Movable spoiler device

Abstract

This invention provides a movable spoiler device that can be easily stored and operated stably. The movable spoiler device includes: a fixed plate, fixed to the vehicle body; a movable plate, configured to move between a storage position connected to the fixed plate and an unfolded position closer to the rear than the storage position; a linkage mechanism, configured to pivotally support one end on the fixed plate and the other end on the movable plate; a sliding mechanism, including a track portion disposed on one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and a sliding portion disposed on the other of the fixed plate and the movable plate, wherein the sliding portion is slidably disposed on the track portion; and an actuator, driving the linkage mechanism or the sliding mechanism to move the movable plate relative to the fixed plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a movable spoiler device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, spoilers are typically installed at the rear of a vehicle to improve its aerodynamic performance. Common vehicle spoiler devices include fixed spoilers with specific shapes. Currently, there are also spoiler devices that combine a fixed plate and a movable plate. The movable plate can move relative to the fixed plate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via a linkage mechanism to change its position, thereby adjusting aerodynamic performance. However, if a multi-link linkage is used to achieve the aforementioned movement of a movable spoiler, additional planning is required for the storage space of the linkage mechanism. If a single-link linkage is used to achieve the aforementioned movement of a movable spoiler, the movement becomes unstable.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. H02-100883 Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a movable spoiler device that can be easily stored and operated stably.

[0007] This invention provides a movable spoiler device, comprising: a fixed plate fixed to the vehicle body; a movable plate configured to move between a storage position connected to the fixed plate and an unfolded position closer to the rear than the storage position; a linkage mechanism configured to pivotally support one end on the fixed plate and the other end on the movable plate; a sliding mechanism including a track portion disposed on one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and a sliding portion disposed on the other of the fixed plate and the movable plate, wherein the sliding portion is slidably disposed on the track portion; and an actuator driving the linkage mechanism or the sliding mechanism to move the movable plate relative to the fixed plate.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the linkage mechanism and the sliding mechanism are separately arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the angle of the movable plate changes during the process of the movable plate moving from the storage position to the unfolded position.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, during the process of the movable plate moving from the storage position to the unfolded position and passing through a predetermined position, the angle of the movable plate changes in a rearward direction relative to the angle of the movable plate in the storage position, and during the process of the movable plate moving from the predetermined position to the unfolded position, the angle of the movable plate changes in a rearward direction relative to the angle of the movable plate in the predetermined position.

[0011] Based on the above, in the movable spoiler device of the present invention, the linkage mechanism is configured such that one end is pivotally supported on a fixed plate and the other end is pivotally supported on a movable plate. The sliding mechanism includes a track portion disposed on one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and a sliding portion disposed on the other of the fixed plate and the movable plate. The sliding portion is slidably disposed on the track portion. An actuator drives the linkage mechanism or the sliding mechanism to move the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. Thus, when using a single linkage as the linkage mechanism in conjunction with the sliding mechanism to achieve the above-mentioned movement action of the movable spoiler device, the degree of freedom of the storage space of the linkage mechanism is increased, and the stability of the above-mentioned movement action can be maintained. Accordingly, the movable spoiler device of the present invention can be easily stored and can be operated stably.

[0012] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a movable spoiler device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a vehicle;

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the movable spoiler device in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] Figure 3A and Figure 3B yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a top view of the movable spoiler device in its storage and deployment positions.

