Motor vehicle with wheel fairing

Abstract

A motor vehicle (1) has: two front wheels (2); two rear wheels (3); a main body (4) having two front wheel compartments (5) each internally accommodating a corresponding front wheel (2) and two rear wheel compartments (6) each internally accommodating a corresponding rear wheel (3); and two cover plates (7, 8), each of which is arranged in the region of the corresponding wheel well (5, 6) in order to close the wheel well (5, 6). Each cover plate (7, 8) is mounted on the main body (4) so as to be movable between a retracted position in which the cover plate (7, 8) is completely flush with the main body (4) and an expanded position in which the cover plate (7, 8) is at least partially spaced from the main body (4). Two actuating means (9) are provided, each coupled to a corresponding cover plate (7, 8), to move the cover plates (7, 8) between a retracted position and an expanded position.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This patent application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102019000023112, filed December 5, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with wheel fairings. Background technique [0004] At high speeds (i.e., when driving on the highway), the largest part of the energy absorbed by the car is determined by the need to overcome aerodynamic drag; Autonomy with the same amount of fuel or electricity stored at the same time requires a reduction in the car's aerodynamic drag. [0005] In order to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the car, it is advantageous to close the wheel wells (as in patent US2128686A, for example) so that the rotation of the wheels does not interfere with the airflow sweeping the body sideways. However, while closing the rear wheel wells with a corresponding removable cover (so that the tir...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, while closing the rear wheel wells with a corresponding removable cover (so that the tires can be changed) has no negative consequences, closing the front wheel wells with a corresponding removable cover (so that the tires can be changed) has negative consequences, as this significantly reduces the front track (i.e., the distance between the outsides of the front wheels)

In other words, the front wheels need to be able to pivot to allow the vehicle to steer (the front wheels are usually of a size that protrudes beyond the outer contour of the car when turning), so the front wheels need to be properly spaced from the corresponding deck (thus reducing the front track) to ensure the space required for the front wheels to pivot; however, reducing the front track significantly affects the car's dynamic performance and reduces the space available in the front trunk

Images