Test bench device for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a test stand device (2) for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one stationary support structure (4), at least one exterior mirror (6) comprising a mirror base (8) and a mirror head (10), wherein at least the mirror head (10) of the exterior mirror (6) is open to fluid flow, and comprising at least one fixing unit (12) by which the exterior mirror (6) can be detachably fixed or secured to the support structure (4), wherein the fixing unit (12) comprises at least one receptacle (14) fixed to the support structure (4) which has a plurality of recesses (18) extending parallel to a joining direction (16), and wherein the fixing unit (12) comprises at least one pin- or bolt-like fixing means (20).which is detachably or indetachably arranged on the mirror base (8) and which, during assembly, can be inserted into one of the recesses (18) of the receptacle (14) with a fixing section along the assembly direction (16) and which, in an assembled arrangement in which the mirror base (8) encompasses its smallest distance to the receptacle (14) in the assembly direction and is fixed relative to the receptacle (14) at least rotationally fixed, is detachably, in particular by force-locking and / or form-locking, fixed in the recess (18).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a test bench device for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Test rigs for the aerodynamic analysis of motor vehicles are known for the aerodynamic optimization of vehicle components, particularly exterior mirrors. In these rigs, a model of the motor vehicle, for example a simulation body, and its external components are arranged in a wind tunnel. By changing the arrangement of external components with respect to their position on the motor vehicle, air resistance can be reduced, and energy efficiency and driving performance can be improved.

[0003] Known solutions involve fixed wind tunnel models made of various materials, in which the external components, especially the side mirrors, are permanently mounted. Changing the position of the side mirror on the vehicle is either impossible or extremely difficult. In such cases, adjustments are made through various measurements and iteratively designed tests.

[0004] With existing methods, a disadvantage has been found to be that a fixed connection between the exterior mirror and the model allows only very limited adjustments to its position. Minor adjustments, especially positional changes, are not possible. This leads to a time-consuming and costly optimization process that impairs the efficiency of the aerodynamic analysis.

[0005] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a test bench device for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle in which an exterior mirror can be arranged more easily in different positions.

[0006] This problem is solved by a test rig for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one stationary support structure, at least one exterior mirror comprising a mirror base and a mirror head, wherein at least the mirror head of the exterior mirror is permeable to fluid flow, and at least one fixing unit by which the exterior mirror can be detachably fixed or fixed to the support structure, wherein the fixing unit comprises at least one receptacle fixed to the support structure, which has a plurality of recesses extending parallel to a joining direction, and wherein the fixing unit comprises at least one pin- or bolt-like fixing means which is detachably or permanently arranged on the mirror base and which, during assembly, can be inserted into one of the recesses of the receptacle with a fixing section along the joining direction and which, in a joined arrangement,in which the mirror base encompasses its smallest distance for receiving in the joining direction and is fixed relative to the receiving at least rotationally fixed, in the recess, releasably, in particular force-locking and / or form-locking, is fixed.

[0007] Because the fixing unit has a receptacle with a plurality of recesses extending parallel to the joining direction, the mirror base can be easily arranged in different recesses of the receptacle and thus in different positions on the motor vehicle or a motor vehicle model by means of the pin- or bolt-like fixing means.

[0008] Because the mirror base is fixed in a rotationally fixed position relative to the mount, the exterior mirror can be prevented from moving when an airflow approaches from a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction.

[0009] Aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle can be understood as the process of arranging a motor vehicle or a simulation body on a test rig, particularly in a wind tunnel. The simulation body can represent the outer skin of the motor vehicle and be made of plastic, foam, wood, or similar materials.

[0010] The mounting can be designed in any way. It can be implemented simply and cost-effectively if the mounting comprises a plate body that includes the majority of recesses extending parallel to the joining direction and that is detachably, in particular by force-fit and / or form-fit, or permanently, attached to the supporting structure, in particular by material-fit, force-fit and / or form-fit.

[0011] If the plate body can be detachably fixed to the supporting structure, it can be easily positioned and removed when needed or no longer required.

[0012] If the plate body is permanently fixed to the supporting structure, the supporting structure and the mounting can be easily pre-assembled in a loss-proof manner.

[0013] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the plate body comprises a grid plate, wherein the majority of recesses extending parallel to the joining direction are arranged transversely to the joining direction in a hole-like grid pattern over at least two rows and at least two columns of the grid plate, wherein the recesses arranged in a column are equidistant from each other and / or wherein the recesses arranged in a row are equidistant from each other.

