Airflow guidance system of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle includes such an airflow guidance system
The airflow guidance system with rotatable deflector elements and movable flaps, controlled by a single motor, addresses integration and cost issues of existing deflectors, improving aerodynamics and assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RENAULT SA
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing motor vehicle deflector devices are complex, costly, and difficult to integrate, with limited vertical dimension due to urban environment constraints, and require multiple parts for operation.
An airflow guidance system with rotatable deflector elements and movable flaps, controlled by a single motor, to optimize airflow towards wheels and radiator, reducing assembly complexity and cost.
Enhances aerodynamic performance while allowing easy installation and reduced assembly steps, ensuring efficient airflow guidance at high speeds and urban obstacle passage.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Airflow guidance system for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle includes such an airflow guidance system
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and in particular to airflow guidance devices such as vehicle deflectors.
[0002] By "deflector" is meant a device configured to deflect an airflow.
[0003] Deflectors are generally used in motor vehicles for the purpose of improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle, that is to say the interaction between the air and the moving vehicle.
[0004] Indeed, the aerodynamics of a vehicle is an important parameter for limiting fuel consumption and thus reducing emissions of polluting particles, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) in the case of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The range of an electric vehicle is also impacted by aerodynamics.
[0005] It is known to modify the shape of the vehicle in order to reduce energy losses due to the vehicle's penetration into the air.
[0006] However, certain parts of the vehicle, such as the wheels, and in particular the front wheels, offer resistance to the forward movement of the vehicle and disrupt the flow of air under and around said vehicle.
[0007] In order to reduce energy losses and optimize the airflow from the front of the vehicle towards the front wheels, it is known to use a device comprising two aerodynamic deflectors, each located in front of a front wheel. Such deflectors are known as "walls." The greater the vertical dimension of the walls, the more effective they are. However, the vertical dimension of the walls is limited to allow the vehicle to pass over obstacles commonly found in urban environments.
[0008] Document A1 - FR 3 081 426 proposes an aerodynamic deflector device comprising two deflector elements, each mounted in front of a front wheel of the vehicle and configured to pivot according to the vehicle's speed. However, such deflector elements are complex and require numerous additional parts, making their integration into the vehicle difficult and costly.
[0009] Pivoting flaps configured to open or close the air intakes in front of the vehicle's radiators are also known. Such flaps are located behind the inner bumper grille.
[0010] Thus, there is a need to improve motor vehicle deflector devices.
[0011] The objective of the invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages and to improve the deflector devices of motor vehicles, in order to allow easy installation, while reducing design and assembly costs.
[0012] The present invention relates to an airflow guidance system for a motor vehicle comprising: - a first airflow guidance device configured to circulate an airflow towards a radiator of the motor vehicle, - a second airflow guidance device configured to deflect an airflow directed at the front wheels of the vehicle, the second airflow guidance device comprising two deflector elements, each disposed upstream of a front wheel and each configured to deflect an airflow directed at the corresponding front wheel, each deflector element being rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation, parallel to a transverse axis between an airflow deflection position and an airflow circulation position, and - a control device for the first and second airflow guidance devices.
[0013] The first airflow guidance device comprises two grids arranged side by side along a transverse axis and each comprising a plurality of openings and a plurality of movable flaps, each pivoting between a closed position in which a movable flap closes a corresponding opening of the corresponding grid, and an open position in which the movable flap does not close the corresponding opening of the corresponding grid.
[0014] The movable flaps and deflector elements are pivoted simultaneously by the control device into one or the other of the positions.
[0015] In other words, each opening is associated with a movable shutter.
[0016] The movable flaps allow the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle to be optimized.
[0017] The control device allows the deployment of the deflector element of each front wheel to be controlled in accordance with the flaps of each of the grilles.
[0018] The controlled deflector devices ensure aerodynamics at high speed, while allowing passage through urban obstacles at reduced speed.
[0019] The two grids are distinct from each other and each comprises a group of several movable flaps.
[0020] The grids are fixed relative to the shield.
