Roof for motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipped with such a roof

Abstract

Roof for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a roof. The invention relates to a roof (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a frame (3) defining an opening (9), - a fabric (11) arranged to alternately cover and uncover said opening, - a device for tensioning said fabric. According to the invention, said tensioning device comprises: - an elastic element extending along a peripheral edge (13) of said fabric, fixed to said fabric and to said frame, having a tensioning zone for said fabric and being arranged to tension said fabric when a tensile force is exerted on said tensioning zone, - a locking element, arranged to hold said elastic element in position when said tensile force is exerted on said elastic element. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a roof. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Roof for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising such a roof technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and concerns a roof for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising such a roof. Previous technique

[0002] A motor vehicle referred to as "with a sunroof" means a vehicle comprising a roof, part of the vehicle delimiting the passenger compartment in the upper part, having an opening defining an openwork portion of the roof, which can be alternately opened and closed by moving a set of movable elements.

[0003] Among these movable elements, we know in particular those comprising a flexible fabric that can be moved between a so-called closed position in which the fabric closes the opening of the pavilion and a so-called open position in which the fabric is folded, for example towards the rear of the opening of the pavilion, to clear it.

[0004] In a known embodiment of the prior art, the opening of the vehicle roof comprises a set of lateral slides inside which are mounted the lateral ends of the flexible canvas.

[0005] The transition from the closed to the open position is achieved by moving the flexible canvas towards the rear of the vehicle, along the side rails. When the canvas is folded forward and into its closed position, a locking device secures the canvas in the closed position.

[0006] In another embodiment known from the prior art, the vehicle roof comprises a flexible canvas fixed between a front cross member and a rear cross member.

[0007] Elastic ribs connected to an elastic tensioner extend between the longitudinal edges of the fabric. The canopy further comprises a system of levers mounted pivoting on joints fixed to the canopy.

[0008] By tilting the levers towards the rear of the canopy, the fabric folds back on itself and clears the opening of the canopy. By tilting the levers towards the front of the canopy, the fabric extends along the opening of the canopy and reaches its closed position.

[0009] The canvas is held in the closed position by means of a lock that can be operated manually.

[0010] The prior art sunroofs just described include a significant number of constituent elements of the canvas drive systems between a closed position and an open position.

[0011] This makes the production of these sunroofs relatively complex.

[0012] Also, the high number of constituent elements of these sunroofs increases the mass of the vehicle equipped with them.

[0013] Moreover, the manufacturing cost of these systems is high, which makes these systems poorly compatible with transposition to certain types of vehicles, in particular electric quadricycles. Description of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to this end relates to a roof for a motor vehicle, intended to be mounted in a roof section of the vehicle, comprising: - a frame, delimiting an opening within its inner zone, - a flexible canvas, arranged to alternately cover the opening of said frame and to at least partially uncover said opening, - a device for tensioning said canvas, notable in that said tensioning device comprises: - at least one elastic element extending along a peripheral edge of said canvas and being fixed, on the one hand, to said canvas and, on the other hand, to said frame, presenting at least one tensioning zone of said canvas, said at least one elastic element being arranged to tension the canvas when a tensile force is exerted on said at least one elastic element at the level of said at least one tensioning zone, - at least one locking element of said at least one elastic element, arranged to hold said at least one elastic element in position when said tensile force is exerted on said at least one elastic element.

[0015] Thus, by planning to achieve the tensioning by exerting a tensile force on an elastic element extending over a peripheral edge of the canvas, the tensioning of the roof canvas is ensured in an extremely simple way compared to roofs of the prior art.

[0016] Thanks to the present invention, the number of elements that make up the roof is much lower compared to roofs of the prior art, which advantageously reduces the manufacturing cost of such a roof as well as the mass of the vehicle equipped with such a roof.

[0017] This allows for an extremely simple continuous tension of the fabric, which advantageously prevents sagging of the fabric due to water accumulation in rainy weather or its expansion in hot weather.

[0018] According to optional features of the roof according to the invention: - the canvas has a set of eyelets mounted at the peripheral edge of the fabric and through which passes said at least one elastic element; - the frame includes a set of hooks mounted at an internal peripheral edge of said frame, through which said at least one elastic element passes; - the canvas has a detachable central portion and the roof has removable means for attaching said detachable central portion to the peripheral edge of said canvas; - the canvas has two tensioning zones for said canvas, respectively located at the level of a front zone of said roof and at the level of a rear zone of said roof; - the canvas has two tensioning zones for said canvas, respectively located at the level of a left lateral zone of said roof and at the level of a right lateral zone of said roof; - the elastic element is an elastic cord; - the fabric is made from a material composed of polyamide and silicone.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a pavilion, remarkable in that said pavilion comprises at least one roof obtained according to the invention.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the motor vehicle is an electric quadricycle. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] illustrates a roof according to the invention, in isometric view.

