Motor vehicle with improved wheel arch trim
By designing airflow channels and air blades on the wheel arch decoration parts, managing the wheel slip flow, and reducing the side protrusion of the decoration parts through the fastening design with the body shell, the problem of wheel arch decoration parts protecting the body shell and managing the slip flow during off-road driving in the prior art is solved, and better aerodynamic performance is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411924299.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-01
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-04
AI Technical Summary
The wheel arch decorations of existing motor vehicles are difficult to effectively protect the body shell from impacts from gravel and debris when driving off-road, and at the same time, they cannot effectively manage the wheel skating flow, resulting in an increase in turbulence and affecting aerodynamic performance.
An improved wheel arch decoration is designed to manage the wheel slip flow by forming airflow channels and air blades on the arched portion of the wheel arch decoration, and reduce the side protrusion of the decoration parts and reduce aerodynamic drag by the fastening design with the body shell.
Effectively protect the body shell from damage from off-road environments, while significantly improving the wheel skating flow management, reducing or eliminating turbulence, and improving the aerodynamic performance of motor vehicles.
Smart Images
Figure CN119749420A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention application with application number 202310782746.1 and invention name “Motor vehicle with improved wheel arch decoration”.
[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0003] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000013945 filed on July 1, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0004] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a wheel arch trim of an improved type.In particular, the following description will explicitly refer to a four-wheeled motor vehicle, however without loss of generality. Background Art
[0005] Known motor vehicles, in particular automobiles, have two front wheels and two rear wheels and comprise a body shell or chassis, a body shell applied to the body shell or integrated with the body shell itself (bodystock), and a passenger compartment obtained inside the body shell between the front and rear wheels.
[0006] In the area of each wheel, the body shell and the body shell form a respective wheel well which is delimited above and laterally by a respective wheel arch; in practice, the wheel arch covers the wheel but allows vertical movements of the wheel caused by holes and stones and, in the case of the front wheels, it must have a width that makes steering possible.
[0007] In motor vehicles of the SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) or crossover type, or in general motor vehicles which are suitable for use as off-road vehicles, wheel arch trims, which are usually made of plastic material, are fitted on the outside of the respective wheel arch in order to protect the painted sheet metal parts from damage which could result from impacts with debris and / or gravel during driving on dirt roads.
[0008] An important aspect to be taken into account in wheel arch trims of known type is their lateral protrusion relative to the side walls of the body shell on which they are mounted; in fact, this protrusion must be minimized in order not to excessively impair the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle, thereby creating an increase in aerodynamic drag in a zone where there is already a turbulent slipstream generated by the presence and rotation of the wheel rim and its permeability and by the outer shoulder of the tyre mounted on the rim itself. Summary of the invention
[0009] The object of the invention is to produce a motor vehicle having a wheel arch trim which not only protects parts of the adjacent body shell from possible damage caused by impacts with gravel and debris during driving, but also significantly improves the management of the wheel slipstream, thereby reducing or eliminating the turbulence generated thereby.
[0010] According to the invention, a motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 and in the claims dependent thereon is produced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate examples of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in which:
[0012] Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle produced in accordance with the provisions of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity and with the area of the front and rear wheels enlarged to highlight the wheel arch trim used;
[0013] Figure 2 is applied to the relevant motor vehicle Figure 1 An enlarged side view of the front wheel arch trim;
[0014] Figure 3 is applied to the relevant motor vehicle Figure 1 An enlarged side view of the rear wheel arch trim;
[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of components of a front wheel arch trim;
[0016] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 The section of line VV;
[0017] Figure 6 It is along Figure 2 The section of line VI-VI;
[0018] Figure 7 It is along Figure 2 The section along line VII-VII;
[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of components of a rear wheel arch trim;
[0020] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1 a bottom view of the motor vehicle; and
[0021] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 and Fig. 9A bottom view on an enlarged scale of the region of the front wheels of a motor vehicle, in which the tendency of the slipstream during driving is indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Figure 1 and Fig. 9 The reference numeral 1 denotes a motor vehicle as a whole, in particular a car, which has two front wheels 2 and two rear wheels 3 and comprises a chassis or body shell 4 (in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The middle part is visible), a body shell 5 applied to the body shell 4 or integrated with the body shell 4 itself, and a passenger compartment 6 obtained inside the body shell 5 between the wheels 2 and the wheels 3 themselves.
