Air deflector for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air deflector for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one motor vehicle wheel (14) which can be rotated about a wheel rotation axis and which has a wheel rim (18) with an inner diameter, and an air deflector element (24) which is assigned to the wheel and which has an air deflector surface (26) for guiding air which flows to the air deflector surface (26) during driving of the motor vehicle, wherein the air deflector surface (26) extends in a plane which extends perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis, directly adjoins, in the vehicle transverse direction and / or in the vehicle vertical direction, a region (B) of a lateral face (28) of the wheel rim (18) which is located lower in the vehicle vertical direction, and extends in the vehicle vertical direction over less than half of the inner diameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an air deflector for an automobile. It also relates to an automobile having at least one such air deflector. Background Technology

[0002] A motor vehicle is disclosed in DE 10 2013 108 762 A1, which has wheel arches and a cover disposed in the wheel arch area and protruding into the wheel arch for reducing airflow into the wheel arches when the motor vehicle is in motion. The cover is rotatably connected to the floor lining of the motor vehicle on the side of the floor lining facing the wheel arches about the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to provide an air deflector for automobiles and an automobile having such an air deflector, thereby enabling particularly advantageous automobile aerodynamics.

[0004] A first aspect of the invention relates to an air deflector for an automobile, particularly a passenger car. The air deflector includes at least one air deflector associated with a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis, particularly relative to the vehicle body. The wheel includes a rim having an inner diameter. For example, the wheel's tire is fitted onto the rim. The wheel is the ground contact element, by which the automobile, also referred to as a motor vehicle, can be vertically and downwardly supported on the ground. In this case, the wheel, particularly the tire, is in direct contact with the ground. The aforementioned vehicle body forms or defines the interior of the automobile, also known as the passenger compartment, in which a person, such as the driver, can reside. For example, the vehicle body is a self-supporting body. If the automobile travels along the ground and the automobile is vertically and downwardly supported on the ground by the wheels, the wheels rotate relative to the vehicle body about a wheel axis, and simultaneously roll on the ground.

[0005] The air deflector has an air deflector surface, thereby guiding or enabling the airflow toward the air deflector surface when the car is moving, especially forward.

[0006] To achieve particularly advantageous automotive aerodynamics, namely, maintaining very low air resistance and thus enabling highly efficient vehicle propulsion, this invention specifies that the air guide surface extends in a plane perpendicular to the wheel's axis of rotation. If the wheel's axis of rotation extends, for example, laterally or parallel to the vehicle's lateral direction, this plane is defined by the vehicle's longitudinal (x-direction) and vertical (z-direction), and is thus also referred to as the xz plane. It is conceivable that the wheel is a non-steering wheel, which cannot be steered. It is also conceivable that the wheel is a steering wheel, which can, for example, pivot or deflect to achieve lane changes or changes in direction. Preferably, when the wheel is steerable, the air guide or air guide surface can steer with the wheel. Therefore, it is preferably specified that the air guide surface always extends in this or a plane perpendicular to the wheel's axis of rotation. Especially when the wheel is non-steering, or when, for example, a wheel designed as a steerable wheel is configured for straight-line driving and therefore not deflected, this plane coincides with or extends parallel to the xz plane. Furthermore, this invention specifies that the air guide surface is located in the region directly adjacent to the inner edge or inner side (flank) of the rim in the vehicle's lateral direction and / or in the vehicle's vertical direction, in the lower vertical region. This specifically means that no other component is provided between the air guide surface or air guide and the side surface. It is also preferred that the air guide surface or air guide does not contact the side surface and is therefore spaced apart from it, particularly in such a way that a small gap of, for example, a few millimeters is provided between the air guide surface or air guide and the side surface. This gap is defined, for example, directly by the side surface and directly by the air guide on the other hand, and is preferably at most 10 millimeters wide, especially at most 5 millimeters wide. In other words, it is specified that the air guide surface is arranged in the lower region of the rim, directly adjacent to the rim or the side surface in the y-direction and / or z-direction.

[0007] Advantageously, the air deflector is spaced apart from the rim, creating a gap between the air deflector surface and the side, which prevents the air deflector from rubbing against the rim when the rim rotates relative to the air deflector about its axis of rotation during driving. However, it is particularly possible to mount the air deflector surface or air deflector onto the rim, i.e., the air deflector surface or air deflector is sealed relative to the rim, especially by means of at least one seal. This allows for particularly high aerodynamic performance.

