CN117183900A - Front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two unfolded positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two deployed positions". The present disclosure relates to a front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two deployed positions (i.e., an intermediate deployed position and a fully deployed position). In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle comprising: a front luggage compartment that establishes a cargo space; and an shutter assembly configured to selectively cover and uncover the front luggage compartment, wherein the shutter assembly comprises an upper section and a lower section movable independently of the upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to move between a closed position, an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section uncovers a portion of the front luggage compartment, and a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is greater than an upper surface area of the lower section when in the intermediate deployed position.

Description

Front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two unfolded positions

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/347,704 filed on 1, 6, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two deployed positions (i.e., an intermediate deployed position and a fully deployed position).

Background

Electrically powered vehicles are being developed that reduce or completely eliminate reliance on internal combustion engines. With the advent of motorized vehicles, many existing components in the vehicle engine compartment may become unnecessary. The available space obtained by removing these components leaves room for a front luggage compartment, which is a storage compartment located near the front of the vehicle, and is commonly referred to using the hybrid term "front trunk".

Disclosure of Invention

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle comprising: a front luggage compartment that establishes a cargo space; and an shutter assembly configured to selectively cover and uncover the front luggage compartment, wherein the shutter assembly comprises an upper section and a lower section movable independently of the upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to move between a closed position, an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section uncovers a portion of the front luggage compartment, and a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is greater than an upper surface area of the lower section when in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the lower section includes a first panel and a second panel that are movable independently of each other.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the first panel and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second panel are formed from different textures or finished surfaces than the remainder of the first panel and the second panel when the lower section is in the fully deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the first panel overlays the second panel when the lower section is viewed from a vertically upward perspective when the lower section is in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the first panel is forward of the second panel when the lower section is in the fully deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the upper surface area of the lower section when the lower section is in the fully deployed position is substantially twice the upper surface area of the lower section when in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle, wherein: the lower section includes a first panel and a second panel that are movable independently of each other, surfaces of both the first panel and the second panel defining the upper surface area of the lower section when the lower section is in the fully deployed position, and the upper surface area of the lower section is defined only by the surface of the first panel when the lower section is in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the upper section provides a hood of the vehicle and the lower section provides at least a portion of a grille of the vehicle.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the upper section provides the cover and a portion of the grille.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the lower section is configured such that the first panel and the second panel rotate substantially 90 ° when moving from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the first panel and the second panel are rotatable about an axis adjacent a bottom edge of the lower section from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the lower section is configured such that the first panel rotates substantially 180 ° relative to the second panel when moving from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the first panel is movable about an axis adjacent a front edge of the second panel from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle wherein the upper section is movable in a direction generally opposite the lower section to reveal the front luggage compartment.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is a battery electric vehicle.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method comprising: moving a lower section of an opening and closing member assembly of a front luggage compartment from a closed position in which the lower section covers a front portion of the front luggage compartment to an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section exposes the front luggage compartment; and moving the lower end from the intermediate deployed position to a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is increased relative to the upper surface area of the lower section when in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein the lower section comprises a first panel and a second panel that are movable independently of each other, and wherein the first panel covers the second panel when the lower section is viewed from a vertically upward perspective when the lower section is in the intermediate deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein the first panel is forward of the second panel when the lower section is in the fully deployed position.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein moving the lower section from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position comprises rotating the first panel and the second panel substantially 90 ° about an axis adjacent a bottom edge of the lower section.

