Method for opening and closing a vehicle roof, corresponding opening and closing system, and vehicle

Abstract

A method for opening and closing a retractable roof (10) of a convertible vehicle, wherein the roof (10) consists of at least a first part (10a) and a second part (10b) connected to each other, the method comprising the steps of: moving the first part (10a) of the roof (10) relative to the second part (10b) of the roof (10) between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the first part (10a) at least partially overlaps the second part (10b) and in the second position the first part (10a) is located in substantially the same plane as the second part (10b); rotating the first part (10a) and the second part (10b) about a rotation axis; and translating the overlapping first part (10a) and second part (10b) between a third position and a fourth position, such that in the third position the first part (10a) and the second part (10b) are inside a compartment (2) of the vehicle and in the fourth position the first part (10a) and the second part (10b) are outside the compartment (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for opening and closing the roof of a convertible vehicle (e.g., a super sports car having two seats, two doors, and a rear engine), a convertible vehicle, and an opening and closing system for a convertible vehicle, which system is capable of folding and stowing the roof fully automatically. Background Art

[0002] Hitherto, in the field of convertible cars, retracting systems are known that are designed to fold and stow at least one rigid roof section (retractable hardtop), such as the solution disclosed in US2004061354, or designed to fold a frame to which a section of flexible fabric is attached (retractable softtop). The roof is usually hidden and stowed in a compartment at the rear of the vehicle interior; usually, the compartment occupies a portion of the rear cowl and extends longitudinally.

[0003] However, these solutions cannot be applied to a supercar with a rear-engine design without significantly compromising the vehicle's style and performance. Indeed, in a supercar, the space behind the vehicle's interior is at least partially occupied by the engine and its associated equipment; the space available for accommodating the retractable roof is therefore significantly reduced. Therefore, finding a solution for such a vehicle that does not significantly alter the vehicle's streamlined silhouette (a key factor in its success) is particularly challenging, for example, given the space occupied by the engine.

[0004] Document DE102012203234 discloses a system for moving a vehicle roof, in which the roof is divided into two components that are stacked, rotated, and stowed in a compartment located behind the seats. This allows the roof to be stored in a substantially vertical position and has a more limited longitudinal extension than other solutions. The roof components are rotated using a relatively cumbersome articulated quadrilateral that defines a rotational trajectory.

[0005] In this context, the main object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a technical solution for folding and stowing the retractable top of a convertible vehicle in situations where there are significant space constraints; for example, because the space in the rear of the vehicle interior is limited, or because the layout of the vehicle does not allow its retractable top to be folded and stowed in a conventional manner.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to propose a system for opening and closing a vehicle roof which occupies a reduced space longitudinally and vertically relative to the vehicle itself.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to propose a system and a method for opening and closing a vehicle roof that are at least simple and reliable.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for fully automatic opening and closing of a roof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following non-limiting description of one or more embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figures 1 to 3 Schematically illustrates a convertible vehicle having a system for opening and closing a roof according to one or more embodiments;

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an opening and closing system according to one or more embodiments;

[0013] Figures 5 to 9 shows details of an example opening and closing system according to one or more embodiments; and

[0014] Figure 10 A convertible vehicle having a system for opening and closing a roof according to one or more embodiments is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Reference Figures 1 to 3 One or more embodiments may include a convertible vehicle 200, preferably a supercar, comprising an opening and closing system 1 according to one or more embodiments. The opening and closing system 1 includes a retractable roof 10, which may be a hard or soft top. The opening and closing system 1 allows for fully automated opening and closing of the retractable roof 10. The vehicle may advantageously be a road vehicle or even a water vehicle.

[0016] The vehicle 200 comprises a compartment 2 having an opening 20, which may be a top opening, so that the canopy 10 can be inserted into or withdrawn from the compartment 2 through the opening 20. The compartment 2 may be within the interior 3 of the vehicle 200, for example, behind the passenger seats.

