Air guide device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an air guide device (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising an air guide element (3) extending along a transverse axis (Y) of the vehicle body (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and along a longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle body (4), wherein the air guide element (3) has an end edge region (6) extending along the transverse axis (Y) of the vehicle body and facing away from a front (5) of the vehicle body (4), which has a trailing edge element (7) movable into at least one retracted position and one extended position. According to the invention, the trailing edge element (7) is adjustable into the retracted position and the extended position by a sliding and / or rotating movement of the air guide element (3).

Description

The invention relates to an air guidance device of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Air guide devices comprising air guide elements for motor vehicles are well known. These air guide elements are, in particular, so-called rear spoilers, which are movably mounted on the vehicle body so that they can assume different positions relative to the vehicle body between a first end position and a second end position. In the first end position, the rear spoiler is generally flush with the vehicle body, while in the second end position it is usually positioned as far away from the vehicle body as possible. The rear spoiler allows, in particular, the downforce of the vehicle to be varied during operation. However, the air guide elements, in the form of a rear wing, can also be fixedly mounted on the vehicle body.The downforce can be further varied if the air guide element has a movable separation edge element, a so-called "Gurney flap". This separation edge element is located on the air guide element at the end facing away from the vehicle body. From German patent application WO 2014 / 167339 A1, a vehicle airflow control device is known, comprising an airflow discharge device arranged on or in a vehicle surface and preferably located in the rear of the vehicle. This device serves to reduce lift when the vehicle is moving forward. The airflow discharge device is located behind or within a downwardly inclined area of ​​the upper vehicle body. The device has a Gurney flap that extends over the vehicle surface when extended and is flush with the vehicle surface when retracted. The Gurney flap is retractable and can be extended by sliding a cover along a vertical axis of the vehicle body. US patent 10,703,458 B2 discloses an air guide device with an adjustable rear spoiler and a Gurney flap assembly, comprising an air guide plate with an opening in its surface and a Gurney flap. The Gurney flap can be moved between a first position, in which it passes through the opening and protrudes from the surface of the air guide plate, and a second position, in which it does not protrude from the air guide plate or protrudes less. A sealing mechanism around the opening ensures that in the second position there is no gap between the Gurney flap and the air guide plate, thus preventing the ingress of dirt and moisture. German patent application DE 10 2020 111 936 A1 discloses an air guidance device for a motor vehicle, comprising an outer skin component that forms the vehicle's outer skin. A rear spoiler is attached to this outer skin component and is adjustable between a retracted rest position and at least one extended operating position. The rear spoiler can be moved relative to the outer skin component by pivoting about a pivot axis. In the rest position, the rear spoiler is flush with the outer skin component and separated by a gap. This gap is completely covered in the rest position by a Gurney flap attached to the rear spoiler. The movable Gurney flap acts as a trailing edge and influences the vehicle's aerodynamics in both the rest position and the operating position of the rear spoiler. German patent application DE 10 2024 001 448 A1 describes an air guide device for a motor vehicle, wherein two air guide elements are coupled to each other in terms of movement, so that depending on a movement of one air guide element, the other air guide element can automatically be moved relative to the first air guide element. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved air guidance device for a motor vehicle. The problem is solved according to the invention with an air guide device for a motor vehicle 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. An air guidance device according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises an air guidance element extending along a transverse axis of the vehicle body and along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. The air guidance element has an end edge region extending along the transverse axis of the vehicle body and facing away from the front of the vehicle body, on which a trailing edge element movable into a retracted and an extended position is arranged.According to the invention, the tear-off edge element is adjustable into the retracted and extended positions by a sliding and / or rotating movement of the air guide element, wherein the air guide element is separable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body into a first element part and a second element part, wherein the first element part and the second element part are designed to be movable relative to each other, and wherein the tear-off edge element is arranged between the two element parts in its extended position. That is to say, the tear-off edge element itself can have a sliding and / or rotating movement; however, to bring about the positions of the tear-off edge element, the air guide element is designed to be capable of a sliding and / or rotating movement, by means of which the tear-off edge element can be