FR2838382A1 - Convertible has opening roof with front and rear section, rear section being below front section when roof is open in storage space which has cover with rear section and integral front section - Google Patents

Abstract

The convertible has an opening roof with a front (16) and a rear (14) section. When open the rear section is below the front section in a storage space which has a cover with a rear section (38) and an integral front section (40). An Independent claim is included for the cover system.

Description

of said air purification device with respect to the air flow.

DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to a convertible vehicle comprising a hood, a retraction space and a rear concealment flap, said hood being movable between a closed position in which it covers the passenger compartment, and a retractable position in which it is housed, as a folded assembly, in the retraction space covered by the concealment flap, vehicle in which an extreme posterior region of the hood, turned towards the body of the vehicle in the closed position, frames a surface area in which a cover panel is arranged in the position of

1 0 closing.

  A vehicle of this kind is known from patent application EP-A2-0 277 295. In the vehicle illustrated by this document, in order to stiffen a "rigid roof" of monobloc embodiment, a region of the rear end said roof, directed towards the vehicle body, is firmly connected to a covering panel extending in the direction

  transverse of the vehicle, essentially over the entire width of the soft top.

  In the retracted position, one face of the covering panel which is turned away from the rigid roof covers the opening of a space

  retraction interposed between seats and a concealment flap.

  A drawback affecting this solution lies in the manufacturing complexity necessary for its realization, and in the inherent costs. The object of the invention is to provide a convertible vehicle making it possible to save production costs caused by the

roof structure.

  Based on the generic prior art, the object sought by the invention is achieved by the fact that the covering panel is

  connected to the blackout flap for a common movement.

  Since the covering panel is connected to the concealment flap, it can be produced in a simple manner and be provided on said flap. This simplifies the production steps and the tools necessary for the

roof manufacturing.

  In order to be able to take optimal advantage of the retraction space which is frequently only present to a limited extent, in the vehicle, said vehicle can be of a structural arrangement in which, in the retracting position, the hood is housed in the space

  retraction in the form of a folded assembly.

  An additional advantage of the invention can be concretely obtained by the fact that a seal, provided in a marginal zone of the rear posterior region of the hood which is directed towards the vehicle body, bears on the panel.

  cover or on the blackout flap in the closed position.

  In the previously mentioned embodiment, comprising a covering panel connected to the concealment flap, seals enclosing said flap from below are no longer necessary, which notably facilitates the sealing of the passenger compartment and, by Therefore, the structural arrangement of the vehicle body. Due to the presence of the sealing gasket laying flat, complicated water drains should not necessarily be provided and provided on the

vehicle body.

  In the event of the hood being incorrectly retracted, in order to be able to maintain the collision forces developed at the stage of closing the blacking shutter as small as possible, the vehicle may have a structural arrangement in which the cover panel is connected to the shutter hiding in an articulated way. Said component can then give in

  flexibility, correspondingly.

  Alternatively, for reasons related to the simplest possible manufacturing, it is also possible to envisage that the covering panel is connected in one piece to the blackout flap. At the stage of manufacturing said flap, said panel can then be formed jointly with the latter, in a production step. In principle, the vehicle according to the invention can be equipped with any type of convertible top. Nevertheless, the present invention exerts a particularly advantageous effect when the hood is a roof. The rigid roof may be a one-piece rigid roof, as known from the above-mentioned application EP-A2-0 277 295. However, in order to save storage space, the vehicle is preferably of a structural arrangement in which the rigid roof comprises a multiplicity of parts endowed with shape stability, connected to each other.

  others and movable with respect to each other.

  In a variant of economic equipment of a vehicle according to the invention, the hood or, respectively, the parts

  components of the rigid roof can be moved by hand.

  However, for reasons of comfort, it is possible to envisage that at least one constituent part of the roof, connected to a bearing fixed to the vehicle, preferably all the constituent parts of the roof, could be entangled. by at least one respective force generator, in order to accomplish a movement. As a minimum force generating assembly, one can for example think of a hydraulic and / or electric and / or pneumatic drive. The drives can be designed in such a way that they develop the entirety of the displacement force, or that they provide an assistance force reducing the

  force required for manual actuation.

