Diffuser for a vehicle

Abstract

Aspects of the invention relate to a diffuser for attachment to a vehicle, a vehicle and a kit of parts. The diffuser (100; 300) comprises a body (104; 304) having an outer surface (105; 305), wherein at least a portion of the body (104; 304) defines a cavity (110; 316). An opening (111; 319) extends through the body (104; 304) and provides fluid communication with the cavity (110; 316). In use, passing air flowing over the outer surface (105; 305) flows through the opening (111; 319) so as to draw further air from the cavity (110; 316) through the opening (111; 319) and thus re-orient the passing air away from the outer surface (105; 305).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to diffusers for vehicles. Aspects of the invention relate to diffusers, vehicles, and component kits. Background Technology

[0002] It is known to provide diffusers at the rear of vehicles to reduce turbulence and drag. In the case of larger vehicles, such as SUVs, it is advantageous to provide diffusers that are angled at a small angle relative to the vehicle's floor or underbody protection to minimize upwash. However, shallow diffusers are detrimental to a vehicle's off-road capability, which requires a much steeper angle relative to the floor or underbody protection.

[0003] One way to utilize a steeply angled diffuser without excessively compromising turbulence and drag is to incorporate a separation trigger that extends from the outer surface of the diffuser into the airflow path. The separation trigger causes flow separation and alters the trajectory of the air leaving the diffuser to reduce upwash behind the vehicle. However, the separation trigger is typically configured as a separate component attached to the diffuser, which increases manufacturing costs and makes it susceptible to damage.

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide diffusers, vehicles, and component kits as claimed in the appended claims.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a diffuser is provided, the diffuser comprising:

[0007] The body, wherein at least a portion of the body defines a cavity; and

[0008] An opening that extends through the body and provides fluid communication with the cavity;

[0009] In use, the airflow passing through the body passes through the opening so that additional air is drawn from the cavity through the opening and thus redirects the passing air away from the body.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a diffuser for attachment to a vehicle is provided, the diffuser comprising:

[0011] A body having an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the body defines a cavity; and

[0012] An opening extends through the body and provides fluid communication with the cavity;

[0013] In use, the airflow passing over the outer surface passes through the opening so that additional air is drawn from the cavity through the opening and thus redirects the passing air away from the outer surface.

[0014] In any of the foregoing aspects of the invention, air flowing through an opening may also be referred to as air flowing across an opening or air flowing across an opening. In embodiments of any of the foregoing aspects of the invention, one or more of the following may be applied.

[0015] In the described diffuser, the cavities and openings provide passive aerodynamic devices for redirecting airflow across the diffuser. This eliminates the need for a "separation trigger," which is typically a separate attachment that extends from the diffuser and is susceptible to damage and / or removal during use. Advantageously, the described diffuser offers reduced manufacturing costs and increased reliability while still redirecting airflow through the diffuser.

[0016] Furthermore, it has been found that the openings in the described diffuser allow water to enter and exit the cavities, and in some cases, allow water to enter and exit the interior space defined by the vehicle's rear bumper. Advantageously, during wading, the buoyancy at the rear of the vehicle is reduced because the air located in the cavities and rear bumper can be replaced by water, thereby enhancing the vehicle's wading capability.

[0017] In one embodiment, the diffuser is used to attach to the rear of the vehicle. Alternatively, the diffuser is used to attach to the lower rear side of the vehicle. Alternatively, the diffuser is used to attach to the exterior of the vehicle, the exterior rear of the vehicle, or the exterior lower rear side of the vehicle.

[0018] Advantageously, when the described diffuser is positioned at the rear of the vehicle, the redirection of the through-air allows for a reduction in the upwash behind the vehicle, thereby reducing drag caused by the turbulent wake. Furthermore, due to the redirection of the through-air, the outer surface of the diffuser can extend at a greater angle relative to the horizontal or neutral plane of the vehicle's underbody protection, thus providing less disturbance when driving on rough or off-road terrain.

[0019] In one implementation, the diffuser is used to attach to the front of the vehicle.

[0020] In this implementation, the diffuser is an aerodynamic diffuser. The diffuser can be passive or a passive diffuser.

[0021] In one implementation, the diffuser includes multiple openings.

[0022] In one embodiment, the opening or each opening includes a slot. Optionally, the opening or each opening includes a laterally extending slot. Optionally, the opening or each opening includes a slot extending across at least a portion of the width of the diffuser.

