Vehicle luggage-compartment lid with secure open position

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor-vehicle body (1) comprising a luggage-compartment lid (2) movably mounted between a closed position, in which the luggage-compartment lid (2) closes a compartment (3) of the body (1), and a secure open position, in which the luggage-compartment lid (2) frees access to the compartment (3), the body (1) further comprising at least one electro-magnetic system (4), comprising at least one electromagnet (5), the electro-magnetic system (4) having a first state in which at least one electromagnet (5) is supplied with an electric current and in which the system (4) is designed to hold the luggage-compartment lid (2) in its secure open position, the system (4) having a second state designed to allow the luggage-compartment lid (2) to move from its secure open position to its closed position. The invention further relates to a method for managing the electro-magnetic system (4).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Vehicle trunk lid with secure open position

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2409653 filed on September 11, 2024, the content of which (text, drawings, and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The technical field relates to vehicle bodies comprising a movable trunk lid and to motor vehicles having such a body.

[0002] Car manufacturers take great care to improve passenger comfort in their vehicles and are constantly seeking to improve their interior space, particularly by trying to facilitate the transport of bulky goods in their vehicles.

[0003] Many vehicles feature a rear trunk lid that tilts upwards to provide access. The opening mechanism and the limited opening width of the lid make it impractical for transporting bulky items. Furthermore, the current design of these vehicles does not allow driving with the lid open without risking damage. However, for an innovative project, it is desirable to be able to keep the trunk lid open without the risk of it closing while the vehicle is in motion. To meet the usual requirements of manufacturers, the solution must address various constraints, such as ease of use, integration that respects the vehicle's visual appearance, and cost control during implementation.

[0004] Thus, there is a need for a solution that allows driving with the trunk lid in the open position to facilitate the transport of bulky items.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body with a trunk lid that can be held in a secure open position.

[0006] To this end, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle body comprising a trunk lid movably mounted between a closed position, in which the trunk lid closes a trunk compartment of the body, and a secure open position, in which the trunk lid releases access to the compartment, the body further comprising at least one electro- magnetic, comprising at least one electromagnet, the electromagnetic system having a first state in which at least one electromagnet is supplied by an electric current and in which the system is designed to hold the trunk lid in its secure open position, the system having a second state designed to allow the trunk lid to move from its secure open position to its closed position.

[0007] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a vehicle body according to the invention, each electromagnet being powered by a low voltage electrical bundle.

[0008] The invention finally relates to a method of managing an electromagnetic system of a vehicle according to the invention, comprising a first step consisting of switching the electromagnetic system to its first state when the vehicle is moving and / or when the vehicle, being able to do so, detects that the trunk lid is in its secure open position and / or when a dedicated command is activated and / or when the vehicle's doors are locked.

[0009] The electromagnetic system is designed, in its first state, to keep the trunk lid in the secure open position by an electromagnetic attraction between the trunk lid and the rest of the body.

[0010] Thus, the vehicle body according to the invention features a trunk lid that can be held in a securely open position. This secure open position is maintained by the electromagnetic system in its first state. Switching the electromagnetic system to its first state holds the trunk lid open, while switching it to its second state allows the trunk lid to be moved. Thanks to the electromagnetic system, the body meets stylistic requirements, since the electromagnetic system, comprising an electromagnet, is easily integrated into the body and can be made invisible if necessary.Thus, the box according to the invention allows the implementation of the method according to the invention which makes the use of the secure opening position of the trunk lid very easy for the vehicle user, in particular by reducing or even avoiding the locking and unlocking of the trunk lid by the vehicle user.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the body, the electromagnetic system comprises at least one electromagnet and at least one magnet, each magnet interacting with an electromagnet when the trunk lid is in the secure open position, the magnet being disposed on one of the trunk lids and the roof of the body, the electromagnet being disposed on the other of the trunk lid and roof.

[0012] According to one possibility, each electromagnet is designed to be powered by a low-voltage electrical beam.

[0013] In one embodiment, the case further includes position detection means designed to detect that the trunk flap is in its secure open position.

[0014] According to one possibility, the management process includes a second step consisting of switching the electromagnetic system from its first state to its second state when the moving vehicle stops and / or when a dedicated command is activated and / or when the vehicle's doors are unlocked.

[0015] According to one implementation method of the process, the first and / or second step is implemented when the vehicle's speed passes a predetermined threshold value.

[0016] Advantageously, the implementation of the first step requires a limitation of the vehicle's travel speed below a predetermined speed limit.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the attached drawing in which:

[0018] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents a vehicle body according to the invention showing an electromagnetic system.

[0019] A car body 1 of a motor vehicle according to the invention, illustrated in figure 1, includes at least one trunk lid 2.

[0020] The trunk lid 2 is mounted to move between a closed position (illustrated in the figure), in which the trunk lid 2 closes a compartment 3 of the trunk of the box 1, and a secure open position, in which the trunk lid 2 allows access to compartment 3. The trunk lid 2 is made movable by means of at least one hinge allowing the trunk lid 2 to rotate along a horizontal axis of the vehicle.

[0021] The casing 1 further comprises at least one electromagnetic system 4, including at least one electromagnet 5. The electromagnetic system 4 has a first state in which at least one electromagnet 5 is supplied with an electric current and in which the system 4 is designed to hold the trunk lid 2 in its securely open position. The system 4 also has a second state designed to allow the trunk lid 2 to move from its securely open position to its closed position.