[0021] Furthermore, the assembly of the first and second airflow guidance devices is carried out during the assembly of the shield, which considerably reduces the subsequent assembly steps and the number of parts in the assembly line.
[0022] Advantageously, the control device comprises a single motor, for example electric, configured to simultaneously drive the movable flaps and the deflector elements in rotation.
[0023] Thus, the control and command of the flaps and deflector devices is done through a single motor, which reduces the size and weight of a plurality of electric motors to drive the different devices in rotation separately.
[0024] For example, each movable flap is fixed to a rotation axis mounted for rotation between a central guide and a lateral guide.
[0025] In other words, the first flow guidance device comprises a central guide and two lateral guides, namely a first lateral guide to guide in rotation the axes of the shutters of the first grid and a second lateral guide to guide in rotation the axes of the shutters of the second grid.
[0026] The axes of rotation of the movable flaps are advantageously horizontal, and pass through a median axis of each of the flaps, so that when each of the flaps is rotated from one position to the other position, each of the movable flaps is set in rotation around its own axis.
[0027] For example, the first airflow guidance device comprises four axes of rotation, each carrying to rotation a plurality of movable flaps.
[0028] In no way limiting, the first axis of rotation carries three movable flaps and the second, third and fourth axes of rotation each carry four movable flaps.
[0029] Alternatively, a different number of rotation axes could be provided, for example greater than or equal to one.
[0030] It could also be provided that each of the axes of rotation carries a different number of movable flaps, for example greater than or equal to two movable flaps per axis of rotation.
[0031] Advantageously, the axis of rotation of each of the deflector elements is driven in rotation by the control device simultaneously with the axes of rotation of the movable flaps of the first airflow guidance device.
[0032] For example, in the open position, the movable shutters extend in a horizontal plane, and in the closed position, the movable shutters extend in a vertical plane.
[0033] Alternatively, an intermediate position could be provided in which the flap is pivoted into a partially open position between the open position and the closed position.
[0034] The grids are preferably identical to each other and symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to a vertical median axis passing through the middle of the first airflow guidance device.
[0035] For example, the grilles are not aligned along the transverse axis and form an angle of less than 180°, for example between 120° and 170°. Such an arrangement of two grilles makes it possible to best follow the curve of the motor vehicle and to further improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
[0036] Advantageously, the openings and movable flaps of the first airflow guidance device are in conformity of shape, so as to completely close the corresponding opening when the flaps are rotated into the closed position.
[0037] By way of example, and in no way limiting, the openings and movable flaps of the first airflow guidance device have a diamond shape.
[0038] The movable flaps are advantageously arranged along horizontally arranged rows of lozenges, one above the other. The rows of lozenges are placed close together so that the complementary shapes of the lozenges complement each other.
[0039] When the shutters are in the closed position, a plurality of diamond shapes can be distinguished. Alternatively, any other shape could be considered for the openings and movable shutters.
[0040] Advantageously, the first airflow guidance device includes a housing for receiving a sensing element, such as for example a sensor or a radar, said housing being located in the middle of the first airflow guidance device on the central guide.
[0041] The median arrangement of a receiving housing for a detection device makes it possible to improve the performance of the movable shutters which are not impacted by the detection device.
[0042] Said housing for receiving a detection device is, for example, located in an area corresponding to a recess in the openings on the two grids.
[0043] For example, the recessed area is located on the third line of openings comprising three openings and in which the openings are offset along the transverse direction relative to the openings of the lines above and below.
[0044] For example, each deflecting element is in the form of a wall or movable screen rotating around a horizontal axis of rotation, parallel to the transverse axis.
[0045] For example, each deflecting element is in the form of a flat screen. Alternatively, any other shape could be provided, for example an L-shape.
[0046] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a body including a front bumper, a front hood and a grille, at least two front wheels, and at least one airflow guidance system as described above, the first airflow guidance device of the airflow guidance system being disposed below the front bumper.