  The system for mounting the hood in several parts, on the vehicle, can be simplified by the fact that at least one other constituent part of the roof is related to the constituent part of the roof, provided at least, articulated on the bearing secured to the vehicle. This also reduces the mounting complexity required to install the soft top on the vehicle. In the most advantageous case, only a constituent part of the roof is articulated on the bearing subject to the vehicle, while the other or the other constituting part (s) is (are) connected (s) to the vehicle by

  the intermediary of the party mentioned first.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, advantageous kinematic equipment of the roof can be obtained thanks to the fact that the constituent part of the roof, provided at least and connected to the bearing subject to the vehicle, is connected to said vehicle by means of '' at least one transmission by rods, preferably a four-point articulation, optimally by means of a parallelogram with four articulated branches. By means of a corresponding dimensioning of the kansmission by rods or, respectively, of the four-point articulation, the variation of the orientation of the part of the roof, which is fixed to it, is

  negligible or zero when the hood is moved.

  Usually, in vehicles equipped with hoods in several parts, a sealing gasket ensuring, in the closed position of the hood, the sealing of an interstitial space between two adjacent parts constituting the roof, vis-à-vis of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, is arranged on one of said adjacent parts so that it protrudes towards the other part. As a rule, this results in the fact that the parts of the roof can only be moved in a relative movement from the closed position in one direction. On the other hand, a significantly greater freedom of movement can be obtained thanks to the fact that a lining support, preferably extending essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is connected to a link of the transmission by links provided at minimum, support on which a seal is provided to seal an interstitial space between the constituent part of the roof, connected to the bearing secured to the vehicle, and to the

  at least one other constituent part of the roof and adjacent to the aforementioned part.

  A simple kinematic system, by means of a secure sealing function, can be provided when the lining support is rigidly connected to the link. In general, however, said support can also be connected to said

  rod with sliding and / or rotating faculty.

  In principle, the aforementioned sealing system can be

  procured using a single link transmission.

  However, a more stable installation and, consequently, an improved sealing effect, can be obtained by the fact that the constituent part of the roof, provided at a minimum and connected to the bearing subject to the vehicle, is connected to said vehicle by the 'intermediate of at least two, in particular exactly by means of two essentially identical link transmissions, essentially arranged parallel to one another, and by the fact that the lining support is disposed on two mutually corresponding links of the two link transmissions, between which it extends. As a general rule, the two substantially identical link transmissions are essentially arranged on the vehicle, with offset in the transverse direction

of said vehicle.

  To achieve the smallest possible number of parts, the vehicle can, like that of application EP-A2-0 277 295 mentioned above, be of a structural arrangement in which the constituent part of the roof, connected to the subject bearing to the vehicle, is articulated on said vehicle

  through an individual rigid articulated assembly.

  Convertibles are generally equipped with a roll bar to protect the occupants of the vehicle during a tumble. In a vehicle of this kind, according to a preterential embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the constituent part of the roof, provided at least and connected to a bearing subject to the vehicle, is articulated on the roll bar. security. In this way, the entire hood or roof can be fixed to the most stable structure of the vehicle, that is to say to the roll bar.

  safety or respectively, in general, to an anti-collision cage.

  In one embodiment of the invention, which is particularly preferred because of its modest number of parts, simultaneously with high rigidity of the body, the vehicle has a structural arrangement in which, observed in the closed position, the rigid roof is composed of anterior and posterior constituent parts, the front part being connected to the bearing subject to the vehicle, and the part

  posterior being connected to said anterior part.

  The foregoing development has described a convertible vehicle whose particularly advantageous specificity resides in a covering system comprising a hood, a covering panel and a concealment flap. This is why independent protection is sought regarding this system. In this case, reference is made in particular to the characteristic that the hood can be installed on a

rollbar.

  The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, in which a hood is brought from the closed position (Figure 1) to the retracting position (Figure 6), in 2s passing through intermediate positions (Figures 2 to 5); FIGS. 7 to 13 show a second embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, in which a hood is brought from the closed position (FIG. 7) to the retracting position (FIG. 13), by passing through intermediate positions (Figures 8 to 12); and Figures 14 and 15 are detailed views of a joint

  interstitial between an upper part and a posterior part.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-section, highly diagrammatic,

  of the hood region of a vehicle 10 according to the invention.