[0023] Advantageously, aerodynamic effects can be experienced across the width of the vehicle to which the diffuser is attached, such that when the diffuser is attached at the rear, most or most of the wake region may be affected.

[0024] It will be understood that the terms “width” and “lateral” for diffusers refer to the width and lateral direction of the diffuser in the orientation in which it will be mounted on or attached to the vehicle.

[0025] Optionally, the opening includes an orifice, multiple orifices, and / or a perforation.

[0026] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes one or more blades. Optionally, the diffuser includes one or more blades extending across an opening or each opening. Optionally, the diffuser includes one or more blades extending across a slot or each slot.

[0027] In one embodiment, one or more blades are configured to guide or manipulate additional air drawn from the cavity through a slot or each slot or opening.

[0028] The blades can provide a degree of structural integrity and / or stiffness to the slot, while also altering the flow pattern. It will be understood that the slot can provide laminar flow at the outlet and / or accelerate the flow toward the outlet, thus affecting the effect on the passing air.

[0029] In one embodiment, the opening includes a plurality of spaced-apart slots. Optionally, the opening includes a plurality of slots spaced apart along the width of the diffuser. Each slot may extend across at least a portion of the width of the diffuser.

[0030] By setting multiple spaced slots, the diffuser can have better structural integrity compared to a diffuser with continuous slots, and the diffuser's aerodynamic effects can be provided at specific or discrete locations across its width.

[0031] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a conduit having:

[0032] Entrance;

[0033] An exit, defined by an opening and spaced apart from an entrance; and

[0034] A passage for air, located between the inlet and outlet and defined by a cavity;

[0035] In use, a portion of the air flowing over the outer surface passes through the pipe and is drawn from the channel through the outlet by the air flowing through the outlet.

[0036] Instead of drawing additional air from the cavity through the airflow, the duct provides an inlet for the through air, thereby generating air with a greater velocity at the outlet, which can redirect the through air further away from the outer surface of the diffuser.

[0037] Optionally, the outlet can be located downstream of the inlet.

[0038] In this implementation, the channel is fluidly connected between the inlet and the outlet.

[0039] In one implementation, the inlet is located at or near the end of the diffuser. Alternatively, the inlet is located at or near the upstream end of the diffuser.

[0040] By placing an inlet at the end or upstream end of the diffuser, a longer channel can be provided to allow more time to change or guide the flow state through the pipe.

[0041] It will be understood that the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the overall flow direction through the diffuser during normal use, when the diffuser is in the orientation in which it will be mounted on or attached to the vehicle and the vehicle is moving forward.

[0042] In this implementation, the outlet is defined by the opening as described above.

[0043] In one implementation, the channel includes one or more blades. Optionally, one or more blades are configured to guide or manipulate air passing through the duct toward an outlet.

[0044] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a plurality of spaced-apart pipes. Alternatively, the diffuser includes a plurality of pipes spaced apart along its width.

[0045] Alternatively, in use, the inlet of the duct is defined between the end of the diffuser and the end of the vehicle's subframe tray.

[0046] In an implementation, the body includes or is defined by an outer wall.

[0047] In this implementation, the opening extends substantially vertically through the body.

[0048] In an implementation, the longitudinal axis or central axis of the opening is substantially perpendicular to the plane extending through the opening.

[0049] In an implementation, the longitudinal axis or central axis of the opening extends substantially perpendicular to a plane that is tangent to the body at the opening or at the outer edge of the opening.

[0050] Optionally, in use, the direction of airflow through the opening is substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the body at the opening or at the outer edge of the opening.

[0051] Advantageously, this maximizes the effect of the additional air leaving the opening on the passing air. The passing air flows substantially parallel to the outer surface of the body. Therefore, the additional air will meet the passing air substantially perpendicularly, thus having the effect of moving the passing air away from the outer surface of the diffuser.

[0052] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes a movable wall portion configured to selectively close the opening.

[0053] The ability to selectively close the opening allows for some control over the aerodynamic effects provided by the diffuser. For example, the opening can be opened and closed according to vehicle speed to adjust the vehicle's aerodynamic performance.

[0054] Optionally, the movable wall portion includes baffles or slats.

[0055] In one embodiment, the diffuser includes means for actively supplying air or a jet (hereinafter referred to as air supply) from the opening.

[0056] It will be understood that the ability to actively supply air from the opening allows for some control over the aerodynamic effects provided by the diffuser. For example, the air supply pressure can be tailored to influence the degree of redirection of the passing air.