[0023] [Fig.2] is an enlargement of area II of [Fig. 1].

[0024] [Fig.3] is an enlargement of zone III of [Fig.1].

[0025] [Fig.4] shows an example of an embodiment of a locking element of the element elastic of the roof canvas. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] In the following description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions are designated by the same reference.

[0027] By convention, and without limitation, longitudinal, vertical and transverse orientations will be adopted as indicated by the direct trihedron (L, V, T) designating the longitudinal, vertical and transverse axes of the vehicle.

[0028] In what follows, the terms "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are understood in relation to the vehicle when the roof is fitted to the vehicle.

[0029] Reference is made to figures 1 and 2 showing respectively a roof 1 in isometric view obtained according to an embodiment of the present invention and an enlargement of zone II of [Fig.1].

[0030] The roof 1 is intended to equip a roof of a motor vehicle, delimiting the passenger compartment of the vehicle in the upper part.

[0031] The roof 1 comprises a chassis or frame 3, comprising an external peripheral edge 5 and an internal peripheral edge 7.

[0032] The frame 3 defines a closed hollow body delimiting, in its inner area extending along its inner peripheral edge 7, an opening 9 of the roof of the vehicle.

[0033] The frame 3 is rigid and can, for example, be made of a plastic material or of steel, for example by stamping.

[0034] The opening 9 of the frame 3 can adopt a polygonal shape, for example rectangular, in particular square.

[0035] Alternatively, the opening 9 of the frame 3 can define other geometric shapes, including, but not limited to, circular or ellipsoidal shapes.

[0036] The roof 1 further comprises a flexible canvas 11, the geometric shape of which is equivalent to that defined by the opening 9 of the frame 3 and the surface of which is slightly greater than that defined by the opening 9 of the frame 3.

[0037] The canvas 11 is arranged in the roof 1 to alternately cover, when the roof 1 is in a so-called "closed" position, the opening 9 of the frame 3, and to uncover, when the roof 1 is in a so-called "open" position, at least partially the opening 9.

[0038] The fabric 11 can for example be made of a cotton-based material.

[0039] Alternatively, the canvas 11 can, for example, be made of a material composed made of polyamide and silicone, giving the fabric 7 good mechanical properties for tension resistance, as well as good water-repellent properties and good resistance to ultraviolet rays.

[0040] The roof 1 further includes a device for tensioning the fabric 11 which, according to the invention, includes at least one elastic element which extends along a peripheral edge 13 of the fabric 11.

[0041] As more clearly seen in [Fig.2], the elastic element of the tensioning device is obtained by an elastic cord 15, allowing the canvas 11 to be pressed against the frame 3 of the roof 1.

[0042] The fabric 11 includes a set of eyelets 17 or loops, mounted on the peripheral edge 13 of the fabric 11.

[0043] The eyelets 17 are for example regularly spaced along the peripheral edge 13.

[0044] The elastic cord 15 passes through each eyelet 17, so that the elastic cord 15 is fixed on the peripheral edge 13 of the canvas 11.

[0045] In one embodiment, the fabric 11 has a central portion 19 detachable from the peripheral edge 13 of the fabric 11.

[0046] For this purpose, the fabric 11 is connected to the peripheral edge 13 of the fabric 11 by removable fastening means, in particular by zip or by a textile connection of the hook and loop type.

[0047] Thus, the alternative passage of the roof between its closed position and its open position is obtained by detaching the central portion 19 from the peripheral edge 13 of the canvas 11 and rolling it towards the rear of the roof 1, outside or inside the vehicle.

[0048] The vehicle can be equipped with means for maintaining the central portion 19 of the fabric 11 in a rolled-up position, for example a clip fastening system, a textile link of the hook and loop type, a magnet, etc.

[0049] When the central portion 19 of the canvas 11 is rolled up inside the vehicle, the vehicle may include a storage net into which the central portion 19 of the canvas is inserted when the roof is in the open position.

[0050] The frame 3 further comprises a set of hooks 21 mounted on the inner peripheral edge 7 of the frame 3.

[0051] The brackets 21 are for example regularly spaced along the inner peripheral edge 7.

[0052] The elastic cord 15 passes through each hook 21, so that the elastic cord 15 is fixed on the inner peripheral edge 7 of the frame 3.

[0053] In one embodiment, the eyelets 17 of the canvas 11 and the hooks 21 of the frame 3 are regularly spaced with respect to each other, which gives good tension to the canvas 11.

[0054] Reference is made to [Fig.3] showing an enlargement of zone III of [Fig. 1].

[0055] The elastic cord 15 has a tensioning zone 23 for the fabric 11. The tensioning zone 23 includes a loop 25 formed by the elastic cord 15.

[0056] In one embodiment, the roof 1 has two tensioning zones 23, respectively located at a front zone 27 of the roof 1 and at a rear zone 29 of the roof 1 (the front zone 27 and the rear zone 29 are shown in [Fig.1]).

