Patent Application
20110198885
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102010008332.1, filed Feb. 17, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The technical field relates to a vehicle with at least one flow influencing element with a spoiler edge arranged in a lateral rear region of the vehicle. In addition, the technical field relates to a method for influencing an aerodynamic drag of a vehicle.
From DE 199 12 140 C2 flow influencing elements for reducing the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle are known, which for example can be attached in the rear region and which can be periodically moved so that time-dependent disturbances can be introduced into the air stream flow in a defined manner. Although such flow influencing elements are suitable for reducing the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle, they also constitute expensive attachments to the vehicle and additionally spoil the appearance of the vehicle.
When designing the vehicle outer skin and contour, technical aspects are important but aesthetic considerations likewise play a major part. For example, relatively round and soft contours are currently more in fashion and demand than sharp edges, which from an aerodynamic point of view would frequently be more advantageous.
In view of the foregoing, at least one object is to provide a vehicle comprising a favourable aerodynamic drag on the one hand but on the other hand preferably leaves plenty of design freedom in its exterior design. In addition at least a further object is to provide a method for the specific influencing of the aerodynamic drag of a vehicle. Furthermore, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.
According to an embodiment, a vehicle comprises at least one flow influencing element with a spoiler edge arranged in a lateral rear region of the vehicle, wherein the flow influencing element comprises a first position, in which the spoiler edge is substantially concealed by a body element and a second position, in which the spoiler edge is exposed.
Here and in the following a flow influencing element is to mean an element whose object is the specific influencing of the air circulating around the vehicle in motion. A spoiler edge in this case and in the following is to mean an edge of the flow influencing element which is designed in such a manner that the air flow separates from the edge at least from a predetermined speed.
The vehicle has at least the advantage that the flow influencing element in its first position is concealed and thus not visible, while in its second position it favourably influences the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Accordingly it is possible to move the flow influencing element into the second position and thus render it visible only when at a relatively high speed it is needed or is advantageous for technical reasons. The vehicle and particularly its rear region can be advantageously designed under aesthetic aspects since a spoiler edge for the air flow is made available if required by the flow influencing element.
In an embodiment the at least one flow influencing element can be pivoted between the first and the second position. Alternatively, the at least one flow influencing element can be shifted between the first and the second position and through moving in a direction substantially parallel to the vehicle outer skin can be moved between the first position and the second position. A movement substantially parallel to the vehicle outer skin in this case means a movement in a direction that deviates from that of the vehicle outer skin in the region of the flow influencing element by not more than approximately 10 degrees. At any rate, it deviates from the direction of the vehicle outer skin only to the extent that the flow influencing element is substantially moved parallel to the air flow, which is no substantial force, is exerted on the flow influencing element by the air flow that could influence its movement.
Such an arrangement has the advantage that a movement of the flow influencing element between the positions is also possible without problems at high speeds since only a substantially linear movement parallel to the driving direction and thus to the flow direction is required. In addition, the movement mechanism can be designed very simply and sturdily and does not require any joints.
In an embodiment the at least one flow influencing element is arranged in a first position in a slit in the vehicle outer skin. In another embodiment a flow influencing element with a spoiler edge is arranged in the right lateral rear region as well as in the left lateral rear region. In another embodiment the at least one flow influencing element can be moved between the first and the second position as a function of the vehicle speed.
With a method for influencing an aerodynamic drag of a vehicle according to an embodiment, at least one flow influencing element with a spoiler edge arranged in a lateral rear region of the vehicle is moved as a function of the vehicle speed between a first position, in which the spoiler edge is substantially concealed by a body element and a second position, in which the spoiler edge is exposed.
Here, the at least one flow influencing element can be more preferably moved into the second position when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. This threshold value is advantageously based on the aerodynamic behaviour of the vehicle. At higher speeds, such as for example occur when travelling on a motorway, the importance of a spoiler edge in the rear region grows increasingly so that a suitable threshold value for example could be approximately 80 km/h, however at least between approximately 70 and approximately 100 km/h.
In an embodiment the at least one flow influencing element is moved into the second position when the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined threshold value at least for a predetermined time span. With this embodiment, the flow influencing element is only activated when an extended trip with high speed, for example on a motorway, can be expected. In another embodiment the at least one flow influencing element is moved into the second position as a function of the position of the vehicle. With this embodiment, too, the flow influencing element is only activated when for example a trip on the motorway has been established. The position of the vehicle can more preferably be determined by means of satellite-backed navigation. A further possible criterion for moving the flow influencing element into the second position is the acceleration of the vehicle.
For the movement back into the first position the mentioned criteria can apply conversely, while the flow influencing element is moved into the first position when because of the current speed below the threshold value and/or the time span during which driving is at low speed and/or because of the position and/or the acceleration it is established that the aerodynamic behaviour of the vehicle advantageous at high speeds is no longer necessary.
The at least one flow influencing element can be pivoted or shifted between the first and the second position. In an embodiment it is moved between the first position and the second position through moving in a direction substantially parallel to the vehicle outer skin.
The embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description.
The vehicle 1 according to
The flow influencing elements 5 are designed as fins which can be shifted parallel to the direction of the vehicle outer skin illustrated by the arrow 9. To receive the flow influencing elements 5 a slit 6 each is provided. Flow influencing elements 5 received in the slit 6 are entirely or partially concealed by the body element 7.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102010008332.1 | Feb 2010 | DE | national |