[0017] The vehicle 200 may include a lid 4 having a covering element 40 for closing the compartment 2. The covering element 40 may be configured to move between a closed position, in which the opening 20 is covered, and an open position, in which the opening 20 is uncovered and the canopy 10 may be inserted into the compartment 2 or withdrawn from the compartment 2.

[0018] In practice, the lid or at least the covering element is movable between a closed position in which the compartment 2 is inaccessible and an open position in which the compartment 2 is accessible.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the canopy 10 is divided into a plurality of sections that are directly or indirectly connected to one another. For simplicity, the following description and the accompanying drawings refer to a case where there is a first section 10a and a second section 10b. However, a greater number of sections is also possible. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the first section 10a may be farther from the front of the compartment 2, while the second section 10b may be closer to the rear of the compartment 2. The first section 10a and the second section 10b may be the same size, or the first section 10a may be smaller than the second section 10b on at least one side. For example, the first section 10a and the second section 10b may have the same width that is substantially equal to the width of the vehicle interior 3. For example, the canopy 10 may be divided into the first section and the second section in a direction transverse to the vehicle 200.

[0020] The roof 10 has, for example, Figure 1 The closed configuration is shown, in which the roof 10 covers the interior 3 of the vehicle 200; e.g. Figure 2 The transition configuration shown, in which the portions 10a, 10b of the canopy 10 are folded / unfolded, rotated and / or translated; and e.g. Figure 3 The open configuration is shown, in which the interior 3 of the vehicle 200 is uncovered and the canopy 10 is stowed inside the compartment 2. In the open position, the first and second parts 10a, 10b of the canopy 10 are in close contact due to the mechanism of the opening and closing system 1. Advantageously, this allows the compartment 2 to be provided with a reduced size.

[0021] Furthermore, advantageously, due to the presence of the cover 4 for the compartment 2 , the canopy 10 also does not have to cover the compartment 2 and can therefore be smaller in length.

[0022] Thus, due to its shorter length, the canopy can be retracted into the compartment 2 which is not too deep.

[0023] Preferably, the cover 4 also forms part of the roof opening and closing system, and its operation must at least be coordinated with the movement of the roof.

[0024] In the closed configuration, the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b can lie in substantially the same plane, and the first portion 10a can be latched to the safety capture and support element 5 at its end opposite to the end connected to the second portion 10b. In fact, the element 5 can be configured to latch to the first portion 10b of the canopy 10 when the first portion is located at the element 5.

[0025] In the transition configuration, the first portion 10a can be configured to move between a first position, in which the first portion 10a overlaps the second portion 10b, and a second position, in which the first portion 10a is substantially in the same plane as the second portion 10b. Movement between the first and second positions, and vice versa, can occur via translation, for example, a first translation in a first direction X and a second translation in a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction. For example, the first and second translations can occur simultaneously, meaning that the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 can move tiltedly. For example, the first and second portions 10a, 10b can fully or partially overlap.

[0026] In one embodiment—such as the one shown—the front portion is moved on top of the rear portion and both are then inserted into compartment 2 .

[0027] According to one aspect, the first portion 10 a and the second portion 10 b may be rotated about the rotation axis R10 by a predetermined angle α, for example, 90°, in one direction and in an opposite direction.

[0028] The first portion 10 a and the second portion 10 b follow respective circular trajectories to pass from the closed configuration to the open configuration of the top 10 and vice versa around the common axis of rotation R10 .

[0029] The step of opening the top 10 comprises a step of rotating the two parts 10 a and 10 b of the top about the axis of rotation R10 .

[0030] According to one aspect, the first and second parts 10a and 10b that have been stacked and rotated can be stored in the compartment 2 or pulled out of the compartment 2 by translation along the third direction Z. The third direction Z can substantially coincide with the vertical direction. According to one aspect, the rotation axis R10 can be perpendicular to the first direction X and / or the second direction Y. For example, the rotation axis R10 can be parallel to the lateral direction of the vehicle 200. Although the first direction X is shown as being perpendicular to Figures 1 to 3 , but the first direction X changes as the rotational movement proceeds. In other words, the first direction is a radial direction relative to the rotation axis R10 of the roof 10.

