VEHICLE WITH SUPPORT PANEL AND RAISING PROBES

Abstract

A vehicle (V) comprises a trunk (CV) delimited on two longitudinal sides (CL) by two trim panels (PA), each including intermediate (BAI) and front (BAV) support stops defined at the same vertical level, and a support panel (PS) in a lower position comprising two longitudinal edges (BL), each having a lower face (FI) that rests in a raised position on the intermediate (BAI) and front (BAV) support stops of the corresponding trim panel (PA). Each lower face (FI) includes, in an intermediate zone (ZI), a protrusion (PD) designed, during the placement of the support panel (PS) in its raised position, to temporarily rest on the corresponding intermediate support stop (BAI) by raising its longitudinal edge (BL) so that a front portion of the latter is positioned above the vertical level of the corresponding front support stop (BAV). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE WITH A SUPPORT PANEL TRUNK AND RAISING PROTUBERS Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a trunk equipped with a support panel that can be placed in a high position or a low position. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a trunk delimited on two longitudinal sides by two trim panels, each comprising intermediate and front support stops defined at the same vertical level. The front stops are defined in the front part of the trunk that is oriented towards the front of the vehicle (while the rear part of the trunk is the part closest to the rear end of the vehicle).

[0003] These intermediate and front support stops are designed to contribute to the support, in a raised position, of a support panel defining a false trunk floor, which can also be placed in a lowered position. In the lowered position, the support panel can, for example, be placed directly above a spare tire, possibly with a trunk mat in between. In the raised position, the support panel is positioned vertically away from any trunk mat in order to create a concealed storage space.

[0004] Currently, when the support panel is to be placed in its raised position from its lowered position, the following procedure must be followed. First, the rear portion of the support panel must be straightened, and then the panel must be pulled rearward (and thus outward from the trunk) until its front transverse edge is positioned sufficiently behind the two intermediate support stops. Next, the front portion of the support panel must be straightened so that its front transverse edge is positioned above the level of the two intermediate support stops. Then, the support panel must be moved toward the front of the trunk, keeping its front transverse edge above the level of the two front support stops, until it reaches the front stop and each of its two longitudinal edges rests on the corresponding intermediate and front support stops.

[0005] The very last phase (described in the last sentence) is the one that frequently poses a problem and results in the inability to correctly position the support panel in its upper position. Indeed, it frequently happens that the person holding the support panel rests the front part of the panel on The support panel rests on two intermediate support stops while tilted, with its front section lower than its rear, to reduce the effort required. Consequently, when moving the support panel towards the front of the trunk, its front transverse edge ends up below the level of the two front support stops, and its two longitudinal edges become blocked just before them, making it impossible to complete the positioning and thus requiring further frustrating adjustments. This problem most often occurs when the person uses only one hand to place the support panel in the raised position, but it can also happen when handling the support panel with both hands if the person's concentration is insufficient.

[0006] Besides the inconvenience caused, which can be perceived as a problem of vehicle ergonomics, the blocking of the two longitudinal edges can, when repeated, damage not only the front transverse ends of the latter but also the front parts of the trim panels (in particular at the edges defining the two front support stops).

[0007] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0008] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a trunk delimited on two longitudinal sides by two trim panels, each comprising intermediate and front support stops defined at the same vertical level, and, on the other hand, a support panel having a low position and comprising two longitudinal edges, each having a lower face resting in a high position on the intermediate and front support stops of the corresponding trim panel.

[0009] This vehicle is characterized in that each lower face of a longitudinal edge includes in an intermediate area a protrusion intended, during placement of the support panel in its high position, to temporarily rest on the corresponding intermediate support stop by raising its longitudinal edge so that a front part of the latter is placed above the vertical level of the corresponding front support stop.

[0010] Thanks to this cooperation between the protrusions and the intermediate support stops, the placement of the support panel in its upper position is significantly facilitated while remaining ergonomic for the user.

