US Patent 11085224 Vehicle door actuator assembly

A vehicle door actuator assembly includes a base plate having a first portion and a second portion, a first gear disposed proximate the first portion of the base plate, a second gear disposed proximate the second portion of the base plate, a third gear connected to the base plate, and a linkage engaging the first, second, and third gears. The base plate of the vehicle door actuator assembly is rotatable between a first position and a second position. As the base plate rotates between the first and second positions, the vehicle door actuator assembly maintains an outer surface of the vehicle door substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle at all points along a travel path of the vehicle door.