[0047] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0048] [Fig.1] illustrates in a very schematic way the front face of a motor vehicle comprising an airflow guidance system according to the invention;
[0049] [Fig.2] represents in detail the airflow guidance system of [Fig.1] in a closed position;
[0050] [Fig.3] represents in detail the airflow guidance system of [Fig. 1] in an open position; and
[0051] [Fig.4] represents a view along axis IV-IV of [Fig.l].
[0052] In the following description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are defined according to the usual orthogonal coordinate system for motor vehicles, shown in the drawings, and which includes:
[0053] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from the front to the rear of the vehicle;
[0054] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and oriented of left to right of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward;
[0055] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse axes X and Y and directed from bottom to top.
[0056] In [Fig.1], a very schematic representation of the front face of a motor vehicle, referred to as 1 in its entirety, comprising a body 2 including a front shield 3, a front bumper 4, a front hood 5 and a grille 6. The front shield 3 corresponds to a lower part of the body 2, near the ground and below the grille 6.
[0057] Shield 3 is intended to protect pedestrians in the event of a frontal collision.
[0058] The grille 6 is located at the front of the hood 5 and includes a frame covering a opening in the bodywork and including a grille 6a allowing air to enter towards the vehicle's radiator (not shown).
[0059] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises four wheels, of which only two front wheels 7, 8 are visible on the [Fig.1].
[0060] The motor vehicle further includes an airflow guidance system 10 configured to guide the airflow.
[0061] As illustrated, the airflow guidance system 10 includes a first airflow guidance device 11 disposed below the front shield 3 and configured to circulate the airflow towards the radiator and the engine of the motor vehicle.
[0062] The first airflow guidance device 11 replaces the lower shield grille known in the prior art.
[0063] The airflow guidance system 10 further includes a second airflow guidance device 20 configured to deflect an airflow directed at the front wheels 7, 8 of the vehicle.
[0064] The airflow guidance system 10 includes a control device 30 for the first and second airflow guidance devices 11, 20.
[0065] As illustrated in detail in Figures 2 to 4, the first airflow guidance device 11 comprises two grids 12a, 12b arranged side by side along the transverse axis Y and each comprising a plurality of openings 13a, 13b.
[0066] By "grille" is meant an assembly of intersecting or parallel bars partially closing an opening, while allowing an airflow to pass through.
[0067] As can be seen in [Fig. 4], the grids 12a, 12b are not aligned along the transverse axis Y and form an angle α less than 180°, for example between 120° and 170°. Such an arrangement of two grids makes it possible to best follow the curve of the motor vehicle and to further improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
[0068] The grids 12a, 12b are identical to each other and symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to a vertical median axis passing through the middle of the first airflow guidance device 11, so that only one of the grids 12a will be described in the rest of the description.
[0069] The median axis also passes through the middle of the motor vehicle 1.
[0070] The first airflow guidance device 11 further comprises a plurality of movable flaps 14a, 14b each pivoting between a first closed position, visible in [Fig.2], in which a movable flap 14a, 14b closes a corresponding opening 13a, 13b of the corresponding grid 12a, 12b, and a second open position, visible in [Fig.3], in which the movable flap 14a, 14b does not close the corresponding opening 13a, 13b of the corresponding grid 12a, 12b.
[0071] In other words, each opening 13a, 13b is associated with a movable flap 14.
[0072] In the open position, the movable flaps extend in a horizontal plane XY, and in the closed position, the movable flaps extend in a vertical plane YZ.
[0073] Alternatively, it could be provided that in the open position, the movable flaps are in a vertical plane XZ.
[0074] Alternatively, an intermediate position could be provided in which the flap is pivoted into a partially open position between the open position and the closed position.
[0075] The movable flaps 14a, 14b allow the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle to be optimized.
[0076] Each movable flap 14a, 14b is fixed to a rotation axis 15 mounted for rotation between a central guide 16 and a lateral guide 17a, 17b.
[0077] The rotation axes 15 are here horizontal, and pass through a median transverse axis of each of the flaps, so that when each of the flaps is rotated from one position to the other position, each of the movable flaps is set in rotation around its own axis.
