VEHICLE FEATURING AN IMPROVED AERODYNAMIC RESISTANCE REDUCTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Heavy vehicle (1) comprising a cab (2) having a front pillar (7) and an aerodynamic drag reduction system (8) that can be attached to the front pillar (7) and configured to guide an airflow striking the windshield (6) of the vehicle (1) around the pillar (7) and along a side wall (4) of the vehicle (1). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE COMPRISING AN IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR REDUCING AERODYNAMIC RESISTANCE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for reducing the aerodynamic resistance of a vehicle, in particular an aerodynamic resistance reduction system for a heavy vehicle, for example a truck.

[0002] Known state of the art

[0003] As is known, heavy vehicles such as trucks, include a cabin with a windshield and a pair of small side windows.

[0004] The windshield and the small windows are housed in respective openings defined by the structure of the cabin frame which includes a front pillar, defining a lateral support edge of the windshield, and known as the "A-pillar".

[0005] In many truck models, such a front pillar defines a square shape between the side wall defining the side opening for the small side window and the windshield.

[0006] Such a square shape creates strong aerodynamic resistance due to the vortices which are generated by the separation of the air flow which hits the windscreen and which passes laterally around the A-pillar.

[0007] Such resistance could be reduced by modifying the shape of the A-pillar itself, however such a method is clearly impractical on existing vehicle models.

[0008] We therefore feel the need to be able to reduce losses due to aerodynamic resistance on a heavy vehicle.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to satisfy the requirements set out above in an optimized and economical manner. Summary of the invention

[0010] The above object is achieved by means of a heavy vehicle 1 comprising a cabin 2 provided with a front pillar 7 configured to laterally define a portion of the support for a windshield 6 of the vehicle and at least a portion of a side wall 4 of the cabin 2, the vehicle 1 comprises an aerodynamic drag reduction system 8 attachable to the front pillar 7 and configured to guide an airflow that impacts the windshield 6 around the pillar 7 and along the side wall 4,

[0011] wherein the aerodynamic drag reduction system 8 comprises at least one wall 9 configured to be attached at a predetermined distance, on the upright 7, such a wall 9 defining with the upright 7, a passage 10 for the air which strikes the windshield 6,

[0012] in which the wall 9 is fixed to the upright 7 by means of the interposition of a plurality of spacing devices 13 housed in the passage 10,

[0013] such spacers 13 are formed to minimize their friction with the air flow and are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 10 mm and 70 mm.

[0014] In particular, the wall 9 does not protrude relative to a plane II of the windshield 6 and it is advantageously curved.

[0015] Preferably, the passage 10 has a constant section between its inlet facing the windshield 6 and an outlet facing the wall 4.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the wall 9 is fixed at three points along the upright 7 and is made of a plastic material.

[0017] In particular, the wall 9 has a shape defining a concavity facing the upright 7 and a convexity towards the outside. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] For a better understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiment is described below, by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle comprising an aerodynamic resistance reduction system according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the vehicle wall including the aerodynamic resistance reduction system according to the invention; and

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic sectional view of a transverse plane of the vehicle of [Fig.l]. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] In [Fig.l], a heavy vehicle 1 is illustrated, such as a truck, comprising a cabin 2 provided with a chassis, not illustrated, defining the support for the bodywork defining a front wall 3, a side wall 4, a door 5, a windshield 6 and other elements known per se and variable according to the typology and shape of the vehicle.

[0023] As is also known, between the windshield 6 and the side wall 4 (or the door 5), there is an upright 7, placed frontally and laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

[0024] The upright 7 has, as seen in [Fig. 3], a shape configured to allow the passage of the side wall 4 to the windshield 6 and therefore can be shaped to have a cross section substantially in the shape of a C, V or L depending on the angle of incidence between the side wall 4 and the windshield 6. Whatever its cross section transverse, the upright 7 may have an external connection 7a configured to connect the tilt passage between the two elements mentioned above.

[0025] According to the invention, the vehicle 1 comprises an aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 configured to be coupled to the upright 7 and defining a required passage for the air along the upright 7.

[0026] In more detail, the system 8 is configured to prevent the formation of vortices channeling the air which strikes the windshield 6 along the side wall 4.

[0027] Advantageously, this aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 comprises at least one wall 9 which can be fixed to the pillar 7, as described in the following part. Advantageously, the wall 9 has a shape, when fixed to the pillar 7, such that it does not protrude along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, relative to a plane II of the windshield 6 and defining a passage 10 between the pillar 7 and the wall 9 which surrounds the pillar 7 itself.

