Air spoiler mounting structure

Abstract

The air spoiler mounting structure according to the present application is capable of changing the angle of attack of the air spoiler according to the speed of the vehicle without mounting a motor and a power transmission mechanism. The air spoiler mounting structure comprises: an air spoiler configured at the upper portion of a vehicle body and generating a downforce when the vehicle is running; an upper support extending downward from the center portion of the air spoiler in the vehicle width direction; a lower support extending upward from the vehicle body; a first wire connecting the lower end of the upper support and the upper end of the lower support and supporting the weight of the air spoiler and the upper support; a second stretchable wire connecting the left front portion of the air spoiler and the vehicle body; a third stretchable wire connecting the left rear portion of the air spoiler and the vehicle body; a fourth stretchable wire connecting the right front portion of the air spoiler and the vehicle body; and a fifth stretchable wire connecting the right rear portion of the air spoiler and the vehicle body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an air spoiler mounting structure for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] An air spoiler, which generates downforce on a moving vehicle, requires a large angle of attack to increase downforce in order to ensure tire grip at low speeds, such as when cornering. However, at high speeds, the required downforce is less significant, and excessive angle of attack increases air resistance. Therefore, the optimal angle of attack for an air spoiler differs between low and high speeds.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a variable air spoiler that can change the angle of attack of the air spoiler by means of an electric motor. As with the variable air spoiler disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the air spoiler can be mechanically operated by means of a power source such as an electric motor, the angle of attack of the air spoiler can be adjusted to an optimal angle corresponding to the vehicle speed.

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that, within the range of -10 degrees to +20 degrees for the airfoil, the angle of attack is positively correlated with the lift coefficient. Therefore, when using an air spoiler with an inverted shape for the airfoil, the downforce of the air spoiler can be varied by changing the angle of attack within the same angular range.

[0005] Patent document 2 discloses a tensioned integral structure. The tensioned integral structure is constructed by combining a rigid body resistant to compressive forces with a wire resistant to tensile forces. The rigid body in the tensioned integral structure is connected to other rigid bodies via the wire. The tensioned integral structure is characterized by the fact that, by using relatively thin wire, it presents a form resembling a rigid body suspended in the air.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-291822

[0009] Patent Document 2: US Patent No. 3063521 Specification

[0010] Non-patent literature

[0011] Non-patent literature 1: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, “Report No. 563”

[0012] Calculated and Measured Pressure Distributions over the MidspanSection of the NACA 4412Airfoil"<URL:

[0013] https: / / ntrs.nasa.gov / citations / 19930091638 Utility Model Content

[0014] The problem to be solved by the utility model

[0015] When the electric motor and power transmission mechanism are mounted on the vehicle to change the angle of attack of the air spoiler, the vehicle's weight will increase, which will have an adverse effect on the vehicle's handling performance and fuel consumption.

[0016] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an air spoiler mounting structure that can change the angle of attack of the air spoiler according to the vehicle speed without the need for an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism.

[0017] Methods for solving problems

[0018] The air spoiler mounting structure of this utility model is characterized by comprising: an air spoiler disposed above the vehicle body and generating downforce when the vehicle is in motion; an upper support extending downward from the center of the air spoiler in the vehicle width direction; a lower support extending upward from the vehicle body; a first wire connecting the lower end of the upper support to the upper end of the lower support and supporting the weight of the air spoiler and the upper support; a retractable second wire connecting the front left side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; a retractable third wire connecting the rear left side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; a retractable fourth wire connecting the front right side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; and a retractable fifth wire connecting the rear right side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body.

[0019] Utility Model Effect

[0020] This invention provides an air spoiler mounting structure that can change the angle of attack of the air spoiler according to the vehicle speed without the need for an electric motor and power transmission mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the air spoiler mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side view of the air spoiler mounting structure of this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 A side view of the air spoiler mounting structure when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following is based on... Figures 1 to 3 Simultaneously, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 of the present disclosure will be described. In the following figures, arrows FR, UP, and RH represent the vehicle's forward (traveling direction), upward, and rightward directions, respectively. Furthermore, the opposite directions of each arrow FR, UP, and RH represent the vehicle's rearward, downward, and leftward directions, respectively. Hereinafter, only the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions will be used in the description; unless otherwise specified, these directions refer to forward / backward in the vehicle's forward / backward direction, left / right in the vehicle's left / right direction (vehicle width direction), and up / down in the vehicle's up / down direction.