In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method wherein moving the lower section from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position comprises rotating the first panel substantially 180 ° relative to the second panel about an axis adjacent a front edge of the second panel.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically shows an electrically powered vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary front luggage compartment of an motorized vehicle with an upper section of the shutter assembly of the front luggage compartment in an open position and a lower section of the shutter assembly in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the front luggage compartment with the upper section in an open position and the lower section in an intermediate deployed position.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary front luggage compartment as shown in fig. 2 and 3 from opposite sides and showing the front luggage compartment with the upper section in an open position and the lower section in a fully deployed position.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a front luggage compartment comprising an opening and closing section configurable to two deployed positions (i.e., an intermediate deployed position and a fully deployed position). In addition to other benefits that will be appreciated from the following description, the disclosed features enable sections of the shutter assembly to facilitate loading and unloading of the front luggage compartment in the intermediate deployed position, while also providing a desktop surface of increased surface area for work or entertainment purposes in the fully deployed position.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle, which is here an motorized vehicle 10 ("vehicle 10"). The vehicle 10 may include any type of motorized driveline. In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). However, the concepts described herein are not limited to BEVs and may be extended to other motorized vehicles, including, but not limited to, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell vehicles, and the like. Thus, although not specifically shown in this embodiment, the vehicle 10 may be equipped with an internal combustion engine that may be employed alone or in combination with other energy sources to propel the vehicle 10. In particular, certain aspects of the present disclosure may be applied to vehicles other than motorized vehicles including a front trunk, such as a mid-engine or rear-engine vehicle.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is an electric-only vehicle propelled solely by electric power (such as by one or more electric machines 12), without any assistance from an internal combustion engine. The electric machine 12 may operate as an electric motor, a generator, or both. The electric machine 12 receives electrical power and provides rotational output torque to one or more drive wheels 14, such as through a transmission gearbox (not shown).

A voltage bus 16 electrically connects the motor 12 to a battery pack 18. The battery pack 18 is an exemplary motorized vehicle battery. The battery pack 18 may be a high voltage traction battery pack including one or more battery arrays 20 (i.e., a group of rechargeable battery cells) capable of outputting electrical power to operate the motor 12 and/or other electrical loads of the vehicle 10. Other types of energy storage devices and/or output devices may also be used to power the vehicle 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck. However, the vehicle 10 may also be an automobile, van, sport utility vehicle, or any other type of vehicle.

As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a passenger compartment 22, a truck cargo compartment 24 positioned rearward of the passenger compartment 22, and a front luggage compartment 26 positioned forward of the passenger compartment 22. The truck cargo compartment 24 may establish a first cargo space of the vehicle 10 and the front luggage compartment 26 may establish a second cargo space of the vehicle 10. The front luggage compartment 26 may be referred to, or more broadly referred to, as the front cargo space using the hybrid term "front trunk".

The front luggage compartment 26 may provide additional cargo space that is not conventionally available in most conventional internal combustion powered vehicles. The present disclosure includes various features that increase the usefulness and usability of the front luggage compartment 26.

The front luggage compartment 26 is selectively covered by an opening and closing member assembly 28. In this example, the shutter assembly 28 is a split opening and includes two independently movable sections, an upper section 30 and a lower section 32, which are movable to cover and uncover the front luggage compartment 26. The front luggage compartment 26 may then be conveniently accessed through the upper section 30, the lower section 32, or both. The upper and lower sections 30, 32 may each include one or more panels. In this example, the lower section 32 includes two independently movable panels, as will be explained below.

In the example shown, the upper section 30 includes a cover of the vehicle 10 and also provides a portion of a grille of the vehicle 10. The lower section 32 provides the remainder of the grid not provided by the upper section 30. Alternatively, the upper section 30 may provide a cover without providing any portion of the grille, and the lower section 32 may provide the entire grille.

The portions of the upper and/or lower sections 30, 32 that provide the grille may be sized and shaped to mate with the grille in an engine-driven vehicle model (such as a pick-up truck) in order to maintain the same appearance and allow the overall vehicle lineup to have substantially the same front end body structure. The portion providing the grille presents a solid surface configured to prevent water from entering the front luggage compartment 26. In this example, a solid surface is possible in the vehicle 10 because no engine cooling airflow is required.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the upper section 30 may be about an axis a via a pair of hinges 34 ₁ Rotated to selectively cover and uncover a first portion opening 36 of the front trunk 26, including the top of the front trunk 26 and an upper portion of the front trunk 26. The upper section 30 rotates generally upwardly and rearwardly when moving from the closed position (fig. 1) to the open position (fig. 2). The hinge 34 may be provided by a stranded hinge, wherein one of the strands is curved. The hinge 34 may alternatively be provided by another type of hinge (such as a barrel hinge) or a link (such as a four bar link).

