FR2876960A1 - Convertible vehicle e.g. one box car, has central unit articulated to intermediate unit and engaged with lateral units to close upper part of space defined by lateral units, and window pane closing lower part of space - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has an intermediate unit (53) and a rear central unit (55) extending between lateral units (57a, 57b) which are articulated to a structural frame (45) and spaced from each other to define a space. The central unit is articulated to the unit (53) and is engaged with the lateral units to close an upper part of the space. A window pane closing a lower part of the space is retractable behind a part of a body. An independent claim is also included for a method for uncovering a cab interior of a convertible vehicle.

Description

This subject concerns the field of convertible vehicles, and

  particularly motor vehicles, thus comprising a mobile roof relative to the structural frame of the vehicle, to cover or discover

the interior of this vehicle.

  A problem posed here concerns the design of the roof and the elements of the vehicle that contribute to its deployment or its storage, in order to ensure a high performance kinematics, with reliable means that can be automated, all within the framework of a mass production and a reasonable cost.

  In this context, it is proposed a convertible vehicle including a roof, a priori rigid, comprising a plurality of roof elements movable between a closed position above the passenger compartment of the vehicle and an open position in which these elements are moved to the vehicle. distance from the top of the passenger compartment to a space or a storage area of the vehicle, the roof elements including a first roof element, second and third rear roof elements and a fourth rear roof central element; extending between the second and third lateral elements, in the closed position, the first roof element being articulated, at the location of a rear part, to said lateral elements which are themselves hinged to the structural frame of the vehicle and are spaced apart; one of the other, then defining between them a space which, in the closed position, is divided into a high and a low part, the fourth el rear central roof member being hinged to the first roof element, at the location of a rear portion thereof, and being engaged with said lateral elements, in the closed position, so as to then close the upper part of said space, a window closing the lower part of this space, this window being advantageously retractable behind a part of the bodywork.

  For the sake of reliability and for space problems, the glass will even be advantageously retractable inside the relevant part of the body, especially if this part of the body is a cover (we can also use the term hood movable relative to the structural frame and adapted to occupy a position closing the rear of the storage space, which will advantageously be located towards the rear of the vehicle.

  In a preferred embodiment, the second and third roof side members will be custodes.

  In FR-A-2 814 402 and / or FR-A-2 816 248, technical characteristics of mobile roofs and control mechanisms of this roof are disclosed. But none of these documents gives any indication for designing a single-body or two-body vehicle retractable roof, or more generally tip to dissociate them the rear window (hereinafter referred to as glass) and the roof elements , in particular here the fourth roof element.

  For all intents and purposes, it is specified that here is called a single-body vehicle or a two-body vehicle, a vehicle whose silhouette does not have significant recess at the location of the aforementioned lid (which could be called rear boot lid ), the opening of which allows the roof elements to be stored, unlike the large recess defined behind the passenger compartment in a tri-body vehicle, typically between the rear window and said trunk lid.

  Moreover, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show diagrammatically examples of silhouettes respectively of two-body, single-body and tri-body vehicles.

  It will thus be understood that the above characteristics are particularly applicable to a single-body vehicle or to a two-body vehicle.

  Advantageously, the movable cover which has just been mentioned to allow storage of the roof elements behind a portion of the bodywork, will have lateral extensions having a free end before and extending, at least in the closed position of the roof elements, towards the front of the vehicle, along the lower base respectively of the second and third roof side members, these lateral extensions being articulated on the structural frame of the vehicle to their said free end before.

  Such an embodiment is favorable to the opening or closing kinematics of the roof elements, leaving a sufficient space for maneuver and favoring the use of efficient control means, in particular those which are presented just after, it being specified, however, that the control means described in the aforementioned publications FR-A-2 814 402 or FR-A-2 816 248 could be used, alternatively, for the opening and closing movements of the roof elements (see in particular page 3, line 5 to page 4, line 32 of FR-A-2 816 248).