[0023] exist Figure 1 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As can be seen in the figure, each wheel 2, 3 comprises a rim C and a tyre T, the rim C being provided with spokes S, the tyre T surrounding the rim C itself and comprising a tread T1 and two corresponding opposite side walls T2, T3, one of which (T2) faces the inside of the corresponding wheel chamber 16, 17 in use, and the other (T3) faces outwards; in particular, with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The tread T1 of each wheel 2, 3 is delimited towards the opposite side walls T2, T3 by respective circular circumferential edges T4, T5 facing respectively towards the inside and outside of the relative wheel chamber 16, 17.
[0024] In the example shown ( Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 ), the body shell 4 is arranged in a body shell 5 and comprises, in a known manner, a plate 7 and a series of longitudinal members and pillars, to which the body shell 5 itself and other components of the motor vehicle 1 are attached.
[0025] In the case of a monocoque, the plate 7 is directly part of it, just as the body shell is integrated into the body shell itself.
[0026] In particular, the body shell 5 defines the outer contours of the motor vehicle 1 and comprises:
[0027] - two opposite side walls 8 which, in the case shown, are provided with a front door 9 and a rear door 9;
[0028] - front engine hood 10;
[0029] - front bumper 11;
[0030] - roof 12;
[0031] - rear luggage compartment 13;
[0032] -Rear bumper 14.
[0033] The motor vehicle 1 also comprises a windscreen 15 extending between the front bonnet 10 and the roof 11 , and a rear window (known per se) facing the windscreen 15 and not visible in the drawing.
[0034] The side walls 8 are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of a median longitudinal axis A of the motor vehicle 1, parallel to the straight direction of travel and orthogonal to a median transverse vertical plane P of the motor vehicle 1 itself. The side walls 8 delimit the motor vehicle 1 laterally and externally and are arranged substantially facing each other and parallel to the axis A.
[0035] The passenger compartment 6 is delimited at the front by a windshield 12 , at the rear by a rear window, and at the sides by doors 9 and partly by side walls 8 .
[0036] The motor vehicle 1 may also comprise a single door 9 on each side wall 8 .
[0037] Reference Figure 1-Figure 3 , Figure 5-Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The side walls 8 together with the plate 7 define a respective front wheel well 16 and a rear wheel well 17 for each front wheel 2 and rear wheel 3 ; the wheel well 16 is delimited by a respective front wheel arch 18 and a rear wheel arch 19 .
[0038] Furthermore, it can be seen in the figures that for each wheel well 16 , 17 there is a respective front wheel arch trim 20 and a rear wheel arch trim 21 which are arranged at the respective wheel arch 18 , 19 .
[0039] Advantageously, each wheel arch trim 20 , 21 comprises:
[0040] a first arched portion 22 arranged in the volume defined by the body shell 5 , facing the respective wheel arch 18 , 19 at least partially and from the inside of the body shell 5 itself, and fastened to a portion of the body shell 4 ;
[0041] a second arched portion 23 which projects outwardly from the body shell 5 relative to the respective wheel arch 18 , 19 ; and
[0042] - air flow channels 24, which are at least partially formed on the arched portion 23 to form air blades tangential to the outer sidewall of the respective wheel 2, 3 and to the region of the respective sidewall 8 adjacent to the respective wheel arch 18, 19 ( Fig.10 ).
[0043] In particular, if Figure 5As shown, the distance between the free curve edge of the arched portion 22 of each wheel arch trim 20, 21 and the body shell 5 adjacent to the corresponding wheel arch 18, 19 in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the axis A is denoted by X and is always greater than zero. The function of the distance X will be explained below.
[0044] On the contrary, the distance between the free curve end edge of the arched portion 22 of each wheel arch trim 20, 21 and the curved lower end edge of the corresponding wheel arch 18, 19 in the vertical direction and orthogonal to the axis A and the distance X is represented by Y and is always greater than zero; this means that the aforementioned free curve end edge of the arched portion 22 of each wheel arch trim 18, 19 is always placed higher relative to the lower curved end edge of the corresponding wheel arch trim 18, 19.
[0045] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the case of each front wheel arch trim 20 , the channel 24 comprises two through-going openings 25 obtained at the front end 26 and at the rear end 27 of the arched portion 23 of the wheel arch trim 20 itself.
[0046] The openings 25 each have a respective passage section transverse to the axis A.
[0047] In more detail, the openings 25 have respective delimiting edges 28 extending around a respective axis of the opening 25 itself, transversely to the median plane P and converging in front towards the axis A.
