Improved front end of a heavy vehicle

Abstract

Body section (91', 91'', 91'''') for a driver's cab (3) of a commercial vehicle (1), wherein the body section (91', 91'', 91'''') comprises a wall (92) defining a perimeter (92') that bounds an area (92''), wherein the body section (91', 91'', 91'''') is provided with an air-blocking element (93) connected to the perimeter (92') and / or the area (92''), wherein the air-blocking element (93) blocks air towards another section of the cab (3), a hood (4) of the cab (3) or an element within a space (5) of the cab (3).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a front section of a heavy vehicle.

[0002] The present invention finds its preferred, though not exclusive, application in commercial vehicles such as trucks. This application is described below as an example. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Commercial vehicles such as trucks include a driver's cab that is configured to house both the vehicle's operating systems and the driver's seating arrangement.

[0004] In the most common configuration, also known as "cab-over", the driver's seat is positioned above the operating systems, also to ensure a good view of the road.

[0005] Accordingly, the cabs of commercial vehicles have a greater vertical extent compared to passenger cars, which leads to increased problems related to air resistance.

[0006] In fact, air resistance increases proportionally to the vehicle's speed. Accordingly, the problem is particularly noticeable with commercial vehicles that frequently travel long distances at high speeds on highways.

[0007] It is therefore clear that reducing the vehicle's air resistance would inevitably lower fuel consumption and thus increase the vehicle's efficiency. This goal applies to both conventional combustion engines and vehicles with electric or hydrogen propulsion.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to reduce the air resistance of commercial vehicles and thereby increase the vehicle's efficiency.

[0009] One goal of this innovation is to meet the above-mentioned requirements in a cost-efficient and optimized manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The aforementioned objective is achieved by a body section 91', 91'', 91''' for a driver's cab 3 of a commercial vehicle 1, wherein the body section 91', 91'', 91''' comprises a wall 92 defining a perimeter 92' bounding an area 92'', wherein the body section 91', 91'', 91'' is provided with an air-blocking element 93 connected to either the perimeter 92' and / or the area 92'', wherein the air-blocking element 93 blocks air towards either another section of the cab 3, an engine hood 4 of the cab 3 or an element within a space 5 of the cab 3.

[0011] In particular, the wall 92 is essentially flat, and preferably the wall 92 has a linear or curved shape.

[0012] Preferably, the wall 92 is formed in one piece and is furthermore made of a polymer material.

[0013] In detail, the air blocking element 93 comprises a seal, the seal preferably being made of a polymer / rubber material.

[0014] Furthermore, the seal is connected to the wall 92 by a mechanical connection, in particular by bonding to the wall 92.

[0015] The problem is further solved by a driver's cab 3 of a commercial vehicle 1 comprising a body 3' and a section 91', 91'', 91''' as defined above, and a vehicle 1 comprising such a driver's cab 3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described below as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a driver's cab of a commercial vehicle in an open configuration, which is provided with the air blocking element according to the invention; and • the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 each show a perspective view and a sectional view of a first embodiment of a body section which is provided with an air-blocking element according to the invention; • the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 each show a perspective view and a sectional view of a second embodiment of a body section which is provided with an air-blocking element according to the invention; and • The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective view and a sectional view of a second embodiment of a body section which is provided with an air-blocking element according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a vehicle 1, for example a commercial vehicle such as a truck, extending along a longitudinal axis A which coincides with the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 in normal operation, as well as a transverse axis C and a vertical axis B.

[0018] Specifically, the vehicle 1 comprises a frame 2 and a cabin 3, which extends along the vertical axis B over the frame 2.

[0019] In particular, the driver's cab 3 includes a hood 4 which is movably mounted in relation to the body 3' of the driver's cab 3 to assume a first configuration in which it shields a space 5 of the driver's cab 3 from the environment, and a second configuration in which it allows access to the space 5 from the environment.

[0020] In detail, this engine hood 4 is connected to the body 3' of the driver's cab 3 via a movable connection (not shown), such as a hinge connection, which is designed to allow an upper section of the engine hood 4 to rotate about an axis that runs parallel to the transverse axis C.

[0021] The space 5 is therefore bounded by a perimeter 6 which corresponds to the shape defined by the hood 4 in the first-mentioned configuration.

[0022] The space 5 can accommodate various operating elements of the vehicle 1, in particular a section of its drive system, and specifically a thermal management section 7 comprising heat exchangers / ventilation means configured to cool an operating fluid of the vehicle.

[0023] In particular, the heat management section 7 is arranged in a central section of the space 5 along the transverse axis C and extends in particular along the vertical axis B, starting at a lower edge of the circumference 6 and - in the disclosed embodiment - without reaching its upper edge.

[0024] Advantageously, the driver's cab 3 includes a variety of elements configured to direct the airflow striking the hood 4 during driving in order to reduce drag.