  With regard to these roof elements, it will be further noted: - that the second and third roof side roof elements and the cover will advantageously be articulated relative to the vehicle frame around respective axes located close to each other or confused, - and / or that the structural frame of the vehicle and the cover towards its front and rear ends will preferably be adapted to be releasable together by releasable joints, so that the lid can be opened from the rear to the front of the vehicle to access the storage space, and from the front to the rear to store the roof by folding it in the storage space, and / or that, during the passage of said roof elements of the closed position in the open position, control means will advantageously rotate the fourth central rear roof element to come to place it in the folded position against a lower face of the first element of you t, - and / or that the first roof element will preferably be articulated to the structural frame of the vehicle via at least one arm which will control the pivoting of the fourth rear central roof element, and / or that the vehicle Advantageously, it will further comprise a first connecting element articulated between said arm and said fourth central rear roof element.

  In particular in the context of the vehicle above, or on a vehicle with two or three roof elements (front and rear, or front, intermediate and rear) as in the aforementioned publications FR-A-2 414 402 or FR-A -2 816 248, another problem arose relating to the control of the front roof element here called the fifth roof element located between the windshield and the roof element located just behind, here the first element of roof, in order to achieve reliable operation with a powerful kinematics, especially if we seek a compact storage retaining a relatively simple mechanism, and kinematics, reliable and a reasonable cost.

  It is in this context that it is proposed that the aforementioned arm pivoting control, which manages the pivoting of a roof element located behind a roof element located further forward (in the closed position of the roof elements) , also controls the movement of a front roof element, here said fifth roof element, so as to place it advantageously facing, or substantially facing, a face of an intermediate roof element, here said first element roof, when passing these roof elements from the closed position to the open proposal.

  Preferably, the first and fifth roof elements will be articulated to each other by a deformable quadrilateral device comprising at least one link articulated to each of these roof elements, the link being actuated to place the fifth roof element against one face of the roof element. first roof element, when passing from the closed position to the open position of the roof elements.

  And advantageously this rod will be actuated by the movement of the arm through a second connecting element articulated to the arm and the rod, this being mechanically efficient, effective in terms of guidance and limited space.

  For the sake of compactness and performance, it is further advised that the respective hinges of the first and second link members on the arm are located close to each other, or are merged, and / or that these first and / or second connecting elements are rods.

  As advantages, the present vehicle concept makes it possible to have, in the closed position of the roof, an interior volume (cockpit plus storage space) with the ability to easily switch from this last configuration to a discovery configuration (convertible ), open roof: the vehicle could thus be of the type wagon or minivan, while benefiting from a retractable hardtop. In addition, the short individual length of the roof elements allows the vehicle to have if necessary four or five real places because the length of all roof elements when folded is then quite low. Due to the small thickness of the assembly formed by the folded roof elements in the storage space, the loading height in the trunk remains high, when the roof is stored there.

  In addition to what has just been presented, here also concerns a method for discovering the interior of a convertible vehicle where it is intended, to meet all or part of the requirements and to achieve all or part of the advantages mentioned above, that a) at least partially retracts said rear window behind the body part concerned, and b) moving the roof elements to said storage area, comprising.

  this displacement a tilting of the second and third roof side members with respect to the structural frame, about a first pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, - a folding, substantially one above the other, first and fourth roof elements, relative pivoting about a common pivot axis, and a common tilt to the storage area.

  Advantageously, if said body part behind which retracts the window is a movable cover adapted to occupy a position closing the rear of the interior storage space of the roof located behind a body part, it is advisable to at least start the retraction of the window inside this cover, after which the lid is opened and the roof elements are stored in accordance with step b).

