Air deflector for the underbody of a vehicle

Abstract

Underbody (110) with an air guiding device (10) for a vehicle (100), the air guiding device (10) comprising an air guiding section (30) with at least one air guiding surface (32) for changing the orientation of an air flow (L), further comprising a fastening interface (20) for fastening in a fastening position (B) to the underbody (110), wherein the air guiding section (30) has an air guiding direction (LR) which has an acute air guiding angle (α) with the direction of travel (FR) of the vehicle (100) in the fastening position (B), wherein the air guiding section (30) has three air guiding surfaces (32) arranged one after the other in the air guiding direction (LR), which are each separated by an air guiding gap (34), wherein the respective air guiding gap (34) has a free flow cross-section which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the air guiding direction (LR), wherein the air guiding section (30) has a base body (36) has,on which the three air guiding surfaces (32) are formed in an integral manner.,

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an air guiding device for the underbody of a vehicle and a vehicle with such an air guiding device.

[0002] It is generally known that the airflow around a vehicle has a significant influence on its handling. To provide improved handling, particularly on winding roads, the vehicle's downforce is crucial. To increase this downforce, which can also represent the vehicle's contact pressure on the road, vehicle attachments are usually provided to influence the airflow. In common parlance, such attachments are referred to as spoilers, which have an angle of attack opposite to the airflow around the vehicle. Accordingly, an increase in downforce is usually accompanied by an increase in the vehicle's aerodynamic drag.It is important to note that spoiler attachments to the vehicle have a relatively large negative influence on the vehicle's resistance to air flow in order to be able to provide a corresponding increase in downforce.

[0003] DE 10 2014 007 691 A1 discloses an air guiding device for a motor vehicle.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide the downforce of a vehicle in a cost-effective and simple manner with the smallest possible increase in the resistance value for the airflow around the vehicle.

[0005] The above object is achieved by an air guiding device having the features of claim 1 and a vehicle having the features of claim 8. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the air guiding device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that reciprocal reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention with regard to the disclosure.

[0006] An air guiding device according to the invention is designed for the underbody of a vehicle. For this purpose, the air guiding device comprises an air guiding section with at least one air guiding surface for changing the orientation of an air flow. Furthermore, a fastening interface is provided for fastening in a fastening position to the underbody. The air guiding section has an air guiding direction that, in the fastening position, forms an acute air guiding angle with the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0007] A core concept of the invention is to no longer attach the air guiding device on top of or to the side of the vehicle, unlike known spoiler attachments, but rather to design it for attachment to the vehicle's underbody. In known vehicles, where the underbody is exposed to air flow through an undercurrent, the sole aim to date has been to minimize the gap between the underbody and the floor in order to improve the vehicle's downforce and thus its downforce. According to the invention, an increase in downforce and thus the downforce can now be achieved even with a larger gap between the underbody and the vehicle's correspondingly greater suitability for everyday use. The attachment interface can be designed to be either reversible or irreversible.This even allows for variable adaptation to a specific racing situation on a racetrack by reversibly attaching the air deflector to the underbody. In daily use, increased everyday usability can be achieved by reversibly removing the air deflector.

[0008] A key concept of the invention is that an acute air guidance angle is formed between the direction of travel and the air guidance direction in the fastening position of the air guidance device. The direction of travel of the vehicle is understood to be the main direction of movement, i.e. the forward direction of travel of the vehicle. This means that the vehicle moves forward in the direction of travel, creating an air flow around the vehicle. Part of this air flow also reaches underneath the vehicle along the underbody and flows along this underbody. If the air guidance device is now in the fastening position, this air flow, which flows along the underbody, at a certain point also reaches the air guidance surface of the air guidance section. The air guidance surface will then change the orientation of this air flow, namely into a new orientation, namely the air guidance direction.In other words, the air flow through the air guide section is redirected from the opposite direction of travel, i.e. the inflow direction, into the air guide direction and thus at an acute angle to the direction of travel.