[0011] The land vehicle according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0012] - each protuberance may include a front face inclined from the front towards the rear and from top to bottom relative to a remaining portion of the underside of its longitudinal edge, so as to progressively raise the latter during its forward movement while the support panel is being placed in its upper position;

[0013] - each protuberance can be defined in a front half of its long edge gitudinal so as to be placed between the intermediate and front support stops of the corresponding cladding panel, once the support panel is placed in its upper position;

[0014] - in a first embodiment, each protuberance can be part in integral of its longitudinal edge;

[0015] - in a second embodiment, each protrusion can be made by overmolding of a plastic material;

[0016] - in a third embodiment, each protrusion can be a part that is attached by gluing or screwing;

[0017] - each cladding panel may include a projecting portion delimited in a front part by an edge defining its front support stop;

[0018] - each longitudinal edge can be interrupted before a front transverse edge of the support panel and may terminate, after its protrusion, with a front transverse end that butts against part of the edge of the protruding part when the support panel is placed in its upper position;

[0019] - its support panel can be made by molding a plastic material;

[0020] - it can be of the automotive type. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings (obtained using CAD / CAM (“Computer-Aided Design / Computer-Aided Manufacturing”), hence the shades of grey), in which:

[0022] [fig. 1] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a part of the rear trunk of a vehicle according to the invention, with its support panel placed in its lowered position,

[0023] [fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, a part of the chest rear of figure 1 with the support panel placed in its upper position,

[0024] [fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a front view, the right-hand trim panel of the chest shown in figures 1 and 2, with the lower right protrusion of the right longitudinal edge of the support panel resting on its right intermediate support stop during the placement of the support panel in its upper position,

[0025] [fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in an XZ plane, the panel right-hand side panel of the trunk in Figure 3, with the front transverse end of the edge longitudinal right of the support panel at the beginning of its support on the front right support stop thanks to the elevation caused by the support of the lower right protrusion on the intermediate right support stop, and

[0026] [fig.5] schematically illustrates, in a cross-sectional view in the XZ plane, the panel right-hand side panel of the trunk in figure 3, with the support panel placed in its upper position. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] The invention aims in particular to provide a vehicle V comprising a trunk CV equipped with a support panel PS which can be placed in a low position or in a high position more easily and ergonomically.

[0028] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be a motor vehicle. For example, it is a car as illustrated very partially and without limitation in Figures 1 and 2. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. Indeed, the invention relates to any vehicle comprising at least one trunk equipped with a support panel in two positions (low and high). Thus, the invention relates to all vehicles (land, sea (or river), and air).

[0029] In figures 1 to 5, the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the direction Y is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y.

[0030] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a portion of a rear trunk CV of a vehicle V according to the invention. This trunk CV is delimited on two longitudinal sides (right and left) by two trim panels PA fixedly attached to the structure of the vehicle V. These two trim panels PA extend generally and substantially in planes XZ. Furthermore, the front portion of the trunk CV is delimited here by the backrest of a rear bench seat SV installed in a passenger compartment H of the vehicle V, but this is not mandatory. Indeed, this front portion of the trunk CV could be delimited by a fixed or removable partition, for example, placed behind seat backs or a bench seat back.Furthermore, the lower part of the CV trunk is partially delimited by a rigid PS support panel, defining a false floor and which can be placed, as needed, in a low position (illustrated in Figure 1) or in a high position (illustrated in Figures 2 and 5). It should be noted, as illustrated (but not limited to) in Figures 1 and 2, that a TC trunk mat, preferably rigid, can be placed under the PS support panel. In this... In its lower position, the PS support panel rests on this TC trunk mat, while in its upper position the PS support panel and the TC trunk mat together define a hidden storage space.

[0031] In what follows and what precedes, a front part is a part of an area or equipment that is oriented towards the front of the vehicle V, a rear part is a part of an area or equipment that is opposite its front part and oriented towards the rear end of the vehicle V, and an intermediate part is a part of an area or equipment that is included between its front and rear parts.

[0032] Furthermore, in what follows and what precedes, an upper face is a face of equipment that is oriented towards the ceiling (or roof) of vehicle V (and therefore towards the sky), and an lower face is a face of equipment that is opposite to its upper face and therefore oriented towards the floor of vehicle V.