  An even more detailed description is given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1, 2 and 3 show schematically and in external side view of two-body vehicles, single-body and tri-body.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 show in partial perspective a convertible vehicle equipped with five moving roof elements, respectively in the closed and partially open position, and FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show, in an inner side view (corresponding to FIG. to a longitudinal section) the same vehicle as that of Figures 4 and 5, respectively with the roof fully closed, the rear cover open, the roof partially open, and the roof fully open, stored at the rear of the vehicle which is then fully discovered.

  The dual-body motor vehicle 1 of Figure 1 comprises a prominent front engine hood 3 whose line breaks with that of the windshield 5.

  Its roof 7 extends however in the extension of the windshield.

  Similarly, the rear cover 9 incorporates, here without prominence, the rear window 11. This cover 9, which gives access to the trunk 12, is here a hatch.

  The vehicle 1 may in particular be a station wagon.

  The rear cover 13 of the single-body vehicle 10 of FIG. 2 does not break the general line of the vehicle which is here of the minivan type.

  Thus, without line breaking due to prominences, the silhouette of this vehicle 10 extends longitudinally, along the longitudinal axis 2, in a fairly taut line between the front 13a (AV) and the rear 17a (ARR) of the roof zone 17 which covers both the passenger compartment 14 and the rear storage space 16.

  The slope is more pronounced at the location of the windshield 15 to which the roof 17 is connected at the front.

  From the area 17a, the rear of the vehicle plunges sharply (as is also the case for the bi-body vehicle of Figure 1), with here a slope break, without however the rear cover 13 is substantially prominent relative to the transverse window 21, often called rear window.

  The rear cover 13 may be a tailgate, or articulate lower, below the level of the rear transverse window 21, which could also be the case of the cover 9.

  3, both the front cover 23 and the rear cover 29 are prominent, respectively with respect to the windshield 25 and the rear window or rear window 31, which characterizes a tri-body vehicle 30 where the cabin area 29 stands, with the roof 27, prominently with respect to the box 32 to which the covers 23 and 29 belong.

  The passenger compartment 24 is here defined by the windshield 25, the roof 27, the side windows (not marked), the rear window 31 and the body part 32 located between the dotted lines, marked substantially at the lower limits of the windshield, front, and rear window, aft.

  The vehicle of FIG. 4 can be single-body or two-body.

  An application to a tri-body vehicle is not impossible. However, the solutions, both in functional and structural terms, proposed here are particularly suitable for single-body and twin-body vehicles, given the conditions of exiguity and kinematics typically imposed on this type of vehicle, in particular if the we want to reserve a certain space for luggage in the storage space of the roof when it is stored there.

  Vehicle 40 of FIG. 4 is a convertible vehicle, as can vehicles 10, 20, 30.

  It therefore comprises a movable roof 41, adapted to cover or discover the passenger compartment 43, by displacement relative to the structural frame, or support frame, constituted by the fixed structure of the vehicle: frame, longitudinal members, uprights, beams, around the frame support, we see the body 47 which includes in particular the outer door panels, the front cover, the rear cover 49, the wings, and defines, with the roof 41, the outer silhouette, or outer contour of the vehicle.

  The roof 41 includes roof elements.

  It could include only two as in FRA-2 414 402 or three, as in FR-A-2 816 248, located one behind the other, in the closed position above the cockpit and then occupying the entire width roof, between the side windows.

  4, the roof 41 comprises five movable roof elements, all rigid (unlike the hoods which are typically made of flexible fabric), namely: a roof front element 51, an intermediate roof element 53, a rear element of the roof; roof 55 and two rear roof side members, 57a, 57b.

  Closed (FIGS. 4 and 6 for example), the front and intermediate elements 51 and 53 extend over the entire width of the roof (see FIG. 4) between the side windows 59a and 59b, which are indicated in FIG.

  Longitudinally, the front element 51 extends between the upper cross member 52 of the windshield 54 and the intermediate roof element 53.

  Further to the rear, in this closed state of said roof elements where they close the top of the passenger compartment 43, the central rear element 55 is bordered laterally, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 of the vehicle, by the rear side elements. 57a, 57b located on both sides of him.

