Motor vehicle with an air guiding device for a vehicle front

Abstract

Motor vehicle (2) with an air guiding device (6) for a vehicle front (1) of the motor vehicle (2), with an air guiding element (7) which is adjustable between a retracted position (8) and at least one extended position (9) in order to guide an air flow along a wheel flank of a wheel of the motor vehicle (2), wherein the air guiding element (7) laterally delimits an air guiding opening (4) which is open in the retracted position (8) and in the at least one extended position (9), the flow cross-section of which air guiding opening can be adjusted by means of the air guiding element (7), characterized in that the air guiding element (7) has a front edge (10) which, in the retracted position (8) of the air guiding element (7), delimits the open air guiding opening (4) at the front of the vehicle and, in the at least one extended position (9) of the air guiding element (7), widens the flow cross-section of the air guiding opening (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an air guiding device for a vehicle front of the motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2016 000 953 A1 discloses an air guiding device for a vehicle front end comprising a respective air guiding element arranged in a transition region between a front region and a side region of the vehicle front end. The air guiding element can be moved from a retracted position to at least one extended position. In the extended position, the air guiding element forms a flow channel with a panel element of the vehicle front end located behind it, by means of which an air flow flowing around the transition region between the front region and the side region of the vehicle front end can be deflected. In the retracted position of the air guiding element, the flow channel is completely closed so that no airflow can flow into its front end or through its slot-shaped inlet opening, which is open towards the front and is oriented essentially vertically in the vehicle.In the extended position of the air guide element, the flow channel forms a slot-like cross-section that extends at least substantially over the entire height of the vehicle's front end and is open at the top and bottom.

[0003] Furthermore, US 2017 / 0 240 223 A1 discloses a vehicle with a transverse panel and a transverse aerodynamic element. The transverse aerodynamic element is movable into an operating position in which it is spaced apart from the transverse panel. In this operating position, the transverse aerodynamic element is operable to direct the airflow downward at the rear of the vehicle to control the vertical spread of the wake formed behind the vehicle.

[0004] Finally, EP 2 098 441 B1 discloses an air guiding device for a vehicle, comprising a spoiler element extending substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle, as well as deployment kinematics defining a movement path. By means of the deployment kinematics, the spoiler element can be moved from a retracted rest position to a maximally extended lift position, wherein the spoiler element is provided with an adjustment device, the actuation of which changes the angle of attack of the spoiler element relative to the vehicle body. The deployment kinematics comprises at least a four-bar mechanism with two links, one of which is driven by a drive device and each of which is articulated at one end to the body.The two control arms are connected with their respective second ends to a coupling element on which the spoiler element is pivotally mounted via the steering lever, which is connected to a control arm, the end of which is remote from the steering lever forming a body-fixed base point.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle with an air guiding device for a vehicle front of the motor vehicle, which has particularly advantageous aerodynamic properties.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with an air guiding device for a front end of the motor vehicle, having an air guiding element that is adjustable between a retracted position and at least one extended position in order to guide an air flow along a wheel flank of a wheel of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is, in particular, a motor vehicle whose aerodynamics are adjusted for particularly low energy consumption for operating the motor vehicle by means of the air guiding device. For particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the motor vehicle, it is provided that the air guiding element laterally delimits an air guiding opening that is open in the retracted position and in the at least one extended position, the flow cross-section of which air guiding opening can be adjusted by means of the air guiding element.This air guiding opening extends, for example, at the front of the vehicle nose of the motor vehicle along a vertical and a transverse direction of the motor vehicle. The air guiding opening is arranged in particular at the front of the vehicle such that a cross-sectional area of ​​the air guiding opening extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, wherein the opening does not overlap with other components of the motor vehicle towards the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The air guiding element is arranged in particular in front of the wheel of the motor vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to guide an air flow striking the front of the vehicle when the motor vehicle is moving through the air guiding opening and, after flowing through the air guiding opening, along the wheel flank of the wheel in a controlled manner.By means of the air guiding element, a flow velocity and / or a flow type and / or a flow direction of the air flow are adjusted in order to enable a particularly low air resistance of the motor vehicle.