[0033] The support panel PS comprises two parallel longitudinal edges BL (right and left) connected by a front transverse edge BTV and a rear transverse edge BTR. The longitudinal edges BL are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and the front transverse edges BTV and rear transverse edges BTR are substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y. Furthermore, this support panel PS comprises a lower face FI and an upper face FS opposite each other. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the lower face FI of each longitudinal edge BL includes, in an intermediate zone (between the front and rear zones), a protrusion PD, which will be discussed later.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 5, each PA cladding panel includes an intermediate support stop BAI and a front support stop B AV which are defined at the same vertical level, but offset along the longitudinal direction X (the front support stop B AV being placed in front of the intermediate support stop BAI with a distance separating them typically of a few tens of centimeters).

[0035] When the support panel PS is correctly placed in its upper position, the lower face FI of its right longitudinal edge BL rests on the intermediate support stops BAI and front B AV of the right (and therefore corresponding) cladding panel PA, and the lower face FI of its left longitudinal edge BL rests on the intermediate support stops BAI and front BAV of the left (and therefore corresponding) cladding panel PA.

[0036] The protrusion PD comprising the lower face FI of each longitudinal edge BL facilitates the placement of the support panel PS in its upper position. In fact, and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each protrusion PD is designed, during the placement of the support panel PS in its upper position, to temporarily rest on the corresponding intermediate support stop BAI by raising its own longitudinal edge BL so that the front part of the latter (BL) is placed above the vertical level of the corresponding front support stop BAV.

[0037] It will be understood that when the user moves the support panel PS towards the front of the CV compartment, they must keep its front transverse edge BTV above the level of the two intermediate support stops BAI until its lower face FI rests on these stops (BAI). Then, they continue to slide the lower face FI of the support panel PS over the two intermediate support stops BAI. When the protrusions PD of the two longitudinal edges BL of the support panel PS come into contact with the two intermediate support stops BAI, they cause a progressive straightening of the front part PV of the support panel PS, and thus the front transverse edge BTV of the latter (PS) is finally positioned above the level of the two front support stops BAV just before it reaches them.Therefore, as the user continues to move the PS support panel towards the front of the CV compartment, the front transverse edge BTV can slide on the two front support stops BAV without risk of becoming stuck, until it reaches a final front position in which the PD protrusions are positioned between the corresponding intermediate support stops BAI and BAV. The user then simply needs to allow the rear part PR of the PS support panel to reach, by a slight downward rotation, a final rear position in which the rear transverse edge BTR rests on a rear support stop BAR and the longitudinal edges BL rest respectively on the corresponding intermediate support stops BAI and BAV (see figure 5).

[0038] Thus, thanks to the cooperation between the PD protrusions and the BAI intermediate support stops, placing the PS support panel in its upper position is significantly easier while remaining ergonomic for the user, even when the user is only using one hand to manipulate the PS support panel. Furthermore, since there is no longer a risk of the two longitudinal edges BL becoming blocked, the user is no longer at risk of inconvenience, and the front transverse ends ET of these edges (BL), as well as the front parts of the PA cladding panels, are no longer at risk of being damaged.

[0039] It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in Figures 3 to 5, that each protrusion PD may advantageously include a front face FV which is inclined from front to back and from top to bottom relative to the remaining portion of the lower face FI of its longitudinal edge BL. This allows this longitudinal edge BL (and in particular its front transverse end ET) to be progressively raised during its forward movement when the support panel PS is placed in its upper position. This inclination may be linear and constant or increasing. This results in even greater ease of sliding the support panel PS on the intermediate support stops BAI during its forward movement to reach its upper position.

[0040] Similarly, and as illustrated, without limitation, in Figures 3 to 5, each protrusion PD may advantageously include a rear face (opposite its front face FV) that is inclined from rear to front and from top to bottom relative to the remaining portion of the lower face FI of its longitudinal edge BL. This allows this longitudinal edge BL to be progressively raised as it moves rearward during the retraction of the support panel PS from its upper position. This inclination may be linear and constant or increasing. The result is even greater ease of sliding the support panel PS on the intermediate support stops BAI as it moves rearward from its upper position.