[0016] Figures 4A to 4F yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a side view of the movable spoiler device moving from its storage position to its deployment position.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0018] 50: Vehicles;

[0019] 52: Roof;

[0020] 54: Tailgate;

[0021] 54a: Rear end glass;

[0022] 56: Vehicle body;

[0023] 100: Movable spoiler device;

[0024] 110: Fixing plate;

[0025] 112, 122: Front part;

[0026] 114, 124: Rear part;

[0027] 120: Movable plate;

[0028] 126: Middle part;

[0029] 130: Linkage mechanism;

[0030] 132: Linkage;

[0031] 140: Sliding mechanism;

[0032] 142: Track section;

[0033] 144: Sliding part;

[0034] 150: Actuator;

[0035] D: Vehicle heading downwards;

[0036] Fr: The direction in which the vehicle is moving forward;

[0037] L: Left turn of the vehicle;

[0038] P1: Storage location;

[0039] P2: Expand position;

[0040] P3: Reserved location;

[0041] R: Right turn of the vehicle;

[0042] Rr: Rear direction of the vehicle;

[0043] U: Vehicle heading in the direction of travel. Detailed Implementation

[0044] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherein, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a movable spoiler device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a vehicle. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the movable spoiler device in the vehicle width direction. Figure 3A and Figure 3B yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a top view of the movable spoiler device in its stored and deployed positions. Figures 4A to 4F yes Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the process of the movable spoiler device moving from its stored position to its deployed position. The following will be accompanied by... Figures 1 to 4F This description explains the application and specific structure of the movable spoiler device 100 in this embodiment. The following description of the vehicle's front-rear direction refers to the vehicle's front direction Fr and vehicle's rear direction Rr in the attached drawings, the vehicle's width direction refers to the vehicle's left direction L and vehicle's right direction R in the attached drawings, and the vehicle's vertical direction refers to the vehicle's upward direction U and vehicle's downward direction D in the attached drawings. However, this is only one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the movable spoiler device 100 is adapted to be installed as an external component on the vehicle 50 (shown in...). Figure 1 The rear end of the diffuser is used to stabilize the airflow passing over the vehicle 50, thereby improving aerodynamic performance. The movable spoiler device 100 is configured, for example, to span the left and right sides of the vehicle 50 along the width direction of the vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 The movable spoiler device 100 is a long, narrow structure (within the left-hand (L) and right-hand (R) direction of the vehicle 50) and is located behind the roof 52 of the vehicle 50 and above the tailgate 54 of the vehicle 50, i.e., at the junction of the roof 52 and the tailgate 54. However, in other embodiments not shown, the movable spoiler device 100 may be located below the rear end glass 54a of the tailgate 54 of the vehicle 50, or it may be located in other parts of the vehicle 50 as needed. The present invention does not limit the application of the movable spoiler device 100 on the vehicle 50, and it can be adjusted as needed.

[0046] Specifically, in this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 4A As shown, the movable spoiler device 100 includes a fixed plate 110, a movable plate 120, a linkage mechanism 130, a sliding mechanism 140, and an actuator 150. The fixed plate 110 is fixed to the vehicle body 56 of the vehicle 50. The movable plate 120 is configured in a storage position P1 (e.g., connected to the fixed plate 110) to the fixed plate 110. Figure 3A (as shown) and the unfolding position P2, which is closer to the rear than the storage position P1 (i.e., the side corresponding to the rearward direction Rr of the vehicle). Figure 3B The linkage mechanism 130 is movable between the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 (as shown). Figure 2 As shown), the movable plate 120 is thus adapted to move relative to the fixed plate 110 via the linkage mechanism 130. Similarly, a sliding mechanism 140 is disposed between the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 (as shown). Figure 2(As shown), thus the movable plate 120 is adapted to move relative to the fixed plate 110 via the sliding mechanism 140. The actuator 150 drives the linkage mechanism 130 or the sliding mechanism 140 to move the movable plate 120 relative to the fixed plate 110. That is, driven by the actuator 150, the movable plate 120 is movable between the stored position P1 and the unfolded position P2 via the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140 (as shown). Figure 3A and Figure 3B (As shown).

