Patent Application
20190351746
The present disclosure relates to a method for mitigating rear end contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system.
As illustrated in
One or more exemplary embodiments described herein provide a method for mitigating rear end contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system.
One aspect in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes providing an active rear spoiler to a square back vehicle. Another aspect includes determining if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold. And another aspect includes detecting if the rear end is contaminated. Still another aspect includes determining if the vehicle wipers are on. And yet another aspect includes deploying the active rear spoiler when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are on.
And further aspects in accordance with the exemplary embodiment wherein determining if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold further includes using a vehicle speed sensor, and wherein deploying the active rear spoiler further includes using a linear actuator for outwardly extending a vane disposed in the active rear spoiler. Still another aspect wherein the outwardly extending vane creates a channel to redirect air onto the rear end for mitigating contamination. And other aspects include using rain sensing technology to determine if the rear end is being contaminated with rain, wherein determining if the rear end is contaminated with rain includes determining if the back glass and rear camera are being contaminated with rain. And yet another aspect employing an actuator switch for allowing an operator to selectively deploy the active rear spoiler. And one other aspect includes using a shutter for deploying the active rear spoiler when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are on.
The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure, but the claim scope of the disclosure is defined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that all directional references (e.g., above, below, upward, up, downward, down, top, bottom, left, right, vertical, horizontal, etc.) are used descriptively for the figures to aid the reader's understanding, and do not represent limitations (for example, to the position, orientation, or use, etc.) on the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.
Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a method for mitigating rear end contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system is provided.
As best shown in
The system 20 includes a vehicle 22 having electronic control units (24, 26, and 28) in electrical communication with a conventional 12-Volt battery 30. The control units include a body control module (BCM) 24, an engine control module (ECM) 26, and transmission control module (TCM) 28.
Still referring to
It is appreciated that another stand-alone control unit (not shown) may be used instead of the BCM 24 for receiving information from the vehicle speed sensor 32, rain sensing technology 34, and rear camera 36, as well as, for controlling operation of the active rear spoiler 38 in response to the information received from these devices.
Referring now to
Referencing
Referring now to
Next, at block 110, the method continues with determining if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, e.g., 35 mph. The system may also be configured to operate between a predetermined range of vehicle speeds, e.g., 35-70 mph, as a way to limit the maximum amount of drag caused by system. Continuing at block 115, the system operates to detect whether there is contamination, e.g., rain, dust, leaves, on the rear end of the vehicle, and at block 120, the system determines if the vehicle wipers are turned on. Through its communication link with the rain sensing technology and the vehicle wipers, the BCM can readily determine if these features are active.
At block 125, if the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are on then the system deploys the active rear spoiler such that contamination on the rear end is mitigated. If either of the conditions for deployment are not met, i.e., the vehicle speed is not greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is not contaminated, and the vehicle wipers are not on, then the method moves to block 130 where the active rear spoiler will not be deployed.
At block 135, after performing the contamination mitigation deployment of the active rear spoiler, the method determines if the ignition is on. If so, then the method returns to block 110. If not, then the method ends.
While the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the embodiments shown in the drawings or the characteristics of various embodiments mentioned in the present description are not necessarily to be understood as embodiments independent of each other. Rather, it is possible that each of the characteristics described in one of the examples of an embodiment can be combined with one or a plurality of other desired characteristics from other embodiments, resulting in other embodiments not described in words or by reference to the drawings. Accordingly, such other embodiments fall within the framework of the scope of the appended claims.