arranged in its retracted position or its extended, in particular fully extended, position.A combination of the movement of the trailing edge element and the air guide element to achieve the positions of the trailing edge element results in a large number of possible configurations for arranging the trailing edge element and the air guide element without gaps. Furthermore, if the air guide element can be moved into at least a first and a second position, the variability of the air guide device's settings can be significantly increased, allowing the air guide device to influence a multitude of vehicle operating conditions. The air guide element is separable along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body into a first and a second element part. Since the first and second element parts are designed to be movable relative to each other, it is possible to easily position the spoiler edge element beneath these two element parts in its retracted position. By moving both, or at least one, of the two element parts, an opening can be created through which the spoiler edge element can be extended, particularly along the vertical axis of the vehicle body, and brought into its fully extended position. In other words, the possible relative movement of the two element parts allows the spoiler edge element to be stored in its retracted position, almost like a drawer. The tear-off edge element is positioned between the two element parts in its extended position, thus enabling the closing of any gaps formed between the movable parts. This can be achieved, for example, by moving one or both element parts towards the tear-off edge element until they make contact with it. Typical crescent-shaped gaps are avoided. Preferably, the tear-off edge element is designed to be movable along a vertical axis of the vehicle body. In other words, it can be moved into its positions by means of a translational movement. A translational movement is fundamentally a simple, linear movement and can therefore be realized, in particular, with the aid of a cost-effective motion device. Advantageously, the tear-off edge element is arranged in its retracted position below a flow surface of the air guide element, in particular not visible from the outside. In particular, the two element parts can be arranged in alignment with each other so that a flat inflow surface of the air guide element can be achieved when the trailing edge element is in the retracted position. A synchronous movement of the tear-off edge element with the first element part and / or the second element part, between which the tear-off edge element is to be moved, depending on which of the element parts is movable, leads to a seemingly advantageous movement when the tear-off edge element is rising or falling; however, the main advantage is that the tear-off edge element can be quickly brought into position and thus quickly adjusted to the driving conditions. In order to allow the trailing edge element to be adjusted quickly and with only a very short delay after its activation, it has a first width formed along the longitudinal axis of the body, which, compared to the total width of the air guide element, has a value that is smaller than a value of the total width, but is at most 25% of the value of the total width. In one embodiment of the air guide device according to the invention, the end edge region is curved along the transverse axis of the vehicle body. In other words, the end edge region and the trailing edge element are curved. The curved design can, for example, contribute to a harmonious vehicle body design. The aerodynamic effect of the air guide device in generating downforce is retained. 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. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle with an air guide device according to the prior art. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an air guide device with a rotatably movable trailing edge element.Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an air guide device according to the invention with a tear-off edge element in an extended position, wherein an air guide element of the air guide device, comprising a first element part and a second element part, is arranged in its first position, and the tear-off edge element is received between the first element part and the second element part, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention with the tear-off edge element in the extended position, wherein the tear-off edge element is received between the first element part and the second element part of the air guide element, and wherein the air guide element is arranged in its second position ... air guide element is received between the first element part and the second element part of the air guide element, and wherein the air guide element is arranged in its second position, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention with the tear-off edge element in the extended position, wherein the air guide element is received between the first element part and the second element part of the air guide element, and wherein the air guide element is arranged in its second position, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention.Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention with the air guide element comprising the first element part and the second element part, arranged in the first position, and with the tear-off edge element in a fully retracted position. Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to Fig. 5 with the tear-off edge element in an intermediate position and the second element part in its open position. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to Fig. 6 with the tear-off edge element in a further intermediate position. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to Fig. 6 with the tear-off edge element in its fully extended position.Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention with the air guide element comprising the first element part and the second element part, arranged in the first position, and with the tear-off edge element in a fully extended position, and the second element part in its closed position; Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the air guide device according to the invention with the tear-off edge element in its fully extended position, and the second element part in its closed position; and Fig. 11 shows a top view of the air guide device according to Fig. 10. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle 1 designed according to the prior art with an air guide device 2. The air guide device 2 comprises an air guide element 3, which is designed in the form of a rear spoiler, wherein the air guide element 3 extends along a transverse body axis Y of a motor vehicle body 4 of the motor vehicle 1 and along a longitudinal body axis X of the motor vehicle body 4. The air guide element 3 has a curved end edge region 6 extending along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle body, facing away from a front 5 of the vehicle body 4, and featuring an end edge 11 facing away from the front 5. A trailing edge element 7 is arranged on this end edge 11. The trailing edge element 7 serves to increase downforce. However, if it is rigidly and therefore not movable, attached to the air guide element 3 as is the case according to the prior art, the air resistance of the vehicle 1 increases. Furthermore, the trailing edge element 7, which is also referred to as a "Gurney element" or "Gurney flap," can also be considered visually detrimental to the overall appearance of the vehicle body 4. The end edge 11 of the air guide element 3 is curved along the transverse axis Y of the vehicle body and is thus, in the present embodiment, adapted to the shape of the vehicle body 4 for harmonization with it. If the trailing edge element 7, which is complementary to the end edge 11, is formed in one piece and rotatably arranged on the air guide element 3, and is rotated from its folded position to its upright position by means of a rotary movement, a gap 20 exists in the upright position between the trailing edge element 7 and the air guide element 3, through which an airflow can pass and eliminates the desired function of the trailing edge element 7, namely to generate downforce. This is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which the air guide device 2 is equipped with the integrally formed and rotatable trailing edge element 7.2 the tear-off edge element 7 is shown in its upright position. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an air guide device 2 according to the invention with a trailing edge element 7 in an extended position, with the air guide element 3 arranged in its first position. The first position of the air guide element 3 corresponds to a position retracted into the vehicle body 4, which is a rest position, whereby, provided the trailing edge element 7 is arranged in its retracted position, no downforce is generated by the air guide element 3. In Figure 3, the trailing edge element 7 is shown in its fully extended position and can therefore influence the air resistance of the vehicle 1. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the air guide device 2 according to the invention, including the trailing edge element 7, also in the extended position. However, here the air guide element 3 is arranged in its second position. The second position corresponds to a working position in which the air guide element 3 is fully extended from the vehicle body 4 and generates downforce. This function is extended or at least modified by the additionally positioned trailing edge element 7. It should be noted here that the positioned trailing edge element 7, or the extended trailing edge element 7, can replace the need to manually adjust the air guide element 3 to its working position in the rest position, depending on the driving conditions. The trailing edge element 7 of the air guide device 2 according to the invention can be completely stowed beneath a frontal area 8 of the air guide element 3. For this purpose, the air guide element 3 can be separated into a first element part 9 and a second element part 10. The second element part 10 of the air guide element 3 has the end edge 11 of the air guide element 3 facing away from the front 5 of the vehicle body 4. In order to position the trailing edge element 7 as close as possible to this end edge 11, the second element part 10 is significantly shorter in its extension along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle body than the first element part 9. The trailing edge element 7 is arranged in its extended position between the two element parts 9 and 10. The first element part 9 and the second element part 10 are designed to be movable relative to each other. In the present embodiment, the second element part 10 has a movement device (not shown in detail), which can advantageously also be designed to move the tear-off edge element 7, for example by means of a correspondingly designed kinematic mechanism, and can be moved in the direction away from the first element part 9 along the longitudinal axis X of the body, thus translationally, in order to provide an opening 12 between the first element part 9 and the second element part 10 in which the tear-off edge element 7 can be arranged. This displacement process of the second element part 10 until the opening 12 is fully opened is illustrated in chronological order in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 to 9, whereby, depending on the degree of opening 12, the tear-off edge element 7 is positioned from its fully retracted position along the vertical axis Z of the vehicle body. In other words, the second element part 10 