[0014] In such cases, the cutouts can form a regular grid. In particular, the entire surface of the panel body facing the exterior mirror can be covered by cutouts.

[0015] The grid plate can have a thickness, viewed in the joining direction, of at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, and in particular at least 20 mm.

[0016] The plate body can have a rectangular geometry and, for example, a cross-sectional area of ​​at least 50 x 50 mm, at least 100 x 100 mm, in particular at least 100 x 150 mm, in particular 150 x 150 mm, viewed transversely to the joining direction.

[0017] This makes it possible to easily assume a wide variety of positions where an exterior mirror can be positioned on the outer skin of a motor vehicle.

[0018] The inclusion of the fixing unit allows the exterior mirror to be positioned at different locations relative to the vehicle's vertical and longitudinal axes. To vary the position of the exterior mirror relative to the vehicle's transverse axis, it is advantageous if the test stand device includes at least one spacer that can be positioned, or is already positioned, between the mounting and the mirror base, and that has a continuous recess through which the fixing element can be inserted.

[0019] The spacer can be, for example, a washer, a bushing, or the like. The spacer increases or decreases the distance between the mirror base and the mount. This allows the positioning of the exterior mirror relative to the vehicle's transverse axis to be adjusted.

[0020] Furthermore, embodiments of the test stand device are conceivable in which at least one of the at least one fixing means and the mirror base form a common component, or in which at least one of the at least one fixing means comprises a component separable from the mirror base, wherein the fixing unit comprises at least one continuous opening in the mirror base which extends parallel to the joining direction in the joined arrangement, wherein the fixing means extends through the opening in the mirror base in the joined arrangement and bears against the mirror base, in particular over a surface, with a rear grip section which projects beyond the opening in the mirror base transversely to the joining direction.

[0021] If the fixing element and the mirror base form a single component, the fixing element can, for example, be pin-shaped. In this case, it is located on a surface of the mirror base facing the mounting and extends parallel to the joining direction towards the mounting.

[0022] If the fixing means includes a component separable from the mirror base, the mirror base may include a conventional mirror base.

[0023] Furthermore, embodiments are conceivable in which at least two, and in particular at least four, fixing means are provided. These can be arranged uniformly, especially in the corner areas of the mirror base, or arranged for joining.

[0024] If the mirror base includes at least one through-hole, the fixing element can easily be extended through the mirror base. The rear gripping section of the fixing element can, for example, be head-shaped. The fixing element can, for example, include a bolt or a screw.

[0025] In order to allow the exterior mirror to be arranged in different locations, it proves advantageous if at least one of the at least one opening in the mirror base comprises an elongated hole that has an L-shaped cross-section transverse to the joining direction.

[0026] If at least one of the openings in the mirror base includes an elongated hole, the mirror base can be moved relative to the mounting in a pre-assembled arrangement. In such a case, for example, if the fixing element is screw- or bolt-like, it is conceivable that the fixing element is already positioned with its fixing section in one of the recesses, but at the same time sufficient play is provided to the rear gripping section of the fixing element to move the mirror base in a plane transverse to the assembly direction relative to the mounting.

[0027] In principle, it is conceivable that the mirror base has a single opening. This would allow the exterior mirror to be clamped to the mount via the mirror base by tightening the locking mechanism.

[0028] To improve the fixing of the exterior mirror to the fixing unit, it proves advantageous if the fixing unit comprises at least two, in particular at least four, openings in the mirror base, which are arranged at an edge area, in particular in the area of ​​a corner, of the mirror base.

[0029] The at least one fixing means can be easily fixed in the recess if the recesses of the receptacle include an internal thread section and if the fixing section of at least one fixing means includes an external thread section that is corresponding, in particular complementary, to the internal thread section of the recess, wherein the plate body comprising the grid plate includes a threaded grid plate.

[0030] This allows the fixing device with its fixing section to be screwed into the recess.

[0031] The mounting, in particular the plate body, especially the grid plate, can be made of tool steel or aluminum.

[0032] Furthermore, embodiments of the test bench device are conceivable in which the fixing means in the recess can be produced by force-fit, in particular by clamping or by positive fit, for example by means of a bayonet fitting.