[0009] This results in the air flow being split by the air guide surface into a first partial flow, which flows along the front of the air guide surface in relation to the direction of travel, and a second partial flow, which flows along the oppositely oriented back of the air guide surface. Similar to the wings of an aircraft, this leads to differences in speed on these two flow surfaces. In particular, this leads to a significant increase in speed on the back of the air guide surface, with the resulting reduced pressure. The reduction in pressure and the resulting negative pressure on the back of the air guide section now sucks the vehicle towards the road, thus improving the desired downforce and downforce characteristics.

[0010] As can be seen from the above explanation, the use of an air guiding device according to the invention leads to an improvement in downforce through the defined positioning of a vacuum position on the underbody of the vehicle. In contrast to the known solutions using spoiler attachments on the upper side or the sides of the vehicle, however, the air guiding device according to the invention is barely visible from the outside of the vehicle because it is arranged in the area of ​​the underbody. Furthermore, the arrangement on the underbody means that a defined and, at high speeds, preferably still laminar air flow can be assumed. Last but not least, this embodiment of an air guiding device according to the invention also significantly improves the overall drag in relation to the increase in downforce.In other words, with a relatively small increase in drag force, a relatively high increase in downforce can be provided by using the air guiding device.

[0011] The air guide angle according to the invention is designed in an acute angle range, i.e., an angle range of <90° to the direction of travel. It is preferred if significantly steeper angles are provided, so that acute air guide angles of less than approximately 45°, preferably less than approximately 30°, are provided.

[0012] Of course, it is also conceivable for the air guide section to have two or more air guide surfaces. The corresponding air guide direction can be changed or can be changed from each air guide surface to the adjacent air guide surface. This means, for example, that over several steps, an increasing deflection of the air flow occurs through increasing and increasing air guide angles. It is also possible for the basic air guide direction to follow a curved line, which in particular has its radius center in the area of ​​the vehicle's wheel suspension.

[0013] It can be advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the fastening interface is designed for reversible fastening to a counter-fastening interface. A reversible fastening therefore allows the air guiding device according to the invention to be assembled and disassembled and thus variably adapted to the desired situation for the operation of the vehicle. For example, a reversible fastening of the air guiding device can be carried out for operation on a race track. In order to subsequently ensure increased everyday suitability and increased ground clearance of the vehicle, the reversible fastening can now also lead to the air guiding device being removed again, so that the vehicle can be operated in everyday situations with reduced downforce but with increased everyday suitability.Options for reversible fastening include screws, clamps, snap-in or plug-in devices to create the fastening functionality.

[0014] It is also advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the air guiding section has at least two air guiding surfaces arranged one after the other in the air guiding direction, which are separated by an air guiding gap. This means that an air flow which strikes the first air guiding surface leaves it again at its end and reaches partly the front side of the second air guiding surface and another part its rear side. This means that the further splitting of this partial flow between the two air guiding surfaces by the air guiding gap supports the rearward flow at the air guiding section. In other words, a particularly long design of the air guiding section can now also provide the rearward flow in a supported manner, thus avoiding flow separation, which would reduce the inventive effect.Rather, a support section can be provided from the front of the air guide section to the rear of the air guide section through the air guide gap, which accordingly enhances the effect according to the invention and can provide a geometrically longer length. Three or more air guide surfaces arranged in a corresponding manner are also preferred.