is first displaced by a first displacement V1 in the direction away from the first element part 9, and then the tear-off edge element 7 is moved translationally along the vertical axis Z of the vehicle body, thus also being displaced. This means that, in the present embodiment, the opening 12 is first fully opened, and with or shortly after the opening 12 is fully opened, the tear-off edge element 7 is moved into its fully extended position until it reaches this position. However, the second element part 10 and the tear-off edge element 7 could also be moved synchronously, with the tear-off edge element 7 being displaced along the body vertical axis Z depending on the displacement path of the second element part 10. Synchronous movement of the second element part 10 and the tear-off edge element 7 is advantageous because it allows for rapid deployment of the tear-off edge element 7's function. Fig. 5 illustrates the air guide device 2 according to the invention, comprising the air guide element 3, the first element part 9, and the second element part 10, arranged in the first position, and with the tear-off edge element 7 in a fully retracted position, wherein the two element parts 9 and 10 are aligned with each other. This aligned arrangement of the two element parts 9 and 10 is also present in the second position of the air guide element 3 when the tear-off edge element 7 is arranged in its fully retracted position in the air guide device 2. In Fig. 6, the tear-off edge element 7 is arranged in an intermediate position in the provided opening 12, and the second element part 10 is positioned in its opening position due to its first displacement path V1. Starting from the intermediate position, the tear-off edge element 7 is moved further along the body vertical axis Z; in Fig. 7 it is shown in a further intermediate position until it reaches its fully extended position, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Once the tear-off edge element 7 is fully extended, the second element part 10 is shifted towards the first element part 9 by a second displacement V2, so that any remaining gap 13 of the opening 12 between the tear-off edge element 7 (in its extended position) and the second element part 10 is closed. This is illustrated in Fig. 9. The second displacement path V2 is shorter than the first displacement path V1, since the end-edge element 7 is now positioned between the two element parts 9 and 10. In other words, following the positioning of the tear-off edge element 7 in its fully extended position, the second element part 10 is moved translationally in the direction of the first element part 9, particularly to make contact with the end-edge element 7. It should be noted here that the remaining gap 13 is formed by a shape, in particular a cross-section, of the tear-off edge element 7, since this is quasi-triangular in shape, and that an element end edge 14, which, viewed along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle body, projects beyond a base surface 15 of the tear-off edge element 7, must be guided through the opening 12 to position the tear-off edge element 7. Since, due to the quasi-triangular cross-section, the extent of a virtual tear-off edge surface of the tear-off edge element 7 in a plane extending along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle body and through the element end edge 14 is larger than the base surface 15, the opening 12 must necessarily be larger than the base surface 15 so that the tear-off edge element 7 can be positioned in its fully extended position.Thus, in this position, the remaining gap 13 remains, which can be closed by shifting the second element part 10 by the second displacement path V2. When the trailing edge element 7 is moved from its extended position back to its retracted position, the second element part 10 is first displaced by the second adjustment path V2 in the direction facing away from the first element part 9, until the movement gap 13 and thus the opening 12 is fully open. Subsequently, the trailing edge element 7 is moved synchronously with the second element part 10, moving downwards in the direction facing away from the airflow surface. The second element part 10 is moved towards the first element part 9 until it makes contact with it again, or at least until it makes contact with a sealing element (not shown in detail) located between the two element parts 9 and 10. The arrangement of the sealing element has the advantage that a joint 16 formed between the two element parts 9 and 10 can be completely closed. The positions of the tear-off edge element 7 mentioned and explained above are independent of the position of the air guide element 3. The positions described above refer to the air guide element 3 in its first position, but they could also be formed in the second position of the air guide element 3. In Figs. 10 and 11 the air guide device 1 according to the invention is illustrated in a perspective view and a top view respectively, with the tear-off edge element 7 in its fully extended position. It should be mentioned at this point that the air guide element 3, at least the first element part 9, could also be arranged in a cost-effective, immovable manner on the vehicle body 4, whereby the downforce can then only be varied with the trailing edge element 7. It should also be mentioned that not only can the second element part 10 be movable to create the opening 12, but the first element part 9 could also be movable relative to the second element part 10, or only the first element part 9 could be movable relative to the second element part 10. Although joints are formed between the two element parts 9, 10, as well as between the tear-off edge element 7, there are no gaps which negate or negatively influence an aerodynamic effect of the tear-off edge element 7. The relative movement of the two element