Patent Publication Number: US-2021170839-A1

Title: Vehicle Door Opening and Closing Apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0160949, filed on Dec. 5, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles have door apertures for ingress and egress of vehicle passengers into and out of a passenger compartment in the vehicle. A vehicle door is closed to block the door aperture and is opened to enable ingress and egress of passengers into and out of the passenger compartment through the door aperture. Vehicle doors are divided into swing doors and sliding doors. The swing door is opened and closed by swinging around a hinge mounted between the swing door and the vehicle body. The sliding door is opened and closed by sliding a roller mounted on the sliding door along a rail mounted on the vehicle body. 
     The swing door is very easy to open and close, thereby enabling quick ingress and egress of passengers. However, when the swing door is opened, a space for ingress and egress is relatively small. When the vehicle is located in a narrow space, a swing trajectory of the door is not secured, which makes the opening and closing operation thereof difficult. 
     The sliding door is very easy to open and close even when the vehicle is located in a narrow space. When the sliding door is opened, a space for ingress and egress is relatively large. However, the sliding door requires relatively more force and time to open and close, which hinders quick ingress and egress of passengers. 
     According to the related art, as a vehicle door is operated by a single opening and closing method, it may be difficult to adequately respond to the needs of customers seeking ease of use, diversity, and novelty. 
     The above information described in this background section is provided to assist in understanding the background of the inventive concept, and may include any technical concept which is not considered as the prior art that is already known to those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact. 
     The present disclosure relates to a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus. Particular embodiments relate to a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus allowing a vehicle door to open and close in one mode selected from a swing mode and a sliding mode. Further embodiments relate to a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus in which an outside handle is allowed to operate in two motions to enable easy selection of a swing mode and a sliding mode. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus allowing a vehicle door to open and close in one mode selected from a swing mode and a sliding mode, thereby satisfying the needs of customers. In particular, an outside handle is allowed to operate in different motions, thereby enabling easy selection of a swing mode and a sliding mode. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus may include a vehicle door having a main latch releasably engaging with a main striker mounted on a vehicle body, a rail mounted on the vehicle body, a roller unit mounted on the vehicle door, and allowing the vehicle door to open and close in one mode selected from a sliding mode, in which the vehicle door slides along the rail, and a swing mode, in which the vehicle door swings in a predetermined position of the rail, and an outside handle operatively connected to the main latch, and including a handle base mounted on the vehicle door and a handle grip movably mounted on the handle base. The handle grip may be slidable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and be pivotal in a transverse direction of the vehicle. As the handle grip slides, the sliding mode may be selected, and as the handle grip pivots, the swing mode may be selected. 
     The handle grip may include a first grip body, a second grip body mounted on a first end portion of the first grip body, and a third grip body mounted on a second end portion of the first grip body. The first grip body may be slidable with respect to the handle base in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and be pivotal with respect to the handle base in the transverse direction of the vehicle. 
     The first grip body may be slidable with respect to the second grip body and the third grip body. 
     The second grip body and the third grip body may be pivotally mounted in the handle base. 
     The second grip body may have a pair of pivot projections, and the second grip body may be pivotally mounted in the handle base through the pair of pivot projections. 
     The first grip body may return to its original position by a return spring, and the return spring may be disposed between the first grip body and the second grip body. 
     The third grip body may have a first handle lever operatively connected to the main latch. 
     A main lever may be rotatably mounted on the handle base. The main lever may be connected to the main latch through a latch rod, and the first handle lever may be operatively connected to the main lever. 
     The first handle lever may extend from the third grip body toward the main latch, and an axis of the first handle lever may be orthogonal to an axis of the third grip body. 
     The outside handle may further include a second handle lever rotatably mounted on the handle base through a hinge pin. The second handle lever may transmit a force applied by the first grip body to the main lever when the first grip body slides. 
     The second handle lever may have a first extension portion operatively connected to the second end portion of the first grip body, and a second extension portion operatively connected to the main lever, the hinge pin may be located in a portion in which the first extension portion and the second extension portion are connected, and the second handle lever may rotate as the first grip body slides. 
     The first extension portion may have a contact projection contacting the second end portion of the first grip body. 
     An axis of the first extension portion may be orthogonal to an axis of the first grip body. 
     An axis of the second extension portion may be orthogonal to an axis of the first extension portion. 
     The roller unit may have a rotation axis and include a hold lock, and the roller unit may be releasably held in the predetermined position of the rail by the hold lock. The vehicle door may swing around the rotation axis when the roller unit is held in the predetermined position of the rail by the hold lock, and the vehicle door may slide along the rail when the roller unit is released by the hold lock. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is mounted on a rear door of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a main latch, an actuator connected to an outside handle of a vehicle, and hold locks; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a state in which the door of  FIG. 1  is opened in a sliding mode; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a state in which the door of  FIG. 1  is opened in a swing mode; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an operation in which an upper roller unit and a lower roller unit move along an upper rail and a lower rail in a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an upper roller unit and a lower roller unit in a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an operation in which a vehicle door is opened and closed in a swing mode by an upper roller unit and a lower roller unit of a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an upper roller unit and a lower roller unit in a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an operation in which a vehicle door is opened and closed in a swing mode by an upper roller unit and a lower roller unit of a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a perspective view of an upper hold lock and a lower hold lock; 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a state in which an upper hold lock and a lower hold lock hold corresponding strikers; 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates a state in which an upper hold lock and a lower hold lock release corresponding strikers; 
         FIG. 10D  illustrates a state in which an upper hold lock and a lower hold lock are enabled to receive corresponding strikers; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a main latch mounted on a vehicle door and a main striker; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a center rail in a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a swing guide of a center rail; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sliding guide of a center rail; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a structure in which a center roller unit is held in a swing guide of a center rail; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an operation in which a center roller unit is released from a swing guide of a center rail; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of an outside handle and a main latch in a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of a handle grip of the outside handle illustrated in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a first grip body and a second grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a guide structure between the first grip body and the second grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a guide structure between the first grip body and a third grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of a handle grip and a main lever according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a perspective view of a structure in which a first grip body and a second grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 22  are connected to the main lever; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a view, which is viewed from a direction indicated by arrow A of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a perspective view of an operation in which the main lever rotates when the first grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 23  slides; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view of an operation in which the main lever rotates when the first grip body of the handle grip illustrated in  FIG. 23  pivots; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied to a front door of a vehicle, in a state in which the front door is opened in a sliding mode; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a state in which the front door of  FIG. 27  is opened in a swing mode; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which is applied to a front door and a rear door of a vehicle, in a state in which the front door and the rear door are opened in a sliding mode; and 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a state in which the front door and the rear door of  FIG. 29  are opened in a swing mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or equivalent elements. In addition, a detailed description of well-known techniques associated with the present disclosure will be omitted in order not to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure. 
     Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe the elements in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and the intrinsic features, sequence or order, and the like of the corresponding elements are not limited by the terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the field of art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted as having meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined as having such in the present application. 
     A vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may allow a vehicle door to open and close selectively in any one mode of a sliding mode and a swing mode. In other words, the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may be a transform-type door opening and closing apparatus. The sliding mode may allow the vehicle door to open and close by sliding in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and the swing mode may allow the vehicle door to open and close by swinging inwards and outwards. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle body  1  may have a plurality of door apertures  2  and  3 , and the plurality of door apertures  2  and  3  may be divided into a front aperture  2  and a rear aperture  3 . A plurality of vehicle doors  4  and  5  may include a front door  4  covering and uncovering the front aperture  2 , and a rear door  5  covering and uncovering the rear aperture  3 . As the front door  4  is opened, the front door  4  may uncover the front aperture  2 , and as the front door  4  is closed, the front door  4  may cover the front aperture  2 . As the rear door  5  is opened, the rear door  5  may uncover the rear aperture  3 , and as the rear door  5  is closed, the rear door  5  may cover the rear aperture  3 . 
     The vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may be applied to the front door  4 , the rear door  5 , and the like.  FIGS. 1 to 16  illustrate a vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which is applied to the rear door  5 . Hereinafter, the rear door  5  will be referred to as the vehicle door  5 , and the rear aperture  3  will be referred to as the door aperture  3 . 
     The vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may include one or more rails  11  and  12  mounted on the vehicle body  1 , and the rails  11  and  12  may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an upper rail  11  may be mounted on an upper edge of the vehicle body  1 , and a lower rail  12  may be mounted on a lower edge of the vehicle body  1 . The upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12  may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper rail  11  may be disposed on an upper edge of the door aperture  3 , and the lower rail  12  may be disposed on a lower edge of the door aperture  3 . 
     The vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may include roller units  21  and  22  guided along the rails  11  and  12 . The roller units  21  and  22  may allow the vehicle door  5  to open and close in one mode selected from the sliding mode and the swing mode. In particular, the roller units  21  and  22  may be releasably held in predetermined positions of the rails  11  and  12  by hold locks  31  and  32 . Specifically, when the roller units  21  and  22  are held in the predetermined positions of the rails  11  and  12  by the hold locks  31  and  32 , the vehicle door  5  may be opened and closed in the swing mode in which the vehicle door swings in the predetermined positions of the rails  11  and  12 . When the roller units  21  and  22  are released by the hold locks  31  and  32 , the vehicle door  5  may be opened and closed in the sliding mode in which the vehicle door slides along the rails  11  and  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an upper roller unit  21  may be mounted on an upper end of the vehicle door  5 , and the upper roller unit  21  may slide along the upper rail  11 . A lower roller unit  22  may be mounted on a lower end of the vehicle door  5 , and the lower roller unit  22  may slide along the lower rail  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vehicle door  5  may include an outside handle  6 , and the outside handle  6  may operate in different directions. Referring to  FIG. 17 , the outside handle  6  may include a handle base  110  mounted on the vehicle door  5 , and a handle grip  120  movable with respect to the handle base  110 . The handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  may be slidably moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see direction S in  FIG. 2 ), and be pivotally moved in a transverse direction of the vehicle (see direction P in  FIG. 2 ). The outside handle  6  may be operatively connected to a main latch  80 . As the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  slides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or pivots in the transverse direction of the vehicle in a state in which the vehicle door  5  is closed, the main latch  80  may release a main striker  81  such that the main latch  80  may be unlocked. 
     When a user pushes the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  toward the front of the vehicle or pushes the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  toward the rear of the vehicle, the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  may slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see direction S in  FIG. 2 ), and thus the sliding mode may be selected. In the sliding mode, the vehicle door  5  may slide along the upper rail  11 , the lower rail  12 , and a center rail  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the sliding mode, the vehicle door  5  may move between a first open position OP 1  and a first closed position CP 1 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The first open position OP 1  refers to a position in which the vehicle door  5  is fully opened, and the first closed position CP 1  refers to a position in which the vehicle door  5  is fully closed. 