  These rear side roof elements are engaged with the central rear element 55 to further close the upper part 61a of the space between said rear side members 57a, 57b (FIG. 5), the lower part 61b of this space being then closed by the rear window 63 (Figure 4).

  The rear window 63 is movably mounted relative to the frame 45 and to the roof elements, in particular 55, 57a, 57b, so as to be placed in a sealed manner along the rear edge seals respectively 67a, 67b of the rear side members of the roof. roof 57a, 57b and the rear transverse edge 65a of the rear central element 55, in the closed state of the roof of FIG. 4.

  To allow the passage of the roof 41 of this closed position to the open position in which the top of the passenger compartment 43 is here completely clear (see Figure 9), the rear window 63 is retractable behind a part of the body, so that it clears the surface it occupies in the closed state of the roof, thus leaving free the access path to the storage area of the roof and releasing this lower part of space 61b allowing to fold in, or to pass, at least some of the roof elements, during their movements both opening and closing.

  Although one could retract the rear window 63 behind a fixed part of the body, for example by tilting it inside the rear storage space 69 by means of pivoting arms mounted articulated in rotation on the frame 45, it is recommended here that this rear window is movable downwards, advantageously by sliding until it retracts inside the rear cover 49.

  For this sliding, slides are formed laterally inside this rear cover, in the continuity of the curvature of the rear window 63, these slides, schematized at 70a and 70b in Figure 4, also extending in the continuity other slides 72a, 72b formed along the rear edges 67a, 67b respectively of the side members 57a, 57b.

  In the open position, as in FIG. 9, it is noted that the roof 41 is completely stowed, in a folded state, inside the storage space 69 located at the rear, in the lower part, of the passenger compartment 43, behind the seats in this cabin, in particular the seats 71 (here the rear seats since the illustrated vehicle comprises two rows of seats as shown in Figures 6 and 7).

  This storage space 69 is thus occupied, at the top, by the folded elements of the roof 41, in the open state of this roof, the lower part remaining accessible, for example for the storage of objects (bags, suitcases. .), see Figure 9.

  Note that, in the closed state of Figure 4, the rear side members 57a, 57b of the roof extend substantially vertically to, see below the lateral extensions 49c 49d of the cover 49, which then extend just above the side wings respectively 451 and 453 of the bodywork area (see also Fig. 5).

  At the rear of the vehicle, and transversely, the cover 49 closes or opens access to the space 69. For this, the cover 49, which is similar to a rear trunk lid, is rotatable for example around a rear transverse axis 49b (FIGS. 6, 7, 8) located towards the low rear end of the vehicle, and around a front transverse axis 49a (FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Here is called crosswise any axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2 of the vehicle.

  Thus, the cover 49 will here pivoted rearward (AR) of the vehicle by pivoting about its rear axis 49b, prior to any opening of the roof 41, and will be tilted forward (AVT), by pivoting around the front axle 49a, to access the rear storage space 69 (Figure 7).

  Towards the front, the two lateral extensions 49c, 49d (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the cover 49 line the lateral roof elements 57a, 57b, in the closed position of the latter (FIG. 4), and then give the cover a form substantially of U, horizontally.

  It will be noted in FIGS. 5 and 6 that the slightly convex shape towards the outside and the rear of the outer line of the cover, which nevertheless plunges substantially vertically into its closed state of FIG.

  Locking and articulation means schematized at 68 and 70 in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 also allow the cover 49 to be releasably locked at the end opposite to that where it pivots relative to the frame 45. .

  To be unlocked on one side, while articulating with the other to the structure 45, this cover can in particular be equipped, near the lower rear transverse edge 49e (FIG. 5) and near the free end 490c, 490d of the two lateral extensions 49c, 49d (Figs 5 and 8), of the releasable articulation system provided for in FR-A-2 777 241 (see page 3 line 26 - page 4 line 35) where a hooking system (68 , 70) rotatably articulated around a retaining bar carried by the element, structural part or movable cover, which does not bear the movable hooks, ensures this unlockable joint.