[0078] As illustrated, the first airflow guidance device 11 comprises four rotation axes 15, each carrying a plurality of movable flaps 14a, 14b. By no means limiting the first rotation axis carries three movable flaps and the second, third and fourth rotation axes each carry four movable flaps.
[0079] Alternatively, a different number of rotation axes could be provided, for example greater than or equal to one.
[0080] It could also be provided that each of the axes of rotation carries a different number of movable flaps, for example greater than or equal to two movable flaps per axis of rotation.
[0081] The rotation axes 15 are mounted axially between two rotation guides 16, 17a, 17b and driven in rotation by the control device 30.
[0082] The set of rotation axes 15 and therefore of the movable flaps 14a, 14b are actuated simultaneously by the control device in one or the other of the positions.
[0083] The control device 30 includes for this purpose a motor 31, for example an electric motor, on each side of a longitudinal vertical median plane of the vehicle, i.e. for each pair of first 11 and second 20 airflow guidance devices. The vehicle therefore includes two motors for these guidance devices.
[0084] The openings 13a, 13b and the movable flaps 14a, 14b are in conformity of shape, so as to completely close the corresponding opening when the flaps are rotated into the closed position.
[0085] As illustrated, and in no way limitingly, the openings 13a, 13b and the movable shutters 14a, 14b have a diamond shape. The movable shutters are arranged here along lines of diamonds placed horizontally one above the other. The lines of diamonds are brought close together so that the complementary shapes of the diamonds complement each other.
[0086] When the shutters are in the closed position, a plurality of diamond shapes can be distinguished.
[0087] Alternatively, any other shape could be provided for the openings and movable shutters.
[0088] As illustrated, the first airflow guidance device 11 includes a housing 18 for receiving a detection element 9, such as for example a sensor or a radar.
[0089] The housing 18 for receiving a detection element 9 is located in the middle of the first airflow guidance device 11 on the central guide 16.
[0090] As illustrated in figures 2 and 3, said housing 18 is located in an area corresponding to a setback of the openings 13a, 13b on the two grids 12a, 12b.
[0091] The withdrawal zone is here located on the third line of openings comprising three openings and in which the openings are offset along the transverse direction Y relative to the openings of the lines above and below.
[0092] The median arrangement of the housing 18 for receiving a detection device makes it possible to improve the performance of the movable shutters which are not impacted by the detection device.
[0093] The second airflow guidance device 20 comprising two deflector members 22, 24 each disposed upstream of a front wheel 7, 8 and each configured to deflect an airflow directed on the corresponding front wheel.
[0094] Each deflector element 22, 24 is arranged axially individually in front of the wheel, i.e. more or less facing the tread of the tire.
[0095] Each deflector element 22, 24 is in the form of a wall or movable screen rotating around a horizontal axis of rotation 26, parallel to the transverse axis Y between an airflow deflection position visible on [Fig.2] and an airflow circulation position, visible on [Fig.3].
[0096] As illustrated, each deflecting element 22, 24 is in the form of a flat screen. Alternatively, any other shape could be provided, for example an L-shape.
[0097] The rotation axis 26 of each of the deflector elements 22, 24 is driven in rotation by the motor 31 of the control device 30 simultaneously with the rotation axes of the flaps of the first airflow guidance device 11.
[0098] In other words, the motor 31 is configured to simultaneously drive the movable flaps and the deflector elements in rotation, which makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of a plurality of electric motors to drive the different devices in rotation separately.
[0099] The control device 30 allows the deployment of the deflector element of each front wheel to be controlled in accordance with the flaps of each of the grilles. Thus, the control and command of the flaps as well as the deflector elements is carried out by a single motor.
[0100] The controlled deflector devices ensure aerodynamics at high speed, while allowing passage through urban obstacles at reduced speed.
[0101] Furthermore, the assembly of the first and second airflow guidance devices 11, 20 is carried out during the assembly of the shield, which considerably reduces the subsequent assembly steps and the number of parts in the assembly line.