[0015] It is furthermore advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the at least two air guiding surfaces have an identical or substantially identical flow geometry. Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "flow geometry" refers to the active part of the air guiding surface, which influences the change in the direction of the air flow. This particularly concerns the front and rear sides of the air guiding surface, which can accordingly influence the divided flow of the air flow with regard to the flow direction. An identical or substantially identical design of the flow geometry leads to a simplified and easier design of an air guiding device according to the invention and also to a more cost-effective manufacturing option.Of course, it is also conceivable in principle for the flow geometry and the angle of attack of the individual air guide surfaces to be equipped with appropriate variation means in order to adapt or change the flow geometry with regard to the actual geometry and / or the air guide direction. This would allow the air guide device according to the invention to be adapted even more flexibly to the respective driving situation in advance.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the air guiding gap has a free flow cross-section that is oriented perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the air guiding direction. In other words, the air flow flows along this air guiding direction, so that the free flow cross-section of the air guiding gap can be made substantially completely available to support the rearward flow of the air guiding surfaces. This flow distribution is provided with particularly low turbulence, so that the advantages according to the invention are achieved with greater efficiency even at low speeds.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the air guiding section has a base body on which the at least two air guiding surfaces are formed in an integral configuration. For example, metallic base bodies are conceivable, which in particular have sheet metal sections, i.e. thin metallic surfaces. Appropriate cutting and bending processes can now provide the formation of the individual air guiding surfaces and the corresponding air guiding gaps. This leads to particularly simple and cost-effective production. An integral design is, in particular, a one-piece material design, which can also be referred to as a monolithic design. The base body accordingly serves as a connection section to the corresponding fastening interface.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, in an air guiding device according to the invention, the air guiding section and / or the at least one air guiding surface is reversibly mounted on the fastening interface. This means that the air guiding section or the air guiding surface can be replaced in order to be able to provide, for example, different flow geometries and / or different air guiding directions for one and the same air guiding device. The fastening interface thus serves as the only and defined specific interface for fastening the air guiding device to the underbody of the vehicle. A corresponding mounting interface can be formed on the base body and / or on the air guiding section and / or on the fastening interface in order to be able to provide the corresponding mounting option for the air guiding surfaces or the air guiding section.This significantly increases the flexibility of use and the ability to adapt to different driving situations before the start of that driving situation.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a vehicle with an underbody under which an air flow flows. Such a vehicle has at least one air guiding device according to the invention, which is fastened by means of its fastening interface in a fastening position to a counter-fastening interface of the underbody. The air guiding direction forms an acute angle with the direction of travel of the vehicle. By using and appropriately positioning an air guiding device according to the invention, a vehicle according to the invention offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to an air guiding device according to the invention.

[0020] A vehicle according to the invention can be further developed such that the at least one air guide surface merges at its end into a boundary wall of a wheel house of the vehicle. This is particularly the front axle of the vehicle. The air flow, which is captured and deflected by the air guide surface, is then introduced into the wheel house of the vehicle and its boundary wall. This results in a defined outlet position being provided for the deflected flow components of the air flow. Undesirable congestion areas, which would cancel out or at least negatively influence the effect according to the invention, are overcome in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. The transition into the boundary wall can preferably be flush and seamless. In particular, it is also designed to be free of kinks in order to be able to provide the inventive discharge of the diverted air flow particularly efficiently.

[0021] It is further advantageous if, in a vehicle according to the invention, at least two air-guiding devices are symmetrically mounted on the underbody of the vehicle. For example, one air-guiding device can be provided for each wheel of the front axle. A symmetrical arrangement, particularly symmetrical with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle, leads to a symmetrical increase in downforce for the vehicle. This further increases stability during operation and driving style of the vehicle.

[0022] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically: Fig. 1 a bottom view of a vehicle, Fig. 2 a partial view of an assembled air guiding device, Fig. 3 an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention and Fig. 4 an embodiment of an air guiding device according to the invention.

[0023] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a bottom view of a vehicle 100 provided with a closed underbody 110. The front axle of the vehicle 100 is shown with the corresponding wheel arches 130. Two air guiding devices 10 are symmetrically attached to the underbody 110 at a corresponding counter-attachment interface 120. On the left side of the underbody 110, the flow lines of the air flow L are shown with a plurality of lines. Here, the manner in which the air guiding device 10 according to the invention functions is also clearly visible.

[0024] During operation of the vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 moves along the direction of travel FR. The resulting air flow L reaches the air guiding devices 10 during the underflow along the underbody 110 and is deflected there by the corresponding air guiding surfaces 32 of the air guiding section 30. On the left side, it can be seen how this deflection on the rear side of the air guiding device 10 leads to an increase in the speed of the air flow L and thus to a reduction in the existing local pressure. This brings about the inventive increase in the downforce behavior and thus an increase in the contact pressure of the vehicle 100.