[0008] Furthermore, this invention specifies that the air guide surface extends vertically upwards from the side of the vehicle, covering less than half, and especially less than one-third, of the inner diameter of the rim, also known as the rim inner diameter. This allows for advantageous airflow guidance during vehicle operation, reducing air resistance compared to conventional vehicles. Consequently, the vehicle can be driven with high energy efficiency, resulting in, for example, low fuel consumption, or long driving distances, particularly by pure electric power. It has been shown that without air guides, air flows along the inner side of the tire during vehicle operation, causing this airflow to impact the rim, potentially leading to high air resistance. This undesirable airflow can now be avoided. In other words, the air guide surface prevents excessive airflow along the inner side from entering the wheel or rim. The air guide, also simply referred to as a guide, and especially as the air guide surface, also prevents excessive snow and / or dirt from entering the rim. This can prevent excessive corrosion of components such as automotive axle parts, as these components can be protected from excessive dirt and mortar containing snow and / or other objects by means of air deflectors.

[0009] In an advantageous design of the invention, the air guide has at least one through-hole that passes through the air guide surface and is thus through which air can flow. This allows for particularly advantageous automotive aerodynamics on the one hand, and adequate brake ventilation on the other. The air flowing through the through-hole can, for example, be directed to the brakes associated with the wheels, thereby advantageously ventilating the brakes.

[0010] To enable both on-demand brake ventilation and favorable automotive aerodynamics, another design of the invention specifies that the through-hole is equipped with at least one closing element. This closing element is movable relative to the air guide between at least one closed position and at least one open position. For example, the closing element may translate and / or rotate relative to the air guide. In the closed position, at least a partial area of ​​the through-hole is covered and thus closed by the closing element. In particular, it can be specified that the closing element covers and thus closes at least a major portion of the through-hole in the closed position, i.e., more than half of the through-hole is closed. Preferably, in the closed position, the closing element covers and thus closes the entire through-hole. Therefore, air cannot flow through the partial area or the through-hole in the closed position. However, in the open position, the closing element opens at least the partial area, especially more than half of the through-hole, and more preferably the entire through-hole, so that air can then flow through the through-hole to ventilate the brake. Here, it is particularly advantageous that the closing element can be movably held on the air guide between the open and closed positions. This ensures a compact and therefore flow-friendly airflow design.

[0011] In order to enable the opening and closing of at least a partial area of ​​the through-hole as needed, other designs of the invention specify that the air guide device includes an electrically and / or hydraulically and / or pneumatically actuated actuator, thereby enabling the closing member to move relative to the air guide member between a closed position and an open position.

[0012] Another embodiment features an airflow deflector comprising at least one spring element, thereby enabling the closing element to move from an open position to a closed position and / or from a closed position to an open position. The spring element is preferably a mechanical spring. By using a spring element, a particularly simple and therefore aerodynamically advantageous, as well as weight- and cost-effective, construction can be ensured.

[0013] To enable particularly simple movement of the closing element and thus achieve an aerodynamically advantageous configuration of the airflow device, other designs of the invention specify that the airflow device comprises at least one bimetallic element and / or at least one shape memory alloy for moving the closing element. This specifically refers to the closing element being movable from a closed position to an open position and / or from an open position to a closed position by means of the bimetallic element or the shape memory alloy.

[0014] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wheel is rotatable about its axis of rotation relative to the air guide. The air guide and air guide surface are thus unaffected by the wheel's rotation and remain in the lower region, thereby exhibiting particularly advantageous air guidance.

[0015] In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air deflector is held on the wheel steering gear, thereby hinged the wheel to the vehicle body. The wheel steering gear, for example, allows the wheel to bounce and rebound vertically in the vehicle. Because the air deflector is preferably held at least indirectly on the wheel steering gear, it can move vertically with the wheel. This ensures that the air deflector always has an advantageous orientation or positioning relative to the wheel and, more particularly, relative to the wheel rim.

[0016] It is particularly conceivable that the air deflector is held on the wheel carrier and thus can move with the wheel carrier and the wheel, but here, the wheel is rotatable relative to the wheel carrier and relative to the air deflector. The wheel is rotatably held on the wheel carrier, for example, by a wheel support. Since the air deflector is held, particularly independently of the wheel, at least indirectly, for example, by the wheel carrier, on the wheel steering mechanism, the air deflector is mounted fixed to the axle. Thus, the air deflector remains on the wheel steering mechanism when changing wheels, and when changing wheels, the wheel is removed and another wheel is installed. In addition, this ensures advantageous accessibility, particularly for the brakes, which is especially advantageous during maintenance or repair. Especially when the air deflector is held, at least indirectly and particularly directly, on the wheel carrier, the air deflector can turn with the wheel carrier and thus with the wheel when the wheel is designed as a steering wheel, thereby ensuring an advantageous and aerodynamically advantageous orientation of the air deflector and air deflector surface relative to the wheel.