[0025] Specifically, the elements can be supported by the engine hood 4 or by the body 3' of the driver's cab 3 along the circumference 6 of the space 5 or housed within the space 5. If such elements are supported by the body 3' or within the space 5, they are preferably in contact with the engine hood 4 during operation.

[0026] In particular, the elements include: • Sealing elements configured to prevent air passage through the hood 4 or between the hood 4 and the body 3 via the space 5; and / or • Guide elements configured to channel and direct the airflow through the hood 4 within the space 5.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the cabin 3 comprises at least one body section 91', 91'', 91''' which is provided with an air blocking element 93.

[0028] In particular, body section 91', 91'', 91''' is a section of body 3' of cabin 3, i.e. an element that both protects space 5 and defines the shape of body 3' itself.

[0029] In particular: - The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a first section 91', an essentially flat element arranged in a lateral section of the front of cabin 3; - The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a second section 91'' a, a curved element located in the lower middle area of ​​the front of cabin 3; and - The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a third section 91''', an essentially flat element located in the middle upper area of ​​the front of cabin 3 near the perimeter of space 5.

[0030] All of the above-listed sections 91', 91'', 91''' include a wall 92 shaped to define the respective and required shape of the section.

[0031] The wall 92 is thin and flattened or curved according to its special shape; it can be made in one or more parts and is preferably made of plastic.

[0032] In particular, the wall 92 forms a perimeter of 92', which bounds an area of ​​92''.

[0033] The air-blocking element 93 is arranged on at least one section of the circumference 92' and / or the surface 92'' to interact with a section of the body 3' and / or the hood 4 and / or an inner element within the space 5 to block the air passage between them.

[0034] In particular, the air blocking element 93 comprises a sealing element made of polymeric material, for example rubber.

[0035] More precisely, such a sealing element can only be provided for a section of the circumference 92' / area 92'', i.e. along a specific axial direction, or along the entire extent of the latter along this axial direction.

[0036] In the embodiment of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The air blocking element 93 is provided on the surface 92''. Specifically, the air blocking element 93 is provided in a section of the surface 92' along the vertical axis B and essentially in the middle of this surface along its transverse extent.

[0037] In the embodiment of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the air blocking element 93 is provided on the circumference 92', in particular on an upper edge of the wall 92.

[0038] In the embodiment of the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 the air blocking element 93 is provided on the circumference 92', in particular on a lower edge of the wall 92.

[0039] In detail, the air blocking element 93 can be attached to the surface 92' or to the circumference 92' by positive locking or by fastening by gluing or another known fastening method.

[0040] The functioning of the embodiment of the invention described above is as follows.

[0041] The air-blocking element 93 prevents airflow and thereby reduces the air resistance caused by airflow through remaining sections of space 5. In particular, in the first embodiment, the airflow within wall 92 and an element within space S is reduced; in the second and third embodiments, the airflow is reduced with respect to an adjacent element, such as the hood (according to the second embodiment) or another section of body 3'.

[0042] In view of the foregoing, the advantages of the body section, cabin and vehicle provided with an air-blocking element according to the invention are obvious.

[0043] Thanks to the blocking element, airflow through the space between the body section and adjacent sections is prevented.

[0044] This reduces air resistance and consequently the vehicle's fuel consumption.

[0045] It is clear that modifications can be made to the described body section equipped with an air-blocking element, the vehicle, the driver's cabin and the vehicle, which do not exceed the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0046] For example, the vehicle's driver's cab may have a different design, as may the hood. Accordingly, the shape and opening(s) of the sections of the claimed vehicle element may differ.

Claims

[1] Body section (91', 91'', 91'''') for a driver's cab (3) of a commercial vehicle (1), wherein the body section (91', 91'', 91'''') comprises a wall (92) defining a perimeter (92') that bounds an area (92''), wherein the body section (91', 91'', 91'''') is provided with an air-blocking element (93) connected to the perimeter (92') and / or the area (92''), wherein the air-blocking element (93) blocks air towards another section of the cab (3), a hood (4) of the cab (3) or an element within a space (5) of the cab (3). [2] Body section according to claim 1, wherein the wall (92) is substantially flat. [3] Body section according to claim 2, wherein the wall (92) has a linear or a curved shape. [4] Body section according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (92) is formed in one piece. [5] Body section according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (92) consists of a polymer material. [6] Body section according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the air blocking element (93) comprises a seal. [7] Body section according to claim 6, wherein the seal consists of a polymer or rubber material. [8] Body section according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the seal is attached to the wall (92) by a mechanical connection. [9] Body section according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the seal is attached to the wall (92) by gluing. [10] Driver's cab (3) of a commercial vehicle (1), comprising a body (3') and a section (91', 91'', 91'') according to one of the preceding claims. [11] Vehicle (1) comprising a driver's cab according to claim 10.

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