Wide opening vehicle door with easy-reach feature

摘要

A method of operating a door return device for a vehicle door having a travel path including an easy-reach position and a fully open position. A housing is coupled to one of the door or the door frame and has a chamber containing a working fluid. A link is coupled to the other one of the door or the door frame and is movable into and out of the housing in response to travel of the door. An end-damping piston slides in the chamber and includes a fluid passage between opposite sides. A return spring is disposed between the end-damping piston and one longitudinal end of the chamber. When the return spring is substantially unloaded then the end-damping piston is positioned relative to the one longitudinal end such that the door is away from the fully open position at least as far as the easy-reach position.