Retractable roof with securing elements and vehicle thus equipped

A roof for a vehicle comprising several roof elements that can be displaced between a first position above the passenger compartment and a second position in which they are stowed inside the boot, the roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle via securing elements controlled by rigid rods driven by an electric motor. These rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of these elements, by a cable transmitting the movement generated by the electric motor between the rods and allowing to secure the roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to French patent application No. 0310536 filed on or about Sep. 5, 2003. A related application was also filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty on or about Aug. 20, 2004, as PCT/FR04/02173. The PCT application claims priority to the French patent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a displaceable, movable roof, of a vehicle comprising several roof elements in principle rigid, that can be displaced between a first position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a second position in which they expose this passenger compartment. It also relates to a convertible vehicle with a roof folding away towards the rear of the vehicle.

Generally, in said second position, the roof is stowed in the rear boot of the vehicle.

Such a roof notably allows to transform a saloon or coupe type vehicle into a convertible type vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

More precisely, it is a roof notably comprising a front roof element and a rear roof element, displaceable between their said first and second positions, the roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively (and preferably) the front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle via locking means controlled by rigid rods extending along the roof elements and being driven by controlling means.

Such a solution was disclosed in WO-A-02/064391.

However, when the roof elements are in their second position, retracted roof, their holding into position is not as yet considered to be (sufficiently) ensured. In particular, their securing can not be controlled in a sufficiently appropriate manner in respect to the boot walls or more generally to the surrounding body structure of the vehicle, in order to efficiently hold them in this position for the desired length of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a displaceable roof is provided on a vehicle having a front edge and a rear edge and comprising a passenger compartment and a body structure comprising front and rear parts. The displaceable roof includes a front roof element and a rear roof element both displaceable between a first position in which they cover the passenger compartment and a second position in which the passenger compartment is at least partly exposed, the front roof and rear roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively said front and rear parts of the body structure through locking means controlled by rigid rods extending along the front and rear roof elements and being driven by controlling means, wherein the rigid rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the front and rear roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of said front and rear roof elements, by flexible means transmitting a movement generated by the controlling means between the rigid rods and thus allowing to secure said front and rear roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a convertible vehicle having a front edge, a rear edge and comprising: a passenger compartment; a body structure comprising front and rear parts; a roof comprising a front roof element and a rear roof element, both displaceable between a first position in which they cover the passenger compartment and a second position in which the passenger compartment is at least partly exposed, the front roof and rear roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively said front and rear parts of the body structure, through locking means controlled by a plurality of rigid rods extending along said front and rear roof elements and being driven by controlling means, wherein the rigid rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the front and rear roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of said front and rear roof elements, by flexible means transmitting a movement generated by the controlling means between the rigid rods and thus allowing to secure said front and rear roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One purpose of the invention is to be able to control the means for securing the roof elements when the passenger compartment is exposed.

A corollary purpose is to allow the securing of the roof elements once stowed in their second position (convertible position) by using the same securing control with its motor as when the roof elements are deployed above the passenger compartment.

Another corollary purpose is to propose a mechanical solution for a car that is reliable and simple to implement and mass produce.

According to the invention, at least some of these aims are reached by organising that the rods controlling the locking means are constantly connected to each other, in pairs, from one of the roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of these roof elements, by flexible means transmitting between these rods the movement generated by the controlling means and thus allowing to secure said roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in the first as in the second positions.

For the sake of reliability and efficiency, we suggest that the (each) flexible means comprises a cable adapted for transmitting a rotary movement controlled by one of the rods to which it is connected, this rod itself being rotated by the controlling means.

In the sought after purpose of a mechanical solution for a car that is reliable and simple to implement and mass produce, in association with a side by side storage of the roof elements (these elements thus being preferably placed substantially horizontal, stacked one on top of the other), another characteristic of the invention envisages that advantageously, as much to secure, in a free manner, the roof elements together, whilst they are above the passenger compartment of the vehicle, as to secure at least some of them to said front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle (such as the internal walls of a boot) in the “convertible” position, the rigid rods comprise at least two rods for each roof element to be secured, these rods being threaded and together under the control of intermediary transmitting means rotated by said cable(s), said rods extending from this intermediary transmitting means along two opposing directions until passed the respectively front and rear ends of the concerned roof element, preferably along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, each of these rods ending with a screwed nut, this nut being connected to a locking connector thus controlled in translation along said longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to engage, or disengage, one of said front or rear parts of the body structure.

Benefiting from the solution provided for securing in respects to the body structure of the vehicle, the invention thus rose the question of securing the roof elements together whilst they are above the passenger compartment.