[0041] It should also be noted, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, that each protrusion PD can be defined in a forward half of its longitudinal edge BL so as to be positioned between the intermediate support stops BAI and the front B AV of the corresponding cladding panel PA, once the support panel PS is placed in its upper position. Thus, in the upper position, the protrusions PD do not interfere with the corresponding intermediate support stops BAI and front B AV.

[0042] At least three embodiments of the PD protuberances can be envisaged.

[0043] In a first embodiment, each protrusion PD can be an integral part of its longitudinal edge BL. Thus, the support panel PS is a single piece and therefore can be made entirely by molding, for example from a plastic material (possibly by an injection process).

[0044] In a second embodiment, each protrusion PD can be produced by overmolding a plastic material. Thus, the support panel PS is also ultimately a single piece, after being produced by molding (except for its protrusions PD), then by overmolding these protrusions (PD), possibly in two temporally separated phases. The material (possibly plastic) in which the support panel PS is molded is not necessarily the same as the material (plastic) in which the protrusions PD are overmolded.

[0045] In a third embodiment, each protrusion PD can be a part that is attached by gluing or screwing onto the internal faces FI of the longitudinal edges BL. In this case, the support panel PS can also be made by molding a plastic material.

[0046] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 to 5, that each PA cladding panel may include a projecting (or advanced) part RP which is delimited in a front part by an edge BP defining its front support stop BAV.

[0047] With this latter option, each longitudinal edge BL can be interrupted before the front transverse edge BTV of the support panel PS and can terminate, after its protrusion PD, with a front transverse end ET that abuts against a portion of the edge BP of the projecting part RP when the support panel PS is placed in its upper position. It will be understood that it is when the front transverse ends ET abut against the edges BR of the projecting parts RP of the two trim panels PA that the front transverse edge BTV of the support panel PS reaches its final front position.

[0048] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in figures 1 and 3 to 5, that each cladding panel PA can also include another protrusion PP defined before its projecting (or advanced) part RP and defining by an upper face its intermediate support stop BAI.

[0049] It will be understood that the protruding part RP and the other protrusion PP of each cladding panel PA can be made at the same time as the latter (PA) by molding a plastic material (possibly by an injection process).

Claims

Demands

1. Vehicle (V) comprising i) a trunk (CV) delimited on two longitudinal sides (CL) by two trim panels (PA), each comprising intermediate (BAI) and front (BAV) support stops defined at the same vertical level, and ii) a support panel (PS) having a lower position and comprising two longitudinal edges (BL), each having a lower face (FI) resting in a high position on said intermediate (BAI) and front (BAV) support stops of the corresponding trim panel (PA), characterized in that each lower face (FI) of a longitudinal edge (BL) comprises, in an intermediate zone (ZI), a protrusion (PD) intended, during placement of said support panel (PS) in its high position,to temporarily rest upon said corresponding intermediate support stop (BAI) by raising its longitudinal edge (BL) so that a front portion of the latter (BL) is positioned above said vertical level of the corresponding front support stop (BAV).

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that each protrusion (PD) comprises a front face (FV) inclined from front to rear and from top to bottom with respect to a remaining part of the lower face (FI) of its longitudinal edge (BL), so as to progressively raise the latter (BL) during its forward movement during said placement of the support panel (PS) in its high position.

3. Vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each protrusion (PD) is defined in a front half of its longitudinal edge (BL) so as to be placed between said intermediate support stops (BAI) and front (BAV) of the corresponding trim panel (PA), once said support panel (PS) has been placed in its high position.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each protrusion (PD) is an integral part of its longitudinal edge (BL).

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each protrusion (PD) is made by overmolding of a plastic material.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each protrusion (PD) is a part attached by bonding or screwing.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each trim panel (PA) comprises a projecting part (RP) delimited in a front part by an edge (BP) defining its front support stop (BAV).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that each longitudinal edge (BL) is interrupted before a front transverse edge (BTV) of said support panel (PS) and terminates, after its protrusion (PD), by a front transverse end (ET) abutting against a part of said edge (BP) of the protruding part (RP) when said support panel (PS) is placed in its high position.

9. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said support panel (PS) is made by molding a plastic material.

10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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