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 refer to elongated plate structures, and are not limited to single plates, but can also be composite plates composed of multiple plates. Moreover, the storage position P1 refers, for example, to the position where the movable plate 120 is located above the fixed plate 110 (i.e., corresponding to the side facing U on the vehicle), thus the movable plate 120 and the fixed plate 110 at least partially overlap to form a storage state (e.g., Figure 3A and Figure 4A (As shown). Accordingly, the unfolded position P2 refers, for example, to the position where the movable plate 120 is located behind the fixed plate 110 (i.e., on the side corresponding to the rearward direction Rr of the vehicle), so that the movable plate 120 moves to the rear of the fixed plate 110 to form an unfolded state (as shown). Figure 3B and Figure 4F (As shown).

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figures 2 to 4A As shown, the linkage mechanism 130 is, for example, a single linkage. For instance, a pair of linkages 132 are provided on opposite sides of the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 in the vehicle width direction to serve as the linkage mechanism 130. The fixed plate 110 has a front portion 112 corresponding to the vehicle's forward direction Fr and a rear portion 114 corresponding to the vehicle's rearward direction Rr, and the movable plate 120 has a front portion 122 corresponding to the vehicle's forward direction Fr and a rear portion 124 corresponding to the vehicle's rearward direction Rr. The pair of linkages 132 are configured such that one end (e.g., the end corresponding to the vehicle's downward direction D) is pivotally supported on the fixed plate 110 (e.g., connecting the rear portion 114 of the fixed plate 110), and the other end (e.g., the end corresponding to the vehicle's upward direction U) is pivotally supported on the movable plate 120 (e.g., the middle portion 126 connecting the front portion 122 and the rear portion 124 of the movable plate 120).

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, the movable plate 120 moves rearward relative to the fixed plate 110 via a pair of links 132 from the front (i.e., the side corresponding to the vehicle's forward direction Fr) to the rearward (i.e., the side corresponding to the vehicle's rearward direction Rr). This moves the movable plate 120 from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2. Conversely, the movable plate 120 moves forward relative to the fixed plate 110 via a pair of links 132 from the rear to the front. This moves the movable plate 120 from the unfolded position P2 to the storage position P1.

[0050] Accordingly, in this embodiment, as Figures 2 to 3B As shown, the sliding mechanism 140 includes a track portion 142 disposed on one of the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 (e.g., the fixed plate 110), and a sliding portion 144 disposed on the other of the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 (e.g., the movable plate 120), and the sliding portion 144 is slidably disposed on the track portion 142. Wherein, as Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the track section 142 extends from the front part 112 near the front part 112 of the fixed plate 110 to the rear part 114 along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the sliding part 144 is provided at the front part 122 of the movable plate 120.