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of the air spoiler mounting structure 10. Figure 2 Side view of the air spoiler mounting structure 10. Figure 2 The image shows the state of the air spoiler mounting structure 10 as observed from the left side of the vehicle when it is stationary and completely unaffected by the wind pressure of the driving airflow. (As shown) Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 includes an air spoiler 2, which is positioned above the air spoiler mounting member 1, which forms part of the vehicle body. The air spoiler 2 is composed of a curved plate portion 21 extending in the vehicle width direction, a left side plate portion 22 located at the left end of the curved plate portion 21, and a right side plate portion 23 located at the right end of the curved plate portion 21. The curved plate portion 21 has a shape that is curved backward in the vehicle width direction compared to the right and left sides. The air spoiler 2 is a rear spoiler positioned above the rear of the vehicle body and functions as a deflector to adjust the direction of airflow. Furthermore, the curved plate portion 21 of the air spoiler 2 has an airfoil cross-section that generates downforce when the vehicle is in motion.

[0026] The air spoiler mounting structure 10 includes an upper support column 3 extending downward from the center of the air spoiler 2 in the vehicle width direction, and a lower support column 4 extending upward from the air spoiler mounting member 1. The upper support column 3 is fixed to the air spoiler 2, and the lower support column 4 is fixed to the air spoiler mounting member 1. The lower end 31 of the upper support column 3 extends forward, and the upper end 41 of the lower support column 4 extends rearward.

[0027] The air spoiler mounting structure 10 includes a first wire W1 that connects the lower end 31 of the upper support column 3 and the upper end 41 of the lower support column 4. Furthermore, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 includes a second wire W2, a third wire W3, a fourth wire W4, and a fifth wire W5. The second wire W2 connects the front end of the left side plate 22 of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1. The third wire W3 connects the rear end of the left side plate 22 of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1. The fourth wire W4 connects the front end of the right side plate 23 of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1. The fifth wire W5 connects the rear end of the right side plate 23 of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1. In other words, the second wire W2 connects the front left side of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1, the third wire W3 connects the rear left side of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1, the fourth wire W4 connects the front right side of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1, and the fifth wire W5 connects the rear right side of the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1. The air spoiler mounting structure 10 has a tensioned integral structure that connects the air spoiler 2 to the air spoiler mounting component 1 via the aforementioned five wires W1 to W5.

[0028] The first wire W1 extends vertically and supports the weight of the air spoiler 2 and the upper support 3. The first wire W1 has the strength to withstand the weight of the air spoiler 2 and the upper support 3. Moreover, with the air spoiler 2 supported by the first wire W1 as described above, the third wire W3 and the fifth wire W5 are supported in a way that prevents the front side of the air spoiler 2 from lowering, the second wire W2 and the fourth wire W4 are supported in a way that prevents the rear side of the air spoiler 2 from lowering, the fourth wire W4 and the fifth wire W5 are supported in a way that prevents the left side of the air spoiler 2 from lowering, and the second wire W3 and the third wire W3 are supported in a way that prevents the right side of the air spoiler 2 from lowering. Thus, since tension is applied only to the five wires W1 to W5, all five wires W1 to W5 are always taut. Therefore, even when the vehicle is stationary and not subject to wind pressure from the airflow, the posture of the air spoiler 2 remains stable, and the air spoiler mounting structure 10 can maintain a stable shape.