The upper section 30 includes a cover panel 37 that includes a first surface 38 and a second surface 40 opposite the first surface 38. The first surface 38 is the underside of the upper section 30. The first surface 38 faces the forward luggage compartment 26 when the upper section 30 is closed. The second surface 40 provides an exterior of the vehicle 10, and in particular provides a top of the hood panel 37 in this example. When the upper section 30 is open, the first surface 38 may be referred to as a front surface and the second surface 40 may be referred to as a rear surface. The first surface 38 and the second surface 40 extend laterally between the opposite sides 42, 44 and also extend between edges 46, 48. When the upper section 30 is closed, the edge 46 is a front edge and the edge 48 is a rear edge. When the upper section 30 is open, the edge 46 may be referred to as a top edge and the edge 48 may be referred to as a bottom edge.

In this embodiment, the upper section 30 provides a portion of the grille of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the upper section 30 includes an upper grill section 45 that protrudes downwardly from the first surface 38 at a location adjacent the edge 46. The upper grill section 45 projects from the first surface 38 a distance D toward the bottom edge 49 ₁ 。D ₁ Less than the height D of the front opening 47 (FIG. 3) of the front trunk 26 ₂ . Although the upper section 30 includes an upper grid section 45 in this example, the present disclosureTo an upper section 30 that does not provide any portion of the grille of the vehicle 10.

In fig. 2, the lower section 32 is in a closed position. Although in the closed position, the front luggage compartment 26 is still accessible in fig. 2, as the upper section 30 is open. Because the lower section 32 provides only a portion of the grille of the vehicle 10, a user may relatively easily pass over the lower section 32 from the front of the vehicle 10 and into the front luggage compartment 26.

The lower section 32 may be about an axis A adjacent the bottom edge of the lower section 32 when moving from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position (FIG. 3) ₂ Rotated generally forward and downward (which is generally opposite to the direction in which the upper section 30 moves when moving from the closed position to the open position). In the intermediate deployed position, the lower section 32 completely exposes the front opening 47 of the front luggage compartment 26 from a front view.

The lower section 32 may be about axis a via a pair of hinges 35 ₂ And (5) rotating. In this example, axis A ₂ Parallel to axis A ₁ . The hinge 35 may be provided by a stranded hinge, wherein one of the strands is curved. The hinge 35 may alternatively be provided by another type of hinge or link.

As shown in fig. 2, the lower section 32 includes a first panel 51 and a second panel 53. The first panel 51 and the second panel 53 are selectively movable together and are also movable independently of each other. The first panel 51 includes a first surface 54 and a second surface 56 opposite the first surface 54. The first surface 54 faces the forward luggage compartment 26 when the lower section 32 is in the closed position. When the lower section 32 is in the intermediate deployed position, the first surface 54 may be referred to as a top surface of the first panel 51 and the second surface 56 may be referred to as a bottom surface of the first panel 51. The first surface 54 and the second surface 56 extend laterally between opposite sides 58, 60, which in this example fit between opposite headlamps 62, 64. In this regard, the upper grill section 45 is also configured to fit between the opposing headlamps 62, 64. The first surface 54 and the second surface 56 also extend between edges 66, 68. When the lower section 32 is closed, edge 66 is the top edge and edge 68 is the bottom edge. When the lower section 32 is in the intermediate deployed position, the edge 66 may be referred to as a leading edge and the edge 68 may be referred to as a trailing edge.

The second panel 53 includes a first surface 70 and a second surface 72 opposite the first surface 70. The first surface 70 generally faces the forward luggage compartment 26 and is in direct contact with the second surface 56 of the first panel 51 when the lower section 32 is in the closed position. When the lower section 32 is in the intermediate deployed position, the first surface 70 may be referred to as a top surface of the second panel 53 and the second surface 72 may be referred to as a bottom surface of the second panel 53. The second surface 72 of the second panel 53 also provides an exterior of a lower portion of the grille of the vehicle 10. The first surface 70 and the second surface 72 extend laterally between opposite sides 74, 76 that in this example fit between the opposing headlamps 62, 64. The first surface 70 and the second surface 72 also extend between the edges 78, 80. When the lower section 32 is closed, edge 80 is the top edge and edge 78 is the bottom edge. When the lower section 32 is in the intermediate deployed position, the edge 80 may be referred to as a leading edge and the edge 78 may be referred to as a trailing edge.