  For their own articulation, the rear side roof elements 57a, 57b are hinged about a transverse axis which here coincides with the axis 49a. It could however be an axis located near the axis 49a, parallel to him.

  These two roof rear side members 57a, 57b, which here define the side left and right sides respectively of the vehicle, thus pivot in two planes substantially parallel to the median longitudinal plane 73 of the vehicle, on either side of it (FIG. and 5).

  For the articulation of the other roof elements 51, 53, 55, reference is made hereinafter to one of the sides of the vehicle, here the right side shown in the various figures.

  The means described, however, have their symmetry on the other side, by symmetry vis-à-vis the median longitudinal vertical plane 73.

  The rear central roof element 55 is, forwards, articulated with respect to the intermediate roof element 53, towards the rear of the latter, around a transverse axis 75 (FIG. 5).

  The intermediate roof element 53 is further articulated to said rear lateral elements 57a, 57b, about a transverse axis 77 (FIG. 8) situated, longitudinally, in the intermediate portion of the roof element 53 and towards a high front zone. of each lateral element 57a, 57b.

  Thus, the rear roof side members are guided in articulation along two parallel axes of rotation 49a and 77 respectively (closed roof), towards their lower end before and towards their upper front end.

  In particular Figures 5,7 and 8, it is found that the intermediate roof element 53 is articulated to the frame 45 by means of lateral arms, one of which, bent, is identified 81 in these figures.

  This arm 81, and its symmetrical counterpart to the median plane 73, also control the pivoting of the rear central roof element 55.

  For this, it is advisable to use a first connecting element, here a rod, 83 hinged at each end, at 83a, 83b, respectively on the arm 81 and on the rear central roof element 55.

  As for the front roof element 51, it is articulated vis-à-vis the intermediate roof element 53 so as to be able to pass, for the opening of the roof, the position of Figures 4 or 7, where the roof elements are located in the longitudinal continuity of each other and without significant shift, at a position opposite the roof element 53, with an identical orientation of the curvatures for the two elements 51, 53, following a tilting towards the rear, as indicated by the arrow 85 of Figure 8 where the front roof element 51 passes over the intermediate roof element 53 during the tilting back of the roof elements.

  This relative articulation between the roof elements 51 and 53 is provided by means of two sets of rods 87a, 87b (Figure 5) located laterally near the side edges of these roof elements.

  Each set of links, such as 87a in FIG. 8, here comprises two links, one before 89a, the other rear 89b.

  At the front, and laterally, the intermediate roof element 53 has two longitudinal extensions 91a, 91b (see Figure 5).

  The two links 89a, 89b are hinged at one end under the front roof element 51 and, at their other end, on the corresponding extension, such as 91b, for the front link 89a, and further aft, at 92, for the rear rod 89b; see Figure 8 where it is found that the hinge links of the roof element 51 articulate to a front portion of the roof element 53.

  Comparing in particular FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, it can be seen that each articulated arm 81 also advantageously controls the movement of the front roof element 51, acting on the double link systems 87a, 87b, which are each presented to the as a deformable quadrilateral device whose links (89a, 89b) are actuated to place the roof element 51 in front of the roof element 53, it being specified, however, that this face-to-face state with identically oriented archings elements 51 and 53 is a priori reached before the roof is fully folded.

  In this ordered state (FIG. 9), it will be noted that the intermediate roof element 53 and the rear element 55 are folded in the portfolio with inverse camberings and the elements 51, 53 and 55 are arranged substantially horizontally.

  To actuate each deformable parallelogram system, such as 87a, each arm 81 is connected to a second connecting element, identified 93 in particular in FIGS. 5 and 8.

