FR2876961A1 - Motor vehicle e.g. one-box car, has roof displaced between open and closed positions, and roof unit articulated to structural frame of vehicle by utilizing lateral arm that controls pivoting of intermediate roof unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle has a roof comprising a front roof unit (51) and an intermediate roof unit (55) which extend along the width of the roof and which are displaced between open and closed positions. A roof unit (53) is articulated to a structural frame (45) of the vehicle by utilizing a lateral arm (81) that controls pivoting of the roof unit (55). A connection unit (83) is articulated between the arm and the unit (55).

Description

2876961 1

  The present subject relates to the field of convertible vehicles, and particularly motor vehicles, thus comprising a movable roof relative to the structural frame of the vehicle, to cover or discover the passenger compartment of this vehicle.

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

  In this context, it is proposed a convertible vehicle comprising a structural frame and a movable roof relative to this frame, to cover or discover a passenger compartment of the vehicle, the roof comprising a plurality of roof elements that are movable between a closed position above of the cockpit and an open position in which these elements are moved away from the top of this cabin, at the location of a storage area, the roof elements comprising a first roof element and a second element of roof extending behind the first roof element, in the closed position of said roof elements, this vehicle being in particular characterized in that the first roof element is articulated to the structural frame via at least one arm which controls the pivoting of the second roof element.

  Preferably, a first connecting element will furthermore articulate between said arm and the second roof element.

  According to other advantageous mechanical features, effective in terms of guidance and limited space requirement, it is provided that the roof elements may further comprise a roof front element located between the windshield and the first element of the roof. roof, in the closed position of the roof elements, this roof front element then being articulated to a front part of the first roof element; and / or that said (each said) arm also controls the movement of the roof front element, so as to place it facing, or substantially facing, a face of the first roof element, during the passage of the closed position at the open position of the roof elements; and / or that the first roof element and the roof front element are articulated to each other by a deformable quadrilateral device comprising at least one link articulated to each of said first roof element and roof front element, the link being actuated for placing this roof front element facing, or substantially facing, a face of the first roof element, during the transition from the closed position to the open position of the roof elements.

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

  For the sake of performance and small footprint, it is furthermore recommended that the respective joints of the first and second connecting elements on the corresponding arm 2876961 3 be located close to each other, or be combined, and / or that these first and / or second connecting elements are rods.

  In an interesting embodiment of convertible vehicle: - said storage area will be an interior storage space located inside the vehicle, behind a portion of the body of this vehicle defining an outer contour of the vehicle and linked to the structural frame of the vehicle; ci, and the roof elements may further comprise rear roof side elements between which said second roof element will extend, in the closed position of the roof elements, the first element of you being articulated, at the location of a rear part, to these roof side members which will then preferably themselves articulated to the structural frame.

  To promote efficient storage of the roof, it is then recommended that the lateral roof elements are spaced apart from each other, defining between them a space which, in said closed position, is divided into an upper part and a lower part. the second roof element being hinged to the first roof element, at a rear portion thereof, and being engaged with said roof side members, in said closed position, so as to then close the part high of said space, a window closing the lower part of this space, this window being retractable behind a part of the bodywork.

  Advantageously, the window will be retractable inside said body part, and, for a sliding retraction of this window, slides will be favorably arranged along the roof side elements and in said body part.

  In a preferred embodiment: - the roof side members will be custodes, - and / or said body part behind which is expected to retract the window will be a cover, or hood, movable relative to the frame and adapted to occupy a position closing the rear of the rear storage area of the vehicle.

  As advantages, it will be noted that the present vehicle concept, in particular with the last features mentioned above, makes it possible to have, in the closed position of the roof, an interior volume (interior plus storage space) important with the possibility to easily go from this last configuration to an open configuration (convertible), open roof: the vehicle could be of type break or minivan, while enjoying 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.

  Although the characteristics defined here are in particular applicable to single-body or two-body convertible vehicles, tri-body convertibles are also concerned, as for example in FR-A-2,814,402 or FR-A-2. 816 248, it being specified that none of these documents gives any indication for the design of a single-body or two-body vehicle with a retractable roof, nor more generally of a trick to dissociate between them the rear window and the rear cover of chest.