     When the user pulls the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  toward the exterior side of the vehicle or pushes the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  toward a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  may pivot in the transverse direction of the vehicle (see direction P in  FIG. 2 ), and thus the swing mode may be selected. In the swing mode, the vehicle door  5  may swing as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In the swing mode, the vehicle door  5  may move between a second open position OP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is fully opened and a second closed position CP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is fully closed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . In particular, when the vehicle door  5  is held in the first closed position CP 1 , it may be operated in the swing mode. 
     The upper roller unit  21  may have an upper hold lock  31 , and the vehicle body  1  may have a first upper striker  31   a  and a second upper striker  31   b  protruding downwardly from a roof of the vehicle body  1 . The first upper striker  31   a  may be aligned with or adjacent to a virtual axis of the first closed position CP 1 , and the second upper striker  31   b  may be aligned with or adjacent to a virtual axis of the first open position OP 1 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the upper hold lock  31  may releasably hold the first upper striker  31   a  in the first closed position CP 1 , and releasably hold the second upper striker  31   b  in the first open position OP 1 . That is, one upper hold lock  31  may selectively hold the first upper striker  31   a  and the second upper striker  31   b.  As the upper hold lock  31  holds the first upper striker  31   a,  the upper roller unit  21  may be firmly held in the first closed position CP 1 , so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first closed position CP 1 . As the upper hold lock  31  holds the second upper striker  31   b,  the upper roller unit  21  may be firmly held in the first open position OP 1 , so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first open position OP 1 . 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the upper hold lock  31  may releasably hold the first upper striker  31   a  in the first closed position CP 1  so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first closed position CP 1 . That is, the upper hold lock  31  may be an upper closed hold lock which keeps the closed state of the vehicle door  5  in the first closed position CP 1 . An upper open hold lock (not shown) may be mounted on the upper roller unit  21 , and may releasably hold the second upper striker  31   b  in the first open position OP 1 . That is, the upper closed hold lock, which releasably holds the first upper striker  31   a  in the first closed position CP 1 , and the upper open hold lock, which releasably holds the second upper striker  31   b  in the first open position OP 1 , may be individually mounted on the upper roller unit  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the upper roller unit  21  may have an upper rotation axis CX 1 , and the vehicle door  5  may rotate around the upper rotation axis CX 1 . When the upper roller unit  21  is firmly held in the first closed position CP 1  by the upper hold lock  31  and the first upper striker  31   a,  the vehicle door  5  may rotate around the upper rotation axis CX 1 . 
     The lower roller unit  22  may have a lower hold lock  32 , and the vehicle body  1  may have a first lower striker  32   a  and a second lower striker  32   b  protruding upwardly from the bottom of the vehicle body  1 . The first lower striker  32   a  may be aligned with or adjacent to the virtual axis of the first closed position CP 1 , and the second lower striker  32   b  may be aligned with or adjacent to the virtual axis of the first open position OP 1 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the lower hold lock  32  may releasably hold the first lower striker  32   a  in the first closed position CP 1 , and releasably hold the second lower striker  32   b  in the first open position OP 1 . That is, one lower hold lock  32  may selectively hold the first lower striker  32   a  and the second lower striker  32   b.  As the lower hold lock  32  holds the first lower striker  32   a,  the lower roller unit  22  may be firmly held in the first closed position CP 1 , so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first closed position CP 1 . As the lower hold lock  32  holds the second lower striker  32   b,  the lower roller unit  22  may be firmly held in the first open position OP 1 , so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first open position OP 1 . 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the lower hold lock  32  may releasably hold the first lower striker  32   a  in the first closed position CP 1  so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first closed position CP 1 . That is, the lower hold lock  32  may be a lower closed hold lock which keeps the closed state of the vehicle door  5  in the first closed position CP 1 . A lower open hold lock (not shown) may be mounted on the lower roller unit  22 , and may releasably hold the second lower striker  32   b  in the first open position OP 1 . That is, the lower closed hold lock, which releasably holds the first lower striker  32   a  in the first closed position CP 1 , and the lower open hold lock, which releasably holds the second lower striker  32   b  in the first open position OP 1 , may be individually mounted on the lower roller unit  22 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle door  5  may be releasably held in the first closed position CP 1  by the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32 , so that the vehicle door  5  may be kept in the first closed position CP 1  by the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32 . That is, the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  may function as the closed hold lock which holds the vehicle door  5  in the first closed position CP 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the lower roller unit  22  may have a lower rotation axis CX 2 , and the vehicle door  5  may rotate around the lower rotation axis CX 2 . When the lower roller unit  22  is firmly held in the first closed position CP 1  by the lower hold lock  32  and the first lower striker  32   a,  the vehicle door  5  may rotate around the lower rotation axis CX 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be vertically aligned, and the vehicle door  5  may rotate around the vertically aligned upper and lower rotation axes CX 1  and CX 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the outside handle  6  may be electrically or mechanically connected to an actuator  43 , and the actuator  43  may be configured to operate the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32 . When the user operates the handle grip  120  of the outside handle  6  to slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or to swing in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the actuator  43  may selectively perform a hold operation in which the upper hold lock  31  holds the first upper striker  31   a  and the lower hold lock  32  holds the first lower striker  32   a,  and a release operation in which the upper hold lock  31  releases the first upper striker  31   a  and the lower hold lock  32  releases the first lower striker  32   a.    
     When the user pushes the outside handle  6  toward the rear of the vehicle in a state in which the vehicle door  5  is closed, the main latch  80  may release the main striker  81 , and the upper and lower hold locks  31  and  32  may release the first upper and lower strikers  31   a  and  32   a  by the release operation of the actuator  43  simultaneously. Thus, the vehicle door  5  may be opened and closed in the sliding mode. 