[0031] During the step of opening the roof 10, the parts 10a and 10b of the roof are rotated about the axis of rotation R10 to bring the parts 10a and 10b to, for example, Figure 2 The position shown, from which they can be moved in translation into compartment 2.

[0032] According to one aspect, the action of moving the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 relative to the second portion 10b, for example by translating the first portion 10a along a first direction X and a second direction Y, and the action of rotating the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b can occur simultaneously. Advantageously, this reduces the length of time required to open and close the canopy 10.

[0033] In the transition configuration, when the first and second parts 10 a and 10 b are superimposed and rotated and being inserted into or extracted from the compartment 2 , the cover 4 may be away from the opening 20 ; otherwise, the cover 4 may be close to the opening 20 .

[0034] In the open configuration, the first and second parts 10 a , 10 b , which have been superposed and rotated, are located inside the compartment 2 , and the lid 4 can be closed to cover the opening 20 .

[0035] According to one aspect, the opening and closing system 1 comprises a retractable canopy 10 and at least one movement unit 12 described in more detail below.

[0036] The moving unit 12 includes a moving and rotating mechanism configured to move the first portion 10 a of the roof 10 relative to the second portion 10 b of the roof 10 between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position, the first portion 10 a at least partially overlaps the second portion 10 b, and in the second position, the first portion 10 a is located in substantially the same plane as the second portion 10 b, and the moving and rotating mechanism is configured to rotate the first portion 10 a and the second portion 10 b about a rotation axis R10 that is, for example, parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle 200.

[0037] Advantageously, the movement mechanism allowing the parts 10a and 10b to rotate about the axis of rotation is simple, reliable and of reduced size compared to prior art solutions.

[0038] The mobile unit 12 includes a translation mechanism that is configured to translate the stacked first and second parts 10a, 10b between a third position and a fourth position, such that in the third position, the first and second parts 10a, 10b are inside the compartment 2 of the vehicle 200, and in the fourth position, the first and second parts 10a, 10b are outside the compartment 2.

[0039] The moving unit 12 includes a driving unit configured to drive the moving and rotating mechanism and the translation mechanism.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the mobile unit 12 may include one or more linkages comprised of a plurality of interconnected rigid mechanical elements.

[0041] The driving unit of the moving unit 12 may include a first slider 120 and a first actuator 122. The first actuator 122 is configured to move the first slider 120 between a first position and a second position, for example, along a third direction Z. Thus, when the first actuator 122 brings the first slider 120 to the first position, the rotating first part 10a is superimposed on the rotating second part 10b, and when the first actuator 122 brings the first slider 120 to the second position, the first part 10a is in substantially the same plane as the second part 10b.

[0042] The driving unit of the moving unit 12 may include a second slider 124 and a second actuator 126. The second actuator 126 is configured to move the second slider 124 between a first position and a second position, for example, along a third direction Z. Thus, when the second slider 124 is in the first position, the canopy 10 is housed inside the compartment 2, and when the second slider 124 is in the second position, the canopy 10 is outside the compartment 2. The second slider 124 may be connected (e.g., directly) to the second portion 10b of the canopy 10.

[0043] The system 1 may comprise a guide rail 6 along which the first slider 120 and / or the second slider 124 may run. The guide rail 6 is fixed to the vehicle 200 - for example behind the seats.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the second position of the first slider 120 may be that the first slider 120 is away from the second slider 124. Conversely, when the first slider 120 is close to the second slider 124, the first slider 120 is in the first position.