[0057] Optionally, the means for actively supplying air from the opening includes an air compressor or pump. In an embodiment, the means for actively supplying air from the opening includes a conduit, pipe, and / or tube. Optionally, the conduit, pipe, and / or tube may be connected to the air compressor or pump and the opening.

[0058] In this embodiment, the diffuser is formed of a polymer material or a plastic material. The diffuser may be formed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. Alternatively, the diffuser may be formed of fabric.

[0059] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprising the diffuser described above is provided.

[0060] In one embodiment, the diffuser is attached to the rear of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the diffuser is attached to the lower rear side of the vehicle. Alternatively, the diffuser is attached to the exterior of the vehicle, the exterior rear of the vehicle, or the exterior lower rear side of the vehicle.

[0061] Optionally, the outer surface of the diffuser extends at an angle between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the horizontal or neutral plane of the vehicle. Optionally, the outer surface of the diffuser extends at an angle between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the underbody protection plate or subframe tray of the vehicle.

[0062] Optionally, the tangent of the outer surface of the diffuser extends at an angle between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the horizontal or neutral plane of the vehicle. Optionally, the tangent of the outer surface of the diffuser extends at an angle between 10 and 15 degrees relative to the underbody protection plate or subframe tray of the vehicle.

[0063] In one implementation, the cavity is defined between the diffuser body and a portion of the vehicle's rear bumper.

[0064] According to another aspect of the invention, a component kit is provided that includes a diffuser as described above and a subframe tray for a vehicle.

[0065] In one embodiment, the end of the subframe tray includes a lip configured to guide air through to the inlet of a duct into the diffuser during use. Optionally, the lip may be located at the downstream end of the subframe tray. Optionally, the lip may be located at the rear end of the subframe tray.

[0066] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims, and / or the following description and drawings may be adopted independently or in any combination, and in particular, the various features of various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment may be combined in any manner and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to amend any originally filed claim or accordingly file any new claim, including the right to modify any originally filed claim to derive from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim, although not initially claimed in this manner. Attached Figure Description

[0067] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a diffuser for attachment to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0069] Figure 2 It shows including according to Figure 1 A bottom view of a vehicle with a diffuser layout;

[0070] Figure 3It shows Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the lower part of the vehicle;

[0071] Figure 4 It shows Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the lower rear of the vehicle;

[0072] Figure 5 It shows crossing Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the longitudinally extending mid-plane of the vehicle;

[0073] Figure 6 It shows crossing Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the longitudinally extending plane at the rear of the vehicle;

[0074] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a diffuser for attachment to a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0075] Figure 8 A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0076] This article refers to the appendix Figures 1 to 6 A diffuser 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the general operation of the diffuser 100 in use, and Figures 2 to 6 The illustration shows how the diffuser 100 can be attached to the vehicle 500. Figure 2 The longitudinal axis (or x-axis) 501 and the lateral axis (or y-axis) 502 of the vehicle 500 are shown, and Figure 6 The vertical axis (or z-axis) 503 of the vehicle 500 is shown. The diffuser 100 also has a longitudinal axis 101, a lateral axis 102, and a vertical axis 103, wherein the longitudinal axis 101 and the vertical axis 103 are located at... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram, and the lateral axis 102 is in Figure 2 As shown in the figure. When the diffuser 100 is attached to the vehicle 500, the longitudinal axis 101, the lateral axis 102 and the vertical axis 103 of the diffuser 100 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 501, the lateral axis 502 and the vertical axis 503 of the vehicle 500, respectively.

[0077] Vehicle 500 has a front end portion 504 and a rear end portion 505 spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis 501. A diffuser 100 is attached to a portion of the rear lower side portion 506 of vehicle 500 behind the rear axle 507 and between the wheels 508, and extends laterally across this portion. More specifically, in this embodiment, the diffuser 100 is attached to the lower side of the rear bumper 509. It will be understood that the width and lateral direction of the diffuser mentioned below are defined hereinafter by the direction of the lateral axis 502 of vehicle 500 and the lateral axis 102 of diffuser 100.