  This second connecting element is articulated in the intermediate part of the arm 81 concerned 93a, at one end, and on the link 89b at another end 93b, see Figure 8 in particular.

  For the sake of compactness and control efficiency, it is recommended that the joints 83a, 93a of the first connecting element 83 and the second connecting element 93 vis-à-vis the control arm 81 are located in close proximity to one another. on the other, as for example in Figures 5 and 8, or be confused.

  The use of rods as connecting elements 83 and / or 93 is a mechanically efficient solution.

  This solution in which, during the tilting of the roof, the arms 81 control, in addition to the pivoting of the intermediate roof element 53, both the pivoting of the front roof element 51 and that of the roof element. rear central 57 is, in itself, interesting and can therefore be applied to other convertible vehicles than that illustrated here, such as those of publications FR-A-2,814,402 or FR-A-2,816,248.

  This control has the advantage of being easily motorized, a single actuator, for example a motorized cylinder, which can control the entire movement of the roof.

  In the case of tri-body vehicles, the mobility of the rear-folding window (here 63) will no longer be indispensable or even appropriate. A fixed rear window on a roof element, on the structural frame or on a tailgate may be suitable. And the rear cover (here the cover 49) will become a conventional retractable roof vehicle hood, the opening can be done from front to rear and rear to the front of the vehicle. Given the possibility of having a fairly long roof (axis 2), when it is deployed, the length of the rear cover can be chosen in a fairly wide range, both short and long enough. The rear central roof element can then incorporate a rear window or form itself the rear window.

  With regard to the operation of the aforementioned elements and parts, the following will now be noted.

  To open the trunk lid 49 only as in fig. 7, roof closed, it can advantageously operate as follows, with a rear window 63 sliding: -on initiates the descent of the window 63, possibly as soon as it is released from the seal of the rear transverse edge 65a of the roof element rear central 55, the releasable joints and latches 70 located at the rear of the cover or lid 49 can be released, - the hood can then open from the rear towards the front by being articulated on its said releasable joints and bolts 68 arranged forward (axis 49a). This opening movement can be assisted by an actuator. When the cover 49 is opened, the sliding window 63 can continue to descend or be immobilized in a semi-open position.

  Access to the storage space 69 can also be performed when the roof 41 is deployed, by simply retracting (lowering) the rear window 63.

  For the closure of the boot lid 49, the same 30 operations are performed in the opposite direction.

  To open the roof 41 from its closed position and store it towards the rear of the vehicle, the following is advisable: -baiting at least the retraction of the rear window 5 63; here it is lowered (Fig. 8), as soon as it is disengaged from the rear transverse edge joint 65a of the rear central roof element 55, the releasable joints and bolts located at the front of the hood. or cover 49 can be released (even fig.), -the cover can then open from the front to the back by being articulated on its articulations and releasable locks arranged rearward (axis 49b); This opening movement can also be assisted by an actuator, and when opening the cover 49, the sliding window can continue to descend into the hood, the lateral elements 57a, 57b (here the custodes) are then pivoted rearward (axis 49a or near axis, parallel); During this movement the arms 81 rotate the intermediate element 53 of the roof around its rear articulation 77 located on the custodes to accommodate it between the side members 57a, 57b erected laterally; In addition, the arms 81 then advantageously control on the one hand the movement of the rear central roof element 55 around its hinge 75 with the intermediate element 53 roof, to come lodge against this roof element, and on the other hand, the movement of the front roof element 51 around the joint (preferably formed by the lateral deformable quadrilaterals 87a, 87b) located towards the front of the intermediate roof element 53 so as to place the roof element 51 facing the element 53; when all the roof elements are stowed, the cover 49 is pivoted from the rear towards the front and then locked on said releasable joints and locks arranged towards the front thereof (axis 49a), while remaining locked at the rear (axis 49b); - A curtain can then be pulled (see mixed line 95 in Figure 9) to close the upper part of the space 69 roof storage.