     When the user pulls the outside handle  6  toward the exterior side of the vehicle in a state in which the vehicle door  5  is closed, the main latch  80  may release the main striker  81 , and the upper and lower hold locks  31  and  32  may hold the first upper and lower strikers  31   a  and  32   a  by the hold operation of the actuator  43  simultaneously, and accordingly the upper roller unit  21  and the lower roller unit  22  may be firmly held in the first closed position CP 1 . Thus, the vehicle door  5  may be opened in the swing mode. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one actuator  43  may operate the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  simultaneously. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, an actuator operating the upper hold lock  31  and another actuator operating the lower hold lock  32  may be individually connected to the outside handle  6 . 
       FIGS. 10A to 10D  illustrate the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 10A to 10D , each of the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  may include a catch  71 , a pawl  72  releasably engaging with the catch  71 , and a lever  73  operatively connected to the pawl  72 . The lever  73  may be connected to the actuator  43  through a cable  75 . As the cable  75  is reversed (pulled) by the actuator  43 , the catch  71  may release the strikers  31   a  and  32   a.  A portion of the catch  71 , the pawl  72 , and the lever  73  may be covered by a cover plate  76 , and the cover plate  76  may be attached to a mounting plate  74 . The strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be fixed to the vehicle body  1  by a mounting plate  78 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A to 10D , the upper hold lock  31  may releasably hold the first upper striker  31   a,  and the lower hold lock  32  may releasably hold the first lower striker  32   a.    
     The catch  71  may be pivotally mounted on the mounting plate  74  through a first pivot shaft  71   a.  The catch  71  may have a slot  71   b  receiving the strikers  31   a  and  32   a,  and the catch  71  may engage with or release the strikers  31   a  and  32   a.  The catch  71  may move between an engaging position (see  FIG. 10B ) and a release position (see  FIG. 10C ). The engaging position refers to a position in which the catch  71  engages with the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , and the release position refers to a position in which the catch  71  releases the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 10C . When the catch  71  is in the engaging position as illustrated in  FIG. 10B , the catch  71  may engage with the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  so that the catch  71  may hold the strikers  31   a  and  32   a.  When the catch  71  is in the release position as illustrated in  FIG. 10C , the catch  71  may release the strikers  31   a  and  32   a.  Thus, the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be released from the slot  71   b  of the catch  71  or be received in the slot  71   b  of the catch  71 . The catch  71  may be biased toward the release position by a first biasing element  71   c  such as a torsion spring. The first biasing element  71   c  may be disposed around the first pivot shaft  71   a.  The catch  71  may have a locking shoulder  71   d.    
     The pawl  72  may be pivotally mounted on the mounting plate  74  through a second pivot shaft  72   a,  and the pawl  72  may move between a pawl locking position (see  FIG. 10B ) and a pawl release position (see  FIGS. 10C and 10D ). The pawl locking position refers to a position in which the pawl  72  engages with the catch  71  and the catch  71  is kept in the engaging position, and the pawl release position refers to a position in which the pawl  72  releases the catch  71  and the catch  71  is allowed to move from the engaging position to the release position. As illustrated in  FIG. 10B , when the pawl  72  is in the pawl locking position, the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be restricted by the pawl  72  so that the catch  71  may be kept in the engaging position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10C and 10D , when the pawl  72  is in the pawl release position, the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may not be restricted by the pawl  72  so that the catch  71  may move from the engaging position to the release position. The pawl  72  may be biased toward the pawl locking position (see  FIG. 10B ) by a second biasing element  72   c  such as a torsion spring. The second biasing element  72   c  may be disposed around the second pivot shaft  72   a.    
     The pawl  72  may have a locking projection  72   d  locked to the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10B , as the pawl  72  is moved to the pawl locking position by the second biasing element  72   c,  the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  may be locked to the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71  and the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be restricted, so that the catch  71  may be kept in the engaging position. As illustrated in  FIG. 10C , as the pawl  72  is moved to the pawl release position by the lever  73 , the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  may be released from the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71  and the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be allowed, so that the catch  71  may be moved to the release position by the first biasing element  71   c.    
     The lever  73  may be pivotally mounted on the mounting plate  74  through a third pivot shaft  73   a.  The lever  73  may be connected to the actuator  43  through the cable  75 . An end of the cable  75  may be fixed to the lever  73 , and the cable  75  may be advanced or reversed by the actuator  43 . As the actuator  43  moves the cable  75 , the lever  73  may pivot around the third pivot shaft  73   a.  The lever  73  may move the pawl  72  to the pawl release position (see  FIG. 10C ) by reversing the cable  75 . 