[0017] Another understanding upon which this invention is based is that, especially in vehicles with high ground clearance, such as off-road vehicles, air can flow along the vehicle's floor and reach the inner surface, also known as the inner wheel rim, impacting the rim, particularly its inner ring. This impact can result in excessive air resistance. Sport vehicles with relatively low ground clearance can have fixed guide vanes that direct fresh air to the brakes for cooling. However, this principle produces constant air resistance, and brake cooling is undesirable, especially when the brakes are cold. With the airflow deflector of this invention, advantageous and purposeful airflow guidance can now be achieved. It is conceivable that the airflow surface or airflow deflector is at least partially raised, so that, for example, another uneven or raised airflow surface directly contacts the airflow surface extending in the plane.

[0018] Another embodiment features an air deflector with at least one or more swirl generators projecting particularly inward from the air deflector surface in the lateral direction of the vehicle, thereby enabling the targeted generation of at least one swirl of air flowing toward the air deflector. This means that targeted air swirls can be achieved by means of the swirl generators, thereby exhibiting particularly advantageous aerodynamics.

[0019] The aforementioned actuator for moving the closing element is, for example, a servo motor, thereby enabling on-demand brake cooling. The bimetal or shape memory alloy enables temperature-dependent movement of the closing element. This specifically refers to the deformation of the shape memory alloy or bimetal as its temperature changes, thereby causing the closing element to move relative to the airflow guide. This allows for the on-demand opening or closing of the through-hole in a particularly simple and therefore aerodynamically advantageous manner.

[0020] A second aspect of the invention relates to a car, preferably designed as a passenger car, having at least one air deflector according to a first aspect of the invention. The advantages and advantageous designs of the first aspect of the invention are also considered to be advantages and advantageous designs of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description and in conjunction with the figures, wherein: Figure 1 The diagram shows a bottom perspective view of an air deflector for an automobile according to a first embodiment, which has an air deflector with an air deflector surface extending in a plane perpendicular to the wheel's axis of rotation. Figure 2 A bottom-view perspective view of the airflow guiding device according to the second embodiment is shown; Figure 3 A bottom-view perspective view of the airflow guiding device according to the third embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the figure, identical or functionally identical parts are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view from below shows a portion of the front compartment of a car designed as a sedan, viewed from a slightly downward angle towards the inside of wheel 14. A first embodiment of the car's air deflector can be seen. This means that the car includes this air deflector in its finished manufacturing state. Additionally, the car includes a body designed as a self-supporting structure, which defines or forms the car's interior. A person, such as the car driver, may reside in the interior while the car is in motion. The body includes a bottom, also called a floor, which thereby defines the interior vertically downwards at least partially, and especially at least primarily or completely. Figure 1 A portion of the vehicle floor lining 10 can be seen, which covers and lining the floor downwards in the vehicle vertical (z direction in the vehicle coordinate system) through its floor lining 10.

[0024] The automobile also includes an axle 12, which has at least two wheels spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction of the vehicle (y-direction in the vehicle coordinate system), also known as contact elements or wheels. Figure 1 Only the wheel with reference numeral 14 among the wheels of the shaft 12 is visible. Wheel 14 is rotatably mounted on... Figure 1The wheel 14 is mounted on a wheel carrier that is not visible in detail and is therefore rotatable about its axis of rotation relative to the wheel carrier and relative to the vehicle body. Furthermore, the wheel 14 is held to the vehicle body in an articulated, and particularly pivotal, manner by at least one wheel steering mechanism 16. This specifically means that the wheel steering mechanism 16 allows the wheel 14 to bounce and rebound relative to the vehicle body in the vertical direction. For example, this bouncing and rebounding motion occurs when the wheel 14 rolls over uneven ground while the vehicle is in motion.

[0025] Wheel 14 can be a driven or drivable wheel, which can be driven by, for example, a motor designed as an electric motor or internal combustion engine. Alternatively, wheel 14 can be a non-drivable or undriven wheel. It is also conceivable that wheel 14 is a non-steering wheel, which cannot be turned relative to the vehicle body to achieve a change of direction or lane change. It is also conceivable that wheel 14 is a steerable wheel, which, in particular, can be turned relative to the vehicle body and relative to the wheel steering unit 16 together with the wheel carrier to achieve lane changes, cornering, and changes in vehicle direction.

