Independently operating motor vehicle doors with an articulating door interface
A door system is provided for a motor vehicle. That door system includes (a) a first independently operable first, door, (b) an independently operable second door, (c) an articulating door interface carried on the first door and (d) a guide on the motor vehicle body. The guide displaces the articulating door interface between a door sealing position when the first door is closed and a door opening position when the first door is opened. A related method is also provided.
1. A door system for closing a pillarless opening in a motor vehicle body, comprising:
a first door;
a second door;
an articulating door interface carried on said first door;
a guide on said motor vehicle body displacing said articulating door interface between a door sealing position when said first door is closed and a door opening position when said first door is opened; and
a sealing system sealing said first door and said second door with said articulating door interface when said first door and said second door are closed and said articulating door interface is in said door sealing position, wherein said sealing system includes: (i) a first seal carried on said articulating door interface which seals against said first door and said second door when said articulating door interface is in said door sealing position and said first door and said second door are closed; (ii) a second seal; and (iii) a third seal on said first door for sealing around a first included angle of said articulating door interface when said articulating door interface is in said door sealing position and said first door and said second door are closed.
2. The door system of claim 1 , wherein said articulating door interface includes an elongated body having a first pivot connection to said first door at a first end and a second pivot connection to said first door at a second end.
3. The door system of claim 2 , wherein said guide includes a first guide element adjacent a top of said pillarless opening and a second guide element adjacent a bottom of said pillarless opening.
4. The door system of claim 3 , further including a first guide pin carried on said articulating door interface at said first end and a second guide pin carried on said articulating door interface at said second end.
5. The door system of claim 4 , wherein (a) said articulating door interface pivots about a pivot axis defined by said first pivot connection and said second pivot connection and (b) said first guide pin and said second guide pin are offset from said pivot axis.
6. The door system of claim 5 , wherein said first guide element includes a first arcuate slot having a first open end for receiving said first guide pin when said first door is closed.
7. The door system of claim 6 , wherein said second guide element includes a second arcuate slot having a second open end for receiving said second guide pin when said first door is closed.
8. The door system of claim 7 , wherein said articulating door interface is substantially T-shaped in cross section.
9. The door system of claim 1 , wherein said guide includes a first guide element adjacent a top of said pillarless opening and a second guide element adjacent a bottom of said pillarless opening.
10. The door system of claim 1 , wherein said sealing system includes a fourth seal and a fifth seal on said second door for sealing around a second included angle of said articulating door interface where said articulating door interface is in said door sealing position and said first door and said second door are closed.