[0048] Especially in Fig. 9 and Fig.10 It can be seen in FIG. 1 that, during straight-ahead driving of the motor vehicle 1 , the opening 25 of each front wheel arch trim 20 faces the outer edge T5 of the tread T1 of the tyre T of the corresponding wheel 2 .
[0049] exist Figure 1 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the example shown, the front bumper 11 has corresponding through-windows 11c at its own opposite side ends 11a, 11b, which face the opening 25 obtained on the front part 26 of the front wheel arch trim 20 to form an air flow guide along the corresponding side wall 8 during straight-line driving of the motor vehicle 1.
[0050] Preferably, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7Each front wheel arch trim 20 is attached to a portion of the body shell 4 by the insertion of a corresponding frame element 30, which is also arch-shaped. In particular, each wheel arch trim 20 is coupled and / or glued to the corresponding frame element 30, thereby completely covering it on the outside.
[0051] Figures 5 to 7 The manner in which each frame element 30 is attached to the body shell 4 is shown. In particular, a centering element 31 is used, such as a centering pin obtained integrally on each frame element 30, and a releasable restraining element 32, such as a snap-on locking pin 33 and a metric screw 34; the centering element 31 and the restraining element 32 are releasably engaged with corresponding holes 4a, 4b, 4c obtained on the body shell 4.
[0052] The centering element 31 represents the first point at which each wheel arch trim 20 abuts against the body shell 4 and this actually takes place at the hole 4a; the function of the centering element 31 is to ensure the correct positioning of each wheel arch trim 20 without requiring an actual visual check by the operator. The snap-on locking pin 33 serves to locally retain each front wheel arch trim 20 on the body shell 4 and ensures a correct and solid pre-assembly before tightening the metric screws 34, which ensures the stability of the assembly over time.
[0053] During the assembly of each frame element 30, the centering element 31 is first engaged in the corresponding hole 4a of the body shell 4; at this time, the pin 33 is snapped into the hole 4b by pressing firmly, thereby obtaining the pre-assembly of the frame element 30 on the body shell 4; the last operation is to clamp the metric screw 34 in the corresponding threaded hole 4c.
[0054] The above definition and Figure 5 The distance X shown in is necessary to allow a minimum translation of each frame element 30 to allow its assembly on the body shell 4 ; the same applies to the subsequent assembly of each wheel arch trim 20 on the respective frame element 30 .
[0055] Basically Figure 3 and Figure 8 The rear wheel arch trim 21 shown in the figure has a structure and shape very similar to the front wheel arch trim 20, so only the parts different therefrom are described below; the same or equivalent parts of the front wheel arch trim 20 and the rear wheel arch trim 21 will be identified by the same figure marks below.
[0056] In particular, each rear wheel arch trim 21 differs from the front wheel arch trim 20 primarily in that they have no opening 25 on the front part 26 and that they are formed from several parts assembled together, in the case shown, from two parts assembled together and each part forming a curved segment which, in the case shown, is approximately half of the entire arch profile.
[0057] exist Figure 8 It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the rear wheel arch trim 21 is also attached to a portion of the body shell 4 by the insertion of corresponding frame elements 35 , which are also arch-shaped and identical to the frame elements 30 .
[0058] In particular, in this case, each wheel arch trim 21 is also coupled and / or glued to the respective frame element 31 , thereby completely covering it on the outside.
[0059] Each frame element 35 is attached to the body shell 4 in the same manner as for the frame elements 30, i.e. by means of the same centering elements 31 and restraining elements 32 as those described above, i.e. snap-on locking pins 33 and metric screws 34. Therefore, this method is not described further and reference should be made to the description above.
[0060] In use, during straight forward travel of the motor vehicle 1 , air is directed from the windows 11 c at both sides of the front bumper 11 towards the two side walls 8 .
[0061] The windows 11 c cooperate with the openings 25 of the two front wheel arch trims 20 to form powerful air blades which aerodynamically seal the front wheels 2 from releasing turbulence in the transverse direction of the axis A ( Fig. 9 and Fig.10 ).
[0062] To the rear of the front wheel arch trim 20, further openings 25 allow the extraction of air from inside the wheel well 16 to be maximised, thereby ensuring the correct direction of the flow from the front area along the respective side wall 8 to which it is attached ( Fig.10 ).