[0008] In order to create an air guiding device for the front of the motor vehicle which has particularly advantageous aerodynamic properties, the air guiding element has a front edge which delimits the air guiding opening at the front of the vehicle when it is open in the retracted position and widens its flow cross-section when the air guiding opening is in the at least one extended position. In other words, the air guiding element laterally delimits an air guiding duct extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle for guiding the air flow, wherein the air flow is introduced into the air guiding duct via the air guiding opening and, after flowing through the air guiding duct, is guided along the wheel flank of the wheel. The air guiding element is located in front of the wheel of the motor vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to adjust the air flow flowing towards the motor vehicle from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle before it hits the wheel.To adjust a flow cross-section of the air guiding opening and / or the air guiding duct, the air guiding element is adjustable between the retracted position and the at least one extended position, wherein the air guiding element is moved relative to the front of the vehicle at least along the transverse direction of the motor vehicle and in particular additionally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle for adjustment between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. In this case, the air guiding element delimits the air duct outwards in that of the positions in the transverse direction of the vehicle. For example, by means of the air guiding element, the air flow can be adjusted depending on an inflow direction and / or an inflow velocity and / or a flow type of the air flow by adapting the flow cross-section for particularly low air resistance of the wheel of the motor vehicle.This makes it possible to operate the vehicle in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

[0009] Furthermore, the air guiding opening is formed by a recess in the outer paneling of the motor vehicle at the front of the vehicle, wherein the front edge of the air guiding element delimits the air guiding opening at least in part in the retracted position. The front edge of the air guiding element can delimit the air guiding opening from the outside in the transverse direction of the vehicle and thus laterally. In addition, the air guiding device can also delimit the air guiding opening in the at least one extended position by means of its front edge, wherein in the extended position the flow cross section of the air guiding opening is adjusted, for example, along the transverse direction of the vehicle. As a result, for example, the flow cross section of the air guiding opening can be enlarged in the extended position compared to the retracted position in order to guide a particularly large amount of air through the air guiding duct.Consequently, the cross-section of the air guide opening can be adjusted particularly advantageously via the front edge.

[0010] In this context, it has proven advantageous if one adjustment device for adjusting the air guide element has a four-bar linkage mechanism, by means of which the air guide element can be adjusted between the at least two positions. This means that the multi-bar linkage mechanism of the adjustment device is arranged on the air guide element via four articulation points, by means of which the air guide element can be moved between the retracted position and the at least one extended position. The four-bar linkage mechanism enables, for example, the air guide element to be moved along the vehicle's transverse direction and / or longitudinal direction in order to adjust the flow cross-section of the air guide opening and / or the air guide duct. By means of the four-bar linkage mechanism, the air guide element can be adjusted between the positions via a single drive, in that the drive is connected to the respective articulation points of the air guide element via four articulation elements.Thanks to the four-bar mechanism of the adjustment device, the air guide element can be moved between positions particularly easily, energy-efficiently, space-savingly and stably.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air guide element is designed as part of an outer panel of the motor vehicle, wherein the air guide element, in the retracted position, is flush with the adjacent outer panel. This means that the air guide element, as an outer panel part, provides an outer surface of the motor vehicle. The air guide element forms an outer side surface of the motor vehicle. In the retracted position of the air guide element, the air guide element rests against the adjacent outer panel in such a way that the air guide element and the adjacent outer panel form a smooth outer surface of the motor vehicle.The air deflector, which can also be referred to as an active air curtain, enables the air duct for aerodynamically isolating the wheelhouse from the environment to be opened only when the vehicle exceeds a defined speed. Below and at this defined speed, a so-called "flush" outer skin is provided, thus creating a particularly smooth outer skin of the vehicle without protruding edges. Thus, the air deflector enables particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the vehicle.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the air guide element extends between the air guide opening and a wheel house cutout in the outer panel. In particular, the air guide element extends from the air guide opening to the wheel house cutout in the outer panel in order to guide the air flow from the point at which it enters through the air guide opening to the wheel house cutout. The air guide element thus laterally delimits the air guide duct extending from the air guide opening to the wheel house cutout along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. By means of the air guide element, the flow cross-section of the air guide duct can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the air guide opening to the wheel house cutout in order to guide the air flow particularly advantageously. This enables the air flow to be adjusted in a controlled manner so that the air flow can flow in a controlled manner along the wheel flank.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, it has proven advantageous if the air guiding element can be adjusted between the at least two positions by means of the adjusting device of the air guiding device depending on a speed of the motor vehicle. This means that a speed detection device is provided on the motor vehicle, by means of which a speed of the motor vehicle can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, an inflow velocity of the air flow onto the motor vehicle can be determined. By means of the adjusting device, the air guiding element is adjusted between the retracted position and the at least one extended position depending on the speed of the motor vehicle and / or depending on the inflow velocity of the air flow onto the motor vehicle. In this case, the air guiding element can be continuously adjusted between the at least two positions.For example, the air guiding element can be arranged in the retracted position at a first speed of the motor vehicle and in the at least one extended position at a second speed which is different from the first speed and greater than the first speed in order to influence the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0014] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0015] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1a to 1b are respective schematic perspective views of a vehicle front of a motor vehicle with an air guiding device which has an air guiding element which is adjustable between at least two positions in order to guide an air flow along a wheel flank of a wheel of the motor vehicle, wherein the air guiding element in Fig. 1a in a retracted position and in Fig. 1b is shown in an extended position; Fig. 2a to 2b are respective schematic front views of the vehicle front with the air guide element, the front edge of which laterally delimits an air guide opening in the vehicle front of the motor vehicle, wherein the air guide element in Fig. 2a in the retracted position and in Fig. 2b is shown in the extended position; and Fig. 3a to 3b are respective schematic perspective views of an adjusting device for adjusting the air guiding element with a four-bar mechanism, by means of which the air guiding element can be adjusted between the retracted position and the extended position via four articulation points of the air guiding element, wherein in Fig. 3a the adjustment device is shown from the inside in a direction facing the vehicle environment of the motor vehicle, whereas the adjustment device in Fig. 3b is shown from outside the motor vehicle looking towards the motor vehicle.