[0078] In this embodiment, the diffuser 100 includes a body 104 formed of a polymer material and has an outer surface 105 over which air flows when the vehicle 500 moves in use. The outer surface 105 has an upstream end 106a positioned adjacent to the end of the subframe tray 510 of the vehicle 500 and a downstream end 106b spaced apart from the upstream end 106a along a longitudinal axis 101. As will be understood, the upstream end 106a is positioned closer to the front end 504 of the vehicle 500 than the downstream end 106b, and air will flow from the upstream end 106a across the outer surface 105 toward the downstream end 106b during forward movement of the vehicle 500.

[0079] In particular, such as Figure 6 As shown, the tangent of the outer surface 105 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane or neutral plane P (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal plane) of the subframe tray 510 and the vehicle 500, such as Figure 6 As shown, the outer surface 105 has a first portion 107, which is positioned closer to the front end 504 than the second portion 108, and the first portion 107 and the second portion 108 are separated by a stepped portion 109. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image) separated. Furthermore, the inclination of the tangent T of the outer surface 105 in the first portion 107 relative to the sub-frame tray 510 or the horizontal plane P is less than the inclination of the tangent T' of the outer surface 105 in the second portion 108 relative to the sub-frame tray 510 or the horizontal plane P, as shown by... Figure 6 As shown by the dashed line in the image.

[0080] In particular, such as Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, cavity 110 is defined between body 104 and rear bumper 509 of vehicle 500, and opening 111 extends through body 104 in first portion 107 and provides fluid communication with cavity 110.

[0081] In this embodiment, opening 111 is defined by two laterally extending slots 112 and 113. Slots 112 and 113 are identical and are mirror images of each other with respect to the centerline C of vehicle 500. Slots 112 and 113 are each located on a corresponding side of the centerline C of vehicle 500 and are separated by a blank portion 114 of the outer surface 105. Furthermore, each slot 112 and 113 has a first portion in which the size of the opening is constant along its width and a second portion in which the size of the opening narrows or decreases towards its ends.

[0082] The diffuser 100 includes a plurality of blades 115 extending across each slot 112, 113, the blades 115 being configured to guide air drawn from the cavity 110 during use. It will be understood that the blades 115 may also provide a degree of structural integrity and / or stiffness for each slot 112, 113. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the blades 115 extending across each slot 112, 113 means that each slot 112, 113 is provided by a plurality of orifices, the orifices being separated by the blades 115 and arranged to form the shape of the respective slot 112, 113. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the blades 115 are part of the body 104 of the diffuser 100, and the outer surface of each blade 115 constitutes part of the outer surface 105 of the body 104.

[0083] Now refer to the specific details. Figure 1 As the vehicle 500 moves forward in use, the passing air 120 flowing over the outer surface 105 flows from the upstream end 106a to the downstream end 106b and passes through (which may be alternatively referred to as crossing or traversing) the opening 111. In the sense of “passing,” it will be understood that as the vehicle moves forward in use, air flows from the front side of the opening to the rear side. The air 121 located within the cavity 110 has a higher pressure than the passing air 120 and is therefore drawn from the cavity 110 through the opening 111. The air 121 drawn from the cavity 110 redirects the passing air 120 away from the outer surface 105 such that the angle of incidence of the passing air 120 relative to the subframe tray 510 or the vehicle's horizontal plane P is less than the angle of inclination of the tangent T'' of the outer surface 105, as described by… Figure 1 The streamline F in the diagram illustrates this. Therefore, the upward wash flow behind the vehicle is reduced by 500.

[0084] This article refers to the appendix Figure 7 A diffuser 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 7 The diffuser 300 is similar to Figures 1 to 6 The diffuser 100, and similar features are indicated by similar reference numerals with "200" added. Figure 7This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general operation of the diffuser 300 in use. It will be understood that the diffuser 300 can be attached to the vehicle 500 in a manner similar to that of the diffuser 100 described above. Figure 8 ).

[0085] The diffuser 300 also has a longitudinal axis 301, a lateral axis 302, and a vertical axis 303, wherein Figure 7 Only the longitudinal axis 301 and the vertical axis 303 are shown. It will be understood that the lateral axis 302 coincides with the lateral axis 102 of the diffuser 100 described above. When the diffuser 300 is attached to the vehicle 500, the longitudinal axis 301, the lateral axis 302, and the vertical axis 303 of the diffuser 300 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 501, the lateral axis 502, and the vertical axis 503 of the vehicle 500, respectively.