[0045] According to one aspect, the first slider 120 may include an engagement mechanism 121 configured to engage with the second slider 124 when the first slider 120 is in the first position. For example, the second slider 124 may be configured to translate only when the first slider 120 is coupled to the second slider 124. Thus, when the second actuator 126 moves the second slider 124, it also moves the first slider 120. The first slider 120 may be configured to engage with the second slider 124 when the first slider 120 is in the first position and disengage from the second slider 124 before the first slider 120 begins to move toward the second position.

[0046] According to one aspect, the driving unit of the moving unit can include at least one first driving element 128—e.g., a belt, a rack, or a cable—for connecting the first slider 120 to the first actuator 122, wherein the first actuator 122 can be configured to move the first slider 120 by, for example, pulling the cable to move the first driving element 128. For example, the first slider 120 and the first actuator 122 can be connected by two cables: one cable for allowing the first slider 120 to move from the first position to the second position, and one cable for allowing the first slider 120 to move from the second position to the first position. The driving unit of the moving unit can include at least one second driving element 129—e.g., a belt, a rack, or a cable—for connecting the second slider 124 to the second actuator 126, wherein the second actuator 126 can be configured to move the second slider 124 by, for example, pulling the second cable to move the second driving element 129. For example, the second slider 124 and the second actuator 126 may be connected by two cables: one cable for allowing the second slider 124 to move from the first position to the second position, and one cable for allowing the second slider 124 to move from the second position to the first position.

[0047] According to one aspect, the first actuator 122 and the second actuator 126 may be electric motors configured to drive the first driver element 128 and the second driver element 129 .

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the drive unit may include a linear motor configured to drive the first slider 120 and the second slider 124 between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, the drive unit may include a hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the movement and rotation mechanism includes a connection mechanism 130—e.g., an articulated quadrilateral—configured to couple the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b of the canopy 10 to each other. The connection mechanism 130 can be configured to move the first portion 10a by translating relative to the second portion 10b of the canopy 10.

[0050] Figures 5 and 6 Shown are views from the front and rear of an example of an opening and closing system 1 according to one or more embodiments, wherein the canopy 10 is closed. At one or both lateral ends of the canopy 10, the system 1 may include reference Figure 4 The mobile unit 12 is described. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the system 1 may comprise two mobile units 12. The vehicle 200 comprises a frame or structure, indicated generally at 7, which is preferably load-bearing.

[0051] The canopy 10 is supported by the frame 7, more specifically, one end of the canopy 10 is connected to the frame 7. More precisely, the canopy 10 may be connected to the frame 7 at one end of the second portion 10b opposite to the end connected to the first portion 10a.

[0052] The system 1 may include two guide rails 6 located at the lateral ends of the frame 7. The first slider 120 and the second slider 124 of the two mobile units 12 may be configured to move by translation along the corresponding guide rails 6. The first actuator 122 and the second actuator 126 of the two mobile units 12 may be located at the frame 7. The two mobile units 12 are configured to be activated and to simultaneously move the parts 10a, 10b of the roof 10.

[0053] Figures 7 to 9 Shows how to open the closed configuration ( Figure 7 ) and transitional structures ( Figure 8 and Figure 9 ) is an example of a canopy 10. As already discussed, the system 1 may include multiple levers and connections. Driving the first slider 120 and the second slider 124 may in turn drive multiple levers.

[0054] like Figure 8 As shown, the first slider 120 can be connected to one end of a link 132, which is connected to a crank 134 at an opposite end. Crank 134 is, in turn, connected to a link 136 at an end opposite the end connected to link 132. Crank 134 is connected to an articulated quadrilateral 130 via link 136. The articulated quadrilateral 130 includes a rigid member 1300 secured to the second portion 10b of the canopy 10 and connected to link 136 at one end; an arm 1302 secured to the first portion 10a of the canopy 10; and an arm 1304 located between and connected to rigid member 1300 and second rigid member 1302. Arm 1304 is configured to allow the first portion 10a to move by translation relative to the second portion 10b of the canopy 10 in a known manner. The arms 1304 of the articulated quadrilateral 130 are connected to the link 136 via levers 138 that can be driven. The rigid element 1300 is also connected to the link 136 via levers 140, 142, 144. The second slider 124 is connected to the link 136 via a member 146.