[0016] In the figures, identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0017] In the Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b and in the Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b shows schematic views of a vehicle front 1 of a motor vehicle 2. The vehicle front 1 is formed by a front module of the motor vehicle 2, which is covered by an outer panel 3. The outer panel 3 has an air guiding opening 4 towards the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction x, through which an air flow can be guided inside the outer panel 3 of the motor vehicle 2 to a wheel house 5 of a wheel (not shown in the figures) of the motor vehicle 2. The air flow flowing in via the air guiding opening 4 can be guided along a wheel flank of the wheel of the motor vehicle 2 in order to advantageously influence the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle 2.

[0018] In order to be able to direct the air flow particularly advantageously, the motor vehicle 2 has an air guiding device 6 with an air guiding element 7 which is arranged between a Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a shown retracted position 8 and at least one in the Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b, in order to guide the air flow along the wheel flank and to direct or adjust the air flow. In the retracted position 8, the air guide element 7 fits flush into the adjacent outer panel 3 of the motor vehicle 2, wherein Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a that the air guide element 7 is part of the outer panel 3. In the retracted position 8, the air guide element 7 forms, together with the adjacent outer panel 3, a smooth side surface of the motor vehicle 2. In the extended position 9, the air guide element 7 is adjusted, compared to the retracted position 8, along a vehicle vertical direction z and / or the vehicle longitudinal direction x and / or a vehicle transverse direction y. By adjusting the air guide element 7, a flow cross-section of the air guide opening 4 and of an air guide duct 11 can be adjusted. In each of the positions, a front edge 10 of the air guide element 7 forms a lateral boundary of the air guide opening 4 and of the air guide duct 11. Adjusting the air guide device 6 between the positions enables the flow cross-section of the air guide opening 4 and of the air guide duct 11 to be widened and narrowed along the vehicle transverse direction y.

[0019] The air flow can be introduced into the air guide duct 11, which is laterally delimited by the air guide element 7, via the air guide opening 4. The air guide duct 11 extends along an inner side of the air guide element 7 from the air guide opening 4 to the wheel house 5, at which the air flow flows out of the air guide duct 11. By adjusting the air guide element 7 between the positions, a flow cross-section of the air guide duct 11 can be varied along its length in order to adjust the air flow as it flows through the air guide duct 11. When adjusting the air flow, a flow type such as turbulent or laminar, and / or a flow velocity of the air flow and / or a flow direction of the air flow and / or a flow cross-sectional area of ​​the air flow can be adjusted by means of the air guide device 6.In particular, the air flow is adjusted by means of the air guiding element 7 in such a way that particularly advantageous aerodynamic properties can be achieved when the air flow flows along the wheel flank of the wheel of the motor vehicle 2.

[0020] In the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shows schematic perspective views of an adjusting device 12 of the air guiding device 6, by means of which the air guiding element 7 can be adjusted between the retracted position 8 and the at least one extended position 9. The adjusting device 12 has an electric drive 13, by means of which the air guiding element 7 can be adjusted via a four-bar mechanism 14. The four-bar mechanism 14 comprises four joint elements 15, which are connected to the air guiding element 7 at respective joint points 16. Thus, the joint elements 15, which are elongated in this case, are each connected at one end to a joint point 16 of the air guiding element 7 and at the other end via a respective drive rod 17 to another of the joint elements 15. The drive rods 17, of which the adjusting device 12 comprises two in this case, run essentially along the vertical direction z of the motor vehicle 2.Via the drive rods 17, respective joint elements 15 arranged one above the other along the vehicle's vertical direction z are connected to one another in order to be pivoted together about the respective associated drive rod 17. A pivot axis, about which the respective joint elements 15 can be pivoted to adjust the air guide element 7, runs parallel to a respective direction of extension of the drive rods 17. In the present case, one of the drive rods 17 is connected to the electric drive 13, so that this drive rod 17 connected to the electric drive 13 can be rotated by the electric drive 13 in order to adjust the air guide element 7. The two drive rods 17 are fixed in their position relative to one another by means of a connecting element 18.Consequently, the joint elements 15 are fixed at one end relative to one another via the drive rods 17, which are fixed in their spacing from one another, by means of the connecting element 18, and at the other end relative to one another via the joint points 16 of the air guide element 7. By means of the . Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the air guiding element 7 is thus adjustable when adjusted between the retracted position 8 and the at least one extended position 9 along the vehicle longitudinal direction x and along the vehicle transverse direction y.