[0086] The diffuser 300 is configured to attach to and laterally extend across the rear lower side of the vehicle 500. More specifically, in this embodiment, the diffuser 300 is attached to the lower side of the rear bumper 509. In this embodiment, the diffuser 300 includes a body 304 formed of a polymer material and has an outer surface 305 over which air flows when the vehicle 500 moves in use. The outer surface 305 has an upstream end 306a configured to be positioned adjacent to the end of the subframe tray 510 of the vehicle 500 and a downstream end 306b spaced apart from the upstream end 306a along the longitudinal axis 501. As will be understood, the upstream end 306a is positioned closer to the front end 504 of the vehicle 500 than the downstream end 306b. Figure 2 And air will flow from the upstream end 306a through the outer surface 305 toward the downstream end 306b during the forward movement of the vehicle 500.

[0087] The tangent T of the outer surface 305 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane or neutral plane P (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal plane) of the subframe tray 510 and the vehicle 500, such as Figure 6 As shown in the figure.

[0088] In this embodiment, the rear bumper 509, which replaces the main body 304 and the vehicle 500, is replaced. Figure 3 The cavity defined between the two is a cavity 316 forming part of the conduit 317. The conduit 317 has an inlet 318, an outlet 319 spaced apart from the inlet 318 along the longitudinal axis 301, and a passage for air located between the inlet 318 and the outlet 319 and defined by the cavity 316. The end of the sub-frame tray 510 is provided with a lip 510a, which is arranged to guide the passing air 320 into the inlet 318 of the conduit 317.

[0089] It will be understood that the diffuser 300 may include a pair of conduits 317, each conduit 317 having an outlet similar to the slots 112, 113 of the diffuser 100 described above. The outlet 319 may also include one or more blades arranged similarly to the blades 115 of the diffuser 100. The diffuser 300 may also include a second cavity defined between the body 304 and the rear bumper 509 of the vehicle 500. The second cavity is partially defined by an internal portion of each conduit 317 that faces the rear bumper 509 in use. The second cavity may be in fluid communication with a cavity 316 formed by the conduits 317 and / or channels.

[0090] As the vehicle 500 moves forward in use, a portion 321 of the passing air 320 flowing from the upstream end 306a across the outer surface 305 to the downstream end 306b is guided through the lip 510a into the inlet 318 of the duct 317. Furthermore, the remaining passing air 320 flows through the outlet 319, and the air 321 within the duct 317 has a higher pressure than the passing air 320. Therefore, the air 321 is drawn along the cavity 316 / channel and extracted from the outlet 319. The air 321 drawn from the cavity 316 redirects the passing air 320 away from the outer surface 305 such that the angle of incidence of the passing air 320 relative to the subframe tray 510 or the vehicle's horizontal plane P is less than the angle of inclination of the tangent T of the outer surface 305, as described by... Figure 7 The streamline F' shown in the diagram. Therefore, the upward wash flow behind the vehicle is reduced by 500.

[0091] It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A diffuser for attachment to a vehicle, the diffuser comprising: A body having an outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the body defines a cavity; and An opening that extends through the body and provides fluid communication with the cavity; In use, the airflow passing over the outer surface passes through the opening so as to draw additional air from the cavity through the opening and thus redirect the passing air away from the outer surface.

2. The diffuser according to claim 1, wherein, The diffuser is used to attach to the rear of the vehicle.

3. The diffuser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The opening includes a slot.

4. The diffuser of claim 3, comprising one or more blades extending across the slot.

5. The diffuser according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein, The opening includes a plurality of spaced-apart slots.

6. The diffuser of claim 1, comprising a conduit having: Entrance; An outlet, defined by the opening and spaced apart from the inlet; as well as A channel for air, located between the inlet and the outlet and defined by the cavity; In use, a portion of the air flowing over the outer surface passes through the pipe and is drawn away from the channel by the air flowing through the outlet.

7. The diffuser according to claim 6, wherein, The inlet is located at the end of the diffuser.

8. The diffuser according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein, The outlet is defined by an opening according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

9. The diffuser according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The channel includes one or more blades configured to guide air passing through the duct toward the outlet.

10. The diffuser according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a plurality of spaced-apart conduits.

11. The diffuser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a movable wall portion configured to selectively close the opening.

12. The diffuser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for actively supplying air from the opening.

13. The diffuser according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The diffuser is passive.

14. A vehicle comprising a diffuser according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A component kit comprising a diffuser and a subframe tray as claimed in claim 6, wherein, The end of the subframe tray includes a lip configured to guide air through to the inlet of the conduit during use.

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