[0033] The mirror base can be tightened by rotating the fixing element, for example, if it is screw- or bolt-shaped, around an axis of rotation extending parallel to the assembly direction. In this case, the fixing element is screwed into the internal threaded section of the recess via its external threaded section. Furthermore, embodiments of the test stand device are conceivable in which the rear gripping section of the fixing element is designed, for example, like a quick-release fastener.

[0034] To facilitate the alignment of the external mirror, it proves advantageous if at least one of the at least one fixing means of the fixing unit can be arranged in a prefabricated arrangement in which it extends through one of the at least one opening in the mirror base, in which it is fixed with a fixing section in one of the recesses of the receptacle and in which the distance between the receptacle and the rear grip section in the joining direction is greater than the thickness of the mirror base in the joining direction.

[0035] In such a case, the exterior mirror can be pre-mounted on the mount and, after reaching a predefined position and alignment, can be transferred from the pre-assembled arrangement to a joined arrangement by means of the fixing means, in which the exterior mirror is fixed at least rotationally fixed with respect to the mount.

[0036] Finally, one embodiment of the test bench device comprises at least one outer skin element of the vehicle or of a simulation body, which is arranged between the supporting structure and the mirror head of the exterior mirror and which includes an opening through which the exterior mirror is at least partially penetrated with its mirror base.

[0037] The outer skin material can provide an outer surface for a vehicle to be designed. The outer skin material can be a motor vehicle or at least a simulation body.

[0038] The simulation body can, for example, comprise several blocks which, when combined, form an outer contour, in other words, the outer skin, of a vehicle being simulated. Because the outer skin material is positioned between the supporting structure and the mirror head of the exterior mirror, the section where the exterior mirror's base is mounted to the housing can be shielded by the outer skin material, thus causing no or only minimal disturbance to the aerodynamic flow.

[0039] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached patent claims, from the graphic representation and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the test bench device.

[0040] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A schematic front view of an embodiment of the test stand device; Fig. 2 A perspective detail view of an exterior mirror positioned on a photograph

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematically represented test rig for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle, designated as a whole by reference numeral 2. The test rig 2 comprises a stationary support structure 4 and an exterior mirror 6. The exterior mirror 6 comprises a mirror base 8 and a mirror head 10.

[0042] At least the mirror head 10 can be exposed to and surrounded by fluid during the aerodynamic analysis of the motor vehicle.

[0043] Furthermore, the test stand device 2 includes a fixing unit 12 by which the exterior mirror 6 can be detachably fixed to the support structure 4. The fixing unit 12 comprises a receptacle 14 fixed to the support structure 4, which has a plurality of recesses 18 extending parallel to a joining direction 16.

[0044] Furthermore, the fixing unit 12 comprises fixing means 20, which are arranged on the mirror base 8 and can be inserted into one of the recesses 18 along the joining direction 16 with a fixing section (not shown in the figures). In a joined arrangement, the mirror base 8 is at its smallest distance from the receiving 14 in the joining direction 16 and is fixed relative to the receiving 14 at least rotationally fixed. The fixing means 20 are detachably fixed in the recess 18.

[0045] The in Fig. 1. An exemplary embodiment of the test stand device 2 comprises an outer skin element 22, which is arranged between the support structure 4 and the mirror base 8 of the exterior mirror 6. The outer skin element 22 includes an opening 24 through which the exterior mirror 6 with its mirror base 8 can be inserted and arranged on the receptacle 14 of the fixing unit 12.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view in the area of ​​the fixing unit 12. From Fig. Figure 2 shows that the mounting 14 can comprise a plate body 26 and that the majority of recesses 18 can be arranged in a grid pattern across the surface of the plate body 26. In this case, the plate body 26 forms a threaded grid plate.

[0047] The recesses 18 are each evenly spaced apart from each other when they are spaced apart in a column or when they are spaced apart in a row.

[0048] Furthermore, it is from Fig.As can be seen in Figure 2, the fixing unit 12 comprises openings 28 in the mirror base 8. These openings 28 are designed as elongated holes and have an L-shaped cross-section transverse to the joining direction 16. The fixing element 20 can be inserted through the openings 28. In a defined arrangement, the fixing element 20 engages with its fixing section in a recess 18 and engages behind the mirror base 8 on the side facing away from the receptacle 14 with a rear engagement section 30. The rear engagement section 30 has a cross-section transverse to the joining direction 16 that is larger than the diameter of the opening 28.