[0051] Therefore, in this embodiment, the movable plate 120 moves rearward relative to the fixed plate 110 via the sliding part 144 moving relative to the track part 142 from front to rear, thereby moving from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2. Conversely, the movable plate 120 moves forward relative to the fixed plate 110 via the sliding part 144 moving relative to the track part 142 from rear to front, thereby moving from the unfolded position P2 to the storage position P1. Furthermore, it is also possible to... Figure 2 Rollers (not shown) are provided on both sides of the sliding portion 144 shown. With this configuration, the angle of the sliding portion 144 relative to the track portion 142 can change more stably when the sliding portion 144 moves from front to back relative to the track portion 142. However, in other embodiments not shown, the track portion 142 may be provided on the movable plate 120 and the sliding portion 144 may be provided on the fixed plate 110, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0052] Additionally, in this embodiment, as Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, a pair of links 132 of the linkage mechanism 130 are disposed on opposite sides of the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 in the vehicle width direction. The track portion 142 and the sliding portion 144 of the sliding mechanism 140 are disposed approximately at the midpoint between the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the pair of links 132 of the linkage mechanism 130 are disposed on opposite sides of the track portion 142 and the sliding portion 144 of the sliding mechanism 140. Therefore, the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140 are separately disposed in the vehicle width direction. However, in other embodiments not shown, a pair of sliding mechanisms 140 may be disposed on opposite sides of the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120 in the vehicle width direction, and a linkage mechanism 130 may be disposed approximately at the midpoint, thus the sliding mechanism 140 is disposed on opposite sides of the linkage mechanism 130. The present invention does not limit the number or position of the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140, and these can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0053] Therefore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a pair of actuators 150, disposed between the fixed plate 110 and the movable plate 120, are also disposed in the vehicle width direction (e.g., disposed on the fixed plate 110) to drive the left and right pairs of links 132, which serve as linkage mechanisms 130, respectively. However, in other embodiments not shown, an actuator 150 may be disposed at approximately the middle position in the vehicle width direction to drive the sliding mechanism 140, or in embodiments employing a pair of left and right sliding mechanisms 140, a pair of left and right actuators 150 may be provided to drive the left and right pairs of sliding mechanisms 140 respectively. The present invention does not limit the number and position of the actuators 150, which can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0054] Therefore, in this embodiment, the actuator 150 drives one of the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140 to move the movable plate 120 relative to the fixed plate 110. The other of the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140, which is not directly driven by the actuator 150, acts as an auxiliary mechanism to assist the movable plate 120 in moving relative to the fixed plate 110. Thus, driven by the actuator 150, the movable plate 120 can move between the storage position P1 and the unfolded position P2 via the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140 (e.g., ...). Figures 4A to 4F (As shown). Thus, compared to using a multi-link linkage as the linkage mechanism, using a single link as the linkage mechanism 130 in conjunction with the sliding mechanism 140 to achieve the aforementioned movement of the movable spoiler device 100 increases the degree of freedom in the storage space of the linkage mechanism 130 and maintains the stability of the aforementioned movement. Accordingly, the movable spoiler device 100 can be easily stored and can be operated stably.

[0055] Additionally, in this embodiment, as Figures 4A to 4F As shown, the angle of the movable plate 120 changes during its movement from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2. Preferably, the angle changes during the movement of the movable plate 120 from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2, specifically at a predetermined position P3. Figure 4A The state transition to Figure 4C The state, relative to the angle of the movable plate 120 in the storage position P1, the angle of the movable plate 120 changes in the direction of the rear 124 being raised, during the process of the movable plate 120 moving from the predetermined position P3 to the unfolded position P2, that is, from... Figure 4D The state transition to Figure 4F The state, relative to the angle of the movable plate 120 at the predetermined position P3, the angle of the movable plate 120 changes in the direction of the lowering of the rear portion 124. Furthermore, from... Figure 4A The state transition to Figure 4C During the process of moving the movable plate 120, the angle can also be changed so that the rear part 124 is higher than the front part 122. Similarly, when moving from... Figure 4D The state transition to Figure 4F During the process, the angle of the movable plate 120 can also be changed so that the rear part 124 is lower than the front part 122.

[0056] In detail, in this embodiment, when the movable plate 120 moves between the storage position P1 and the unfolded position P2 via the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140, the sliding portion 144 provided at the front portion 122 of the movable plate 120 slides relative to the track portion 142 extending along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, causing the front portion 122 of the movable plate 120 to move along the surface of the fixed plate 110 from the front portion 112 to the rear portion 114 or from the rear portion 114 to the front portion 112. Furthermore, a pair of linkages 132 provided at the middle portion 126 of the movable plate 120 move from the front to the rear or from the rear to the front, thereby moving the movable plate 120 relative to the fixed plate 110. The movement of a pair of links 132 in the linkage mechanism 130 is, for example, an arc-shaped movement with one end connected to the fixed plate 110 (e.g., the end corresponding to the downward direction D of the vehicle) as the center point and the other end connected to the movable plate 120 (e.g., the end corresponding to the upward direction U of the vehicle) as the center point, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, as the pair of links 132, which are the linkage mechanism 130, move in an arc from front to back and from bottom to top, the front part 122 of the movable plate 120 maintains the connection with the fixed plate 110 (i.e., the sliding mechanism 140), and the middle part 126 of the movable plate 120 is raised by the pair of links 132, thereby raising the rear part 124 of the movable plate 120 as well. Thus, during the process of the movable plate 120 moving from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2, passing through the predetermined position P3, that is, from... Figure 4A The state transition to Figure 4C In the state of the movable plate 120, relative to its angle in storage position P1, the angle of the movable plate 120 changes in the direction of raising the rear portion 124. Correspondingly, after passing the predetermined position P3, as a pair of links 132, which are the linkage mechanism 130, move in an arc from front to back and from top to bottom, the front portion 122 of the movable plate 120 maintains its connection with the fixed plate 110 (i.e., the sliding mechanism 140), and the middle portion 126 of the movable plate 120 is lowered by the linkage 132, thereby lowering the rear portion 124 of the movable plate 120 as well. Thus, during the process of the movable plate 120 moving from the predetermined position P3 to the unfolded position P2, i.e. from... Figure 4D The state transition to Figure 4F The angle of the movable plate 120 changes in the direction of the rear portion 124 as it decreases relative to the angle of the movable plate 120 at the predetermined position P3.