[0057] In another embodiment, the roof 1 has two tensioning zones 23, respectively located at a left lateral zone 31 of the roof 1 and at a right lateral zone 33 of the roof 1 (the left lateral zone 31 and the right lateral zone 33 are shown in [Fig.1]).

[0058] In another embodiment, the roof has four tensioning zones 23, respectively located at the front 27, rear 29, left side 31 and right side 33 zones of the roof 1.

[0059] The loop 25 formed by the elastic cord 15 at the tensioning zone 23 allows the fabric 11 to be tensioned when a tensile force is applied to the cord 15 elastic at the level of the tension zone 23.

[0060] The holding in position of the elastic rope 15 is obtained by means of a locking element arranged to hold the elastic rope 15 in position when a tensile force is exerted on the elastic rope 15.

[0061] The locking element allows the canvas 11 to be held in its stretched position in which it closes the opening 9 of the frame 3 of the roof 1 and allows continuous tension of the canvas 11 to be maintained.

[0062] The locking element is for example mounted at the level of the tensioning zone 23 of the fabric 11.

[0063] When the fabric 11 has several tensioning zones 23, each tensioning zone 23 can receive a locking element.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the locking element.

[0065] The locking element can, for example, be obtained by a clamp 35 or jammer, known to the man of the trade and having two orifices 37, 39, each through which the rope 15 passes at the loop 25. The holding in position of the elastic rope 15 is obtained by the sliding of the clamp 35 along the loop 25.

[0066] The present invention has been described with reference to an elastic element comprising an elastic cord 15.

[0067] However, in an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the elastic element comprises a set of elastic cords extending each between one of the eyelets 17 of the canvas 11 and one of the hooks 21 of the frame 3.

[0068] To do this, the eyelets 17 of the canvas 11 and the hooks 21 of the frame 3 are preferably mounted opposite each other.

[0069] The tensioning of the fabric 11 can then be achieved by exerting a tensile force on each elastic cord, each defining a tensioning zone of the fabric.

[0070] The holding in position of each elastic cord is achieved by providing a locking element on each elastic cord, for example of the type described above.

[0071] Alternatively, it is envisaged to provide a peripheral elastic cord passing through each elastic cord, so that the tensioning of all the elastic cords is achieved by exerting a tensile force on the peripheral elastic cord.

[0072] The holding in position of each elastic cord can then be obtained by providing a locking element for the peripheral elastic cord, for example of the type described previously.

[0073] The present invention has been described with reference to a roof 1 mounted in a pavilion. However, the vehicle's pavilion can be equipped with two roofs according to the invention, by example extending one behind the other.

[0074] Also, in one embodiment, a cap can be placed over the frame in order to make the elastic element inaccessible to the user, for safety purposes.

[0075] As will be understood, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of this roof for a motor vehicle and of this motor vehicle comprising such a roof, described above only by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it encompasses all variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A roof (1) for a motor vehicle, intended to be mounted in a roof of the vehicle, comprising: - a frame (3), delimiting in its inner area an opening (9), - a flexible fabric (11), arranged to alternately cover said opening (9) with said frame (3) and to at least partially uncover said opening (9), - a tensioning device for said fabric (11), characterized in that said tensioning device comprises: - at least one elastic element extending along a peripheral edge (13) of said fabric (11) and being fixed, on the one hand, to said fabric (11) and, on the other hand, to said frame (3), having at least one tensioning zone for said fabric (11), said at least one elastic element being arranged to tension said fabric (11) when a tensile force is exerted on said at least one elastic element at the level of said at least one tensioning zone,- at least one locking element for said at least one elastic element, arranged to hold said at least one elastic element in position when said tensile force is exerted on said at least one elastic element.

2. Roof (1) for motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said canvas (11) comprises a set of eyelets (17) mounted at the peripheral edge (13) of said canvas (11) and through which passes said at least one elastic element.

3. Roof (1) for motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that said frame (3) comprises a set of hooks (21) mounted at an internal peripheral edge (7) of said frame (3), through which said at least one elastic element passes.

4. Roof (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said canvas (11) comprises a detachable central portion (19) and in that it comprises removable attachment means for said detachable central portion (19) on the peripheral edge (13) of said canvas (H).

5. Roof (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said fabric (11) has two tensioning zones of said fabric (11), respectively located at the level of a front zone (27) of said roof (1) and at the level of a rear zone (29) of said roof (1).

6. Roof (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said fabric (11) has two tensioning zones of said fabric (11), respectively located at the level of a left lateral zone (31) of said roof (1) and at the level of a right lateral zone (33) of said roof (1).

7. Roof (1) for motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elastic element is an elastic cord (15).

8. Roof (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said canvas (11) is obtained from a material composed of polyamide and silicone.

9. Motor vehicle comprising a roof, characterized in that said roof comprises at least one roof (1) obtained according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that said motor vehicle is an electric quadricycle.

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