  It should be noted that the movements indicated above for the roof and / or cover 49 will preferably be partially or fully automated. In particular, the means for controlling the opening / closing of this rear cover 49 in the two directions of opening may advantageously be achieved by means of the devices described in FR-A-2,840,582 or FR-A-2,777. 241.

  In addition, the releasable latch joints of the rear cover may be joints with or without center of rotation. In the latter case, it may be, for example, articulations of the type with rods forming a deformable quadrilateral. This is extrapolable to other pivoting means.

  It should also be noted that in an application of the information presented here, in particular the arm drive system 81, to a tri-body vehicle type pick-up can be discovered with a rear platform located behind the cockpit, the interior space storage 69 could become a roof storage area located above a body area, especially above this fixed platform.

Claims (1)

  Convertible vehicle having a front and a rear and comprising a structural frame (45) to which is connected a body (47) defining an outer contour of the vehicle and a roof (7,17,27,41) movable relative to this frame -support, for covering or uncovering a passenger compartment (14,24, 43) of the vehicle, the roof comprising a plurality of roof elements (51,53,55, 57a, 57b) movable between a closed position above the vehicle the passenger compartment of the vehicle and an open position in which these elements are moved away from the top of this cabin, in a storage space (69), the roof elements including a first roof element (53), second and third rear roof side members (57a, 57b) and a fourth rear roof central member (55) extending between the second and third side members, in a closed position, the first roof member (53) being hinged, to the place of a rear part (77), at the x said lateral elements (57a, 57b) which are themselves hinged to the structural frame (45) of the vehicle and are spaced apart from each other, thereby defining between them a space which, in the closed position, is divided into a an upper part (61a) and a lower part (61b), the fourth central rear roof element (55) being articulated to the first roof element (53) at a rear part thereof (75) , and being engaged with said lateral elements (57a, 57b), in the closed position, so as to then close the upper part of said space, a window (63) closing the lower part of this space, this window being retractable behind a part of the bodywork (47).   2. Vehicle according to claim 1 characterized in that the window (63) is slidably retractable within said body portion (47).   3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, for sliding retraction of the window (63), slides (70a, 70b, 72a, 72b) are formed along the second and third roof side members. (57a, 57b) and in said body portion (47).   4. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lateral elements (57a, 57b) are custodes.   5. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body portion (47) is a cover (49) which is movable relative to the structural frame (45) and is adapted to occupy a closed position. rear of the storage space (69), which is located towards the rear (ARR) of the vehicle.   6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the vehicle is bicorps, thus having a silhouette having no significant recess at the rear at the location of said cover (49), as defined, behind the cockpit between a rear window (31) and a trunk lid (29) in a three-compartment vehicle.   7. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the vehicle is a single body, thus having a silhouette having no significant recess in the rear at the location of said cover (49), as defined, behind the cockpit between a rear window (31) and a trunk lid (29) in a tri-body vehicle.   8. Vehicle according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said cover (49) has lateral extensions (49c, 49d) having a free end and extending, at least in the closed position of the elements. roof, towards the front (AV) of the vehicle, on either side respectively of the second and third roof side members (57a, 57b), these lateral extensions being hinged to the structural frame (45) of the vehicle, to their said free end before (490c, 490d).   9. Vehicle according to at least one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the second and third roof side members (57a, 57b) and the cover (49) are articulated relative to the structural frame (45) around respective axes located near each other or together (49a).   Vehicle according to at least one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the cover (49) has a first front end (490c, 490d) and a second rear end (49e), the structural frame (45) of which vehicle and the cover towards its first front end and second rear end being adapted to be releasable together by releasable joints (68,70), so that the cover can be opened from the rear to the front to access the door. storage space (69) and from front to rear to store the roof (41) by folding it in the storage space.   11. Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the passage of said roof elements from the closed position to the open position, control means (81, 93, 87a, 87b) rotate the fourth central element. rear roof (55) to come in the folded position facing a lower face of the first roof element (53). 12. Vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that the first roof element (53) is articulated to the structural frame (45) of the vehicle via at least one arm (81) which controls the pivoting of the fourth element central rear roof (55). 13. Vehicle according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises a first connecting element (83) articulated between said arm (81) and said fourth rear roof central element (55).   Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: this vehicle further comprises a windshield (5, 15, 25, 54) at the front of the passenger compartment, and - the elements of roof further comprises a fifth roof front element (51) located between the windshield and the first roof element, in the closed position of the roof elements, this fifth roof front element being articulated to a front part (91,91a ) of the first roof element (53). 15. Vehicle according to claims 12 and 14, characterized in that the arm (81) also controls the movement of said fifth roof element (51), so as to place it facing, or substantially opposite, a face of the first roof element (53), when passing from the closed position to the open position of the roof elements.   16. Vehicle according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the first (53) and fifth (51) roof elements are hinged together by a deformable quadrilateral device (87a, 87b) comprising at least one link (89b) articulated to each of said first and fifth roof elements, the link being actuated to place the fifth roof element (51) facing, or substantially facing, a face of the first roof element (53), when passing from the closed position to the open position of the roof elements.   17. Vehicle according to claim 16 when dependent on claim 15, characterized in that said rod is actuated by the movement of the arm through a second connecting element (93) articulated to the arm (81) and to the link ( 83b).   18. Vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that the respective hinges (83a, 93a) of the first and second connecting elements (83, 93) on the arm (81) are located close to each other. or are confused.   19. Vehicle according to claims 13 or 17, characterized in that the first and / or second link element (83,93) is (are) rod (s).   20. Vehicle according to claim 4 or at least one of claims 6 to 19 when dependent on claim 4, characterized in that any opening of the cover (49) is preceded by the retraction of the window (63). behind said part of the body (47).   21. A method for discovering a passenger compartment of a convertible vehicle, said vehicle having a longitudinal axis (2), a front and a rear and comprising a structural frame (45) to which is connected a body (47) defining an outer contour of the vehicle and a roof (7,17,27,41) comprising a plurality of roof elements (51,53,55,57a, 57b) movable relative to said structural frame, said opening being achieved by moving said roof elements from a position closed over the passenger compartment to an open position in which these elements are moved away from the top of that passenger compartment, to a storage area (69), said roof elements including a first roof element (53) , second and third rear roof side members (57a, 57b) and a fourth rear roof central element (55) extending between the second and third side members, in the closed position, the first roof element is articulated, to said lateral elements which are themselves articulated to the structural frame (45) of the vehicle and are spaced from one another, then defining between them a space which, in the closed position, is divided into an upper part (61a) and a lower part (61b), the fourth rear roof central element (55) being articulated to the first roof element (53) and being engaged with said lateral elements (57a, 57b), in the closed position, so as to then closing the upper part of said space, a window (63) closing the lower part of this space, this window being retractable behind a part of the bodywork (47), said method comprising steps in which: a) it is retracted at least partially said pane (63) behind said body part, and b) moving the roof elements towards said storage area (69), this displacement comprising: - a tilting of the second and third roof side members (57a, 57b) by rap structural frame port (45), about a first pivot axis (49a) transverse to the longitudinal axis (2) of the vehicle, - a folding, substantially one above the other, the first and fourth roof elements (53,55), relative pivoting about a common pivot axis (75), and a common tilt towards the storage area.   22. The method of claim 21, characterized in that said body portion behind which retracts the window (63) being a cover (49) which is movable relative to the structural frame (45) and is adapted to occupy a position closing the rear of the storage area (69), which is an interior space of the vehicle located behind a part of the body, at least the retraction of the window pane inside the lid is initiated, whereas this cover is in its closed position, after which the cover (49) is opened so as to release access for the roof elements to said interior storage space (69) and store said roof elements in accordance therewith step b).