It is for this reason that it is proposed, in order to secure said roof elements together, whilst they cover the passenger compartment, in continuity to each other, that the nut connected to one of the rods of one of the roof elements defines a locking tab put into motion by the rod and adapted for hooking a complementary locking means fixed to another of the roof elements, the locking tab being movable under the control of said rod itself driven by the concerned cable, in order to engage, or disengage, the complementary locking means, whilst the roof elements are placed in continuity to each other above the passenger compartment.

As an alternative or as a complement, we even propose that, with the roof closed, to secure the front roof element to a zone of the body structure immediately next to the windscreen of the vehicle, whilst the roof elements are substantially aligned in continuity to each other, the nut connected to one of said threaded rods connected to a front roof element bears a attaching means, mounted, in a movable manner, on the nut, under the control of said threaded rod, so as to freely co-operate with a complementary attaching means fixed to said zone of the body structure close to the windscreen of the vehicle.

As regards detailed solutions that are particularly appropriate to the context of the invention, we further note that:advantageously, to secure two of said roof elements to each other in the first position, the rod (or at least one of the rods) connected to the controlling means fixed to one of these roof elements will be threaded and connected to a locking tab attached to said locking means for securing the roof elements to each other, this tab defining a nut put into motion by this rod and being adapted for co-operating with a complementary locking means fixed to the other roof element, the locking tab being movable in translation under the control of the controlling means in order to engage, or disengage, the complementary means, whilst said roof elements are placed in continuity to each other, the rotating of the threaded rod driving the corresponding flexible cable which connects this rod to (at least) another rod supported by the other roof element to be secured;the roof elements can comprise an intermediate roof element, between the front and rear roof elements, the front roof element being displaceable above the passenger compartment to maintain a closed position in which it substantially extends in continuity from the rear roof element, between itself and a zone of said front part of the body structure immediately next to the windscreen of the vehicle, the roof elements being, in addition, displaceable together so as to expose the passenger compartment and maintain a side by side position;to secure, in this case, two of said roof elements to each other in the first position, at least one of said rods supported by one of these elements will advantageously be threaded and connected,on one side, to the flexible cables, via pinions meshing together and of which one is rotated by said cable;and, on another side, to a locking tab attached to said locking means for securing the roof elements to each other, this tab defining a nut put into motion by the rod and being adapted for co-operating with a complementary locking means fixed to the other roof element, the locking tab being movable in translation in order to engage, or disengage, the complementary means, whilst said concerned roof elements are placed in continuity to each other;to secure in the stowed position an intermediate roof element to a zone of the body structure of the vehicle, in the boot, a complementary rod will advantageously project from the locking tab connected to the intermediate roof element, in the direction of said zone of the body structure, this complementary rod being fitted, at one end, with a pin which moves with said nut, this pin engaging, or disengaging, a housing fixed to said zone of the body structure, depending on the displacement direction of the nut;to secure the front roof element to a zone of the body structure close to the windscreen of the vehicle, whilst said roof elements are in their first position, with the front roof element placed substantially in the continuity of the rear roof element, the rod (or at least one of the rods), preferably threaded, supported by the roof element, is connected:on one side, to one of the flexible cables, via pinions meshing together and of which one is rotated by said cable;and, on another side, to a connecting nut driven in translation by the rod and thus being displaced in a body fixed to the front roof element, a locking hook attached to said locking means being swivel mounted onto the body, its swivel movement being controlled by the displacement in translation of the nut, so that the hook engages with, or disengages from, a complementary securing part fixed to the body structure;to secure the front roof element to a part of the body structure of the vehicle, whilst this front roof element is stowed in the boot next to the rear roof element, the corresponding threaded rod will extend preferably passed the body bearing the locking hook, in order to rotate a nut placed at its free end and on which a pin is mounted adapted for engaging, or disengaging, a housing made in the corresponding wall of the body structure;and to secure one of said roof elements to a first and a second zone of the body structure of the vehicle when this roof element is stowed in the boot with the rear roof element, the pinion rotated by the concerned flexible cable will engage preferably with two other pinions,of which one is connected to the corresponding rigid rod, the rotating of this rod controlling the translation of the nut connected to it, this nut, in addition, being connected to a locking pin projecting in the direction of said first zone, so that the rotating of said threaded rod engages or disengages the locking pin in respect to this zone,and of which the other one controls the rotating of an additional threaded rod connected at its free end to an additional locking pin fixed to an additional nut screwed to the rod, so that this additional pin engages with, or disengages from, said second zone, thus securing the concerned roof element in this position to these two different zones of the body structure.

In the example inFIG. 1, the roof elements (in principal rigid)1,2and3are secured to each other via locking means100,200and300.

The locking element100allows to secure the front roof element1to the cross beam110of the windscreen111. The locking element200allows to secure the front1and intermediate2roof elements to each other. The locking element300allows to secure the intermediate2and rear3roof elements to each other.

