AUTOMOTIVE WITH A MOVABLE WIND GUIDE ELEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an automobile having a body and at least one adjustable body element, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for operating such an automobile according to claim 9.

[0003] Automobiles have a body or superstructure, which is crucial not only for the vehicle's exterior appearance, but also, in particular, for its handling and aerodynamic drag. The body comprises a multitude of body elements made of sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass, or similar materials.

[0004] To influence the handling of a car, it is known to design adjustable body elements. For example, it is known to install a so-called rear spoiler at the rear of a car, which can be adjusted depending on the driving speed. A rear spoiler serves to change, and in particular, to impair, the flow behavior of a car during driving in such a way as to increase the force of contact with the ground at the rear. This improves the car's roadholding and allows greater drive forces to be applied to the rear wheels in a rear-wheel drive system.

[0005] EP 0 391 864 shows pivoting rudders mounted on the body at the rear of the front wheel arches to improve driving stability and optionally prevent understeering.

[0006] DE 60 2004 004691 shows a vehicle with air deflectors on the underside of the body behind the wheels in order to influence the aerodynamics of the vehicle in the area of ​​the wheels in such a way that the air resistance of the entire vehicle is reduced and at the same time to influence the negative pressure prevailing on the underside of the vehicle in such a way that the rear lift on the vehicle is also reduced.

[0007] EP 3 257 800 shows a vehicle with a trough-shaped air deflector that can be adjusted on the rear apron in order to improve the air separation at the rear and sides of the vehicle and thus to improve the aerodynamics of the entire vehicle.

[0008] DE 10 2016 217 139 A1 shows the features from the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The invention is based on the Task The aim is to provide an automobile in which a further improvement in driving behavior is achieved, particularly at higher speeds.

[0010] The object is achieved by an automobile having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention also includes a method for operating such an automobile.

[0012] The automobile according to the invention is characterized in that at least one body element is designed as a wind deflector element to increase driving stability and is adjustable into a stabilizing position.

[0013] A basic idea of ​​the invention is to provide wind deflectors on the body, which are aligned or can be aligned in particular in the direction of travel. This can improve directional stability or tracking, especially at higher speeds.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the invention, the wind deflector element is adjustable into a stabilizing position. The wind deflector element can be adjustable between an initial position, which may be a retracted or neutral position, and a stabilizing position.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that a wheel air deflector is arranged in the direction of travel behind a steerable wheel, in particular a front wheel, and that the wheel air deflector is pivotable about a vertical axis. According to a finding of the invention, the handling of a vehicle is noticeably improved by providing a air deflector behind a steerable wheel, which in particular belongs to the front wheels, through which the air flowing around the wheel can be directed in a targeted manner. This reduces unwanted turbulence behind the wheel and below the underbody, and achieves the most laminar flow around a wheel possible.

[0016] A particularly advantageous feature is that the wheel wind deflector is adjustable depending on the steering angle of the vehicle's steering wheel. The position of the wheel wind deflector can be changed and adjusted according to the vehicle's steering angle and thus the position of the steerable wheel.

[0017] A particularly advantageous development of the invention consists in that the wheel wind deflector element is arranged on a vehicle underside and projects downwards and that a center plane of the wheel wind deflector element is aligned substantially perpendicular to the wheel axis of the associated wheel. InIn a normal position, in which the steerable wheels are aligned in the longitudinal direction of travel, i.e. the wheel axes are approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis of the automobile, the strips or leaf-shaped wind deflectors are also aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction. The wheel wind deflectors are positioned approximately centrally to the respective associated wheel. When the steering is turned by a predetermined steering angle, the rotational position of the wheel wind deflector about the vertical axis changes accordingly, with the wheel wind deflectors being aligned at least substantially perpendicular to the wheel axes of the respective associated wheel. This can improve laminar flow behind the wheels. Preferably, two or more wheel wind deflectors can also be assigned to one wheel. These can be arranged parallel to one another and evenly distributed across the width of the wheel.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the automobile according to the invention, it is preferred that the wheel wind deflector element be adjustable mechanically and / or electronically by means of an electronic control system depending on the steering angle of the automobile's steering wheel. In the case of a mechanical control system, corresponding mechanical actuators can be provided, which interact via a steering mechanism.

[0019] It is particularly expedient that electrical actuators are provided which are controlled by an electronic control system and by means of which an angle of the wheel wind deflector elements around the respectively assigned vertical axis with a corresponding bearing shaft or bearing axis is changed compared to a neutral position for straight-ahead travel.

[0020] In principle, a wind deflector element mounted so as to be pivotable or rotatable about an adjusting axis can also be provided at other points on the body in order to improve the directional stability of the vehicle at higher speeds, in particular in a speed range of over 200 km / h and in particular over 300 km / h.