  For all intents and purposes, it is specified that a single-body or two-body vehicle is a vehicle whose silhouette does not have a significant setback at the rear, unlike the large setback defined in a tri-body vehicle behind. the cockpit, typically between the rear window and the trunk lid.

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

  Advantageously, on one of these vehicles, the lid or movable rear cover for storing the roof elements behind a portion of the bodywork, will have lateral extensions having a free end forward and extending towards the front of the vehicle, respectively on both sides of the roof side members, essentially at a level of elevation less than them, at least in the closed position, these lateral extensions being hinged to the structural frame of the vehicle, towards their said free end before.

  Such an embodiment is favorable to the opening or closing kinematics of the roof elements, leaving sufficient maneuvering space and promoting the use of efficient control means.

  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 with respect to the support frame around respective axes situated close to one of the Other or combined, and / or the structural frame of the vehicle and the cover, towards its first and second front and rear ends will preferably be adapted to be connected together by releasable joints, so that the cover can be opened from the rear to the front of the vehicle, to access the storage space, and from front to rear to store the roof by folding it in the storage space.

  Thus, the control system that is presented here is used for maneuvering different types of roof, including two or three rigid roof elements (front and rear, or front, intermediate and rear as in FR-A-2 814 402 or FR-A-2 816 248), or even more, with in particular said lateral roof elements.

  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, single-body and three-body vehicles.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 show, in partial perspective, a convertible vehicle equipped with five movable roof elements, respectively in the closed and partially open position; and FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show, in an interior side view ( corresponding to a section 2876961 7 longitudinal) 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 10 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 or 2876961 8 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 Figure 4 may be single-body or two-body.

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

  The vehicle 40 of FIG. 4 is a convertible vehicle, as can the 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, 45 constituted by the fixed structure of the vehicle: frame, longitudinal members, uprights, beams, around the support frame , we see the body 47 which incorporates 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 (Figures 4 and 6 for example), the front and intermediate elements 51 and 53 extend over the entire width of the roof (see Figure 4) between the side windows 59a and 59b shown in Figure 5.

  Longitudinally, the front roof 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 2876961 11 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.

  It will be noted that, in the closed state of FIG. 4, the rear lateral elements 57a, 57b of the roof extend substantially vertically up to, or below, the lateral extensions 49c 49d of the cover 49, which then extend just above the side wings respectively 451 and 453 of the body area (see also Fig. 5).

  At the rear of the vehicle, and transversely, the lid 49 closes or opens the 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 about a transverse axis before 49a (Figures 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 plunges globally substantially vertically in 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 with respect to the median plane 73, also control the pivoting of the rear central roof element 55.

  For this purpose, it is advisable to use a first connecting element, here a rod 83 articulated 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 rods, such as 87a in Figure 8, here comprises two rods, one before 89a, the other rear 89b.

  At the front, and laterally, the intermediate roof element 53 has two longitudinal extensions 91a, 91b (see FIG. 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 2876961 16 where it is found that the hinge links of the roof element 51 articulate towards a front part 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 rod 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 with respect to the control arm 81 are located in the vicinity of the housing. one of 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 sliding rear 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 may then incorporate a rear window or itself form the rear window.

  Regarding the maneuver of the elements and parts mentioned above, we will now note the following.

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

  To close the lid 49, the same 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: at least the retraction of the rear window 63 is initiated; 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 onto said releasable joints and locks arranged towards the front thereof (axis 49a), all remaining locked at the rear (axis 49b); a curtain can then be pulled (see mixed line 95 in FIG. 9) to close the upper part of the roof storage space 69.

  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.

