FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention is directed to the field of vehicles, more particularly to road vehicles and even more particularly to the bodywork of such vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Prior art patent document published FR 2 898 856 A1 discloses a vehicle of the sedan type, i.e. in a three-box configuration with separate compartments for engine, passenger and cargo, with a bodywork forming a rear trunk that can be converted to a loading platform as in a pick-up vehicle. To that end, the upper lid is two-folds, i.e. comprises a first front element pivotally mounted to the bodywork and a second rear element pivotally mounted to the first element. Both first and second elements are configured for being folded onto each other and also the pivotally mounting of the first element to the bodywork is vertically slidable so that the two folded elements can be stowed for providing an opened cargo volume, also during driving. This arrangement is interesting for converting a classical trunk of a sedan type vehicle into a loading volume as in a pick-up type vehicle. This requires however a proper manipulation of the elements of the upper lid for folding the second element onto the first one. The slidable hinges, at the pivotally mounting of the first element, can be sophisticated and expensive. It is also generally desirable to maximize the opening configurations of a trunk.

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

The invention has for technical problem to provide to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the above mentioned prior art. More particularly, the invention has for technical problem to provide a trunk, preferably for a sedan type vehicle, with a lid enabling various postures and possibilities for accessing the volume of the trunk while keeping the costs low and ensuring a proper water tightness.

Technical solution

The invention is directed to a vehicle with a bodywork comprising a trunk with an upper lid for selectively opening and closing said trunk, the upper lid comprising: a first element with a first edge pivotally attached to a fixed part of the bodywork and a second edge opposed to said first edge; and a second element with a first edge pivotally attached to the second edge of the first element; wherein the upper lid comprises at least one retainer limiting a pivoting movement of the second element relative to the first element to an angle of not more than 100°.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second elements are aligned and horizontal in a trunk closing position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one retainer is mounted on an inner panel of each of the first and second elements.

According to a preferred embodiment, each of the at least one retainer comprises a support attached to the second edge of the first element and an arm pivotally mounted on the support and extending along an inner face of the second element, said arm being slidable along a guide on said inner face of said second element and comprising at a distal end means for abutting with said guide.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means for abutting with the guide is also configured for engaging with said guide so as to hold the second element in a trunk opening position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the arm comprises two longitudinal portions of steel wire progressively converging towards the distal end of the arm and thereafter abruptly diverging and again converging so as to form the means for engaging and abutting, the guide forming a circular groove slidably engaging with the two longitudinal portions of steel wire, and able, under application of a longitudinal load, to engage with the means for abutting and engaging by elastically deforming the two longitudinal portions of steel wire.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first element comprises, at two opposed lateral positions adjacent the second edge of said first element, locking elements for engaging with lateral fixed parts of the bodywork inside the trunk, said locking elements being manually operable by a user having opened the second element.

According to a preferred embodiment, in a trunk fully opening position of the upper lid, the first element is vertical or inclined of not more than 20° relative to the vertical, and the second element is horizontal or inclined of not more than 20° relative to the horizontal. According to a preferred embodiment, the trunk is a rear end of the vehicle, the second element being at the rear of the first element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trunk comprises a rear lid with a first edge pivotally mounted on a fixed part of the bodywork and a second edge adjacent the second edge of the second element of the upper lid when both said upper and rear lids are in trunk closing positions.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is particularly interesting in that it provides various postures and possibilities for accessing the volume of the trunk of a vehicle, in particular of the sedan type. The fact of retaining the second element in a trunk opening position relative to the first element is very useful, not only with the first element in a trunk closing position but also when it is in a trunk opening position. The forces exerted on the retainers remains limited due to the limited size and therefore weight of the second element, resulting from the division of the upper lid into two elements. Also, the space necessary above the trunk for enabling the different movements of the first and second elements is limited, enabling operation of the upper lid in restricted areas liked parking houses or underground parking areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rear trunk of a vehicle according to the invention, where the upper lid is in a trunk partial opening position.

Figure 2 corresponds to figure 1, where the upper lid is in a trunk full opening position.

Figure 3 corresponds to figures 1 and 2, where the upper lid is in the trunk partial opening position and the rear lid is a trunk opening position.

Figure 4corresponds to figures 1 to 3, where the upper lid is in the trunk full opening position and the rear lid is a trunk opening position.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the rear lid of the vehicle of figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a rear view of the front element of the upper lid.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of one of the locking elements between the first element and the bodywork of the vehicle. Figure 8 is a rear view of the rear element of the upper lid.