[0025] As also in the Fig. 1 and especially in Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 2, the air flow L is deflected laterally, so that an acute air flow angle α forms between the air flow direction LR and the direction of travel FR. A corresponding connection to the two wheel housings 130 or their boundary walls 132 is provided for the discharge of the deflected air flow L.

[0026] Especially in Fig. 2 shows a variant in which the air guiding device 10 is designed with three separate air guiding surfaces 32 of the air guiding section 30. Here, it is particularly clearly visible that individual air guiding gaps 34 are provided for rear flow support, as will be described later with reference to Fig. 4 is explained in more detail. Also in Fig. 2 clearly shows that a substantially flush transition is provided between the air guide surface 32 located furthest back in the air guide direction LR and the corresponding boundary wall 132 of the wheel house 130. This allows the deflected air flow L to be discharged into the wheel house 130 in a manner that creates as little turbulence as possible.

[0027] Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a vehicle 100, in which a corresponding correlation is provided between the air guiding device 110 and the boundary wall 132 of the wheel house 130. Preferably, a symmetrical arrangement of the two air guiding devices 10 on the underbody 110 is provided here, as already described with reference to Fig. 1 has been explained in more detail.

[0028] Fig.4 shows a possible embodiment of an air guiding device 10 in greater detail. Here, the air guiding section 30 is designed as an integral base body 36, which, through appropriate cutting and bending, now provides three separate air guiding surfaces 32. Air guiding gaps 34 are provided between these individual air guiding surfaces 32. If an air flow L now arrives from the left side and reaches the air guiding device 10, a division into a rear and a front flow already occurs at the first air guiding surface 32 from the left. As soon as the front flow has passed the first air guiding surface 32, it reaches the first air guiding gap 34 and is divided again. This second division leads to a support of the rear flow along the second air guiding surface 32, which can also be understood as the middle air guiding surface 32.The same effect also occurs in the second air guide gap 34 in front of the third and final air guide surface 32, so that even over the enlarged extent of the entire air guide section 30, a rearward flow can be achieved at the individual air guide surfaces 32 and a corresponding functionality with the advantages of the invention. Here, it is also clearly visible that the base body 36 merges into the fastening interface 20 in order to ensure appropriate alignment and fastening in the fastening position B.

[0029] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Underbody (110) with air guiding device (10) for a vehicle (100), the air guiding device (10) comprising an air guiding section (30) with at least one air guiding surface (32) for changing the orientation of an air flow (L), further comprising a fastening interface (20) for fastening in a fastening position (B) to the underbody (110), wherein the air guiding section (30) has an air guiding direction (LR) which has an acute air guiding angle (α) with the direction of travel (FR) of the vehicle (100) in the fastening position (B), wherein the air guiding section (30) has three air guiding surfaces (32) arranged one after the other in the air guiding direction (LR), which are each separated by an air guiding gap (34), wherein the respective air guiding gap (34) has a free flow cross-section which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the air guiding direction (LR), wherein the air guiding section (30) has a base body (36),on which the three air guiding surfaces (32) are formed in an integral manner., [2] Underbody (110) with air guiding device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the fastening interface (20) is designed for reversible fastening to a counter-fastening interface (120). [3] Underbody (110) with air guiding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the three air guiding surfaces (32) have an identical or substantially identical flow geometry. [4] Underbody (110) with air guiding device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air guiding section (30) and / or the three air guiding surfaces (32) are reversibly mounted on the fastening interface (20). [5] Vehicle (100) with an underbody (110) under which an air flow (L) flows, having the features of one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one air guiding device (10) which is fastened by means of its fastening interface (20) in a fastening position (B) to a counter-fastening interface (120) of the underbody (110). [6] Vehicle (100) according to claim 5, characterized by that the at least one air guiding surface (32) merges at the end into a boundary wall (132) of a wheel house (130) of the vehicle (100). [7] Vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that at least two air guiding devices (10) are attached symmetrically to the underbody (110) of the vehicle (100).

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