[0055] The second slider 124 is connected to the link 136 and the second portion 10 b of the roof 10 via a lever 148 .

[0056] The roof portion 10 b is connected to the slider 124 via a lever 148 .

[0057] As shown, when the first slider 120 is actuated, for example, the cable 128 is pulled, and the first slider 120 is translated, for example, vertically upward toward the first position. The movement of the first slider 120 triggers the movement of the connecting rod 132 and the crank 134, which, via the link 136 and the lever 138, translates the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 in a first direction X. Through the link 136, the connecting rod 132 and the crank 134 move the rigid element 1300, the member 146, and the lever 148, which together act to rotate the first and second portions 10a, 10b of the canopy 10. For example, the predetermined angle α can be 90°, and after the rotation, the first and second portions 10a, 10b are parallel to the third direction Z. After the rotation and superposition, the portions 10a, 10b of the canopy 10 are held in place by the mechanism of the system 1. For example, when the first portion 10a is superimposed on the second portion 10b, the levers 140, 142, 144 hold the movable portion of the articulated quadrilateral 130 in place.

[0058] Figure 9 The first slider 120 is shown in the first position at the end of the translational movement. When the first slider 120 is in the first position, the first slider 120 is in contact with and coupled to the second slider 124.

[0059] In this way, when the second slider 124 is translationally driven and moved, the first slider 120 also translationally moves together with the second slider 124 .

[0060] When the second slider 124 (and therefore the first slider 120 ) is moved translationally along the third vertical direction Z (e.g., downward), the mechanism coupled to the first and second sliders 120 , 124 is also carried along with them along the third direction Z. Thus, for example, the canopy 10 is moved translationally along the third direction Z toward the compartment 2 in which it is received.

[0061] Please refer to the attached Figures 7 to 9 Described is a non-limiting example of how to open the top 10. Closing occurs in the same way, but by translational and rotational movements in the opposite directions to those described above.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, Figure 10 As shown, the openable lid 4 may have side walls 42 and a covering element 40 located between the side walls 42 and configured to close the opening 20 of the compartment 2 .

[0063] According to one aspect, the width of the covering element 40 can be smaller than the width of the first part 10a and the second part 10b of the roof 10: that is, the opening 20 can be less wide than the vehicle interior 3, for example because the side walls 42 of the cover body 4 are inclined towards the vehicle interior for aesthetic and / or vehicle performance reasons.

[0064] The cover element 40 may be configured to move translationally between a first position in which the cover element 40 is away from the opening 20 and a second position in which the cover element 40 is at the opening 20 .

[0065] The side wall 42 may be configured to move by rigidly translating together with the cover element 40. For example, the cover 4 may be made as a single component, e.g. Figure 3 Alternatively, Figure 10 As shown, the sidewall 42 can be configured to at least partially rotate away from the interior of the compartment 2 to expose the opening 20, or rotate toward the interior of the compartment 2 to cover the opening 20. The sidewall 42 can be configured to rotate in opposite directions during opening and / or closing of the lid 4.

[0066] When the canopy 10 is being inserted or extracted, the cover element 40 and the side walls 42 may be away from the opening 20 , whereas otherwise they may be at the opening 20 .

[0067] The opening and closing of the opening 20 and thus the movement of the cover 4 may be fully automated. The vehicle 200 may comprise a lifting mechanism comprising an electric motor located at one or both lateral ends of the covering element 40 .

[0068] According to one aspect, the side walls 42 may be activated by springs and a Bowden system, for example, connected to a lifting mechanism for lifting the cover element 40. Alternatively, the side walls 42 may be activated by at least one independent electric motor.