[0021] According to the invention, the wind deflector is designed as a fin and is mounted on the body so that it can be extended. The fin can be a strip- or plate-shaped wind deflector that is adjustable between a retracted position and the stabilizing position. In a retracted position, the fin can be partially or completely retracted so that it does not protrude from the adjacent body and is flush with it. In the stabilizing position, the wind deflector is extended from the body and can thus assume a guiding function, particularly at higher speeds. The fin can be arranged centrally to the longitudinal axis on the roof and / or at the rear.

[0022] It is particularly expedient for the at least one fin to be arranged behind a passenger compartment of the vehicle and to be designed as a strip extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This allows for the establishment or promotion of a laminar flow along the vehicle at higher speeds, which improves the vehicle's directional stability. Two or more fins can be arranged parallel to one another.

[0023] In principle, the strip-shaped fin can be designed with a smooth surface. According to the invention, the at least one fin is designed with at least one bevel in the longitudinal direction. This allows for the formation of an L-shaped, T-shaped, or even Z-shaped fin, which, on the one hand, can be easily adapted to a vehicle body shape and, on the other hand, contributes to improved flow behavior of the fin.

[0024] In particular, it can be advantageous for at least one fin to rest against the body in its retracted position or to form part of the body. This ensures that the air resistance in the retracted position is as low as possible and also reduces the risk of damage.

[0025] A further embodiment of the invention consists in that at least parts of a rear body are attached to a pop-out frame at the rear of the automobile, which can be extended rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to a vehicle body to form a wind deflector. This allows the vehicle length to be increased depending on the driving situation. Particularly when driving at higher speeds, an advantageous long-tail effect can be achieved, which has a positive impact on the handling and directional stability of the vehicle. In contrast, when driving at low speeds and particularly in confined spaces, the rear parts can be retracted, thereby shortening the vehicle length again.

[0026] The extendable parts can be provided on a common extension frame or on multiple extension frames. This extension frame can have a support frame, whereby the extension frame can be adjusted between a retracted position and at least one extended position via at least one power-driven actuating element, in particular an actuating cylinder. The extension can be program-controlled, in particular depending on operating parameters, in particular vehicle speed.

[0027] According to a further development of the invention, it is particularly advantageous for rear fenders, a rear body upper section, and / or a rear end section to be attached to the pop-up frame. The rear end section can also include a so-called bumper and / or a rear strip with diffuser elements. A rear body upper section can, in particular, include a wing-like strip.

[0028] When installing the extension frame, the exhaust system, and in particular the exhaust outlets, remain unchanged. The exhaust outlets are preferably located in an upper area of ​​the rear, particularly at the height of the top of the rear wheels, ensuring reliable discharge of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine into the surrounding air, even when the rear section is extended.

[0029] The invention will now be further described with reference to preferred embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wheel of an automobile according to the invention with a wind deflector element; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a rear section of an automobile according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an upper side of a rear section of an automobile according to the invention with schematically illustrated strip-shaped wind deflectors; Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of an automobile according to the invention with an extended fin; and Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the automobile according to the invention from Fig. 4 with retracted fin.

[0030] In Fig. 11 shows a part of an automobile 10 according to the invention, namely a wheel 14 with a schematically indicated wheel suspension 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the wheel 14 is a steerable front wheel. Two plate-like wind deflectors 20 are arranged parallel to one another and distributed across the width of the wheel 14 on an underside of the body (not shown) behind the wheel 16 in the direction of travel. The wind deflectors 20 are each designed as wheel wind deflectors 22 with a plate-like base body 31 and a crescent-shaped strip 33 attached to the underside of the plate-like base body 31. A front edge of the wheel wind deflector 22 directed towards the wheel 14 is curved and adapted to the radius of the wheel 14, so that a distance of preferably 2 to 4 cm exists between the front edge of the wheel wind deflector 22 and the outside of the wheel 14.

[0031] A cross-sectional shape of the wheel wind deflector element 22 is approximately drop-shaped or wing profile-shaped, with a round thickening along the leading edge and the cross-sectional shape tapering towards a trailing edge facing away from the wheel 14.

[0032] The underside of each wheel wind deflector element 22 is preferably formed by a crescent-shaped strip 33 or C-shaped strip 33, one half of which adjoins the base body 31 flush. A recess defined by the crescent shape is directed downward, forming a downward-facing leading edge shoulder 37. Towards the rear, the crescent-shaped strip 33 tapers into a spout 35, which is directed away from the wheel 14 and obliquely downward.

[0033] The individual wind deflectors 20 are mounted on the vehicle body (not shown) for rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to a horizontal roadway. Using actuators (not shown), the individual wind deflectors 20 can be pivoted and adjusted about the vertical axis according to a steering angle of the wheel 14. Depending on the steering angle, the wheel wind deflectors 22 are preferably adjusted such that the plate-shaped wheel wind deflectors 22 are oriented with their longitudinal or plate plane approximately perpendicular to the circumferential surface of the wheel 14.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the automobile 10 according to the invention Fig. 2This has a partially illustrated body 12, with a total of four wheels 14 provided at the rear of the automobile 10 for driving the automobile 10. The wheels 14 are arranged in pairs, with the two pairs being offset from one another in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0035] At the rear, a pop-up frame 40 is arranged which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the automobile 10 and to which, in the illustrated embodiment, a rear-facing rear end section 46 with diffuser elements 48 is attached.

