motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle comprising a spoiler (4) provided in the area of ​​a rear roof edge and extendable via a tailgate (2) arranged near the roof edge, characterized in that the spoiler (4) is coupled to the movement of panels (7) made of a flexible material on both sides thereof, which are movable when the spoiler (4) is extended from a retracted position to an extended position in which they extend between the spoiler (4) and the bodywork (8) adjacent to the tailgate (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a spoiler provided in the area of ​​a rear roof edge, which can be extended via a tailgate arranged near the roof edge.

[0002] Modern, larger vehicles, especially SUVs, feature a spoiler at the rear edge of the roof to improve aerodynamics. This spoiler is either permanently installed or extendable via the tailgate, which is positioned close to the roof edge. This extends the spoiler's length, further enhancing aerodynamics. This is because the roof can be lengthened, and if the spoiler extends slightly downwards, for example, the roof's downward slope can be continued.

[0003] Although this results in an improvement in aerodynamics, there is always an effort to improve it even further.

[0004] DE 10 2015 008 474 A1 describes a motor vehicle with an air guide element attached to its rear window. The position of this air guide element along the height of the rear window 4 can be freely controlled by actuators along guide rails, thereby increasing its efficiency through targeted positioning. Depending on the shape of the rear window and the position of the guide rails, the air guide element can have a different length. Therefore, the air guide element consists of two rigid outer sections connected by an elastic intermediate element that is stretchable when its length changes. The length of the air guide element can be adjusted by a length adjuster in the direction of its free end, and its inclination can be adjusted by an inclination adjuster along the transverse axis of the motor vehicle.

[0005] FR 2 982 568 B1 describes a rear spoiler located below a rear window and extending along its width. In its resting position, the spoiler is housed within a casing and can be moved by an arm into an active position, where it protrudes from the casing and the vehicle body, thus deflecting the airflow to increase downforce on the rear axle. In the active position, a gap exists between the lower surface of the spoiler and the vehicle body below it. An air guide system directs air away from this gap and onto the upper surface of the spoiler. This air guide system consists of a sail that runs the entire length of the spoiler, between an edge at the front of the spoiler and an edge located below the rear window on the vehicle side.The sail is mounted on the vehicle side via a winding roller, allowing it to rotate relative to the vehicle. When the spoiler is moved from its resting position to its active position, the flexible sail unwinds from the winding roller. When the spoiler returns to its resting position, the sail winds back onto the roller. An elastic retaining device connecting the winding roller to the vehicle ensures that the roller always returns to its original position after the sail has been unwound, thus rewinding the sail. To minimize airflow through the gap, the sail is made of an airtight material.

[0006] DE 30 06 304 A1 describes an attachment for a roof rack, which is mounted on the front face of the roof rack to reduce air resistance and protect luggage. A fixed upper half and a fixed lower half of the attachment are connected at their sides by a bellows and can pivot relative to each other along an internal hinge on the front face of the attachment. The height of the attachment can thus be adjusted to the size of the luggage, ensuring reduced air resistance both when empty and when the roof rack is heavily loaded. Furthermore, the bellows provide additional protection for the luggage. Instead of bellows, expandable, rubber-like connecting pieces can be used.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of specifying a motor vehicle that has further improved aerodynamics.

[0008] To solve this problem, in a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset, it is provided according to the invention that the spoiler is equipped with panels made of a flexible material on both sides of it, which are coupled to the movement of the spoiler when it is extended from a retracted position to an extended position, in which they extend between the spoiler and the bodywork adjacent to the tailgate.

[0009] According to the invention, when the spoiler extends, lateral panels are simultaneously extended or unfolded, effectively closing the gap between the spoiler and the vehicle body adjacent to the tailgate. These lateral panels, or this lateral closure, further improve aerodynamics by ensuring defined airflow over them.