[0058] Therefore, in this embodiment, the predetermined position P3 is preferably the position where the movement of the pair of links 132 of the linkage mechanism 130 begins to descend during the arc-shaped movement of the link 132 (for example, Figure 4C The position corresponding to the shown state is not limited to this invention. Furthermore, by adjusting the surface shape of the fixed plate 110, or by adjusting the structure and connection position of the linkage mechanism 130 and the sliding mechanism 140, the angle change of the movable plate 120 can be planned. In other embodiments not shown, the angle change of the movable plate 120 during the movement from the storage position P1 to the unfolded position P2 may be such that the rear part 124 is lower than the front part 122, with adjustments only made to the magnitude of the angle. This invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be adjusted according to requirements.

[0059] In summary, in the movable spoiler device of the present invention, the linkage mechanism is configured such that one end is pivotally supported on a fixed plate and the other end is pivotally supported on a movable plate. The sliding mechanism includes a track portion disposed on one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and a sliding portion disposed on the other of the fixed plate and the movable plate. The sliding portion is slidably disposed on the track portion. An actuator drives the linkage mechanism or the sliding mechanism to move the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. Preferably, the angle of the movable plate changes during the process of moving the movable plate from the stored position to the deployed position. Thus, when using a single linkage as the linkage mechanism in conjunction with the sliding mechanism to realize the above-mentioned movement action of the movable spoiler device, the degree of freedom of the storage space of the linkage mechanism is increased, and the stability of the above-mentioned movement action can be maintained. It is also possible to change the angle of the movable plate during movement. Accordingly, the movable spoiler device of the present invention can be easily stored and can be operated stably.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A movable spoiler device, characterized in that, include: A mounting plate, which is fixed to the vehicle body; The movable plate is configured to move between a storage position connected to the fixed plate and an unfolded position closer to the rear than the storage position; The linkage mechanism is configured such that one end is pivotally supported on the fixed plate and the other end is pivotally supported on the movable plate; The sliding mechanism includes a track portion disposed on one of the fixed plate and the movable plate, and a sliding portion disposed on the other of the fixed plate and the movable plate, wherein the sliding portion is slidably disposed on the track portion; as well as An actuator drives the linkage mechanism or the sliding mechanism to move the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. During the movement of the movable plate from the storage position to the unfolded position, passing through predetermined positions, the angle of the movable plate changes in the direction of rearward elevation relative to its angle in the storage position. During the process of the movable plate moving from the predetermined position to the unfolded position, the angle of the movable plate changes in the direction of the rearward decrease relative to the angle of the movable plate at the predetermined position.

2. The movable spoiler device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linkage mechanism and the sliding mechanism are separately arranged in the vehicle width direction.

3. The movable spoiler device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, As the movable plate moves from the storage position to the unfolded position, the angle of the movable plate changes.

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