Aerodynamic fairing part and vehicle with such a fairing part

Abstract

Aerodynamic fairing part (1) for a vehicle (4), which fairing part (1) is dimensionally stable and has at least one protective element (5) against shock or impact, wherein the fairing part (1) is formed by a curved surface element, wherein the at least one protective element (5) is designed and connected to the fairing part (1) in such a way that it follows the curved contour of the fairing part (1) at least section by section, and wherein the fairing part (1) is curved in such a way that it encompasses a vehicle part (2) to be aerodynamically faired at least section by section.

Description

The invention relates to an aerodynamic fairing component according to the preamble of claim 1 of the invention. According to claim 9 of the invention, it further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, or a vehicle component thereof, with such a fairing component. To achieve aerodynamic requirements (drag coefficient) and the associated reduction in fuel consumption of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, it is advisable to aerodynamically cover vehicle components, particularly chassis components in the underbody area. The requirement for these cover components is to prevent the separation of laminar flow and to avoid turbulence that increases air resistance. Such aerodynamic cover components, also known as drag-reducing fairings, should not be confused with protective fairings, such as those used for suspension systems in rough-road configurations. For these components, resistance to mechanical damage and abrasion from, for example, stone chips, is the primary concern.This results in fundamental differences in geometric design and material selection, which is why, conventionally, variant control (stone chip protection / cw fairing) is used in vehicle production depending on the sales region of the vehicle, which involves increased effort and costs. German patent DE 37 41 048 A1 discloses a vehicle with an aerodynamic add-on component, which can be attached to the vehicle's sills and / or wheel arches as a so-called add-on sill. The add-on sill is attached to the vehicle's outer skin by means of a fastening element. This fastening element is made of a highly abrasion-resistant plastic and is also intended to function as stone chip protection by largely covering the area of ​​the add-on sill facing a vehicle wheel. DE 10 2015 211 222 A1 describes an underbody protection device for a motor vehicle with a particularly abrasion-resistant textile layer, which is attached, in particular glued, to a support surface on the underside of the motor vehicle. DE 10 2016 103 411 A1 describes a battery installation with a floor protection wall, which floor protection wall consists of a composite panel made of several layered components made of different materials, such as a metal, a plastic, a fiber-reinforced plastic and an elastomeric plastic. German patent DE 37 41 048 A1 describes an aerodynamic attachment method for vehicle components. The component, for example a spoiler, is attached to the vehicle without visible screws or rivets. This is achieved through a special design in which the component is positively connected to the vehicle in the wheel arch area. The attachment is typically located in the rear wheel arch area and can take various forms, such as a cantilevered section or an undercut. German patent DE 10 2013 106 080 A1 describes a fiber-reinforced plastic underbody for motor vehicles that protects against stone chips and can also withstand chassis and crash loads. This is achieved through integrated mounts for chassis components and various stiffening elements. The underbody can be made of multiple parts and reinforced with sheet metal or coatings. German patent DE 10 2014 014 837 A1 describes a two-part fairing component made of dimensionally stable profiles for suspension handlebars. The profiles enclose the handlebar when installed and are held together by a detachable, positive-locking connection. The aerodynamically optimized shape improves airflow and protects the handlebar from damage. DE 10 2015 211 222 A1 describes an underbody protection device for motor vehicles, consisting of an abrasion-resistant and impact-resistant textile layer. This layer is attached to the underside of the vehicle and thus protects the substrate from damage caused by ground contact or impact. The textile layer can be made of aramid, carbon, or glass fibers and is preferably oriented transversely to the direction of travel. German patent DE 10 2016 103 411 A1 describes a battery system for electric vehicles that uses a multi-layered composite panel beneath the battery modules. This panel serves simultaneously as a support, cooling plate, and base protection barrier. The composite panel consists of various layers, each performing specific functions such as heat conduction, insulation, and corrosion protection. The object of the invention is to create an alternative aerodynamic fairing component for a vehicle, in comparison to the prior art, which is particularly resistant to increased mechanical stresses, such as stone chips. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, or a vehicle component thereof, equipped with such an aerodynamic fairing component. Starting from an aerodynamic fairing part for a vehicle, which fairing part is dimensionally stable and has at least one protective element against impact or collision, the problem is solved by the fairing part being formed by a curved surface element, wherein the at least one protective element is designed and connected to the fairing part in such a way that it follows the curved contour of the fairing part at least section by section. This ensures that the flow-optimized contour of the aerodynamic fairing part, designed as a curved surface element, is not disturbed by said protective element. The dependent claims describe preferred further developments or embodiments of the invention. The fairing part is then designed to be curved in such a way that it at least partially surrounds a vehicle part to be aerodynamically faired, for example a chassis part, thereby further minimizing the drag. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one protective element is applied to an outer contour of the cladding part and connected to it, so that in the event of an impact or collision, such as a stone chip, it comes into immediate effect and accordingly prevents damage to the cladding part, or at least effectively reduces it. A further preferred feature is the at least one protective element, which is closely attached to the cladding part and connected to it over a large area, resulting in a particularly high deformation and fracture resistance of the composite formed from the cladding part and at least one protective element. At least one protective element can be connected to the cladding part by material, form, and / or force-fit. Form and / or force-fit connections have the advantage that, as a result of particularly high impact or collision forces, any damaged protective elements can be easily and cost-effectively replaced, or originally intended protective elements can be replaced with even more resistant ones. Advantageously, at least one protective element can consist of a metal, a hard plastic, a composite material and / or an energy-absorbing elastomer, depending on the sales region of the vehicle. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the at least one protective element is an integral part of the fairing component, whereby, while minimizing the number of components, an optimal aerodynamic design of the fairing component is combined particularly effectively with at least one effective protective element against impact or collision. Preferably, at least one protective element is designed as an insert and is at least partially overmolded with plastic of the same material using a known and proven plastic injection molding process for the manufacture of the cladding part. Preferably, this protective element consists of at least one metal, a hard plastic, a composite material, and / or an energy-absorbing elastomer. The material in question is selected, for example, depending on the vehicle's sales region, with the latter being advantageously used if the protective element is only partially overmolded with plastic and, for example, forms a free contact surface for stone chips. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, or a vehicle part thereof, with an aerodynamic fairing part of the type described above. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments schematically depicted in the drawings. However, it is not limited to these, but encompasses all embodiments defined by the claims. The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle part covered with an aerodynamic fairing element, Fig. 2 the fairing element according to Fig. 1, supplemented by a protective element against impact or collision (elaboration variant 1), Fig. 3 a detailed view of the protective element according to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a fairing element having a protective element against impact or collision, and Fig. 5 section “II” according to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 shows a vehicle part 2 covered with an aerodynamic fairing part 1, which is exemplified by a chassis component in the form of a trailing arm of a rear axle 3 of a vehicle 4 or motor vehicle. The fairing part 1 is formed by a curved surface element that encompasses the trailing arm in a predetermined section thereof. Preferably, the fairing part 1 is made of a material with high resistance to deformation, preferably a plastic that is easy and inexpensive to process, such as PP T30 (PP = polypropylene). The fairing part 1 is shaped around the trailing arm in such a way that laminar flow does not separate and, accordingly, drag-increasing turbulence is avoided or at least effectively reduced. Version 1 (Figs. 2 and 3): A separately manufactured protective element 5 is associated with the cladding part 1, which is applied to the outer contour of the cladding part 1 and connected to it (Fig. 2). The joining connection is of a positive-locking type, in that, as shown in Fig. 3, positive-locking means 6 in the form of snap-fit ​​elements are provided, which engage positively in corresponding snap-fit ​​counter-elements (not shown in the drawing), in particular receiving bores of the cladding part 1. Depending on the sales region of the vehicle 4, the protective element 5 is preferably formed from a shaped metal sheet, for example steel or aluminum, from a rigid plastic, from a composite material, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic, or from an energy-absorbing elastomer. Examples of elastomers that can be used include ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, polyurethane (PUR), or natural rubber. A combination of materials of the type described above for forming the protective element 5 is also covered by the invention. The aforementioned circuit board, or the protective element 5 manufactured from it, is shaped in such a way that it conforms closely to the fairing part 1 over a large area and follows, or at least partially replicates, the curved contour of the fairing part 1. As already explained above, this ensures that the flow-optimized contour of the aerodynamic fairing part 1, designed as a curved surface element, is not disrupted by the protective element 5. The preceding embodiment refers to a protective element 5 which is connected to the cladding part 1 by a positive fit. However, the invention is not limited to such a joining connection, but also encompasses protective elements 5 which are connected to the cladding part 1, for example, by bonding or welding, or by frictional connection using known mechanical fasteners such as screws (not shown in the drawing). Version 2 (Figs. 4 and 5): Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a cladding part 1 designed according to the invention, wherein functionally identical parts are designated with the same reference numerals as in the previous drawings, so that for their explanation reference is also made to the preceding description of the first embodiment of the invention. This second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the protective element 4 is an integral part of the cladding part 1 formed from a plastic. Preferably, the protective element 5 is designed as an insert and, with regard to a known plastic injection molding process for manufacturing the trim part 1, is inserted into the relevant plastic injection mold and subsequently overmolded with plastic. According to this embodiment, the protective element 5 is completely overmolded with plastic, so that, as already explained above, depending on the sales region of the vehicle 4, a shaped sheet made of metal, for example steel or aluminum, a hard plastic, and / or a composite material, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic, is preferably used as the protective element 5. Alternatively, and this is also covered by the invention, it can be provided that the protective element 5, which is also designed as a surface element, is used as a sheet.The protective element 5, designed as a shaped circuit board, is only partially encased in plastic and, for example, forms a free contact surface for potential stone impacts (not shown in the drawing). In this case, in addition to the aforementioned materials, an energy-absorbing elastomer, optionally combined with at least one of the aforementioned materials, can also be advantageously used to form the protective element 5. Reference symbol list 1 Trim panel 2 Vehicle part 3 Rear axle 4 Vehicle 5 Protective element 6 Positive locking device

Claims

Aerodynamic fairing part (1) for a vehicle (4), which fairing part (1) is dimensionally stable and has at least one protective element (5) against shock or impact, wherein the fairing part (1) is formed by a curved surface element, wherein the at least one protective element (5) is designed and connected to the fairing part (1) in such a way that it follows the curved contour of the fairing part (1) at least section by section, and wherein the fairing part (1) is curved in such a way that it encompasses a vehicle part (2) to be aerodynamically faired at least section by section. Cladding part (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) is applied to an outer contour of the cladding part (1) and connected to it. Cladding part (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) is connected to the cladding part (1) over a large area, conforming to the cladding part. Cladding part (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) is connected to the cladding part (1) by material, form and / or force connection. Cladding part (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) is an integral part of the cladding part (1). Cladding part (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) is designed as an insert and is at least partially overmolded with plastic of the same after a plastic injection molding process for the manufacture of the cladding part (1). Cladding part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one protective element (5) consists of a metal, a hard plastic, a composite material and / or an energy-absorbing elastomer. Vehicle (4), in particular motor vehicle, or vehicle part (2) thereof, with an aerodynamic fairing part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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