[0010] To automate this unfolding process, the covers, which are made of a flexible material, are linked to the spoiler's movement via a suitable holding mechanism, while simultaneously being attached to the vehicle body. This linkage to the spoiler means the covers are automatically pulled out of their body-side position.

[0011] Each spoiler panel can be connected to a fixed, rotating winding roller or shaft, onto which it is wound in the retracted position and from which it is unwound in the extended position. This winding roller or shaft is integrated into the vehicle body, so that the spoiler panel is stored and housed within the body when retracted. When the spoiler extends, the respective spoiler panel is automatically unwound from the rotating winding roller or shaft and extended.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous that each winding roller or shaft is movable against the restoring force of a spring element when the aperture is unwound. This results in a restoring force automatically building up when the apertures are automatically extended. When the spoiler is retracted, each aperture is automatically rewound onto the winding roller or shaft by this restoring force.

[0013] The spring element can be, for example, a coil spring that is twisted around its longitudinal axis, or a spiral spring that is tightened accordingly when tensioned, or the like.

[0014] Due to the geometry between the spoiler and the body section, it is advantageous for each cover to be triangular, with one side fixed to the body and the other end attached to a drive mechanism connected to the spoiler. This triangular shape allows for a large area of ​​this section to be sealed.

[0015] The actuator that enables the movement coupling between the spoiler and the trim panel is preferably a rod or cable attached to the spoiler on one side and to the vehicle body on the other. The attachment is advantageously pivotable after the rod or cable is fixed in position at the body-side end, allowing the rod or cable to move relative to this attachment point due to the spoiler's movement. This relative movement can be easily achieved by means of a suitably pivotable arrangement.

[0016] For easy connection of the rod or rope to the respective panel, a pocket open on both sides, similar to a hem, is provided on the edge of the respective panel, through which the rod or rope is guided.

[0017] The cover itself is made of a flexible material, for which a fabric, especially convertible top fabric, is particularly suitable. Alternatively, a plastic material can be used, such as Neoprene®, a chloroprene rubber or synthetic rubber. Other flexible materials in film form, made of rubber, or similar materials are also of course suitable.

[0018] Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle according to the invention 1 with retracted spoiler and recessed panels, Fig. 2 the motor vehicle Fig. 1 with extended spoiler and open grilles, Fig. 3. A schematic diagram to explain the process of opening a retracted aperture, and Fig. 4 the arrangement from Fig. 3 with aperture fully open

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising a tailgate 2 and a spoiler 4 arranged in the area of ​​the edge of the roof 3, the spoiler having a fixed section 5 arranged at the edge of the roof 3, and an extendable section 6 which is movable relative to the fixed section 6 in the direction of, or over, the tailgate 2. An actuator (not shown in detail) is provided for moving or extending the spoiler 4 or section 6. The section 6 is connected to the fixed section 5 via a corresponding movement and guidance mechanism, enabling relative movement for extension and retraction.

[0020] The extension of the spoiler 4 or the extendable section 6 is accompanied simultaneously by the deployment of the flaps 7 made of an elastic material on both sides, which are located in the Fig. The extended or deployed position shown in Figure 2 extends between the spoiler 4 and the sections 8 of the vehicle body 1 located on either side of the tailgate 2, thus aerodynamically closing this area. This extension occurs automatically after the covers 7 are coupled to the movable section 6 of the spoiler 4, as will be discussed below.

[0021] The panels 7 are made of a flexible material, such as convertible top fabric or a suitable plastic or synthetic material, which is sufficiently weather-resistant. Due to the geometry in the area between the spoiler 4 and the body sections 8, each panel 7 has a triangular shape. Furthermore, one end of each panel 7 is fixed to the body, and the other end is connected to the spoiler 4 or the movable section 6.