[0036] Furthermore, a rear body upper part 44 with a rear wing 46 can be attached to the deployment frame 40, which is adjustable in the longitudinal direction between a retracted position and an extended extension position in which a length of the automobile 10 is increased, so that these are also adjustable in the longitudinal direction together with the deployment frame 40.

[0037] Preferably, the side rear fenders 42, or at least parts thereof, can also be extended and retracted together with the deployment frame 46. The rear wing 46 can be formed in a strip-like manner with a wave-shaped trailing edge 47. Furthermore, a plurality of exhaust tailpipes 50 can be arranged at the rear of the automobile 10, which in the illustrated embodiment are arranged in an upper region spaced from the ground approximately at the level of the upper end of the wheels 14. This also makes it possible to achieve good outflow of the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine even when the deployment frame 40 is extended, with the various body parts serving as wind deflectors 20, without these gases flowing more intensively into the resulting rear body opening when the rear is extended, thus creating an undesirably high concentration of hot exhaust gases.

[0038] By extending the extension frame 40 longitudinally rearward, the length of the automobile 10 can be increased, thereby creating a so-called long-tail effect on the automobile 10. This effect leads to increased driving stability of the automobile 10, particularly when traveling at high speeds.

[0039] According to Fig. 3 Another possible embodiment of an automobile according to the invention is shown. In a rear area of ​​the body 12, which corresponds to the Fig. 2may only be partially shown and formed accordingly, extendable strip-shaped wind deflectors 20, which are formed as fins 24, can be provided behind a passenger compartment (not shown). These strip-shaped fins 24 can be extended from a retracted position to an extended position shown via an extension mechanism (not shown). This can support flow guidance and thus increased driving stability when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds.

[0040] The fins 24 can have an arrow-shaped shape with a tip pointing forward in the direction of travel. The rearward-expanding end of the fins 24 can taper off with a V-shaped notch in a dovetail shape, thereby promoting the most laminar airflow around the fins 24 possible. In the retracted position (not shown), the fins 24 can be retracted into the body 12 or lie flush against it. To adapt to the body, the fins 24 can be formed as strips 26 with one or more bevels corresponding to a body shape.

[0041] In connection with the Figures 4 and 5A further embodiment of an automobile 10 according to the invention is shown, wherein the automobile 10 has a body 12, wheels 14 and an indicated passenger compartment 11. On an upper side of the automobile 10, in particular in a transition area from the passenger compartment 11 to a rear, an adjustable fin 24 is arranged as a central wind deflector 20. This central fin 24 can be adjusted between an extended position according to Fig. 4 and a retracted position according to Fig. 5 be adjusted in which the fin 24 is largely or completely retracted into the body 12.

[0042] The fin 24 along an upper side of the automobile 10 also supports the driving stability of the automobile 10 when traveling at high speed.

Claims

1. An automobile with a body (12) and at least one movable body element, wherein at least one body element is configured as a wind guide element (20) to increase the driving stability and is movable into a stabilisation position, wherein the wind guide element (20) is formed as a fin (24) and is mounted extendably on the body (12), characterised in that the at least one fin (24) is arranged on or behind a passenger compartment (11) of the automobile (10) and is formed as a strip (26) which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and in that the at least one fin (24) is formed with at least one chamfer (28) in the longitudinal direction.

2. The automobile according to claim 1, characterised in that a wheel wind guide element (22) is arranged behind at least one steerable wheel (14), in particular a front wheel, in the direction of travel, and in that the wheel wind guide element (22) is pivotable about a vertical axis.

3. The automobile according to claim 2, characterised in that the wheel wind guide element is adjustable depending on a steering wheel of a steering wheel of the automobile (10).

4. The automobile according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the wheel wind guide element (22) is arranged on a vehicle underside and projects downwards, and in that a centre plane of the wheel wind guide element (22) is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the wheel axis of the associated wheel (14).

5. The automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the wheel wind guide element (22) is mechanically and / or electronically movable by means of an electronic controller depending on a steering angle of a steering wheel of the automobile (10).

6. The automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one fin (24) in its retracted position rests against the body (12) or forms part of the body (12).

7. The automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that, at a tail region of the automobile (10), at least parts of a tail body are attached to a pop-out frame (40), which is extendable rearwards in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to a vehicle main body to form a wind guide element (20).

8. The automobile according to claim 7, characterised in that tail wings (42), a tail body upper part (44) and / or a tail termination part (46) are attached to the pop-out frame (40).

9. A method for operating an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the fin as wind guide element (20) is moved, in particular extended, on the body (12) depending on a driving situation of the automobile (10).