Air guide device of a motor vehicle body

Abstract

The invention relates to an air guidance device (2) of a motor vehicle body (1), wherein an air guidance unit (3) of the air guidance device (2) is movable relative to the motor vehicle body (1) by means of an adjusting device (4) and can be brought from a rest position into at least a first working position and a second working position. According to the invention, the air guidance unit (3) has a unit structure (5) comprising a rigid first element part (7) and a rigid second element part (8) formed independently of the first element part (7), which are connected by means of a third element part (9) of the unit structure (5), wherein the third element part (9) is designed to be flexible for movement of the first element part (7) relative to the second element part (8), and wherein the third element part (9) is uncurved in the first working position and has a curvature in the second working position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air guide device for a motor vehicle body according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Air guide devices for motor vehicle bodies, comprising an air guide unit, are known. These air guide units are so-called diffusers or rear wings, which are movably mounted on the motor vehicle body so that they can assume different positions relative to the body between a first maximum position and a second maximum position. The air guide unit allows, in particular, the downforce of the motor vehicle to be varied during operation. The air guide unit is connected to an adjustment mechanism that moves the air guide unit into its desired position and holds it there.

[0003] From the patent application DE 10 2023 003 047 A1, an air guide device for a motor vehicle is known, wherein a film hinge is arranged in a body outer skin of the motor vehicle, with the help of which a pivoting of an air guide element of the air guide device relative to the body outer skin is made possible.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2023 108 536 A1 describes an air guide device for a motor vehicle body with a flexible air guide element, wherein the air guide element has a frame in the interior of which a flexible working element is arranged. Under the influence of a tensile force, the flexible working element changes its geometry.

[0005] Patent application US 2004 / 0130182 A1 describes an air guidance device for a motor vehicle body, wherein a rear spoiler and a tailgate of the motor vehicle body are covered with a flexible and elastic material, and the elastic material is deformable by means of an adjustment device.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2019 115 338 A1 discloses an air guide device for a motor vehicle body in the form of a rear spoiler, which has a hinged inner part. When the inner part is raised, a surface covering the inner part is bent upwards.

[0007] German patent application DE 10 2021 112 769 A1 discloses an air guide device for a motor vehicle body, which has a linkage that can be moved to raise the rear spoiler. An elastic base body is arranged on the linkage, which has an elastic textile fabric projecting beyond the base body.

[0008] Patent DE 10 2020 116 613 B3 describes an air guide device for a motor vehicle body, comprising an elastic base element and an actuator assembly. The base element is connected to the actuator assembly at its underside and is moved translationally and with its own rotation by means of the actuator assembly. A support cable is attached to the upper side of the base element, and its end, which faces away from the base element, is fixed to the vehicle body. The support cable assists in deforming the base element, which can be moved backwards and upwards.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved air guidance device for a motor vehicle body.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention with an air guide device for a motor vehicle body having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] An air guidance device according to the invention for a motor vehicle body comprises an air guidance unit that is movable relative to the motor vehicle body by means of an adjustment device and can be brought from a rest position into at least a first working position and a second working position. According to the invention, the air guidance unit has a unit structure comprising a rigid first element part and a rigid second element part designed independently of the first element part, which are connected by means of a third element part of the unit structure, wherein the third element part is designed to be flexible for movement of the first element part relative to the second element part, and wherein the third element part is straight in the first working position and has a curvature in the second working position. The curvature corresponds to a convex curvature formed relative to the motor vehicle body.This means that the unit structure is only partially flexible and reversibly deformable to achieve an angled position of the air guide unit, which generates a thrust. The advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the third element part, due to its flexibility, can be used to adjust the air guide unit, and a simple and cost-effective adjustment device can be designed.

[0012] If the third element component is a spring steel sheet, it can be manufactured cost-effectively. Furthermore, flexibility is ensured because the spring steel sheet is not elastic and therefore not stretchable. Thus, a reversible adjustment of the first element component relative to the second can be achieved from a horizontal arrangement of the first and second elements.

[0013] To ensure sufficient freedom of movement between the first and second element sections, they are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the air duct unit. This gap is bridged by the third element section, although the resulting gap does not necessarily have to be completely filled by the third element section.

[0014] In a cost-effective manner, the adjusting device has a retaining element which is connected to the first element part and is designed to exert a tensile force on the first element part when the air guide unit is adjusted, wherein the retaining element is in particular designed in the form of a pull band.

[0015] To ensure the secure positioning of the air guidance unit from the first working position to the second working position, and to ensure the stable positioning of the air guidance unit in the second working position, the retaining element is firmly attached to the first element part at its first end and firmly attached to the bodywork at its second end, which is designed to face away from the first end.

[0016] A cost-effective air guidance device can be realized if the air guidance unit has a sheath in the form of a textile sheath, which encompasses at least the first element part, the second element part and the third element part.