[0069] One or more embodiments may be directed to a method for opening and closing a retractable top 10 of a convertible vehicle, wherein the top is comprised of at least a first portion 10a and a second portion 10b. The method comprises:

[0070] moving the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 relative to the second portion 10b of the canopy 10 between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the first portion 10a at least partially overlaps the second portion 10b, and in the second position the first portion 10a lies in substantially the same plane as the second portion 10b,

[0071] rotating the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b about the rotation axis R10; and

[0072] The overlapping first and second portions 10a, 10b are translated between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the first and second portions 10a, 10b are inside the compartment 2 of the vehicle and in the second position the first and second portions 10a, 10b are outside the compartment 2.

[0073] For example, to open the canopy 10, the method may include moving the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 by translation relative to the second portion 10b toward the first position along a first direction X and a second direction Y, rotating the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b of the canopy 10 by a predetermined angle α (e.g., 90°) in the first direction, and moving the overlapped and rotated first portion 10a and the second portion 10b translationally along a third direction Z toward the first position.

[0074] For example, to close the canopy 10, the method may include moving the stacked and rotated first and second portions 10a, 10b translationally along a third direction Z toward a second position, rotating the first and second portions 10a, 10b of the canopy 10 in opposite directions by a predetermined angle α (e.g., -90°), and moving the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 by translation relative to the second portion 10b along the first and second directions Y toward the second position.

[0075] According to one aspect, the steps of moving the first portion 10a of the canopy 10 relative to the second portion 10b of the canopy and rotating the first portion 10a and the second portion 10b occur simultaneously.

[0076] According to one aspect, the step of, for example, translating the superimposed and rotated first and second parts 10a, 10b along the third direction Z occurs at a different time than the other steps, for example, after the rotating step when the canopy 10 is being opened, or before the rotating step when the canopy 10 is being closed.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the vehicle may include at least one lid 4 for closing the compartment 2 , and the method may include opening or closing the compartment 2 by moving the lid 4 .

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the cover body 4 has side walls 42 and a covering element 40 between the side walls 42, wherein, for example, the width of the covering element 40 can be smaller than the width of the first part 10a and the second part 10b of the canopy 10. The method can include the following steps during the insertion and extraction of the first part 10a and the second part 10b of the canopy 10 that have been stacked and rotated:

[0079] moving the cover element 40 between a first position in which the opening 20 is uncovered and a second position in which the opening 20 is covered; and

[0080] The side wall 42 is rigidly moved together with the covering element 40 or the covering element 40 is at least partially rotated away from or towards the covering element 40 in order to respectively uncover or cover the opening 20 .

Claims

1. A method for opening and closing a retractable roof (10) of a convertible vehicle, wherein: The canopy (10) is composed of at least a first part (10a) and a second part (10b) connected to each other, and the method comprises the following steps: moving the first portion (10a) of the canopy (10) relative to the second portion (10b) of the canopy (10) between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the first portion (10a) at least partially overlies the second portion (10b), and in the second position the first portion (10a) lies in substantially the same plane as the second portion (10b), rotating the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b); and translating the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) that have been superimposed and rotated between a third position and a fourth position, such that in the third position the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) are inside the compartment (2) of the vehicle, and in the fourth position the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) are outside the compartment (2), The method is characterized in that the rotating step occurs by rotating the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) around a common rotation axis (R10).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The steps of moving the first portion (10a) of the canopy (10) relative to the second portion (10b) of the canopy and rotating the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) occur simultaneously.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The step of translating the overlapping first (10a) and second (10b) portions occurs after the rotating step when the canopy (10) is being opened, or before the rotating step when the canopy (10) is being closed.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The vehicle comprises a lid (4) for closing the compartment (2), and the method comprises opening and / or closing the compartment (2) by moving the lid (4).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The cover (4) comprises side walls (42) and a covering element (40) between the side walls (42), and the method comprises: moving the covering element (40) between a first position in which the inlet opening (20) to the compartment is uncovered and a second position in which the inlet opening (20) is covered; and The side wall (42) is rigidly moved together with the covering element (40) or the side wall (42) is at least partially rotated away from or towards the covering element (40) to respectively uncover or cover the inlet opening (20).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first part (10a) is the front part of the canopy and the second part (10b) is the rear part of the canopy, and after the step of moving the first part (10a) of the canopy (10) relative to the second part (10b) of the canopy (10), the first part (10a) is placed on top of the second part (10b).

