Modified door operation for a motorized vehicle

A door opening assembly for moving a vehicle door of a motorized vehicle between an open position and a closed position, comprising:

• a first assembly comprising:
• a frame member configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle;
• a link operably coupled to the frame member;
• a link arm comprising a pin, the link arm pivotally coupled about the link;
• a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the frame member;
• and
• a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the door and the pivot arm, the pivot bracket further defining a slot having a first end and a second end;
• wherein, as the door moves between its open and closed positions, the pin moves within the slot between the first end and the second end;
• a second assembly comprising:
• a gear rack comprising a plurality of teeth, the gear rack including a first end and a second end;
• a gear operably coupled to the gear rack, the gear operably driven by a motor between the first and second ends of the gear rack as the door moves between its open and closed positions;
• a guide track configured to be coupled to the body of the vehicle;
• and
• a plurality of rollers rotatably driven along the guide track as the door moves between its open and closed positions;
• and
• a control system for operably controlling the motor, the control system including a controller;
• wherein, the controller is configured to receive a communication from a user control to operably drive the motor to move the door from its open and closed positions.

A method of controlling movement of a vehicle door from a closed position to an open position, the vehicle door being operably coupled to a body of a motorized vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing the vehicle door with a door opening assembly comprising a frame member coupled to the body of the vehicle, a link, a link arm including a pin, a pivot arm, a pivot bracket having a slot, a gear rack, a gear, a motor, a guide track, a plurality of rollers, and a controller, wherein the link arm is pivotally coupled about the link;
• in the closed position, positioning the pin at a first end of the slot, the gear at a first end of the gear rack, and the plurality of rollers at a first end of the guide track;
• releasing a latch of the door from the body of the motorized vehicle;
• driving the motor by the controller to pivot the door from the closed position to a partially open position, where in the partially open position the gear is at an intermediate position and the pin is located between the first end and a second end of the slot;
• and
• driving the motor by the controller from the partially open position to the open position, where in the open position the gear is at a second end of the gear rack, the pin is at the second end of the slot, and the plurality of rollers are located at a second end of the guide track.