  The vehicle 10 according to the invention has a rigid roof 12, comprising a rear part 14 and an upper part 16 connected to the latter. An edge of the part 16, oriented towards the front of the vehicle, is applied against a seal 18 arranged on a transverse support - 6 not shown which, in turn, forms part of a frame structure d 'a windshield not shown. The upper part 16 is connected, by means of a rod 20 fixed to a link 22, with the possibility of pivoting around a point 24, to a roll bar 26 subjected to a vehicle anti-collision cage 10. The rod 20 and the rod 22 form

a rigid articulated assembly.

  The rear part 14 is connected to the upper part by means of a first link 28 and a second link 30 which are movable in different zones, on the rod 20, and materialize a

four point articulation.

  In an extreme rear region 32 of the rear part 14, facing the vehicle body in the closed position, a sealing gasket 36, provided on the side directed towards a passenger compartment 34 of the vehicle in the closed position, bears against a outer face of a blackout flap 38, in the closed position, and seals the passenger compartment 34 by preventing penetration of moisture and grime. Alternatively, the lining 36 can also be applied against

  a covering panel 40 rigidly connected to the blackout flap 38.

  In a known manner, the concealment flap 38 is pivotally installed on the vehicle, around an axis extending essentially in the transverse direction of said vehicle, by means of a single or multiple articulation. located in the vicinity of its posterior extreme region. Depending on the type of articulation used, the concealment flap can accomplish during opening and closing, in addition to the pivoting movement, a

  translatory movement superimposed on the latter.

  A seal 44 is provided on the upper part 16, in its end region facing the rear part 14 in the closed position, in order to ensure the tightness, in the direction of the vehicle interior 34, of an interstitial space 46 to which it is given birth, between the parts 14 and 16, in the closed position illustrated

in figure 1.

  FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the rear part 14 is first set in motion via the upper part 16, on the links 28 and 30, thereby freeing up the space located above the shutter. occultation 38 and of the covering panel 40, with a view to a movement of said flap 38 with said panel 40. The superimposed arrangement of parts 16 and 14 gives rise to a folded assembly which can also be accommodated in a retraction space closely delimited. An advantage of the illustrated connection between the rear part 14, the upper part 16 and the roll bar 26, consists in that no more additional relative movement is necessary between the two parts 14 and 16 constituting the roof, after that the part 14 has pivoted through the part 16; and in that only the folded assembly thus formed continues to be pivoted, by driving the rod 22, around an axis passing through the point of rotation 24, essentially in the direction

transverse of the vehicle.

  In FIG. 3, the concealment flap 38 is pivoted towards the rear of the vehicle, at the same time as the covering panel 40 which is connected to it, so that it frees an access opening to a retraction space for the folded assembly comprising the parts 1 4 and

16 constituting the roof.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate position during a pivoting of the folded assembly making it penetrate into the retraction space. In FIG. 5, the folded assembly comprising the parts 14 and 16 constituting the roof has pivoted into the retraction space and, in FIG. 6, the concealment flap 38 is closed, together with the covering panel 40, above the retraction space receiving the folded assembly. Vehicle 10 is then primed

  to travel as a convertible.

  A second embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 7 to 13. In said Figures 7 to 13, identical structural parts are designated by the same numerical references as in Figures 1 to 6, increased however by the figure of the first hundred. The second form shown in Figures 7 to 13 is the subject of a comment only insofar as it differs from the first form. For the rest, it is expressly referred to the

  description with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

  An essential difference between the first and second embodiments is that an upper portion 116 is. no longer articulated on a vehicle 110 by means of a single link,

  but connected to the latter by means of two rods 120 and 122.