[0029] Even when external forces such as wind pressure act on the air spoiler 2, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 can maintain a stable shape by resisting the external forces while keeping the four wires W2 to W5 taut. However, all four wires W2 to W5 are made of a stretchable material. Therefore, in the air spoiler mounting structure 10, the four wires W2 to W5 stretch or contract according to the intensity of the wind pressure acting on the air spoiler 2, thereby changing the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the air spoiler mounting structure 10 as observed from the left side of the vehicle while it is traveling at high speed. When the air spoiler 2 is subjected to the airflow, as... Figure 3 As shown, a force F is applied at the pressure center of the air spoiler 2 by the air pressure of the traveling airflow. As described above, when a force F is applied at the pressure center, since the pressure center of the air spoiler 2 is located further rearward than the aerodynamic center, a pitching moment is generated on the air spoiler 2, causing it to rotate about the aerodynamic center as an axis of rotation, in a direction that causes the front to rise and the rear to fall. Moreover, this pitching moment causes the second wire W2 and the fourth wire W4 on the front side to lengthen, and the third wire W3 and the fifth wire W5 on the rear side to shrink, thus reducing the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2. Therefore, in the air spoiler mounting structure 10, the faster the vehicle travels, the stronger the air pressure of the traveling airflow becomes, and thus the smaller the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2 becomes.

[0031] Furthermore, at vehicle speeds such as Figure 3 When the vehicle decelerates from a high speed as shown, the force F applied at the center of wind pressure decreases, thus reducing the pitching moment that causes the air spoiler 2 to rotate due to wind pressure. Consequently, since the center of gravity of the air spoiler 2 is located further forward than its aerodynamic center, as the vehicle speed decreases, the second wire W2 and the fourth wire W4 on the front side contract, while the third wire W3 and the fifth wire W5 on the rear side extend. This increases the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2, which becomes larger when the vehicle stops. Figure 2 The state shown.

[0032] As described above, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 can change the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2 according to the vehicle speed without installing an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism. Furthermore, by changing the angle of attack θ of the air spoiler 2 according to the vehicle speed, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 can generate appropriate downforce at various speeds. Thus, the downforce generated on the air spoiler 2 according to the vehicle speed is transmitted to the air spoiler mounting member 1, which is part of the vehicle body, via the upper support 3, the first wire W1, and the lower support 4.

[0033] Furthermore, although the position of the aerodynamic center of the air spoiler 2 is fixed regardless of the angle of attack θ, the position of the pressure center of the air spoiler 2 moves further forward as the angle of attack θ increases. Therefore, the air spoiler mounting structure 10 needs to set the angle of attack θ when the air spoiler 2 is parked so that even when the air spoiler 2 is at its maximum angle of attack θ, the pressure center of the air spoiler 2 is located further back than the aerodynamic center.

[0034] Furthermore, since the air spoiler mounting structure 10 adopts a tensioned integral structure that uses thinner wires for the five wires W1 to W5, the air spoiler 2 visually appears to float off the vehicle body.

[0035] <Supplement to the Implementation Method>

[0036] The air spoiler mounting structure disclosed herein is not limited to the manner described above, and can be implemented in various ways within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the air spoiler may be a shape that generates downforce when the vehicle is in motion, or it may be a different shape from the air spoiler described above.

[0037] Symbol Explanation

[0038] 1…Air spoiler mounting component; 2…Air spoiler; 3…Upper support column; 4…Lower support column; 10…Air spoiler mounting structure; 21…Bent plate; 22…Left side plate; 23…Right side plate; 31…Lower end; 41…Upper end; W1…First wire; W2…Second wire; W3…Third wire; W4…Fourth wire; W5…Fifth wire.

Claims

1. An air spoiler mounting structure, characterized in that, have: Air spoilers are positioned above the vehicle body and generate downforce when the vehicle is in motion; The upper support extends downward from the center of the air spoiler in the vehicle width direction; The lower pillar extends upward from the vehicle body; The first wire connects the lower end of the upper support column to the upper end of the lower support column, and supports the weight of the air spoiler and the upper support column. A retractable second cable connects the front left side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; A retractable third cable connects the left rear of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; A retractable fourth wire connects the front right side of the air spoiler to the vehicle body; A retractable fifth wire connects the right rear of the air spoiler to the vehicle body.

Images