rail.

Abstract: A tension applying apparatus includes a tension applying member applying a tensile force to a drive cable by being pressed against the drive cable, a biasing member generating a biasing force for pressing the tension applying member against the drive cable, a holding member including a guide portion which restricts a moving direction of the tension applying member and a housing member housing the tension applying member and the holding member. The holding member is configured to change the moving direction of the tension applying member which is guided by the guide portion in a state where the holding member including a rotation shaft is housed within the housing member. The housing member includes a holding structure holding the holding member at a position to which the holding member rotates in a direction where a pressing angle of the tension applying member relative to the drive cable becomes shallow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an information processing method and an information processing system. The information processing method is used for controlling a vehicle door, which includes: detecting an action of a vehicle door controlled by an user and feedbacking the action to a processing module through a detecting module; transmitting a control command to a control module according to the detected action through the processing module; and performing the control command to select at least one vehicle door from all vehicle doors and operate the selected vehicle door through the control module. In the technique scheme of the present disclosure, the processing module transmits the control command to the control module according to the detected action; the control module performs the control command to select at least one vehicle door from all vehicle doors and operate the selected vehicle door, thereby increasing the convenience of operating the vehicle door.

Abstract: A ring gear (82) of a planetary gear speed reducer (80) is fixed to a casing (31) provided with a core metal (31) fixed to a vehicle panel via a rubber damper (92). Therefore, the driving unit can be reduced in size through adoption of a speed reducer (80) formed of gears (82) made of spur gears, and the rubber dumper (92) can suppress low frequency vibrations which are transmitted from the speed reducer (80) to the vehicle panel. Therefore, the vehicle body of the vehicle having a low characteristic frequency is prevented from resonating with the incoming low frequency vibrations to generate noises which are transmitted to the vehicle interior, and which give an occupant an unpleasant feeling.

Abstract: A sliding window for a vehicle includes: a sliding panel with an electrical equipment, which is attached to a vehicle body in a slidable manner; a guide rail which is integrated with the vehicle body and extending in the slide direction of the sliding panel; and a sliding bracket which integrally includes a sliding portion coupled to the guide rail in a slidable manner and a fixed portion fixed to the sliding panel. Then, an electrical power supply cord is disposed along the guide rail to be extended and contracted in one direction, and the electrical power supply cord supplies electric power to the electrical equipment of the sliding panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hand-free opening and/or closing of a vehicle door. The method includes the steps of detecting when an authorized person is in the vicinity of a vehicle door, opening that vehicle door after the authorized person has been in the vicinity of the vehicle door for a least a first time interval, the opening being performed automatically and without action by the authorized person, and providing a perceptible warning of impending opening of the vehicle door, the warning being provided after the authorized person has been detected in the vicinity of the vehicle door and before the vehicle door is opened. An analogous door closing process is performed when the authorized person leaves the vicinity of the vehicle door.