     The lever  73  may be operatively connected to the pawl  72  through a pin  72   b  and an opening  73   b.  The pin  72   b  may be provided on the pawl  72 , and the opening  73   b  may be provided in the lever  73 . The pin  72   b  may be movably received in the opening  73   b.  As the lever  73  pivots around the third pivot shaft  73   a,  the pin  72   b  may move in the opening  73   b,  allowing the pawl  72  to move. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10B , when the cable  75  is advanced by the actuator  43 , the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  may be locked to the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71  and the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be restricted so that the catch  71  may be kept in the engaging position. The strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be held in the slot  71   b  of the catch  71 . That is, the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  may hold the corresponding strikers  31   a  and  32   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10C , when the cable  75  is reversed by the actuator  43 , the lever  73  may move the pawl  72  to the pawl release position. The locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  may be released from the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71  and the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be allowed, so that the catch  71  may be moved to the release position by the first biasing element  71   c,  and the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be released from the slot  71   b  of the catch  71 . Thus, the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  may release the corresponding strikers  31   a  and  32   a,  and the upper roller unit  21  and the lower roller unit  22  may slide along the upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10D , even though the cable  75  is advanced by the actuator  43  in a state in which the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  is released from the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71 , the catch  71  may be kept in the release position by the first biasing element  71   c  so that the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  may be allowed. In this state, the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be allowed to be received in the slot  71   b  of the catch  71 . That is, in a state in which the movement (rotation) of the catch  71  is allowed as the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  is released from the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71 , when the upper roller unit  21  and the lower roller unit  22  slide between the first closed position CP 1  and the first open position OP 1 , the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  may be allowed to be received in the slot  71   b  of the catch  71 . When a force applied by the upper hold lock  31  and the lower hold lock  32  in a state in which the strikers  31   a  and  32   a  are received in the slot  71   b  of the catch  71  is greater than a spring force of the first biasing element  71   c,  the catch  71  may be moved to the engaging position. As illustrated in  FIG. 10B , as the locking projection  72   d  of the pawl  72  is locked to the locking shoulder  71   d  of the catch  71 , the catch  71  may hold the strikers  31   a  and  32   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , each of the upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12  may be mounted on the vehicle body  1  through a mounting bracket  15 , and the mounting bracket  15  may have a shape corresponding to that of the upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12 . Each of the upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12  may have a first extension portion  51  extending straightly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a second extension portion  52  extending from the first extension portion  51  toward the interior space of the vehicle. The second extension portion  52  may be bent with respect to the first extension portion  51  at a predetermined angle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , each of the upper roller unit  21  and the lower roller unit  22  may include a roller bracket  64  having rollers  65  and  66  rolling along the rails  11  and  12 , and a body  60  connecting the roller bracket  64  and the vehicle door  5 . 
     The body  60  may extend diagonally so as not to contact the first extension portion  51  and the second extension portion  52 . The body  60  may have a first end portion  61  facing the interior side of the vehicle, and a second end portion  62  facing the exterior side of the vehicle. The first end portion  61  of the body  60  may be attached to the roller bracket  64 , and the second end portion  62  of the body  60  may be attached to the vehicle door  5 . 
     The roller bracket  64  may rotatably support the rollers  65  and  66 , and the rollers  65  and  66  may roll along the upper rail  11  and the lower rail  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a middle roller  65  and two side rollers  66  disposed on both sides of the middle roller  65  may be rotatably mounted on the roller bracket  64 . A rotation axis of the middle roller  65  may be orthogonal to a rotation axis of the side roller  66 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first end portion  61  of the body  60  may be pivotally connected to the roller bracket  64  through a pivot pin  68 , and the second end portion  62  of the body  60  may be fixed to the vehicle door  5 . Thus, the vehicle door  5  may swing around the pivot pin  68  adjacent to the roller bracket  64 . The body  60  may have a pivot lug  63  protruding from the first end portion  61  toward the roller bracket  64 , and the roller bracket  64  may be connected to the pivot lug  63  through the pivot pin  68 . The roller bracket  64  may be shaped so as not to interfere with the body  60  when the vehicle door  5  swings. The upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be defined by the pivot pin  68 . For example, the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be a virtual axis extending vertically along a center point of the pivot pin  68 , and the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be vertically aligned, so that the vehicle door  5  may swing around the vertical rotation axis that virtually connects the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2 . The upper hold lock  31  may be fixed to the roller bracket  64  of the upper roller unit  21 , and the lower hold lock  32  may be fixed to the roller bracket  64  of the lower roller unit  22 . 
     When, by the hold operation of the actuator  43 , the upper hold lock  31  firmly holds the roller bracket  64  of the upper roller unit  21  in the first closed position CP 1  and the lower hold lock  32  firmly holds the roller bracket  64  of the lower roller unit  22  in the first closed position CP 1 , the vehicle door  5  may swing around the upper rotation axis CX 1  of the upper roller unit  21  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  of the lower roller unit  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The vehicle door  5  may move between the second closed position CP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is closed and the second open position OP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is opened. When the vehicle door  5  swings, another adjacent door  4  or other components may be spaced apart from the vehicle door  5  by a predetermined gap S 1  so as not to interfere with the adjacent door  4  or the other components. For example, the vehicle door  5  may be a rear door, and another adjacent door  4  may be a front door. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the pivot pin  68  is located between the roller bracket  64  and the first end portion  61  of the body  60 , the rotation axes CX 1  and CX 2  of the vehicle door  5  may be relatively far from the vehicle door  5 . Since a swing trajectory T 1  and a rotation radius R 1  of the vehicle door  5  are relatively increased, the gap S 1  between the vehicle door  5  and the adjacent door  4  may be relatively increased. If the gap S 1  between the vehicle door  5  and the adjacent door  4  is reduced, the vehicle door  5  may interfere with the adjacent door  4  when the vehicle door  5  moves toward the second open position OP 2 , and an open space created by the swing of the vehicle door  5  may be relatively narrowed since the swing trajectory T 1  of the vehicle door  5  is relatively reduced. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first end portion  61  of the body  60  may be fixed to the roller bracket  64 , and the second end portion  62  of the body  60  may be pivotally connected to the vehicle door  5  through a pivot pin  68   a.  Thus, the vehicle door  5  may swing around the pivot pin  68   a  adjacent to the second end portion  62  of the body  60 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the roller bracket  64  may be fixed to the first end portion  61  of the body  60  by welding, using fasteners, and/or the like, and the second end portion  62  of the body  60  may be pivotally connected to the vehicle door  5  through the pivot pin  68   a.  The vehicle door  5  may have a pivot lug  69  protruding toward the body  60 , and the pivot lug  69  may be pivotally connected to the second end portion  62  of the body  60  through the pivot pin  68   a.  The second end portion  62  of the body  60  may be shaped so as not to interfere with the vehicle door  5  when the vehicle door  5  swings. The upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be defined by the pivot pin  68   a.  For example, the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be a virtual axis extending vertically along a center point of the pivot pin  68   a,  and the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  may be vertically aligned, so that the vehicle door  5  may swing around the vertical rotation axis that virtually connects the upper rotation axis CX 1  and the lower rotation axis CX 2 . The upper hold lock  31  may be fixed to the body  60  of the upper roller unit  21 , and the lower hold lock  32  may be fixed to the body  60  of the lower roller unit  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , when the upper hold lock  31  firmly holds the roller bracket  64  of the upper roller unit  21  in the first closed position CP 1 , and the lower hold lock  32  firmly holds the roller bracket  64  of the lower roller unit  22  in the first closed position CP 1 , the vehicle door  5  may swing around the upper rotation axis CX 1  of the upper roller unit  21  and the lower rotation axis CX 2  of the lower roller unit  22 . Thus, the vehicle door  5  may move between the second closed position CP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is closed and the second open position OP 2  in which the vehicle door  5  is opened. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , as the pivot pin  68   a  is located between the second end portion  62  of the body  60  and the vehicle door  5 , the rotation axes CX 1  and CX 2  of the vehicle door  5  may be relatively close to the vehicle door  5 . Since a rotation radius R 2  of the vehicle door  5  is relatively shortened, a gap S 2  between the vehicle door  5  and another adjacent door  4  may be relatively reduced, resulting in improved exterior styling. Even though the rotation axes CX 1  and CX 2  of the vehicle door  5  are close to the vehicle door  5 , a swing trajectory T 2  of the vehicle door  5  is not reduced, and thus an open space created by the swing of the vehicle door  5  may not be narrowed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the main latch  80  may be mounted on a rear end of the vehicle door  5 , and the main striker  81  may be fixed to the vehicle body  1 . The main latch  80  may releasably engage with the main striker  81 . When the vehicle door  5  is in the first closed position CP 1  or the second closed position CP 2 , the main latch  80  may engage with the main striker  81  by an engaging operation of the outside handle  6  so that the vehicle door  5  may be locked in the first closed position CP 1  or the second closed position CP 2 . When the vehicle door  5  is in the first closed position CP 1  or the second closed position CP 2 , the main latch  80  may release the main striker  81  as the outside handle  6  selectively moves in different directions (direction S and direction P in  FIG. 2 ), so that the vehicle door  5  may be allowed to move in the sliding mode or the swing mode. When the vehicle door  5  is held in the first closed position CP 1  and the main latch  80  releases the main striker  81 , a center roller unit  23  may be released from the center rail  13 , and thus the vehicle door  5  may be opened and closed in the swing mode. 
     The vehicle door opening and closing apparatus, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may further include the center rail  13  mounted at a central portion of the vehicle body  1 , and the center roller unit  23  guided along the center rail  13 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the center rail  13  may extend from a rear edge of the door aperture  3  along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The center roller unit  23  may be pivotally mounted at a central portion of the vehicle door  5 . In particular, the center roller unit  23  may be mounted in a position adjacent to the rear end of the vehicle door  5 . The center roller unit  23  may be guided along the center rail  13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the center rail  13  may include a sliding guide  91  extending straightly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a swing guide  92  extending from the sliding guide  91  toward the interior side of the vehicle. The swing guide  92  may be bent at a predetermined angle with respect to the sliding guide  91  through a bending portion  93 , and the bending portion  93  may be curved at a predetermined radius. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 to 15 , the center roller unit  23  may include a roller bracket  101  and rollers  105  and  106  rotatably mounted on the roller bracket  101 . The roller bracket  101  may be pivotally mounted at the central portion of the vehicle door  5 . The rollers  105  and  106  may roll along the center rail  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a middle roller  105  and two side rollers  106  disposed on opposite sides of the middle roller  105  may be rotatably mounted on the roller bracket  101 . A rotation axis of the middle roller  105  may be orthogonal to a rotation axis of the side roller  106 . 
     When the vehicle door  5  slides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as the sliding mode is selected, the sliding guide  91  may guide the rollers  105  and  106  of the center roller unit  23 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the sliding guide  91  may include a stopper wall  95  preventing the rollers  105  and  106  of the center roller unit  23  from being separated from the sliding guide  91 . The stopper wall  95  may extend along a length of the sliding guide  91  and a length of the bending portion  93 . The stopper wall  95  may protrude vertically downward from the top of the sliding guide  91 . As the stopper wall  95  closes an upper area of the sliding guide  91  and an upper area of the bending portion  93 , the center roller unit  23  may be prevented from moving away from the sliding guide  91  toward the exterior side of the vehicle as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
     When the vehicle door  5  is opened and closed in the swing mode as the swing mode is selected, the swing guide  92  may guide the rollers  105  and  106  of the center roller unit  23  to be released from the center rail  13 . 