Figure 9 is a detailed view of the retainer limiting a pivoting movement of the rear element relative to the front element.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper and rear lids in a trunk closing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 4 are perspective views of the bodywork of a vehicle according to the invention, showing a rear trunk with a rear lid and an upper lid taking different positions and providing different opening positions of the trunk. In these features, the bodywork is incomplete in that external elements like the rear bumper and the rear wings are not represented.

The vehicle 2 comprises has a bodywork 4 which comprises a rear trunk 6 with a rear lid 8 and an upper lid 10. The rear lid 8 is pivotally mounted at its lower and first edge 8.1 to a fixed lower part of the bodywork 4. It can therefore pivot between a vertical or upright trunk closing position and a horizontal trunk opening position. The upper lid 10 comprises a front and first element 12 pivotally mounted at its front and first edge 12.1 at a fixed part of the bodywork 4, and a rear and second element 14 pivotally mounted at its front and first edge 14.1 at a rear and second edge 12.2 of the front and first element 12.

In figure 1, the rear lid 8 is in a trunk closing position whereas the upper lid 10 is in a trunk partial opening position, i.e. where the front and first element 12 is in a trunk closing position whereas the rear and second element 14 is in a trunk opening position. In other words, only the rear and second element 14 provides access to the trunk 6, e.g. for objects of a reduced size and weight. This way of opening the trunk is particular practical for objects which are likely to lean on the side walls of the trunk, including the rear one formed by the inner face of the rear lid 8, like filled shopping bags.

Still with reference to figure 1, for closing the trunk 8, the rear and second element 14 is pivoted backward and downward so that its rear and second edge 14.2 becomes adjacent to the upper and second edge 8.2 of the rear lid 8. A lock is provided at the rear and second edge 14.2 of the rear and second element 14.

In figure 2, the upper lid 10 is in a trunk full opening position, i.e. where the front and first element 12 is also pivoted, meaning that the rear and second element 14 is pivoted together with the front and first element 12. This results in a configuration of the upper lid 10 maximizing the access to the trunk 6. This trunk opening configuration is particularly useful for grasping objects lying on a front part of the trunk floor, otherwise difficult to access.

In figure 3, in comparison with figure 1, the rear lid 8 is lowered in a trunk opening position, meaning that the access section to the trunk 6 is increased. This trunk opening configuration is particularly useful for loading or unloading heavier objects which cannot be easily lifted over the rear lid 8 when in a closed upright position, e.g. a suitcase or any similar object.

In figure 4, the rear lid 8 is in a trunk opening position, as in figure 3, and the upper lid 10 is in a trunk full opening position, as in figure 2. This trunk opening configuration is particularly useful for loading or unloading bulky objects which require a maximum upper opening, e.g. a stroller, a wheelchair or the like.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the inner face of rear element 8. We can observe the presence of two hinges 8.3 attached at the first and lower edge 8.1 of the rear element 8. These hinges 8.3 show a pivoting axis which is for instance off-set in a rearward direction, for avoiding any interference with the rear bumper (not illustrated). We can also observe the presence of an upper lock 8.4 at a central position at the second and upper edge 8.2. That upper lock 8.4 is configured for engaging with the upper lid 10, more particularly with the second and rear edge 14.2 of the second and rear element 12 (see figure 1). Also, two lateral locks 8.5 are provided, configured for cooperating with corresponding lock parts, i.e. lock strikes, on lateral elements of the bodywork, for securing the rear lid 8 in a trunk closing position, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2. Also, two gas springs 8.6 are provided laterally for dampening and limiting the pivoting movements of the rear element 8.

Figure 6 is a detailed view of the inner face of the first and front element 12 of the upper lid 10 (figure 1). We can observe the presence of two hinges 12.3 at the first and front edge 12.1, to be mounted to a fixed part of the bodywork. Also, lateral locks 12.4 are provided adjacent the second and rear edge 12.2, these lateral locks being configured for securing the first element 12 in a trunk closing position to the bodywork. Figure 7 is a detailed view of one of the lateral locks 12.4. The lateral lock 12.4 comprises for instance a first part 12.4.1 that is mounted on the first element 12 of the upper lid, and a second part 12.4.2 that is mounted on a fixed part of the bodywork 4, inside the trunk. The first part 12.4.1 forms an anchor that is fixed with the first element 12 of the upper lid whereas the second part 12.4.2 comprises a bracket rigidly mounted to the fixed part of the bodywork and a lever pivotally mounted on said bracket and supporting a resilient hook that is mounted on the lever in an eccentric manner relative to the pivoting axis of said lever on the bracket. By manually pushing or pulling on the lever, the resilient hook can be released from the first part 12.4.1 of the lateral lock 12.4 or brought into tension. The lever is spring loaded (not visible) around its pivoting axis on the bracket. The resilient hook is advantageously made of spring steel wire so as to form two lateral loops providing resiliency in traction and grasping means for a user. The above detailed lateral lock is an example, being understood that other lateral locks can be considered. Also the above detailed features of the lateral lock can be taken in isolation or associated with some of others in any combination.