[0049] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing can be essential, both individually and in any combination, in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of protection of the following claims. Reference symbol list 2 Test bench device 4 Supporting structure 6 exterior mirrors 8 Mirror base 10 Mirror head 12 Setting unit 14th entry 16 Leading direction 18 recess 20 fixing agents 22 Exterior skin products 24 Breakthrough 26 plate bodies 28 Opening 30 Backhand section

Claims

[1] Test stand device (2) for the aerodynamic analysis of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one stationary support structure (4), at least one external mirror (6) comprising a mirror base (8) and a mirror head (10), wherein at least the mirror head (10) of the external mirror (6) is open to and around flow of fluid, and comprising at least one fixing unit (12) by which the external mirror (6) can be detachably fixed or secured to the support structure (4), wherein the fixing unit (12) comprises at least one receptacle (14) fixed to the support structure (4) which has a plurality of recesses (18) extending parallel to a joining direction (16), and wherein the fixing unit (12) comprises at least one pin- or bolt-like fixing means (20),which is detachably or indetachably arranged on the mirror base (8) and which, during assembly, can be inserted into one of the recesses (18) of the receptacle (14) with a fixing section along the assembly direction (16) and which, in an assembled arrangement in which the mirror base (8) encompasses its smallest distance to the receptacle (14) in the assembly direction and is fixed relative to the receptacle (14) at least rotationally fixed, is detachably, in particular by force-locking and / or form-locking, fixed in the recess (18). [2] Test stand device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the receptacle (14) comprises a plate body which includes the majority of recesses (18) extending parallel to the joining direction and which is detachably, in particular force-fit and / or form-fit, or indetachably, in particular material-fit, force-fit and / or form-fit, attached to the supporting structure (4). [3] Test stand device (2) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the plate body comprises a grid plate, wherein the majority of recesses (18) extending parallel to the joining direction are arranged transversely to the joining direction in a hole-like grid over at least two rows and at least two columns of the grid plate, wherein the recesses (18) arranged in a column are equidistant from each other and / or wherein the recesses (18) arranged in a row are equidistant from each other. [4] Test bench device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one spacer that can be arranged or is arranged between the receptacle (14) and the mirror base (8) and that includes a continuous recess (18) through which the fixing means (20) can be inserted. [5] Test stand device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one of the at least one fixing means (20) and the mirror base (8) form a common component, or that at least one of the at least one fixing means (20) comprises a component separable from the mirror base (8), wherein the fixing unit (12) comprises at least one continuous opening (28) in the mirror base (8) which extends parallel to the joining direction in the joined arrangement, wherein the fixing means (20) extends through the opening (28) in the mirror base (8) in the joined arrangement and bears against the mirror base (8) on a side of the mirror base (8) facing away from the receiving (14), in particular over a surface. [6] Test stand device (2) according to claim 5, characterized by , that at least one of the at least one opening (28) in the mirror base (8) comprises an elongated hole having an L-shaped cross-section transverse to the joining direction. [7] Test stand device (2) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the fixing unit comprises at least two, in particular at least four, openings (28) in the mirror base (8) which are arranged at an edge area, in particular in the area of ​​a corner, of the mirror base (8). [8] Test stand device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the recesses (18) of the receptacle (14) comprise an internal thread section and that the fixing section of at least one of the at least one fixing means comprises an external thread section which is formed correspondingly, in particular complementarily, to the internal thread section of the recess (18), wherein the plate body (26) comprising the grid plate comprises a threaded grid plate. [9] Test bench apparatus (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one of the at least one fixing means (20) of the fixing unit can be arranged in a prefabricated arrangement in which the fixing means (20) extends through one of the at least one opening (28) in the mirror base (8), in which the fixing means (20) is fixed with a fixing section in one of the recesses (18) of the receptacle (14) and in which a distance between receptacle (14) and rear grip section (30) in the joining direction is greater than the thickness of the mirror base (8) in the joining direction. [10] Test stand device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one outer skin element (22) of the vehicle or of a simulation body, which is arranged between the supporting structure (4) and the mirror head (10) of the exterior mirror (6) and which includes an opening (24) through which the exterior mirror (6) is at least partially inserted with its mirror base (8).

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