[0026] Wheel 14 has a rim 18 and a tire 20 mounted on the rim 18. The rim 18 here has an inner diameter extending particularly perpendicular to the wheel's axis of rotation, which is formed or defined, in particular, by a rim ring 22, also simply referred to as a ring, of the rim 18. The air deflector includes at least one air deflector 24 associated with the wheel 14, having an air deflector surface 26 for guiding air flowing toward the air deflector surface 26 during vehicle movement. (As from...) Figure 1 As can be seen, the air deflector 24 is mounted on the inside of the wheel 14 or the rim 18, that is, on the rim side facing the other front wheel mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle.

[0027] To achieve particularly advantageous automotive aerodynamics and thus highly efficient vehicle operation, the air deflector 26, especially at least a major portion or preferably the entire air deflector 26, extends in a plane perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. This plane, particularly when the wheel rotation axis extends laterally or parallel to the lateral (y-direction) of the vehicle, coincides with the xz plane defined by the longitudinal (x-direction) and vertical (z-direction) of the vehicle, in which the wheel rotation axis lies. Furthermore, the air deflector 26 extends inwardly in the lateral direction and / or upwardly in the vertical direction directly adjacent to the side 28 of the wheel rim 18 or rim ring 22 in a lower vertical region B. The air deflector 26 also extends upward in the vertical direction, particularly from the lower region B, through less than half, and especially at most one-third, of its inner diameter. Specifically, the entire air deflector 26 is positioned vertically below the wheel steering unit 16. The air guide surface 26 prevents excessive airflow into the rim 18, specifically from the inside of the wheel 14. Furthermore, it prevents excessive entry of dirt, snow, and / or other contaminants into the rim 18, thus avoiding excessive corrosion of the axle 12 components. Importantly, the air guide 14 defines a preferably very narrow gap with the rim ring 22, at least large enough to prevent friction on the rim from the fixed, immobile, or stationary air guide 14 relative to its position relative to the rim when the wheel 14 rotates. Preferably, the air guide surface 26 is arranged at the height of the rear rim flange (not shown in the figure) when viewed in the vehicle's transverse (y-direction) direction and preferably does not protrude from the rim towards the vehicle center. Therefore, the air guide shields the space surrounded by the rim 18 or rim ring to prevent airflow toward or through the inside of the wheel from entering the wheel or rim. It is also preferable to prevent, but at least significantly reduce, the entry of snow and other contaminants into the space surrounded by the rim. It should also be noted that when the wheel rotates, the air deflector does not rotate with it, but is held on at least one automotive component, so that the wheel can rotate freely, that is, rotate relative to the air deflector.

[0028] The aforementioned air guide 24 is essentially designed as a flat plate, wherein its outer contour, at least in the illustrated embodiment, has a circular arc shape. A circular arc, also referred to as an arc, refers to a local area of ​​a circular surface defined by an arc and a chord. The radius of the circular arc here substantially corresponds to or is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the rim in the section surrounding the air guide 24. It is noteworthy that the air guide 24 is arranged below the wheel's axis of rotation and therein at least substantially prevents air, water, and particles from entering the inner cavity.

[0029] Wheel 14 is at least partially, and especially at least primarily, arranged in wheel arch 30, which is at least partially, and especially at least primarily, defined by wheel arch panel 32, also known as wheel arch trim. Figure 1In the first embodiment shown, the axle 12 is the front axle of the vehicle, therefore the wheel 14 is the front wheel. It is also possible to... Figure 1 A portion of the car's front bumper 34 can be seen. The air deflector 24 or air deflector surface 26 is also visible as a shield on the inner side 28 of the rim, also known as the wheel rim, in the lower region B of the front wheel. This prevents dirt and excessive air from entering the wheel rim 18.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the entire air guide surface 26 does not have through holes extending through it. In contrast, Figure 2 A second embodiment of the airflow guiding device is shown. In the second embodiment, the airflow guiding member 24 has at least one or exactly one through-hole 36 passing through the airflow guiding surface 26. The through-hole 36 is provided with a closing member 38, which is configured such that at least one... Figure 2 The movable relative to the air guide 24 between the open position O and the closed position is maintained at least indirectly, and especially directly, on the air guide 24. Therefore, the closing member 38 can move with the air guide 24. It is also specified that the wheel 14 can rotate about its axis of rotation relative to the air guide 24. In the closed position, the closing member 38 closes the entire through-hole 36, thus preventing air from flowing through it. However, in the open position O, the closing member 38 opens the through-hole 36, allowing air to flow through it.