[0017] Provided that the first element part and / or the second element part and / or the adjustment device are at least partially made of a fiber composite material, the air guide device can be designed in a lightweight construction.

[0018] Preferably, the air guide device is designed in the form of a rear spoiler and / or a diffuser, a so-called rear diffuser. The term "diffuser" also includes small diffusers on the underbody of the vehicle body, which serve to cool, in particular, disc brakes.

[0019] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Identical or functionally equivalent elements are assigned identical reference numerals. The figures show: Fig. 1 in a section of a motor vehicle body with an air guide device according to the invention, wherein an air guide unit of the air guide device is arranged in a rest position, Fig. 2 in a perspective view a unit structure of the air guide device according to the invention in the rest position, Fig. 3 in a section the motor vehicle body with the air guide device according to the invention, wherein the air guide unit is arranged in a first working position, Fig. 4 in a perspective view the unit structure of the air guide device according to the invention in the first working position, Fig. 5 in a section the motor vehicle body with the air guidance device according to the invention, wherein the air guidance unit is arranged in a second working position, Fig. 6 in a perspective view the unit structure of the air guide device according to the invention in the second working position, and Fig. Figure 7 shows a further perspective view of the unit structure of the air guide device according to the invention in the rest position.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a motor vehicle body 1 with an air guide device 2 according to the invention, wherein an air guide unit 3 of the air guide device 2 is arranged in its rest position. The air guide unit 3 is movably mounted in the motor vehicle body 1 by means of an adjustment device 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the air guide device 2 is designed in the form of a rear spoiler, wherein the air guide unit 3 forms a spoiler element that can be directed by an airflow, along which the airflow is guided.

[0021] The adjusting device 4 is designed to move the air guide unit 3, which can be brought into different positions with the aid of the adjusting device 4. The different positions include a rest position in which the air guide unit 3 is completely, or at least not generating any or no significant downforce, received in the vehicle body 1, and working positions in which the air guide unit 3 is adjusted to generate downforce.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view illustrating a unit structure 5 of the air guidance device 2 according to the invention in its rest position. The unit structure 5 is associated with the air guidance unit 3 and represents its basic framework. When the air guidance device 2 is installed in the vehicle body 1, the unit structure 5 is enveloped by a sheath 6, which is preferably a textile sheath and is therefore flexible.

[0023] The unit structure 5 is formed from a first element part 7, a second element part 8 and a third element part 9 connecting the first element part 7 with the second element part 8. A gap A is formed between the first element part 7 and the second element part 8, which is bridged at least section by means of the third element part 9, such that a connection between the first element part 7 and the second element part 8 is formed by means of the third element part 9.

[0024] The distance A is at least large enough that a movement of the first element part 7 relative to the second element part 8 is feasible, wherein the movement of the first element part 7 is a pivoting movement about a pivot axis 10, which is brought about by means of the adjusting device 4.

[0025] Starting from the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the 2 illustrated rest position, the air guidance unit 3, comprising the unit structure 5 and the casing 6, is moved from the rest position to the first working position in a translational movement, which is essentially a horizontal movement. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 illustrates this. Or, in other words, the air unit 3 is moved from the vehicle body 1 along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle body 1, specifically beyond a rear 11 of the vehicle body 1. For improved understanding, a Cartesian coordinate system is introduced, which has extension directions of axes of the vehicle body 1, the longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y, and a vertical axis Z.

[0026] Starting from the first working position, the air guidance unit 3 can be moved into its second working position, with the pivoting movement following the translational movement. The air guidance unit 3 is in its second working position in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 illustrated.

[0027] To bring about the pivoting movement, the adjusting device 4 has a non-elastic retaining element 12, which is designed in the form of a band and which is firmly connected to the first element part 7 at its first end 13 which faces the first element part 7.

[0028] The retaining element 12, which is inelastic and therefore not extensible, has a total length L between its first end 13 and its second end 14, which is fixed to the vehicle body and faces away from the first end 13. This total length L is greater than the first distance D1 between the first end 13 and the second end 14 in the rest position. From the rest position, the air guide unit 3 is moved into the first working position, whereby a second distance D2, corresponding to the total length L, is now formed between the first end 13 and the second end 14. The retaining element 12 is tensioned in the first working position. During a further translational movement of at least the second element part 8, the first element part 7 is pulled upwards by the retaining element 12, thus along the vertical axis Z of the vehicle body towards a roof 23 of the vehicle body 1, and thus pivoted about the pivot axis 10.In other words, the air guide unit 3 is moved further back from the first working position than the length of the holding element 12, so that the first element part 7 is raised upwards by a tensile force of the holding element 12 to bring about a desired downforce.