2876961 21

Claims (19)

  A convertible vehicle having a front and a rear and comprising a structural frame (45) and a roof (7, 17, 27, 41) movable relative to said support frame, 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) which are movable between a closed position above the passenger compartment of the vehicle and an open position in which these elements are moved to the gap from the top of this cabin, at the location of a storage area (69), the roof elements comprising a first second roof element first roof element, in the closed position of said roof element (53) and (55) extending behind a roof element, roof element (53) characterized in that the first is articulated to the structural frame (45) of the vehicle via at least one arm (81) which controls pivoting the second roof element (55).   2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a first connecting element (83) articulated between said arm (81) and said second roof element (55).   3. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - this vehicle further comprises a windshield 30 (5,15,25,54) in front of the passenger compartment, and 2876961 22 the roof elements furthermore comprise a roof front element (51) situated between the windscreen and the first roof element, in the closed position of the roof elements, this roof front element being hinged to a front part (91a). 91b) of the first roof element (53). 4. Vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the arm (81) also controls the movement of said roof front element (51), so as to place it facing, or substantially facing, a face of the first element roof (53), when passing from the closed position to the open position of the roof elements.   a device comprising at least each of said first roof, the link being front facing roof element (51), one face of the first claim 3 or 4, roof element (53) and articulated together by deformable (87a 87b) actuated to position this sight, or substantially as a roof element (53), when 5. Vehicle according to one of characterized in that the first front roof element (51) are quadrilateral articulated link (89b) with roof element and front element of the passage from the closed position to the open position 25 of roof elements.   6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that said rod is actuated by the movement of the arm through a second connecting member (93) hinged to the arm (81) and the rod (83b).   2876961 23 7. Vehicle according to claim 6, 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 5 confused.   Vehicle according to claims 2 or 6,   characterized in that the first and / or second connecting member (83,93) is (are) a rod (s). 10 9. Convertible vehicle according to at least one of the   preceding claims characterized in that:   said storage area (69) is an interior storage space located inside the vehicle, behind a part of the body (47), the vehicle further comprises a body (47) which defines an outer contour of the body vehicle and is connected to the structural frame (45), - and the roof elements (51,53,55,57a, 57b) further comprise rear roof side members (57a, 57b) between which said second element extends. roof member (55), in the closed position of the roof elements, the first roof element (53) being hinged, at a rear portion (77), to said roof side members (57a, 57b) which are themselves articulated to the structural frame (45).   10. Vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that the roof side members (57a, 57b) are spaced apart from each other, defining between them a space which, in said closed position, is divided into 2876961 24 an upper part (61a) and a lower part (61b), the second roof element (55) being articulated to the first roof element (53) at a rear part thereof (75), and being engaged with said roof side members (57a, 57b), in said 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).   11. Vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the window (63) is retractable within said body portion (47).   Vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that slideways (70a, 70b, 72a, 72b) are arranged along the side roof elements (57a, 72a, 72b) for sliding retraction of the window (63). 57b) and in said body portion (47).   13. Vehicle according to at least one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that said roof side members (57a, 57b) are custodes.   14. Vehicle according to at least one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that said body part (47) behind which the pane (63) is retractable is 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 space (69), which is located towards the rear (ARR) of the vehicle.   15. Vehicle according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle is bicorps, thus having a silhouette having no significant recess at the rear, like the one defined behind the cockpit between a rear window ( 31) and a trunk lid (29) in a tri-body vehicle.   16. Vehicle according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the vehicle is a single body, thus having a silhouette having no significant recess at the rear, as defined, behind the cockpit between a rear window (31) and a trunk lid (29) in a tri-body vehicle.   17. Vehicle according to claim 9 or at least one of claims 10 to 13 when appended to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a cover (49) selectively closing or releasing the access to the interior storage space (69), this cover having lateral extensions (49c, 49d) having a free end forward and extending towards the front (AV) of the vehicle, respectively on either side of the lateral elements roof (57a, 57b), essentially at a level of elevation lower than them, at least in the closed position, these lateral extensions being articulated on the structural frame (45) of the vehicle, towards their said free end before (490c, 490d ).   2876961 26 Vehicle according to claim 17, characterized in that the lateral roof elements (57a, 57b) and the cover (49) are articulated with respect to the structural frame (45) about respective axes situated close to one of the other or confused (49a).   19. 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 second element of roof (55) to come in the folded position facing, or substantially opposite, a lower face of the first roof element (53).