[0031] Wheel 14 is equipped with a brake, for example, not shown in the figure, and particularly designed as a friction brake, thereby braking wheel 14 and, consequently, the entire vehicle. In particular, the brake is a component of the vehicle's foot brake / service brake system. In the open position O, air can flow through the open through-hole 36, whereby the air flowing through the through-hole 36 can, for example, be directed to the brake. This allows for brake ventilation, within which the brake is cooled by the air flowing through the through-hole 36. Because the through-hole 36 can be closed and opened as needed by means of a closing element 38, the brake can be cooled as needed. For this purpose, the airflow device may include at least one actuator, for example, designed as a servo motor, which can operate hydraulically and / or pneumatically and / or electrically. By operating the actuator, for example, the closing element 38 can be moved relative to the airflow element 24 from the open position O to the closed position and / or from the closed position to the open position. Alternatively or additionally, the closing element 38 may be provided with at least one or more passive elements, such as at least one spring and / or at least one bimetallic and / or at least one shape memory alloy, so as to thereby move the closing element 38 relative to the air guide 24 from the closed position to the open position O and / or from the open position O to the closed position.

[0032] If, for example, the brake temperature is below a predetermined or predefined threshold, the shut-off element 38 is in the closed position because brake cooling is not required. This achieves advantageous aerodynamics. If the brake temperature corresponds to or exceeds the threshold, the shut-off element 38 is moved from the closed position to the open position O, allowing air to flow as cooling air through the through-hole 36 to the brake and cool it. If the brake temperature, also known as the brake temperature, decreases below the threshold due to brake cooling, the shut-off element 38 is moved from the open position O to the closed position to close the through-hole 36 again.

[0033] Depending on the vehicle, implementation method, etc., it may be advantageous to install additional air deflectors. Figure 3 A third embodiment of the air deflector is shown. In this third embodiment, the air deflector has a plurality of spaced-apart swirl generators 40 that protrude inward from the air deflector surface 26 in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each swirl generator 40 is configured, for example, to be raised. Each swirl generator 40 is designed to intentionally create vortices in the air flowing toward the air deflector 24, thus generating at least one or more swirls in the air flowing toward the air deflector 24. This maintains very low air resistance. In this third embodiment, the plurality of swirl generators 40 are arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle such that the swirl generators 40 are respectively paired and at least partially overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An air deflector for an automobile, comprising: at least one automobile wheel (14) having a rim (22) and an inner diameter rotatable about a wheel axis, and an air deflector (24) associated with the automobile wheel (14), the air deflector having an air deflecting surface (26) for guiding air flowing toward the air deflecting surface (26) when the automobile is in motion, Its characteristics are, The air guide (24) is arranged below the wheel rotation axis. The air guide surface (26) of the air guide (24) extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel and directly contacts the area (B) of the inner side surface (28) of the rim (18) in the vertical direction of the vehicle, inward in the transverse direction of the vehicle and / or upward in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the air guide surface (26) extends vertically through less than half the inner diameter of the rim (18) of the vehicle.

2. The air guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guide (24) has at least one through hole (36) through the air guide surface (26).

3. The air guiding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The through hole (36) is provided with a closing member (38) which is movable relative to the air guide member (24) between a closed position that closes at least one local area of ​​the through hole (36) and an open position (O) that opens at least one local area.

4. The air guiding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The closing element (38) is held in a movable manner on the air guide element (24).

5. The air guiding device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The device is equipped with an electric and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic actuator, by means of which the closing member (38) can be moved relative to the air guide member (24).

6. The air guiding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one spring is provided for moving the closing member (38).

7. The air guiding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one bimetallic and / or at least one shape memory alloy is provided to move the closure (38).

8. The air guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle wheel (14) is rotatable relative to the air deflector (24), and / or the air deflector (24) is held on the wheel steering gear (16), which holds the vehicle wheel (14) articulated on the vehicle body.

9. The air guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air deflector (24) has at least one swirl generator (40) protruding from the air deflector surface (26) in the lateral direction of the vehicle, by means of which at least one swirl of air flowing toward the air deflector (24) can be generated in a targeted manner.

10. An automobile having at least one air deflector according to any one of the preceding claims.

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