     An exterior side of the swing guide  92  may be entirely opened toward the exterior space of the vehicle. A guide projection  94  may protrude upwardly from the bottom of the swing guide  92 , and the guide projection  94  may extend along a length of the swing guide  92 . When the vehicle door  5  swings from the second closed position CP 2  to the second open position OP 2  along the swing trajectory T 1  or T 2 , the middle roller  105  of the center roller unit  23  may be guided along the guide projection  94  as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     A front end  95   a  of the stopper wall  95  of the sliding guide  91  and a rear end  94   a  of the guide projection  94  may be located so as not to interfere with the swing trajectories T 1  and T 2  of the vehicle door  5 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , an axis X 1  of the sliding guide  91  and an axis X 2  of the swing guide  92  may intersect at a predetermined angle a. In particular, the angle a of intersection between the axis X 1  of the sliding guide  91  and the axis X 2  of the swing guide  92  may be an obtuse angle, so that the center roller unit  23  may easily be released from the swing guide  92  of the center rail  13  or may easily be held in the swing guide  92  of the center rail  13 . The center rail  13  may include a space  98  allowing the rollers  105  and  106  of the center roller unit  23  to be released from the center rail  13  or be held in the center rail  13  when the vehicle door  5  swings in the swing mode. The space  98  may be defined between the front end  95   a  of the stopper wall  95  and the rear end  94   a  of the guide projection  94  as the front end  95   a  of the stopper wall  95  and the rear end  94   a  of the guide projection  94  are spaced apart from each other. Thus, there is no interference when the rollers  105  and  106  of the center roller unit  23  are released from the center rail  13  or are held in the center rail  13  in the swing mode. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the outside handle  6  may include the handle base  110  mounted on the vehicle door  5 , and the handle grip  120  movably mounted on the handle base  110 . 
     The handle base  110  may be mounted on the vehicle door, and a main lever  130  may be rotatably mounted on the handle base  110 . The main lever  130  may be operatively connected to the main latch  80  through a latch rod  135 , and the rotation of the main lever  130  may allow the latch rod  135  to move so that the main latch  80  may engage with or release the main striker  81 . That is, the latch rod  135  may lock or unlock the main latch  80  by the rotation of the main lever  130 . A door module  85  may be adjacent to the main latch  80 , and the door module  85  may be connected to the main latch  80 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 23 , the main lever  130  may include a balance weight  132 , a shaft  137  rotatably supported to the handle base  110 , a restoring spring  133  disposed around the shaft  137 , and a boss  134  to which a top end of the latch rod  135  is coupled. The balance weight  132  may be located above the shaft  137 , and the boss  134  may be located below the shaft  137 . The top end of the latch rod  135  may be coupled to the boss  134  of the main lever  130  through an end fitting  136 . The main lever  130  may rotate around the shaft  137 . As the main lever  130  rotates, the latch rod  135  may move, and the movement of the latch rod  135  may allow the main latch  80  to engage with or release the main striker  81 . When the user releases the outside handle  6 , that is, when a force applied to the outside handle  6  is removed, the restoring spring  133  may restore the main lever  130  to its original position. The original position may be the unlocked position of the main latch  80  such that the main latch  80  engages with the main striker  81 . 
     The handle grip  120  may be movable in different directions with respect to the handle base  110  of the vehicle. For example, the handle grip  120  may slide in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see direction S in  FIG. 2 ), and pivot in the transverse direction of the vehicle (see direction P in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the handle grip  120  may include a first grip body  121 , a second grip body  122  mounted on a first end portion of the first grip body  121 , and a third grip body  123  mounted on a second end portion of the first grip body  121 . 
     The first grip body  121  may be disposed to protrude from the handle base  110 , and the first grip body  121  may be slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction (direction S) of the vehicle with respect to the handle base  110 , and be pivotally mounted in the transverse direction (direction P) of the vehicle with respect to the handle base  110 . 
     An axis of the second grip body  122  may be parallel to an axis of the first grip body  121 , and an axis of the third grip body  123  may be orthogonal to the axis of the first grip body  121 . The second grip body  122  and the third grip body  123  may be movably received in the handle base  110 . The second grip body  122  and the third grip body  123  may move along the pivot direction P of the first grip body  121  within the handle base  110 , but may not move along the sliding direction S of the first grip body  121 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the second grip body  122  may have a pair of pivot projections  122 C, and the second grip body  122  may be pivotally mounted to the handle base  110  through the pair of pivot projections  122 C. A virtual axis connecting the pair of pivot projections  122 C may be a pivot axis PV of the second grip body  122 . As the second grip body  122  pivots around the pivot projections  122 C, the first grip body  121  and the third grip body  123  may pivot together. 
     The first grip body  121  may slide with respect to the second grip body  122  and the third grip body  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , the first end portion of the first grip body  121  may have a guide  121   a  having a T-shaped cross section, the second grip body  122  may have a guide recess  122   a  receiving the guide  121   a  of the first grip body  121 , and the guide recess  122   a  may have a T-shaped cross section corresponding to that of the guide  121   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the third grip body  123  may have a guide  123   b  having a T-shaped cross section, the second end portion of the first grip body  121  may have a guide recess  121   b  receiving the guide  123   b  of the third grip body  123 , and the guide recess  121   b  may have a T-shaped cross section corresponding to that of the guide  123   b.    