A controlling means, in this case a single electric motor4, rotates a rigid rod5, in this case threaded. The motor is located in the rear roof element3.

A nut (or locking tab)16is mounted onto the threaded rod5and is displaced in a parallel manner in relation to the longitudinal direction120of the vehicle (marking125). On the upper part of the nut16are two hooks17and18which secure the rear roof element3to the intermediate roof element2. Hook keepers31and33integral in points30and32to the rear part of the intermediate roof allow securing by means of the hooks17and18.

A first flexible element advantageously constituted by a twisted cable8(normally metallic) is connected at its rear part8ato the front part5aof the rod5, in order to transmit a rotary movement controlled by this rod.

When the rod5starts rotating, it rotates the flexible part8. The front part8bof the flexible part8is connected to one of the parts of the locking means200. Thus, this end8bof the flexible part8drives a first conical pinion25which rotates a second conical pinion25a(FIG. 5). This second pinion25aitself rotates a second threaded rod60(identical to rod5) and which is connected at its rear part60ato the conical pinion25a. The rod60drives, in parallel to the longitudinal axis130of the vehicle, a nut19(creating a second locking tab). On the upper part of the nut19there are two hooks20and21which secure the intermediate roof element2with the front roof element1. Hook keepers35and37integral in points34and36to the rear part of the front roof1allow securing by means of the hooks20and21.

A second flexible part9is connected at its rear part9ato the front part60aof the locking rod60. When this rod60starts rotating, by means of the flexible part8, it rotates the flexible part9. The front part9bof the flexible part9is connected to a part of the means for locking100between the front roof element1and the cross beam of the windscreen. The front end9bof the flexible part9drives a first conical pinion26which rotates a second conical pinion26a(FIG. 3). This second conical pinion itself rotates a third threaded rod12which is connected at its rear part12ato the conical pinion26a. The rod12drives, in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a nut53. The nut53has two stubs52and52′ on its side edges extending perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal axis130of the vehicle. The nut53is displaced axially in the body7fixed to the front roof element1. The two stubs52and52′ are displaced in two grooves51and51′ of the body7. A hook24is swivel mounted onto the element7, along an axis of rotation24aperpendicular to the axis130. The hook24is driven by the stub52which is displaced in a groove50located on the top of the hook. The hook24allows to secure the front roof element1to the cross beam of the windscreen and therefore to the frame (FIG. 1). A hook keeper121can be fitted for this purpose to the cross beam.

It is to be noted that we give the name “frame” or “bodywork” or even “body structure” of the vehicle to any structural part to which one or several roof elements can be fixed. Thus not only a slider (such as151inFIG. 1envisaged to guide the in/out movement of the rear element3) or the cross beam of the windscreen110, but also, when the vehicle is in the convertible position, the inside of the boot, or a cradle held in this boot to house said roof elements or even the means for tilting the roof disclosed in the French patent application filed under NoFR 0 209 217 in the name of France Design, are notably concerned.

The part(s) of the frame120where the roof is secured side by side to the roof elements (particularly in the stacked position inFIG. 2) can therefore in particular correspond to the inside walls of the boot or to those of a cradle housing said roof elements in the side by side position, preferably horizontally (stacked elements as inFIG. 2), this cradle can be movable in relation to the bodywork.

In the example inFIG. 2, the rigid roof elements1,2and3are, in the stacked position, stowed in the rear boot of the vehicle and secured to its inside side walls, via the locking elements100,200and300.

To secure the concerned roof elements to the “frame”, in this side by side position of the elements, we note that the electric motor4secures the intermediate2and front1roof elements to this frame120, the rear element3being held by its sliding connection to the slider(s)151and preferably to at least one complementary drive arm (not represented).

The motor drives the first threaded part5, which rotates the flexible part8. The front part8bof the flexible part8rotates the first conical pinion25which itself drives the third conical pinion25b(FIG. 5). This third pinion itself rotates the threaded rod10. The front edge10aof this rod10drives the nut18ain translation in the axis130(FIG. 8). The pin18is fixed to the nut18aand positions itself in a housing43fixed to the frame120. The rear part of the intermediate roof2is then secured to the frame. Fixed walls61and61′ (which can be connected to the element2) jam the rotation of the nut18a.

To secure the front part of this roof element2to the frame, the first conical pinion25drives the second conical pinion25awhich itself rotates the threaded rod60. The nut19is then displaced in translation. A rod22is mounted to the front end of the nut19with, at its front end, a pin23which is displaced with the nut19along the longitudinal direction130of the vehicle. The pin23engages, in the open roof position (FIG. 2), into a housing40fixed to the frame.