[0028] Preferably, the passage 10 has a constant cross-section between the wall 9 and the external surface of the upright 7, as seen in [Fig.3].

[0029] More preferably, the wall 9 extends only around the upright 7 and does not extend along the wall 4. In particular, the wall 9 is curved and defines a concavity towards the upright 7 and a convexity towards the outside.

[0030] The wall 9 may be mounted on the upright 7 by means of mechanical coupling means, such as threaded elements or by form coupling or the aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 may comprise other walls glued or mechanically fixed to the upright 7 and supporting the wall 9.

[0031] In particular, in the described embodiment, the wall 9 is coupled at three points along the upright 7, i.e. at a pair of mounting points 12a, 12b respectively, an upper mounting point 12a and a lower mounting point 12b, both positioned near the upper and lower ends of the wall 9 and at a third mounting point 12c placed in an intermediate position 12c between the upper and lower mounting points 12a, 12b.

[0032] As already indicated above, the mounting points 12a, 12b, 12c may correspond to the point of a form coupling made between a pivot carried by the wall 9 and a seat carried by the upright 7 or vice versa, or by means of threaded elements passing from the wall 9 to the upright 7.

[0033] In both cases, to maintain a correct spacing between the upright 7 and the wall 9 in order to define the passage 10, the system 8 comprises spacing devices 13 for each mounting point, for example made integral with the wall 9. In the embodiment described, the spacing devices 13 comprise ribs defining, for example, a seat for the threaded fixing elements, but can clearly be made with parts of walls connected to wall 9.

[0034] In particular, the spacers 13 define a width of the passage 10 varying from 10 to 70 mm. Preferably, the spacers 13 are shaped to minimize their friction with the air flow which tends to channel inside the passage 10.

[0035] The system 8 can advantageously be made in one piece and from plastic material. Even more advantageously, it is clear that the shape of the wall 9 depends on the dimensions and shape of the upright 7.

[0036] The operation of the embodiment of the aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 described above is as follows.

[0037] With reference to [Fig. 3], the air flow which strikes the windshield 6 tends to be channeled inside the passage 10 and is therefore guided to complete the specific path defined by the latter until it exits parallel to the side wall 4. In this way, the resistances due to the swirling movement of the air are significantly reduced and therefore the performance of the vehicle 1 is increased.

[0038] From the above, the advantages of a vehicle comprising an aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 according to the invention become more clearly apparent.

[0039] Since the air is guided around the upright 7, the aerodynamic resistances due to the turbulent movement of the air passing around the latter are reduced by 5% with a reduction of 1.67% in fuel consumption and consequently in carbon dioxide emissions.

[0040] The proposed embodiment of the aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 also has the advantage of being able to be produced economically, adaptable to any existing vehicle shape 1 and being able to be easily fixed to the upright 7.

[0041] The fixing by means of the spacers 13, for example three like those described, prevents the decoupling of the wall 9 with respect to the upright 7 and interferes as little as possible with the air flow F, maintaining the turbulence reduction described above high.

[0042] It is finally clear that modifications and variants can be made to the vehicle comprising an aerodynamic resistance reduction system 8 according to the present invention, which do not, however, depart from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0043] For example, as indicated, the shape of the wall 9 can vary depending on the type of the upright 7.

Claims

Claims

1. Heavy vehicle (1) comprising a cabin (2) provided with a front pillar (7) configured to laterally define a portion of the support by a windshield (6) of said vehicle and at least a portion of a side wall (4) of said cabin (2), said vehicle (1) comprises an aerodynamic resistance reduction system (8) attachable to said front pillar (7) and configured to guide a flow of air that strikes said windshield (6) around said pillar (7) and along said side wall (4), wherein said aerodynamic resistance reduction system (8) comprises at least one wall (9) configured to be attached at a predetermined distance, to said pillar (7), said wall (9) defining with said pillar (7), a passage (10) for the air that strikes said windshield (6), wherein said passage (10) has a constant section between its inlet facing said windshield (6) and an outlet facing said side wall (4),wherein said wall (9) is fixed to said upright (7) by means of the interposition of a plurality of spacers (13) housed in said passage (10), characterized in that said spacers (13) are formed to minimize their friction with the air flow and are spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 10 mm and 70 mm.,

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said wall (9) does not protrude relative to a plane (II) of said windshield (6).

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said wall (9) is curved.

4. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said wall (9) is fixed at three points along said upright (7).

5. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which said wall (9) is made of plastic material.

6. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which said wall (9) has a shape defining a concavity facing the upright (7) and a convexity towards the outside.

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