     A return spring  128  may be disposed between the first grip body  121  and the second grip body  122 . When the first grip body  121  slides by a force and the force is removed, the first grip body  121  may return to its original position by the return spring  128 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , a first stopper  126  may protrude from a side surface of the second grip body  122 , a second stopper  127  may protrude from a bottom surface of the first end portion of the first grip body  121 , and the return spring  128  may be disposed between the first stopper  126  and the second stopper  127 . In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , two return springs  128  may be disposed between the first grip body  121  and the second grip body  122 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the third grip body  123  may have a first handle lever  125 , and the first handle lever  125  may be operatively connected to the main latch  80  through the main lever  130 . In particular, the first handle lever  125  may transmit the force by the pivot of the handle grip  120  to the main lever  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , the first handle lever  125  may extend from the third grip body  123  to the main lever  130 , and an axis of the first handle lever  125  may be orthogonal to the axis of the third grip body  123 . The first handle lever  125  may be operatively connected to the main lever  130 . Referring to  FIG. 24 , the main lever  130  may have an extension portion  131  extending downwardly from the shaft  137 . A bottom end  131   a  of the extension portion  131  may be contactable with the first handle lever  125 . When the handle grip  120  pivots in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the main lever  130  may be rotated by the first handle lever or the restoring spring  133 , and a rotation force of the main lever  130  may be transmitted to the main latch  80  through the latch rod  135 , and thus the main latch  80  may engage with or release the main striker  81 . Referring to  FIG. 26 , when the handle grip  120  pivots toward the exterior side of the vehicle (see direction P 1  in  FIG. 26 ), the first handle lever  125  may move in a direction of pushing the extension portion  131  of the main lever  130  toward the exterior side of the vehicle (see direction K in  FIG. 24 ). As the main lever  130  rotates in a direction of pushing the latch rod  135  toward the main latch  80  (see direction R in  FIG. 24 ), the latch rod  135  may move in a direction of unlocking the main latch  80  (see direction RL in  FIG. 24 ), so that the main latch  80  releases the main striker  81 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 22 to 26 , the outside handle  6  according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a second handle lever  140 , and the second handle lever  140  may be operatively connected to the first grip body  121  and the main lever  130 . When the first grip body  121  slides, the second handle lever  140  may transmit the force applied by the first grip body  121  to the main lever  130 . The first handle lever  125  may have a recess  124  through which the second handle lever  140  passes, and the second handle lever  140  may pass through the recess  124  of the first handle lever  125 . Since the second handle lever  140  does not interfere with the first handle lever  125 , the second handle lever  140  may rotate independently of the first handle lever  125 . 
     The second handle lever  140  may be rotatably mounted on the handle base  110  through a hinge pin  145 . An axis PV 1  of the hinge pin  145  may be orthogonal to an axis of the shaft  137  of the main lever  130 , and be parallel to the pivot axis PV of the second grip body  122 . 
     The second handle lever  140  may have a first extension portion  141  extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the first grip body  121 , and a second extension portion  142  extending in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the first extension portion  141 . The hinge pin  145  may be located in a portion in which the first extension portion  141  and the second extension portion  142  are connected, and the second handle lever  140  may rotate around the hinge pin  145 . The first extension portion  141  may be operatively connected to the second end portion of the first grip body  121 . In particular, when the first grip body  121  slides, the first extension portion  141  may contact the second end portion of the first grip body  121  so that the second handle lever  140  may rotate around the hinge pin  145 . The second extension portion  142  may be operatively connected to the bottom end  131   a  of the extension portion  131  of the main lever  130 . In particular, when the second handle lever  140  rotates, the second extension portion  142  may rotate the main lever  130 . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 25 , the first extension portion  141  may have a contact projection  143  directly contacting the second end portion of the first grip body  121 , and when the first grip body  121  slides with respect to the second grip body  122  and the third grip body  123 , the contact projection  143  of the first extension portion  141  may maintain contact with the second end portion of the first grip body  121 . As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , the extension portion  131  of the main lever  130  may have a projection  138  protruding from the bottom end  131   a  thereof. The projection  138  of the main lever  130  may be contactable with the second extension portion  142 . When the handle grip  120  slides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the main lever  130  may be rotated by the second handle lever  140  or the restoring spring  133 , and a rotation force of the main lever  130  may be transmitted to the main latch  80  through the latch rod  135 , and thus the main latch  80  may engage with or release the main striker  81 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , when the first grip body  121  slides toward the rear of the vehicle (see direction S 1  in  FIG. 25 ), the first extension portion  141  of the second handle lever  140  contacting the second end portion of the first grip body  121  may move backwards, and as the second handle lever  140  may rotate around the hinge pin  145 , the second extension portion  142  of the second handle lever  140  may move in a direction of pushing the extension portion  131  of the main lever  130  toward the exterior side of the vehicle (see direction K in  FIG. 24 ). As the main lever  130  rotates in a direction of pushing the latch rod  135  toward the main latch  80  (see direction R in  FIG. 24 ), the latch rod  135  may move in a direction of unlocking the main latch  80  (see direction RL in  FIG. 24 ). 
       FIGS. 1 to 26  illustrate the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applied to the rear door  5 . However, the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various vehicle doors, such as front doors, in addition to rear doors. 
       FIGS. 27 and 28  illustrate the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applied to the front door  4 .  FIG. 27  illustrates a state in which the front door  4  is opened in the sliding mode, and  FIG. 28  illustrates a state in which the front door  4  is opened in the swing mode. 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  illustrate the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applied to both the front door  4  and the rear door  5 .  FIG. 29  illustrates a state in which the front door  4  and the rear door  5  are opened in the sliding mode, and  FIG. 30  illustrates a state in which the front door  4  and the rear door  5  are opened in the swing mode. 
     As set forth above, the vehicle door opening and closing apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may allow the vehicle door to open and close in one mode selected from the swing mode and the sliding mode, thereby satisfying the needs of customers. In particular, the outside handle may be allowed to operate in different motions, thereby enabling easy selection of the swing mode and the sliding mode. 
     In terms of vehicle specifications, the vehicle door opening and closing structure may be standardized, regardless of vehicle models. Thus, the manufacturing cost and investment cost may be significantly reduced. 
     Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure claimed in the following claims.