[0021] By means of the adjustment device 12, the air guide element 7 can be adjusted between the at least two positions, in particular depending on a speed of the motor vehicle 2. For this purpose, a respective speed of the motor vehicle 2 is determined, and depending on the determined speed, the flow cross-section of the air guide opening 4 and the flow cross-section of the air guide duct 11 are adjusted by means of the air guide element 7 in order to flow around the respective wheel of the motor vehicle 2 at the respective speed in a particularly advantageous manner by means of the air flow on the wheel flank. For particularly advantageous aerodynamics, the motor vehicle 2 can in particular have a plurality of air guide devices 6, in particular two air guide devices 6 assigned to a respective front wheel.

[0022] The described air guiding device 6 is based on the realization that, in the context of motor vehicle emissions in real operation or in order to meet range targets for electric vehicles, attention must be paid to minimizing the driving resistance of the motor vehicle 2. An important factor influencing driving resistance is the front wheel housings 5 ​​and the wheels of the motor vehicle 2 located therein. Air turbulence at the wheels can negatively influence the driving resistance of the motor vehicle 2. A significant portion of the overall vehicle driving resistance is caused by the air turbulence in the front wheel housings 5 ​​as a result of vehicle movement or wheel movement of the wheels of the motor vehicle 2.The wheel houses 5 are to be sealed off by using an active so-called air curtain, which can also be referred to as an "air curtain", which means a targeted influence on the air flow flowing around the wheel flanks of the wheels. For this purpose, the air flow is directed specifically along the outside of the wheel house 5, thus aerodynamically sealing off the wheel house 5 from the surroundings of the motor vehicle 2. This makes it possible to keep flow losses particularly low. In order to be able to provide the flow cross-section required for the air flow in each case, the air curtain is actively designed by adjusting the air flow using the air guide element 7. In particular, the air guide element 7 can be adjusted outwards on the side of the motor vehicle 2 depending on the speed, whereby the air guide duct 11 can be opened or enlarged.The air guiding device 6 enables a variable opening of the flow cross-section of the air guiding opening 4 or the air guiding duct 11 required for the “air curtain”. This enables desired designs to be created while meeting aerodynamic requirements to minimize driving resistance. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle front 2 motor vehicles 3 Exterior cladding 4 Air vent 5 wheel house 6 Air guiding device 7 Air guide element 8 retracted position 9 extended position 10 edge 11 Air duct 12 Adjustment device 13 electric drive 14 Four-bar mechanism 15 Joint element 16 articulation point 17 Drive rod 18 Connecting element x Vehicle longitudinal direction y vehicle transverse direction z Vehicle vertical direction

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (2) with an air guiding device (6) for a vehicle front (1) of the motor vehicle (2), with an air guiding element (7) which is adjustable between a retracted position (8) and at least one extended position (9) in order to guide an air flow along a wheel flank of a wheel of the motor vehicle (2), wherein the air guiding element (7) laterally delimits an air guiding opening (4) which is open in the retracted position (8) and in the at least one extended position (9), the flow cross-section of which air guiding opening is adjustable by means of the air guiding element (7), characterized by that the air guiding element (7) has a front edge (10) which, in the retracted position (8) of the air guiding element (7), delimits the open air guiding opening (4) at the front of the motor vehicle and, in the at least one extended position (9) of the air guiding element (7), widens the flow cross-section of the air guiding opening (4). [2] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that an adjusting device (12) for adjusting the air guiding element (7) has a four-bar mechanism (14) via which the air guiding element (7) can be adjusted between the at least two positions (8, 9). [3] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the air guiding element (7) is designed as part of an outer panel (3) of the motor vehicle (2), wherein the air guiding element (7) in the retracted position (8) is flush with the adjacent outer panel (3). [4] Motor vehicle (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air guiding element (7) extends between the air guiding opening (4) and a wheel house cutout (5) of the outer panel (3). [5] Motor vehicle (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized bythat the air guiding element (7) is adjustable between the at least two positions (8, 9) by means of the adjusting device (12) of the air guiding device (6) depending on a speed of the motor vehicle (2).

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