  Said links 120 and 122 rotate around respective points 124 and, and form a four-point joint in association with the vehicle 110 and the upper part 116. It will be observed that, for reasons of increased stability, the links 120 and 122 can also be articulated on a roll bar 126, or else on the collision avoidance cage,

  as in the first embodiment.

  s The rear part 114 is articulated on the link 122, by two links 128 and 130, such that said part 114 and said links 122, 128 and 130 also materialize a four-point articulation. To increase stability, a respective four-point hinge, consisting of links 120 and 122, occupies an offset position on each side of the vehicle in the transverse direction of said vehicle, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the figures; thus, in FIGS. 7 to 13, the points of rotation 124 and 125 can be considered as the projection of the two axes of rotation associated with the rods 120 and 122 considered. Given the illustration in section, in FIGS. 7 to 13,

  only a link 120 and 122 is shown respectively.

  Between the links 122 (only one of which is located behind the cutting plane, so that it is illustrated), there is a transverse support 142 which extends essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and on which a sealing gasket 144 is provided to seal an interstitial space 146, between the upper part 116 and the rear part 114, in the closed position shown

in figure 7.

  The fact of providing the sealing gasket 144, on a transverse support of the roof which is respectively connected to the rod (s) 122, offers the advantage consisting in that the rear part 114 can accomplish with respect to the upper part 116, from the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7, a pivoting both clockwise and counterclockwise; in fact, the lining 144 normally involving a collision, during a clockwise rotation, can be animated with a joint movement with the rear part 114, while it remains applied against the upper part 116 in the case of 'a

counterclockwise rotation.

  The rear part 114 has carried out such a rotation in a counterclockwise direction, on the figure 8, on which it occupies a position overlying the upper part 116, allowing a concealment flap 138, articulated on its end turned towards the 'rear of the vehicle, to open by pivoting clockwise. In FIG. 9, in which the parts 114 and 116 constituting the roof occupy positions unchanged by

  compared to Figure 8, the flap 138 is shown in the open state.

  At the successive stage, as shown in FIG. 10, the rear part 114 returns to the location at which it is located in the

  closed position illustrated in figure 7.

  In the sequence, as shown in Figure 11, the rods 120 and 122 are rotated clockwise, with the parts 114 and 116 constituting the roof connected thereto, in order to deposit the rigid roof 112 in a space for retracting the hood. It will then be observed that, during this relative rotation of the posterior part 114 with respect to the upper part 116, operating clockwise, the sealing gasket 144 remains applied against said

part 114.

  Figures 12 and 13 show the rigid roof 112 deposited in the retraction space of the hood, before the closure (Figure 12) of the blackout flap 138, and after said closure (Figure 13). The vehicle is then

  ready to move with the hood open.

  Figures 14 and 1S illustrate, on an enlarged scale, the transverse support 142 carrying the sealing gasket 144, and the end regions of the parts 114 and 116 constituting the roof which cooperate with said gasket. FIG. 14 corresponds to an instant following an uplift of the rear part 114, during the transition between the position of the hood according to FIG. 7, and that according to FIG. 8. On the other hand, FIG. 15 is an illustration fragmentary identical to that of FIG. 14, however relating to an instant following the start of a movement resulting in a transition between the position of the hood according to FIG. 10, and that according to FIG. 11. It should be noted that the connection of the gasket 144 with the rod 122 considerably increases the possibilities of mutual movement of the parts

of the roof.

  A difference, between the second embodiment and the first, is that, in the second form, the rod 120 is not

  not fixed to the rod 122, but articulated on the vehicle 110.

  The characteristics of the invention highlighted by the

  drawings and the foregoing description may be essential as long as

  - 10 individually, only in any combination, for setting

_work of the invention.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be

  made to the invention described and shown, without departing from its scope.

  List of reference numbers, 110 vehicle 12, 112 rigid roof 14, 114 rear part of rigid roof 16, 116 upper part of rigid roof 18, 118 seal, 120 rod (20), respectively rod (120) 22, 122 links 24, 124 point of rotation, respectively axis of rotation of the link point of rotation, respectively axis of rotation of the link 26, 126 roll bar 28, 128 first link of the rear part 14, 114 30, 130 second and link of the rear part 14, 114 32, 132 rear end region of the rear part 14, 114 34, 134 passenger compartment 36, 136 seal in the rear end region

32, 132

  38, 138 blackout flap, 140 cover panel 142 transverse support 44, 144 seal to seal the interstitial space 46, 146 46, 146 interstitial space between the rear part 14, 114 and the part upper 16, 116 -11