7. A system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle, the system (1) comprising a retractable roof (10) and at least one moving unit (12) for moving the retractable roof (10), the roof (10) being composed of at least a first part (10a) and a second part (10b) connected to each other, the at least one moving unit (12) comprising: a movement and rotation mechanism configured to move the first portion (10a) of the canopy (10) relative to the second portion (10b) of the canopy (10) between a first position and a second position, such that in the first position the first portion (10a) at least partially overlaps the second portion (10b), and in the second position the first portion (10a) lies in substantially the same plane as the second portion (10b), and the movement and rotation mechanism configured to rotate the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b), a translation mechanism configured to translate the stacked first portion (10a) and second portion (10b) between a third position and a fourth position, such that in the third position the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) are inside the compartment (2) of the vehicle, and in the fourth position the first portion (10a) and the second portion (10b) are outside the compartment (2), and A drive unit is configured to drive the movement and rotation mechanism and the translation mechanism, wherein the movement and rotation mechanism comprises a common rotation axis (R10) about which the superimposed first part (10a) and the second part (10b) rotate.

8. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one moving unit (12) comprises at least one linkage mechanism consisting of a plurality of interconnected mechanical elements.

9. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The driving unit of the at least one moving unit (12) includes a first slider (120) and a first actuator (122), the first actuator (122) being configured to move the first slider (120) between a first position and a second position, so that when the first slider (120) is in the first position, the rotating first part (10a) is superimposed on the rotating second part (10b), and when the first slider (120) is in the second position, the first part (10a) is located in substantially the same plane as the second part (10b).

10. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: The drive unit of the at least one moving unit (12) includes a second slider (124) and a second actuator (126), the second actuator (126) being configured to move the second slider (124) between a first position and a second position, such that when the second slider (124) is in the first position, the canopy (10) is accommodated inside the compartment (2), and when the second slider (124) is in the second position, the canopy (10) is outside the compartment (2).

11. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The first slider (120) includes an engagement mechanism configured to engage with the second slider (124) when the first slider (120) is in the first position.

12. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The driving unit of the at least one mobile unit (12) comprises: at least one first driving element (128) for connecting the first slider (120) to the first actuator (122), the first actuator (122) being configured to move the first slider (120) by moving the at least one first driving element (128), and / or At least one second driving element (129) is used to connect the second slider (124) with the second actuator (126), and the second actuator (126) is configured to move the second slider (124) by moving the at least one second driving element (129).

13. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first portion (10a) of the canopy (10) is the front portion of the canopy, and the second portion (10b) of the canopy (10) is the rear portion of the canopy.

14. System for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a cover (4) for closing the compartment (2), the cover being movable between a closed position in which the compartment (2) is inaccessible and an open position in which the compartment (2) is accessible.

15. The system for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to claim 14, wherein: The cover comprises side walls (42) and a covering element (40) between the side walls (42), the covering element being movable between a first position in which an entrance opening (20) to the compartment is uncovered and a second position in which the entrance opening (20) is covered, the side walls (42) being movable rigidly together with the covering element (40) or rotatably towards and away from the covering element (40) to cover and uncover the entrance opening (20) respectively.

16. A convertible vehicle comprising a system (1) for opening and closing a convertible vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 15 and comprising a compartment (2).

17. The convertible vehicle according to claim 16, wherein: The convertible vehicle is a super sports car.

Images