[0022] The function of an extended aperture 7 is explained in more detail in the schematic diagrams according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that each aperture 7 is wound onto a rotatable winding roller 9 in the retracted position, with its body-side end attached to the winding roller 9. The winding roller 9 itself is fixed in position on the body side or rotatably mounted, as illustrated by the supports 10. Furthermore, the winding roller 9 can be rotated against a spring element 11 from the retracted position to the extended position of the aperture 7, meaning that when the aperture 7 is extended, the spring element 11 is automatically tensioned, thus generating a restoring force.

[0023] The arrangement of winding shaft 9 and wound-up aperture 7 is concealed or enclosed on the body side as described; for example, a corresponding housing to accommodate this arrangement can be installed on the body side, from which the aperture 7 is then pulled out, depending on the available space for integrating the corresponding elements.

[0024] The free end 12 of the aperture 7 has a pocket 13, i.e., a kind of hem, through which a driver 14, in this case in the form of a cable 15, is guided. This cable 15 is fixed to a first pivot point 16 on the body side, which is in turn represented by the support point 10. The other end is attached to a pivot point 17 on the movable section 6 of the spoiler 4. The cable 15 can, for example, have corresponding eyes arranged on appropriate screws or bolts or the like.

[0025] Now, as indicated by arrow P in Fig. As shown in section 3, section 6 of spoiler 4 automatically extends from the position shown in the image via a corresponding movement mechanism. Fig. 1. Retracted position into the Fig. When the extended position shown in section 2 is moved, the aperture 7 is simultaneously opened and takes in the Fig. Figure 4 shows the extended end position. During the extension movement, section 6 inevitably takes the cable 15 with it (a rod, rotatably mounted at the corresponding pivot points 16 and 17, can also be used instead of the cable 15). The cable 15 pivots about pivot point 16 as well as about pivot point 17 due to the relative movement. If the distance between pivot points 16 and 17 changes, a spring-loaded pulley can be provided on the extendable section, onto which the cable 15 is wound to a certain extent to keep it taut. Such a spring-loaded pulley, for example an eccentric pulley, can be omitted if the distance between pivot points 16 and 17 does not change. In this case, a rod can also be used.

[0026] Regardless, during this extension movement, the aperture 7 is unwound from the winding roller 9, as Fig. Figure 4 shows that the inner end 18 of the aperture 7 is attached to the winding shaft 9.

[0027] During extension, the spring element 11 was simultaneously tensioned, as described, so that a restoring force is applied which loads or pre-tensions the winding roller 9 in the opposite direction of rotation. When the extendable section 6 is retracted again, as indicated by arrow P', the cable 15 is returned and pivots again about the pivot points 16, 17. At the same time, the winding roller 9 is rotated back via the pre-tensioned, restoring spring element 11, so that as the section 6 continues to retract, the flexible aperture 7 is also rewound onto the winding roller 9 until the retracted final state is reached. Fig. 3 has been reached.

Claims

[1] motor vehicle comprising a spoiler (4) provided in the area of ​​a rear roof edge and extendable via a tailgate (2) arranged near the roof edge, characterized by , that the spoiler (4) is coupled to both sides of it by means of panels (7) made of a flexible material, which are movable when the spoiler (4) is extended from a retracted position to an extended position, in which they extend between the spoiler (4) and the bodywork (8) adjacent to the tailgate (2). [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that each aperture (7) is connected to a position-fixed rotatable winding roller (9) or winding shaft, on which it is wound in the retracted position and from which it is unwound in the extended position. [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized by , that each winding roller (9) or winding shaft is movable against the restoring force of a spring element (11) when unwinding the apertures (7). [4] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that each aperture (7) is triangular and is fixed in position to the body (8) at one side (18) and to a driver (14) connected to the spoiler (4) at the other end (12). [5] Motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized by that the driver (14) is a rod or cable (15) that is attached on one side to the spoiler (4) and on the other side to the body (8). pivotable [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by , that the rod or rope (15) passes through a double-sided open pocket (13) provided on the edge side of the respective aperture (7). [7] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the panels (7) are made of a fabric, in particular a convertible top fabric, or of a plastic.

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