Figure 8 is a detailed view of the inner face of the second and rear element 14 of the upper lid 10 (figure 1). We can observe that hinges 14.3 are provided at the first and front edge 14.1. These hinges 14.3 are to be mounted onto the second and rear edge 12.2 of the first and front element 12 of the upper lid 10 (figure 1). A central lock strike 14.4 is mounted on the second element 14, adjacent the second and rear edge 14.2. That central lock strike 14.4 is designed for engaging with the upper lock 8.4 on the rear lid 8 (figure 5). Also, two retainers 14.5 are visible along the inner face of the second and rear element 14. These retainers 14.5 are designed for limiting the pivoting movement, around the hinges 14.3, of the second and rear element 14 of the upper lid 10 relative to the first and front element 12 thereof, as illustrated in figures 2 and 4. They are also designed for maintaining the second and rear element 14 of the upper lid 10 in a trunk opening position relative to the first and front element 12 thereof, as illustrated in figure 1 and 3.

Figure 9 is a detailed view of one of the retainers. The retainer 14.5 comprises a support 14.5.1 to be attached to the second and rear edge 12.2 of the first and front element 12 of the upper lid 10 (figure 1), an arm 14.5.2 pivotally mounted on the support 14.5.1 and a guide 14.5.3 fixed to the second and rear element 14 and configured for engaging with and sliding along the arm 14.5.2. The support 14.5.1 forms a bracket with a first wall for mounting on the first and front element 12 of the upper lid 10 (figure 1) and two lateral walls for pivotally engaging with the arm 14.5.2. The arm 14.5.2 is advantageously made of steel wire, for instance spring steel wire, with two longitudinal generally parallel portions 14.5.2.1 ending at a proximal end with two at about 90° bent portions 14.5.2.2 engaging in holes formed in the lateral walls of the support 14.5.1. The two longitudinal portions 14.5.2.1 converge towards distal end and thereafter abruptly diverge and again converge so as to form an abutting and engaging portion 14.5.2.3 for the guide 14.5.3. At the distal end of the arm 14.5.2, the two longitudinal steel wire portions 14.5.2.1 are linked to each other in a unitary manner by a loop portion 14.5.2.4. The guide 14.5.3 forms a circular groove that engages with the two longitudinal steel wire portions 14.5.2.1 so as to freely slide along these portions until they converge towards the abutting and engaging portion 14.5.2.3.

During operation of the upper lid 10, more particularly of the second and rear element 14 relative to the first and front element 12 (figure 1), for instance during opening of the second and rear element 14, each guide 14.5.3 freely slides along the corresponding arm 15.5.2 until the two longitudinal steel wire portions 14.5.2.1 of the arm 14.5.2 converge. From about that position, the groove of the guide 14.5.3 slides with a progressively increasing friction against the two longitudinal steel wire portions 14.5.2.1 until it reaches the abutting and engaging portion 14.5.2.3. Once that position is attained, the guide 14.5.3 is held is the abutting and engaging portion 14.5.2.3 and can be slid back out of that portion when exerting a pulling force on the second and rear element 14 that is enough for elastically deforming the two longitudinal steel wire portions 14.5.2.1 of the arm so as to separate them and allow the guide the pass along towards the support 14.5.1. The above detailed lateral retainer is an example, being understood that other retainers can be considered. Also the above detailed features of the retainer can be taken in isolation or associated with some of others in any combination.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper and rear lids in a trunk closing position, summarizing the various features detailed above. We can observe the first and front element 12 of the upper lid 10, with the hinges 12.3 to be mounted to a fixed part of the bodywork and the lateral locks engaging with corresponding strikes on the bodywork. We can also observe the second and rear element 14 of the upper lid 10, with the hinges 14.3 mounted on the first and front element 12 thereof. The retainers 14.5 along in inner side of the second and rear element 12 are visible. The central lock strike 14.4 engaging with the upper central lock 8.4 of the rear lid 8 are also well visible. The hinges 8.3 of the rear lid 8 are also well visible.