Claims (16)

  1. Convertible vehicle comprising a hood (12; 112), a retraction space and a rear concealment flap (38; 138), said hood (12; 112) being movable between a closed position in which it covers the passenger compartment (34; 134), and a retraction position in which it is housed, as a folded assembly, in the retraction space covered by the concealment flap (38; 138), vehicle in which a posterior end region (32; 132) of the hood (12; 112), facing the vehicle body in the closed position, encloses a surface area in which a cover panel (40; 140) is disposed in the position closure, vehicle characterized in that said covering panel (40; 140) is connected to said blackout flap   (38; 138) for a common movement.   2. Convertible vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the retracted position, the hood (12; 112) is housed   in the retraction space in the form of a folded assembly.   3. Cabriolet vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a seal (36; 136), provided in a marginal zone of the posterior end region (32; 132) of the hood (12; 112 ) which is directed towards the vehicle body, bears on the covering panel (40; 140) or on the blacking flap (38; 138) in the closed position.   4. Convertible vehicle according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the panel   cover (40; 140) is connected to the blackout flap (38; 138) of articulated way.   5. Cabriolet vehicle according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the covering panel   (40; 140) is connected in one piece to the blackout flap (38; 138).   6. Cabriolet vehicle according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the hood (12; 112) is a rigid roof (12; 112).   7. Convertible vehicle according to claim 6 combined with claim 2, characterized in that the rigid roof (12; 112) comprises - 12 a multiplicity of parts (14, 16; 114, 116) endowed with stability of   shape, connected to each other and movable with respect to each other.   8. Convertible vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one part (16; 116) constituting the roof, connected to a bearing (24; 125) secured to the vehicle, preferably all the parts (14, 16 ; 114, 116) constituting the roof, can (Fri) t be started (s) by at least one respective set generator of forces, in order to accomplish a movement. 9. Cabriolet vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one other part (14; 114) constituting the roof is connected to the part (16; 116) constituting the roof, provided at least, articulated on the   bearing (24; 124, 125) secured to the vehicle.   10. Cabriolet vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the part (116) constituting the roof, provided at least and connected to the bearing (124, 125) secured to the vehicle, is connected to said vehicle (110) by l '' through at least one link transmission (124, 125, 120, 122), preferably a four-point articulation (124, 125, 120, 122), optimally via a   parallelogram with four articulated branches (124, 125, 120, 122).   11. Cabriolet vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that a support (142) lining, preferably extending essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle, is connected to a link (122) of the transmission by connecting rods (124, 125, 120, 122) provided at least, support on which a seal (144) is provided to seal an interstitial space (146) between the part (116) constituting the roof , connected to the bearing (124, 125) secured to the vehicle, and at least one other part (114) constituting the roof and adjacent to the part cited above (116).   12. Convertible vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that the part (116) constituting the roof, provided at least and connected to the bearing (124, 125) secured to the vehicle, is connected to said vehicle (110) via at least two, in particular exactly by means of two essentially identical link transmissions (124, 125, 120, 122), arranged for the most part parallel to one another; and by the fact that the lining support (142) is disposed on two mutually corresponding rods (122) of the two transmissions by   links (124, 125, 120, 122), between which it extends.   - 13 13. Convertible vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the part (16) constituting the roof, connected to the bearing (24) secured to the vehicle, is articulated on said vehicle (10) via   S of an individual rigid articulated assembly (20, 22).   14. Cabriolet vehicle according to any one of   Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the component part (16)   the roof, provided at a minimum and connected to a bearing (24) secured to the vehicle,   is articulated on the safety arch (24, 26).   15. Cabriolet vehicle according to any one of   Claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, observed in the position of   closure, the rigid roof (12; 112) is made up of anterior (16, 116) and posterior (14; 114) constituent parts, the anterior part (16; 116) being connected to the bearing (24; 124, 125) subject to the vehicle, and the part   posterior (14; 114) being connected to said anterior part (16; 116).   16. Covering system, characterized in that it comprises a hood (12; 112), a covering panel (40; 140) and a concealment flap (38; 138), having the characteristics of at least