The first panel 51 and the second panel 53 exhibit a height D ₃ The height is substantially equal to D ₁ And D ₂ The difference between them. In this example, the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 exhibit substantially the same surface area. The surface area of the first panel 51 is defined by multiplying the length between the sides 58, 60 by the height between the edges 66, 68. The height between edges 66, 68 is equal to D ₃ . The surface area of the second panel 53 is similarly defined by multiplying the length between the sides 74, 76 by the height between the edges 78, 80.

In the intermediate unfolded position, the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 are vertically stacked such that the first panel 51 is vertically above the second panel 53 and substantially covers the second panel 53 when viewed from a vertically upper perspective. The first panel 51 and the second panel 53 may be selectively attached together in a closed position and an intermediate extended position such that the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 move with each other. In one example, a releasable latch or magnet or the like may selectively hold the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 together.

In this example, the second panel 53 is connected to the hinge 35 adjacent the edge 78. The first panel 51 is not directly connected to the hinge 35. The first panel 51 is indirectly connected to the hinge 35 via the second panel 53 only.

In the intermediate unfolded position, the lower section 32 has been rotated about the axis a relative to the closed position ₂ Rotated by substantially 90 deg.. Specifically, the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 have together been about the axis a ₂ Rotated by substantially 90 deg.. The term "substantially" is used with respect to the angle of rotation to refer to an acceptable tolerance (such as + -3 deg.). When in the intermediate deployed position, the surface area of the uppermost surface of the lower section 32 is defined by the surface area of the first panel 51. The first panel 51 (and in particular the first surface 56) is substantially parallel to the ground G in the intermediate deployed position. The ground G is a surface immediately below the wheels 14 of the vehicle 10, and may be concrete, road surface, grass, dirt, or the like. In the intermediate extended position, the first panel 51 may serve as a tabletop surface despite its relatively small surface area. That is, in the intermediate deployed position, because the lower section 32 projects outwardly only from the front trunk 26 substantially equal to D ₃ The user can easily load and unload the front luggage compartment 26 because the user can stand relatively close to the front opening 47.

The lower section 32 may also be configured in a fully deployed position in which the lower section 32 exhibits a greater upper surface area than in an intermediate deployed position, as shown in fig. 4. In fig. 4, the first panel 51 has been rotated forward by substantially 180 ° relative to the second panel 53 between the intermediate extended position and the fully extended position. In this way, in this example, the first panel 51 is no longer located vertically above the second panel 53, but is located entirely in front of the second panel 53. The second panel 53 does not move when the lower section 32 moves between the intermediate and fully deployed positions. When moving from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position, the first panel 51 surrounds the axis A ₃ Rotated, said axes being arranged between the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 adjacent the edges 66, 80. Axis A ₃ May be provided by a hinge connection 69. When a selectively releasable connection is provided between the first panel 51 and the second panel 53, the connection is released prior to initiating movement of the first panel 51 relative to the second panel 53.

In the fully deployed position, the first panel 51 and the second panel 53 lie in a common plane that is substantially parallel to the ground G. In the fully extended position, the upper surface area of the lower section 32 is defined by the distance between edge 68 and edge 78 (which is substantially equal to D ₃ Is twice) times a distance (such as the distance between sides 58 and 60) equal to the length of the first and second panels 51 and 53 (which are substantially equal herein). In the fully deployed position, the upper surface area of the lower section 32 is substantially twice the upper surface area of the lower section 32 when in the intermediate deployed position. In the intermediate deployed position, the upper surface area of the lower section 32 is equal to the surface area of the surface 56. The fully extended position provides more available desktop space, which may be beneficial for entertainment or work activities.

To close the lower section 32, the first panel 51 surrounds the axis a ₃ Back rotated substantially 180 ° back to the intermediate unfolded position and the first and second panels 51, 53 are brought together about the axis a with each other ₂ Rotated back substantially 90 deg. to the closed position.