[0102] Figure 4 illustrates only the arrangement of the first and second airflow guidance devices 11, 20. The control device 30 has not been shown to avoid cluttering the figure.
[0103] The vehicle may include two guidance systems 10, one guidance system being disposed on each side of the vehicle, symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal vertical median plane of the vehicle, each guidance system having its own motor.
[0104] Alternatively, a single motor could be provided for both guidance systems.
[0105] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the airflow guidance devices of the motor vehicle while allowing easy implantation in the motor vehicle and reducing design and assembly costs.
Claims
Demands
1. A motor vehicle airflow guidance system (10) comprising: - a first airflow guidance device (11) configured to direct an airflow towards a radiator of the motor vehicle, - a second airflow guidance device (20) configured to deflect an airflow directed onto the front wheels (7, 8) of the vehicle, the second airflow guidance device (20) comprising two deflector elements (22, 24) each disposed upstream of a front wheel (7, 8) and each configured to deflect an airflow directed onto the corresponding front wheel, each deflector element (22, 24) being rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (26) parallel to a transverse axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) between an airflow deflection position and an airflow circulation position, and - a control device (30) for the first and the second airflow guidance devices (11, 20),characterized in that the first airflow guidance device (11) comprises two grids (12a, 12b) arranged side by side along a transverse axis (Y) and each comprising a plurality of openings (13a, 13b) and a plurality of movable flaps (14a, 14b) each pivoting between a closed position in which a movable flap (14a, 14b) closes a corresponding opening (13a, 13b) of the corresponding grid (12a, 12b), and an open position in which the movable flap (14a, 14b) does not close the corresponding opening (13a, 13b) of the corresponding grid (12a, 12b), in that the control device (30) comprises a single motor (31) configured to simultaneously drive the movable flaps and the deflector elements in rotation, and in that the movable flaps (14a, 14b) and the deflector elements (22, 24) are pivoted simultaneously by the control device (30) into one or the other position.
2. System (10) according to claim 1, wherein each movable flap (14a, 14b) is fixed to a rotation axis (15) mounted for rotation between a central guide (16) and a lateral guide (17a, 17b).
3. System (10) according to claim 2, wherein the rotation axes (15) of the movable flaps (14a, 14b) are horizontal, and pass through a median axis of each of the flaps.
4. System (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the axis of rotation (26) of each of the deflector members (22, 24) is driven in rotation by the control device (30) simultaneously with the axes of rotation (15) of the movable flaps (14a, 14b) of the first airflow guidance device (11).
5. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the open position, the movable flaps (14a, 14b) extend in a horizontal plane (XY), and in the closed position, the movable flaps (14a, 14b) extend in a vertical plane (YZ).
6. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grids (12a, 12b) are identical to each other and symmetrical with respect to each other with respect to a vertical median axis passing through the middle of the first airflow guidance device (11).
7. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings (13a, 13b) and the movable flaps (14a, 14b) of the first airflow guidance device (11) are in conformity of shape, so as to completely close the corresponding opening when the flaps are rotated into the closed position.
8. System (10) according to claim 7, wherein the openings (13a, 13b) and the movable flaps (14a, 14b) of the first airflow guidance device (11) have a diamond shape.
9. System (10) according to claim 2 taken in combination with any of the preceding claims, wherein the first airflow guidance device (11) comprises a housing (18) for receiving a sensing member (9), said housing (18) for receiving being located in the middle of the first airflow guidance device (11) on the central guide (16).
10. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grids (12a, 12b) form an angle (a) with each other of less than 180°, preferably between 120° and 170°.
11. System (10) according to claim 9, wherein said housing (18) for receiving a sensing element (9) is located in a area corresponding to a setback of the openings (13a, 13b) on the two grids (12a, 12b).
12. Motor vehicle comprising a body (2) including a front bumper (3), a front hood (5), a grille (6), at least two front wheels (7, 8), and at least one airflow guidance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first airflow guidance device (11) of the airflow guidance system (10) being disposed below the front bumper (3).