[0029] The third element 9, which connects the first element part 7 and the second element part 8, is elastic and preferably designed in the form of a spring sheet. Thus, the air guide unit 3 maintains a stable contour even in the second working position. When the air guide unit 3 is moved from the second working position back to the first working position, the retaining element 12 is released, and the first element part 7 is pivoted downwards back into its position corresponding to the first working position by means of the third element 9. From this first working position, the air guide unit 3 can then be moved back to its rest position.

[0030] In Fig.Figure 7 shows the air guidance unit 3 and the adjustment device 4 at least partially illustrated in a further perspective view in their rest position. The adjustment device 4 comprises a linear unit 15 for the translational movement of the unit structure 5. In the present embodiment, this linear unit 15 has two rail elements 16, wherein a drive 17 of the adjustment device 4 is movable along its longitudinal extent relative to the two fixed rail elements 16. For this purpose, the drive 17 has a slide 18 for each of the two rail elements 16, which is connected to the rail element 16 and movable relative to it. This slide 18 is translationally movable on the rail element 16. The drive 17 is fixedly connected to the second element part 8. This is advantageous for fast and precise movement of the unit structure 5 and thus of the air guidance unit 3.

[0031] The retaining element 12 is fixed to the bodywork at its first end 13 with the first element part 7 and at its second end 14.

[0032] For the preferred connection of the third element part 9 with the first element part 7 and the second element part 8, the two element parts 7, 8 each have an opposing groove 19 in which a segment end 20 of the third element part 9 is arranged. For a secure connection, the third element part 9 can be connected to the two element parts 7, 8 by force-fit, form-fit, and / or material-fit.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the unit structure 5 and the adjustment device 4 are housed in a casing 21, which can be rigidly connected to the vehicle body 1, while the unit structure 5 and the drive 17 can move relative to the casing 21. Thus, the air guide device 2 can be designed as a module that is inserted into the vehicle body 1. Alternatively, the casing 21 could be part of the vehicle body 1 and thus form a section of it.

[0034] The air guide unit 3 is typically in the second operating position whenever downforce is required, as it serves to generate downforce. Generating such downforce is necessary, for example, during braking, especially from high speeds, and / or when cornering, particularly at high speeds, to stabilize the vehicle body 1. In other words, during or shortly before braking, the air guide unit 3 is moved into the second operating position, or into another operating position between the first and second operating positions, to generate high downforce.

[0035] The air guidance unit 3 is in its first operating position, particularly when high speed is desired without the need for downforce, e.g., when driving on a straight road, and can be used to prevent exceeding a maximum tire load. Naturally, the air guidance unit 3 can be arranged in various intermediate positions between the rest position and the first operating position. Reference symbol list 1 Motor vehicle body 2 Air guide device 3 Air duct unit 4 Adjustment device 5 Unit structure 6 coat 7 First element part 8 Second element part 9 Third element part 10 Swivel axis 11 Rear 12 retaining elements 13 First End 14 Second Ending 15 linear units 16 rail elements 17 Drive 18 sleds 19 Nut 20 parts 21 cases 22 Longitudinal axis 23 Roof A distance D1 First Distance D2 Second Distance L Total length X Body longitudinal axis Y body transverse axis Z Body vertical axis

Claims

[1] Air guidance device (2) for a motor vehicle body (1), wherein an air guidance unit (3) of the air guidance device (2) is movable relative to the motor vehicle body (1) by means of an adjustment device (4) and can be brought from a rest position into at least a first working position and a second working position, characterized by , that the air guidance unit (3) has a unit structure (5) comprising a rigid first element part (7) and a rigid second element part (8) formed independently of the first element part (7), which are connected by means of a third element part (9) of the unit structure (5), wherein the third element part (9) is designed to be flexible for the movement of the first element part (7) relative to the second element part (8), and wherein the third element part (9) is uncurved in the first working position and has a curvature in the second working position. [2] Air guide device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the third element part (9) is a spring sheet. [3] Air guide device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the first element part (7) and the second element part (8) are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis (22) of the air guidance unit (3), having a distance (A). [4] Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the adjusting device (4) has a retaining element (12) which is connected to the first element part (7) and is designed to exert a tensile force on the first element part (7) when the air guide unit (3) is adjusted into the second working position. [5] Air guide device (2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the retaining element (12) is designed in the form of a pull strap. [6] Air guide device (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by, that the retaining element (12) is firmly attached to the first element part (7) at its first end (13) and is firmly attached to the bodywork at its second end (14) which is formed facing away from the first end (13). [7] Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air guidance unit (3) has a sheath (6) in the form of a textile sheath which is formed to encompass at least the first element part (7), the second element part (8) and the third element part (9). [8] Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first element part (7) and / or the second element part (8) and / or the adjustment device (4) are at least partially made of a fiber composite material. [9] Air guide device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the air guide device (2) is designed in the form of a rear spoiler and / or a diffuser.

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