In this example, in the fully extended position, the upper surface of the lower section 32 includes one or more features configured to facilitate use of the lower section 32 as a table top. For example, in this example, the surfaces 56, 70 that provide the upper surface of the lower section 32 in the fully extended position may be formed at least in part from a different texture or finish surface than the remainder of the first and second panels 51, 53. The surfaces 56, 70 may be formed as textured or finished surfaces configured to resist sliding of articles placed on the surfaces 56, 70 and may alternatively be configured to receive rubber pads. The surfaces 56, 70 may alternatively or additionally be configured to include or receive wireless charging pads configured to charge a computing device or a mobile device.

When the upper and lower sections 30, 32 are closed, the edges 66, 80 fit relative to the bottom edge 49 of the upper grill section 45 to enclose the front luggage compartment 26 and seal the front luggage compartment 26 from the outside environment. Specifically, as an example, edges 66, 80 abut bottom edge 49 directly or indirectly via a seal or gasket.

The front luggage compartment 26 includes a plurality of features that in combination with the configuration of the shutter assembly 28 and particularly the lower section 32 increase the usability of the front luggage compartment 26. Referring to fig. 4, the front luggage compartment includes a floor 84, a rear wall 86, and opposite lateral side walls 88, 90 that provide boundaries for the front cargo space of the vehicle 10. Various items such as a tool box and a tablet computer rest on the floor 84, and various other items such as tools and chargers are attached to the rear wall 86.

The side flanges 92, 94 are accessible and available laterally outboard of the side walls 88, 90 when the upper section 30 is open. Side flanges 92, 94 extend laterally from an upper portion of a respective one of the side walls 88, 90 to the outside of the vehicle 10 and otherwise generally present a similar profile to the upper section 30 such that when the upper section 30 is closed, the upper section 30 overlaps and covers the side flanges 92, 94. In one example, the upper section 30 directly abuts the side flanges 92, 94 when the upper section 30 is closed. When the upper section 30 is open, the side flanges 92, 94 are configured to provide space. Referring to the side flange 94, the side flange 94 includes two cup holders 96 and a working surface 98. The side flanges 92 are similarly configured, but are opposed about the centerline of the vehicle 10. The working surface 98 is substantially parallel to the floor 84 of the front luggage compartment 26. The working surface 98 may be formed as a textured or finished surface configured to resist sliding of items placed on the working surface 98. In this regard, the working surface 98 may be considered a storage tray. The working surface 98 may alternatively be configured to receive a rubber pad. The work surface 98 may alternatively or additionally be configured to include or receive a wireless charging pad configured to charge a computing device or mobile device.

In this example, the front luggage compartment 26 also includes a mount configured to facilitate mounting of various items, such as tools. As shown, the front luggage compartment 26 includes two perforated hard fiber plates (hardboards) 100, 102 mounted or bonded into the first surface 38 and the rear wall 86 of the upper section 30, respectively. As an example, the perforated hard fiber board 100, 102 may be used to store tools and equipment. The perforated hard fiber boards 100, 102 include equidistant holes configured to receive standard sized pegs, hooks, or other adapters configured to mount and store various items. In another example, the first surface 38 and/or the rear wall 86 are integrally formed with equidistant holes corresponding to equidistant holes of a perforated hardboard.

The front luggage compartment 26 may include various power outlets. As one example, the front trunk 26 includes four 120 volt power outlets 106. The front luggage compartment 26 may include a different number or type of power outlets (including 240 volt power outlets, USB-C outlets, etc.). The power outlet 106 may conveniently charge items such as tools, computing devices, or mobile devices for use with respect to the front trunk 26. The front luggage compartment 26 may include an electrical outlet in additional locations than shown in the figures.

In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections 30, 32 are manually movable between an open position and a closed position. However, the upper and lower sections 30, 32 may be opened automatically using one or more powered actuators. In this case, the user may initiate opening and/or closing of the upper and lower sections 30, 32 by initiating an opening or closing command on the key fob, on the user's mobile device, by a button on the exterior of the vehicle 10, and/or through a user interface in the passenger compartment 22. For example, the user may press a button, which moves the lower section 32 from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position. Alternatively, the user may press another button, which moves the lower section 32 from the closed position to the fully deployed position without stopping at the intermediate deployed position. The powered actuator may properly hold the upper and lower sections 30, 32 in the open, closed, intermediate, and fully deployed positions while powering the upper and lower sections 30, 32. Alternatively or additionally, the hinges 34, 35, 69 may cooperate with one or more pawls and/or releasable latches configured to hold the upper and lower sections 30, 32 in the open and closed positions. For example, edges 66 and/or 80 may include releasable latches configured to engage protrusions from bottom edge 49 to retain upper section 30 and lower section 32 in the closed position.

