Operator for vehicle side door

An operator for a vehicle side door, the operator comprising:

• a drive unit provided in a storage space between a downward movement locus line of a door glass that is movable in a vertical direction and a metallic inner panel of the side door, such that the drive unit overlaps with the downward movement locus line of the door glass in a width direction of the side door;
• a pinion gear fixed to an output shaft of the drive unit;
• a rack including a rack gear, the rack extending in a fore-and aft direction of the side door and the rack gear being configured to engage with the pinion gear;
• and
• a connecting arm pivotally supported on a vehicle body side bracket fixed to a vehicle body, the connecting arm being connected to a front end of the rack, wherein
• the side door moves in a direction of opening the side door when the rack moves forward by rotation of the pinion gear and the side door moves in a direction of closing the door when the rack moves backward by rotation of the pinion gear.