[0022] In the described embodiment, the electromagnetic system 4 is designed, in its first state, to hold the trunk lid 2 in the secured open position by means of an electromagnetic attraction between the trunk lid 2 and the rest of the body 1. Thus, the electromagnetic system 4 comprises at least one electromagnet 5 and at least one magnet 6, as illustrated in the figure. Each magnet 6 interacts with an electromagnet 5 when the trunk lid 2 is in the secured open position. Magnet 6 is located on one of the trunk lids 2 and the roof panel 7 of the body 1, while electromagnet 5 is located on the other of the trunk lid 2 and roof panel 7. Obviously, when the trunk lid 2 is held closed by electromagnetic attraction, at least one electromagnet 5 is then energized by an electric current.To enable interaction between a magnet 6 and an electromagnet 5, they are positioned at a distance sufficient to generate an electromagnetic attraction capable of holding the trunk lid 2 in its securely open position. Advantageously, the trunk lid 2 is brought into contact with the roof panel 7. In some cases, the securely open position requires the trunk lid 2 to rotate more than 150° around its hinge.

[0023] As an example, electromagnet 5 has a thickness of around 30 mm: electromagnet 5 is therefore easily integrated.

[0024] Advantageously, each electromagnet 5 is designed to be powered by a low-voltage electrical harness. For example, in the vehicle according to the invention, each electromagnet 5 is powered by a 12V or 48V electrical harness.

[0025] According to one possible configuration of the vehicle or body 1 of the invention, position detection means are designed to detect that the trunk lid 2 is in its securely open position. For example, the position detection means include a position sensor for the trunk lid 2 and / or a switch that is activated when the trunk lid 2 is in its securely open position.

[0026] The vehicle according to the invention is designed to implement a method according to the invention. To this end, it is equipped with control units capable of communicating, where appropriate, with other elements of the vehicle. Such a method allows the management of the electromagnetic system 4 and comprises a first step consisting of switching the electromagnetic system 4 to its first state when the vehicle is moving and / or when the vehicle, being able to do so (i.e., when the body 1 is equipped with position detection means), detects that the trunk lid 2 is in its securely open position and / or when a dedicated control is activated and / or when the vehicle's doors are locked. A dedicated control is, for example, a control that can be operated from inside the passenger compartment, or a remote control.The condition that the vehicle's openings are locked is, for example, met when a user commands the locking of the openings or, for example, when the openings are locked automatically due to the movement of the vehicle.

[0027] Advantageously, the management process also includes a second step consisting of switching the electromagnetic system from its first state to its second state when the moving vehicle stops and / or when a dedicated command is activated and / or when the vehicle's doors are unlocked. The second step is thus implemented, for example, when the doors are unlocked by an action on a dedicated command and / or by the unlocking of the doors resulting from opening a door while the vehicle is stationary.

[0028] According to one possibility, the first and / or second step is implemented when the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Such a threshold value is, for example, between 10 km / h and 20 km / h. Thus, when the vehicle according to the invention accelerates to a speed exceeding the threshold speed, the method according to the invention implements the first step.

[0029] Finally, the method according to the invention is designed so that the implementation of the first step controls a limitation of the vehicle's speed below a predetermined speed limit. Such a speed limit is, for example, on the order of 80 km / h. To this end, the vehicle is obviously equipped, for example, with control units adapted to communicate such a command.

[0030] Thus, the case 1 features a trunk lid 2 that can be held in a securely open position. This secure open position is maintained by the electromagnetic system 4 in its first state. Switching the electromagnetic system 4 to its first state holds the trunk lid 2 open, while switching it to its second state allows the trunk lid 2 to be moved. Thanks to the electromagnetic system 4, the case 1 meets aesthetic requirements, as the system, with its electromagnet 5, is easily integrated into the case 1 and can be concealed if necessary.

[0031] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the vehicle body or the method of implementation of the process described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be devised by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A motor vehicle body (1) comprising a trunk lid (2) movably mounted between a closed position, in which the trunk lid (2) closes a compartment (3) of the trunk of the body (1), and a secure open position, in which the trunk lid (2) releases access to the compartment (3), the body (1) further comprising at least one electromagnetic system (4), comprising at least one electromagnet (5), the electromagnetic system (4) having a first state in which at least one electromagnet (5) is supplied by an electric current and in which the system (4) is designed to hold the trunk lid (2) in its secure open position, the system (4) having a second state designed to allow the trunk lid (2) to move from its secure open position to its closed position.

2. Vehicle body (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electromagnetic system (4) is designed to, in its first state, maintain the trunk lid (2) in the open position secured by an electromagnetic attraction between the trunk lid (2) and the rest of the body (1).

3. Vehicle body (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electromagnetic system (4) comprises at least one electromagnet (5) and at least one magnet (6), each magnet (6) interacting with an electromagnet (5) when the trunk lid (2) is in the secure open position, the magnet (6) being disposed on one (2) of the trunk lid (2) and the roof (7) of the body (1), the electromagnet (5) being disposed on the other (7) of the trunk lid (2) and roof (7).

4. Vehicle body (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each electromagnet (5) is designed to be powered by a low voltage electrical bundle.

5. Vehicle body (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises position detection means designed to detect that the trunk lid (2) is in its secure open position.

6. Motor vehicle having a vehicle body (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, each electromagnet (5) being powered by a low voltage electrical harness.

7. Method of managing an electromagnetic system (4) of a vehicle according to claim 6, comprising a first step of switching the electromagnetic system (4) to its first state when the vehicle is moving and / or when the vehicle, being able to do so, detects that the trunk lid (2) is in its secure open position and / or when a dedicated command is activated and / or when the vehicle's openings are locked.

8. Management method according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a second step consisting of switching the electromagnetic system (4) from its first state to its second state when the moving vehicle stops and / or when a dedicated command is activated and / or when the vehicle's openings are unlocked.

9. Management method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first and / or second step is implemented when the vehicle's travel speed passes a predetermined threshold value.

10. Management method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the implementation of the first step commands a limitation of the vehicle's travel speed below a predetermined speed limit.

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