In both embodiments, the front luggage compartment 26 and various surfaces of the upper and lower sections 30, 32 may be made of polymeric materials. However, other materials, including metallic materials, are also contemplated as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

The various work surfaces discussed above (including surfaces 56, 70, 98, etc.) may include one or more embossments that establish one or more measuring scales to measure the article when positioned atop the work surface. Each of the working surfaces may include a cup holder, a storage tray, an electrical outlet, and the like. The front luggage compartment 26 may also be fitted with various storage compartments and other features, such as speakers for listening to music or other audio during travel picnics, work, or other activities, and interfaces for controlling the speakers. Any electronics, including an electrical outlet, may be electrically connected to and powered by the battery pack 18.

Further, the vehicle 10 may include a controller C (FIG. 1) that is part of an overall vehicle control module, such as a Vehicle System Controller (VSC), or alternatively, a stand-alone controller separate from the VSC. The controller C may be programmed with executable instructions for interacting with and operating various components of the vehicle 10. The controller additionally includes a processing unit and non-transitory memory for executing various control strategies and modes of the vehicle 10. As an example, the controller C may selectively direct power to the power outlet 106, charge a power tool mounted to the perforated hard fiber board 100, 102, and/or command a powered actuator (if present) to turn on and off the upper and lower sections 30, 32, among other functions.

It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "substantially" are not intended to be borderless terms and should be construed as consistent with the manner in which those terms would be interpreted by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, directional terms such as "forward", "rearward", "upward", "downward", "vertical", "horizontal", and the like are used with reference to the normal operating orientation of the vehicle and are for explanation purposes only and should not be otherwise construed as limiting.

Although different examples have particular components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. Some of the features or components from one of the examples may be used in combination with features or components from another of the examples. In addition, the various figures of the disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of particular components or arrangements.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. That is, modifications of the present disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims (15)

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a front luggage compartment that establishes a cargo space; and

a housing assembly configured to selectively cover and uncover the front luggage compartment, wherein the housing assembly comprises an upper section and a lower section movable independently of the upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to move between a closed position, an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section uncovers a portion of the front luggage compartment, and a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is greater than an upper surface area of the lower section when in the intermediate deployed position.

2. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the lower section includes a first panel and a second panel that are movable independently of each other.

3. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the first panel and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second panel are formed from different textures or finished surfaces than the remainder of the first panel and the second panel when the lower section is in the fully deployed position.

4. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first panel overlays the second panel when the lower section is in the intermediate deployed position when the lower section is viewed from a vertically upward perspective.

5. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first panel is forward of the second panel when the lower section is in the fully deployed position.

6. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the upper surface area of the lower section is substantially twice the upper surface area of the lower section when in the fully deployed position.

7. The motor vehicle of claim 6, wherein:

the lower section comprises a first panel and a second panel that are movable independently of each other,

the surfaces of both the first and second panels define the upper surface area of the lower section when the lower section is in the fully deployed position, and

the upper surface area of the lower section is defined only by a surface of the first panel when the lower section is in the intermediate deployed position.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the upper section provides a cover of the vehicle and the lower section provides at least a portion of a grille of the vehicle.

9. The motor vehicle of claim 8, wherein the upper section provides the cover and a portion of the grille.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 2, wherein the lower section is configured such that the first panel and the second panel rotate substantially 90 ° when moving from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first panel and the second panel are rotatable about an axis adjacent a bottom edge of the lower section from the closed position to the intermediate deployed position.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 10, wherein the lower section is configured such that the first panel rotates substantially 180 ° relative to the second panel when moving from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 12, wherein the first panel is movable about an axis adjacent a front edge of the second panel from the intermediate deployed position to the fully deployed position.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the upper section is movable in a direction generally opposite the lower section to reveal the front luggage compartment.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is a battery electric vehicle.