Vehicle body with expandable vehicle body panel

1. A vehicle body comprising:

a first body panel section having a first exterior surface;

a second body panel section having a second exterior surface;

an expandable body panel section of a stretchable material having a third exterior surface disposed between the first and second exterior surfaces of the first and second body panel sections to form a contiguous vehicle exterior; and

an actuation device operatively coupled to at least one of the body panel sections to move the first body panel section with respect to the second body panel to stretch the expandable body panel section from a first surface area with the first body panel section being in a first location to a second surface area with the first body panel section being in a second location such that the second surface area is larger than the first surface area.

2. The vehicle body according to claim 1 , wherein

the first body panel section includes a transparent window.

3. The vehicle body according to claim 2 , wherein

the second body panel section includes a roof portion and a pair of C-pillars.

4. The vehicle body according to claim 2 , wherein

the expandable body panel section surrounds the first body panel section.

5. The vehicle body according to claim 1 , wherein

the expandable body panel section surrounds the first body panel section.

6. The vehicle body according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second body panel sections are rigid panels.

7. A vehicle body comprising:

a first body panel section having a first exterior surface;

a second body panel section having a second exterior surface;

an expandable body panel section of a stretchable material having a third exterior surface disposed between the first and second exterior surfaces of the first and second body panel sections to form a contiguous vehicle exterior; and

an actuation device operatively coupled to at least one of the body panel sections to move the first body panel section with respect to the second body panel to stretch the expandable body panel section from a first surface area with the first body panel section being in a first location to a second surface area with the first body panel section being in a second location such that the second surface area is larger than the first surface area,

the expandable body panel section including a stiff internal skeleton and a flexible solid material coupled to the stiff internal skeleton, with the flexible solid material forming the third exterior surface of the vehicle exterior.

8. The vehicle body according to claim 1 , wherein

the actuation device is attached to the first body panel section.

9. A vehicle body comprising:

a first body panel section having a first exterior surface;

a second body panel section having a second exterior surface;

an expandable body panel section of a stretchable material having a third exterior surface disposed between the first and second exterior surfaces of the first and second body panel sections to form a contiguous vehicle exterior; and

an actuation device operatively coupled to at least one of the body panel sections to move the first body panel section with respect to the second body panel to stretch the expandable body panel section from a first surface area with the first body panel section being in a first location to a second surface area with the first body panel section being in a second location such that the second surface area is larger than the first surface area,

the actuation device including a pair of linkages coupled between the second body panel section and respective opposite sides of the first body panel section.

10. The vehicle body according to claim 8 , wherein

the actuation device further includes at least one motor operatively coupled to one of the linkages to move the first body panel section between the first and second locations.

11. A vehicle body comprising:

a first body panel section having a first exterior surface;

a second body panel section having a second exterior surface;

an expandable body panel section of a stretchable material having a third exterior surface disposed between the first and second exterior surfaces of the first and second body panel sections to form a contiguous vehicle exterior; and

an actuation device operatively coupled to at least one of the body panel sections to move the first body panel section with respect to the second body panel to stretch the expandable body panel section from a first surface area with the first body panel section being in a first location to a second surface area with the first body panel section being in a second location such that the second surface area is larger than the first surface area,

the expandable body panel section being constructed using an adaptive composite material.

12. A method of providing additional interior area in a vehicle comprising:

providing a vehicle body at least partially define an interior space of the vehicle;

providing a movable body panel in the vehicle body disposed over the interior space of the vehicle;

connecting the vehicle body and the movable body panel with an expandable body panel of a stretchable material; and

moving the movable body panel from a first location to a second location with respect to the vehicle body such that a first prescribed amount of interior space is provided while the movable body panel is in the first location, and that a second prescribed amount of interior space is provided while the movable body panel is in the second location by stretching the expandable body panel from a first surface area to a second surface area with the second surface area being larger than the first surface area.

13. The method of providing additional interior area according to claim 12 , wherein

the vehicle body includes a roof structure, and

the movable body panel includes a rear windshield disposed over a rear seating area of the passenger compartment.