As for the securing of the front element1to this frame, still in the side by side position of the roof elements (FIG. 2), it is performed as follows:

The rotating of the rod5drives that of the second flexible part9, via the first flexible part8. The front part9bof the flexible part9rotates the pinion26which in turn drives the third conical pinion26b(FIG. 3). The pinion26bthen rotates the threaded rod11which extends along the direction130, in the opposite direction to the rod12. Just as is illustrated inFIG. 8and as already disclosed to secure the rear element2(rod10), the rear end of the threaded rod11drives in translation a nut along the axis130. A pin14is fixed to the nut. This pin14positions itself in a housing42fixed to the frame120. The rear part of the front roof1is then secured to the frame.

Furthermore, the first conical pinion26also drove the second conical pinion26awhich itself rotated the third threaded rod12(FIG. 4). The front end of the rod12drove in translation a nut15on which a locking pin15′ is mounted which engages in a housing41fixed to the frame120. Fixed walls54and55(which can be supported by the element1) jam the rotation of the nut.

The front part of the front roof1is then secured to this frame.

In the above and in the figures, the roof80of the vehicle125comprises three roof elements1,2and3thus adapted so that the front1and intermediate2elements displace in relation to each other, as well as in relation to the rear roof element3between an “aligned” or “closed” position in which the three roof elements are substantially arranged in continuity, as illustrated inFIG. 1, and an “open” or “off-set” position (FIG. 2) in which the elements1and2were displaced in order to be stowed side by side with the element3, and stacked in a substantially horizontal position.

To move from the position inFIG. 1to that inFIG. 2(convertible position), i.e. stow all the roof elements, by retracting them to the inside of the bodywork, we have diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 2the path140that we can make the rear roof element3follow (and subsequently therefore elements1and2) to displace it between its stowed position in the boot160(as in the figure) and its deployed position inFIG. 1in which it covers at least a part of the passenger compartment150, the path140can notably be materialised in the shape of at least one slider as diagrammatically marked151and in part inFIG. 1.

By means of this slider, to which the rear element3is connected by a tab152, the element3is constantly connected to the body structure120of the vehicle in respect to which it articulates therefore between its deployed (first position) and stowed positions (second position as inFIG. 2).

Of course, a number other than three roof elements can be envisaged. Thus, the roof80could only, in particular, comprise one front element1directly connected to the rear of the rear element3.

We could also possibly envisage that the roof elements are stowed, not in a horizontal position as planned but, in an inclined or even vertical position, in the rear boot.

Alternatively, we must also consider that the screw/nut system located at the end of the rods10,11and12could be integrated elsewhere, for example on the inside of the body7in respect to the locking connector15, the important factor being to ensure a movement in translation in the chosen locking/unlocking direction and therefore be able to engage/disengage at will the ends of these rods in relation to the concerned zone of the body structure, in the stowed (or ready for stowing) side by side position of the roof elements.

Yet again to be noted inFIG. 2, the roof elements are stacked with the lower concavity or the curved profile of the two elements1and2directed downwards. We can however envisage an “inverse” position of these elements, one curved upwards the other downwards, the turning over of one of the elements being performed during the movement between the position inFIG. 1and the stowed position in the boot.

We also note that in the above, the locking means that were presented can laterally concern but only half of the vehicle. Thus, in actuality we preferably find them duplicated by symmetric axis (axis130) between the left and right parts of the vehicle. Concerning the controlling means4, we can moreover envisage a single motor for the two sets of left and right rods and cables of the vehicle with a flexible cable such as cables8and9interposed between the outlet of the motor and each first rod5.

Other types of vehicle than the one illustrated are of course concerned with the invention. They could be vehicles with “integrated boots” such as mini-van vehicles or even pickup type vehicles.

In their said second position (stowed position, exposed passenger compartment), the roof elements can additionally be placed above a rear boot zone, the important factor being that a structural part of the vehicle is located in the surroundings of said roof elements in this position so that they can then be secured (of course in a free manner as we have understood).

Thus, a positioning of the roof elements in their stowed position, exposed passenger compartment, above (or more frequently to the outside of) the bodywork of the vehicle, typically behind the passenger compartment, is possible.

Generally speaking, as regards the flexible means transmitting the movement generated by the controlling means between the rods to secure the roof elements in their first and second positions, it is clear that a motion other than rotation can be envisaged, thus a different solution to that specifically illustrated. Thus, a movement in translation is notably envisaged, for example by using a worm solution, or any other solution already proposed in the prior art, of rigid rod type or cable adapted for transmitting a movement of axial displacement comparable to a translation (see the solution already proposed combining a worm rod with a pinion or a solution via traction or thrust cable resistant to the compression).

A mechanism as in DE-A-10242725 can also be used.