Lateral Sleeper Roof Canopy for Full-Height Vehicle Interiors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pop-up roofs for vehicles reduce the living space when in sleeping configuration, compromising the vehicle's usable height and volume.

Innovation Solution

A sleeper roof system with a hinged roof canopy that extends laterally to form a sleeping structure, supported by cables and hoops, integrated into the vehicle's roof lining, maintaining the vehicle's usable height and providing a watertight cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a pop-up roof is used for sleeping configuration, then a raised sleeping position is achieved, but the volume of the living space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeping position heightVSAvoidliving space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeping area is moved from the vertical dimension (raised pop-up roof) to the lateral dimension (side-extending canopy), allowing the sleeping position to be elevated without reducing the vertical living space volume inside the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If a pop-up roof is raised to create sleeping area, then additional space is provided, but the usable height inside the vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeping area volumeVSAvoidvehicle interior height

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeping area is extended laterally outward from the vehicle body rather than vertically upward, creating sleeping space in the horizontal dimension while preserving the vertical interior height for living space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the roof is opened to deploy sleeping area, then sleeping functionality is achieved, but watertight seal is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleeping configurationVSAvoidwatertight seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible canvas cover is used to seal the sleeping area when deployed and to maintain the watertight seal when the roof is closed, adapting to both configurations while preserving weather protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The canvas cover is designed to be dynamically positioned - covering the sleeping area when the canopy is extended and retracting or sealing against the vehicle body when the roof is closed, maintaining watertight integrity in both states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4667252A1Bunk roof system for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 RENAULT SA

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AI summary

This sleeper roof system for a motor vehicle includes a roof canopy (3) hinged relative to the vehicle body (5) between a closed position in which the canopy ensures the closure of the vehicle roof and an open sleeper position in which the canopy extends laterally relative to the vehicle to form a sleeping structure (7), a set of hoops (9) hinged between a retracted position and an active upright position relative to the canopy, in the active position of said canopy, a set of support cables (10) fixed at one end to the canopy and at the opposite end to the vehicle body so as to support the canopy in the sleeper position, and a cover device (8) including a canvas (11) covering the hoops and cables, in the sleeper position.