[0063] The specific design of the rear wheel arch trim 21 allows a strong extraction of air from the rear wheel well 17 through the opening 25; moreover, the surface of the arched portion 22 of said wheel arch trim 21 is elongated and has a profile capable of managing the rear separation point of the airflow flowing around the side wall 8 and the wheels 2,3.
[0064] By examining the features of a motor vehicle 1 produced according to the invention, the advantages that can be obtained thereby are apparent.
[0065] In particular, the solution of the wheel arch trims 20 , 21 described makes it possible to obtain a significant improvement in the management of the slipstream of the wheels 2 , 3 , thus eliminating the turbulence generated by the presence and rotation of the rim C and ultimately making it possible to obtain a clean and uniform air flow along the sides of the wheels 2 , 3 themselves.
[0066] In practice, a result of this type is obtained by positioning the wheel arch trims 20, 21 partially below the body shell 5, thereby minimizing the protrusion of the wheel arch trims 20, 21 themselves relative to the body shell 5 and at the same time minimizing the aerodynamic drag; the positioning of the wheel arch trims 20, 21 below the body shell 5 creates a "floating" effect, i.e. it gives the impression that the vehicle body "rests" on the wheel arch trims 20, 21 themselves ( Figure 1 details).
[0067] Furthermore, by attaching the body shell 4 to the frame elements 30, 35, the wheel arch trims 20, 21 can perform only the aerodynamic function described above and can also perform an aesthetic function; this therefore allows greater flexibility with respect to the materials used (e.g. plastic or composite materials) and / or the surface coating applied to the wheel arch trims 20, 21 (e.g. embossed or painted finishes).
[0068] Finally, it is obvious that modifications and variations may be made to the motor vehicle 1 described and illustrated without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A motor vehicle (1) having a central longitudinal axis (A) parallel to the straight-line travel direction and comprising: - a plurality of wheels (2, 3); - a body shell (5) defining the outer contour of the motor vehicle (1) and having two opposite side walls (8) defining a respective wheel well (16, 17) for each wheel (2, 3), the wheel well (16, 17) being delimited by a respective wheel arch (18, 19); and - a wheel arch trim (20, 21) for each wheel well (16, 17) arranged at the corresponding wheel arch (18, 19); Characterized in that at least one or each of the wheel arch decorations (20, 21) comprises: - a first arched portion (22) arranged in the volume defined by the body shell (5), facing the respective wheel arch (18, 19) at least partially and from the inside of the body shell (5) itself and attached to a structural part (4) of the motor vehicle (1) which is internal relative to the body shell (5); and A second arched portion (23) which projects outwardly from the body shell (5) relative to the wheel arches (18, 19).
2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one or each of the wheel arch trims (20, 21) comprises an air flow channel (24) which is at least partially formed on the second arched portion (23).
3. The motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that The channel (24) comprises one or more through openings (25) obtained at least one front end (26) and / or one rear end (27) of the second arched portion (23) of the wheel arch trim (18, 19).
4. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that The opening (25) or the plurality of openings (25) have a through section or respective through sections which are transverse to the longitudinal axis (A).
5. The motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that Each wheel (2, 3) is provided with a tyre (T), and during straight-ahead driving of the motor vehicle (1), the opening (25) or the plurality of openings (25) of the wheel arch trim (20, 21) faces the peripheral edge (T5) of the tread (T1) of the tyre (T) of the respective wheel (2, 3).
6. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Each wheel arch trim (20, 21) is attached to the structural part (4) of the motor vehicle (1) by the insertion of a corresponding frame element (30, 35), which is also arch-shaped.
7. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Each wheel arch trim (20, 21) is coupled and / or glued to the corresponding frame element (30, 35) so as to completely cover it on the outside.
8. The motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that Each of the frame elements (30, 35) is attached to the structural part (4) by means of a releasable centering element (31) and a releasable restraining element (32).
9. The motor vehicle according to claim 3 further comprises a front bumper (11), and the front bumper (11) has corresponding through windows (11c) at its two opposite ends (11a, 11b), and the through windows (11c) face the opening (25) formed on the front end (26) of the wheel arch decoration (20) of the corresponding front wheel (2) of the motor vehicle (1) itself, so as to facilitate the air guidance along the corresponding side wall (8) during the straight-line driving of the motor vehicle (1) itself.
10. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The structural part is a body shell (4) of the motor vehicle (1), to which the body shell (5) is applied.
11. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The wheel arch trim (20, 21) can be formed from a single component or from several components assembled together, each component forming a curved segment of the arch profile.