parts 9, 10 to each other, and the movement of the tear-off edge element 7, can be initiated by means of a motion device (not shown in detail), which preferably has a multi-link kinematic system. The drive device is designed such that the two element parts 9, 10 and the tear-off edge element 7 can be moved independently or dependently. The movement device, preferably comprising an actuator and a mechanism, can be accommodated in a cavity 19 formed between an upper shell 17 and a lower shell 18 of the air guide element 3 and / or installed below the lower shell 18. The trailing edge element 7 has a first width B1 extending along the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle body, while the air guide element 3 has a total width extending along the longitudinal axis X, which is composed of the second width B2 of the first element part 9 and the third width B3 of the second element part 10. The trailing edge element 7 is designed with a first width B1 that is as large as necessary to achieve the desired downforce with the lowest possible increase in air resistance, and as small as possible to allow for rapid movement of the trailing edge element 7, preferably with immediate control. Thus, the value of the first width B1 should not exceed 25% of the total width. The tear-off edge element 7 could assume various positions between its fully retracted and fully extended positions, both when the air guide element 3 is retracted and when it is extended. It could also assume these various positions when the air guide element 3 is not movable. For example, in the case of a movable air guide element 3, which is fully extended along the longitudinal axis X of the body and thereby contributes to a reduction in the air resistance of the vehicle 1, it is entirely unnecessary to tilt it, provided that it is designed in the form of a so-called aerodynamically optimized spoiler, since sufficient downforce to achieve a stable driving condition of the vehicle 1 can be achieved in dynamic driving situations, for example, by tilting the movable trailing edge element 7. The tear-off edge element 7 could also be configured to perform a rotational or pivoting movement for positioning in its extended or retracted position. Alternatively, it could be configured to perform a combination of translational displacement movement and rotational or pivoting movement for positioning. In an embodiment not shown in detail, the separation edge element 7 is adjustable in such a way that it can be arranged in numerous other positions between its fully retracted position and its position from the point where it reaches the airflow surface 8. Reference symbol list 1 Motor vehicle 2 Air guide device 3 Air guide element 4 Motor vehicle body 5 Front 6 End edge area 7 Separation edge element 8 Flow surface 9 First element part 10 Second element part 11 End edge 12 Opening 13 Remaining gap 14 Element end edge 15 Base area 16 Joint 17 Upper shell 18 Lower shell 19 Cavity 20 Gap B1 First width B2 Second width B3 Third width V1 First displacement path V2 Second displacement path X Longitudinal axis of the body Y Transverse axis of the body Z Vertical axis of the body

Claims

Air guide device (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising an air guide element (3) extending along a transverse body axis (Y) of a motor vehicle body (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and along a longitudinal body axis (X) of the motor vehicle body (4), wherein the air guide element (3) has an end edge region (6) extending along the transverse body axis (Y) and facing away from a front (5) of the motor vehicle body (4), which has a trailing edge element (7) movable into at least one retracted position and one extended position, characterized in that the trailing edge element (7) is adjustable into the retracted position and the extended position by a sliding and / or a rotational movement of the air guide element (3), wherein the air guide element (3) is separable along the longitudinal body axis (X) into a first element part (9) and a second element part (10),wherein the first element part (9) and the second element part (10) are designed to be movable relative to each other, and wherein the tear-off edge element (7) is arranged in its extended position between the two element parts (9, 10). Air guide device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tear-off edge element (7) is designed to be movable along a vertical axis (Z) of the motor vehicle body (4). Air guide device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tear-off edge element (7) is movably received in the air guide device (2) by means of a movement device and can be brought into at least its retracted position and its fully extended position. Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-off edge element (7) is arranged in its retracted position under a flow surface (8) of the air guide element (3), in particular not visible from the outside. Air guidance device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element parts (9, 10) can be arranged in alignment with each other. Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-off edge element (7) is movable synchronously with the first element part (9) and / or the second element part (10). Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end edge area (6) and the tear-off edge element (7) are curved along the transverse axis (Y) of the body. Air guide device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-off edge element (7) has a first width (B1) formed along the longitudinal axis (X) of the body, and the air guide element (3) has a total width formed along the longitudinal axis (X) of the body, wherein the first width (B1) has a value which is less than a value of the total width, but is at most 25% of the value of the total width.

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