vehicle equipped with simplified operation of two deflectors placed in front of the front wheels
A single electric motor actuates both deflectors using the vehicle's existing front end structure, addressing the inefficacy of current deflectors at lower speeds and reducing manufacturing costs, thus improving fuel efficiency and emissions at higher speeds.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023009649
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle deflectors have minimal impact on fuel consumption and emissions at speeds below 70 km/h but significantly affect them at higher speeds, necessitating a control mechanism that is both efficient and cost-effective.
A single electric motor actuates both deflectors through aligned rotation axes, utilizing the vehicle's existing front end structure (FAT) to support the mechanism, ensuring simultaneous movement and reducing manufacturing costs.
The solution provides efficient aerodynamic control at higher speeds while minimizing costs and assembly time, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: vehicle equipped with simplified actuation of two deflectors placed in front of the front wheels
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle provided with simplified actuation of two deflectors placed in front of the front wheels
[0002] In order to better understand the positioning of the various parts involved in a vehicle according to the invention, the description is carried out with reference to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ in which X is a front-rear longitudinal axis of the vehicle oriented towards the rear, Y is a transverse axis oriented towards the right of the vehicle and Z is a vertical axis directed upwards.
[0003] Currently, some motor vehicles are equipped with two deflectors, each placed in front of a front wheel, each of said deflectors being in the form of a rigid and thin flap extending in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. These flaps, generally fixed to a front bumper diffuser, are intended to deflect the air located in front of the vehicle during a rolling phase of the latter, so that this air does not directly impact the front wheels. In this way, these deflectors improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle with the consequence: - a reduction in the fuel consumption of said vehicle, - a reduction in CO2 particle emissions, - an increase in the vehicle's autonomy.
[0004] It was observed that these deflectors have little influence when the vehicle is traveling at a speed less than or equal to 70 km / h, but play a determining role in fuel consumption when said vehicle is traveling at speeds greater than 70 km / h. To meet this targeted need for implementing the deflectors, it was envisaged to be able to control these deflectors in rotation, between an active deployed position and an inactive stowed position. To do this, each deflector is mounted in rotation about a transverse and horizontal axis of rotation Y of the vehicle, and can thus pivot about said axis, from the active position for which it projects under the vehicle by extending in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle, to the inactive position for which it extends in a horizontal plane by being folded against a horizontal wall of the vehicle.These shutters are controlled automatically according to the speed of the vehicle, by means of a central computing unit which is embedded in the vehicle. When the input data from this central unit indicates that the shutters must be placed in one of the two previous positions, said central unit activates an electric motor which is associated with the shutter and which causes the movement of said shutter to place it in the desired position.
[0005] A vehicle according to the invention is provided with a simplified actuation mechanism for the two flaps allowing said two flaps to be placed in one of the two active or inactive positions.
[0006] The subject of the invention is a vehicle comprising two front wheels, a front bumper diffuser and two rigid deflectors each placed in front of a front wheel, said vehicle comprising a mechanism for actuating the two deflectors allowing each of said two deflectors to pass by rotation around an axis of rotation extending along a transverse axis Y and horizontal of the vehicle, from an active position for which it projects under the vehicle in front of a front wheel by extending in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle, to an inactive position for which it extends horizontally while being stored against the diffuser.
[0007] According to the invention, the vehicle comprises a technical front end having a lower segment extending along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, the mechanism for actuating the two deflectors comprising a single electric motor which is fixed to the lower segment of the technical front end, and two axes of rotation located in the extension of one another along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, each of said two axes of rotation originating on the single electric motor and ending with a deflector. As a reminder, a technical front end or FAT, is a structural element which is located in front of the engine block and which generally extends in a direction Y of the vehicle, and in certain cases in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. This FAT has the essential function of supporting various components of the vehicle, such as for example a set of radiators of the engine block thereof.
[0008] The originality of a vehicle according to the invention is twofold: -it integrates a single electric motor to control the rotational movement of the two deflectors, either to reach the active position or to reach the inactive position, -the FAT, whose original function is to support a member such as, for example, a radiator, also supports part of the actuation mechanism of the two deflectors. One of the principles of the invention is to rely on a part already present in the vehicle, namely the FAT, to fix part of the actuation mechanism of the two deflectors, avoiding having to design a specific part to support said actuation mechanism. A deflector is similar to a flat, rigid and non-deformable flap. The two deflectors simultaneously occupy the same position, namely the active position or the inactive position. Indeed, within the framework of the present invention, there is no configuration for which one of the two flaps is in the active position and the other flap is in the inactive position. The position of the flaps in the active position or in the inactive position is managed by a central unit of calculation based in particular on the vehicle speed. The lower segment of the FAT occupies a central position in the vehicle, so that in relation to a longitudinal and central axis of the vehicle, said segment has the same length on each side of said longitudinal and central axis. The two axes of rotation are thus placed on either side of the single electric motor and are perfectly aligned along the same transverse Y axis of the vehicle.
[0009] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the single electric motor is fixed to the lower segment of the technical front face by being placed along a longitudinal and central axis of the vehicle. The actuation mechanism of the two deflectors thus respects a certain symmetry, making it possible to better balance the actions of controlling the movement of the two deflectors.
[0010] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the electric motor is fixed by screwing onto the lower segment of the technical front face. Preferably, the lower segment of the FAT has an extra thickness zone specially designed for fixing the electric motor of the actuating mechanism, so as not to disturb the initial function of the FAT which is to support a member such as for example a radiator.
[0011] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, each deflector is fixed to an axis of rotation without the possibility of movement relative to it, each axis of rotation being cylindrical so that a rotation of said axis of rotation around its axis of revolution causes a simultaneous pivoting of the deflector with the same angular amplitude. In this way, each deflector moves simultaneously in rotation with the axis of rotation to which it is secured, and with the same angular amplitude as that of said axis of rotation.
[0012] According to a possible feature of the invention, the technical front face has two support arms each provided with an opening through which an axis of rotation passes, each of the two support arms being located between the single electric motor and the deflector which is fixed to the corresponding axis of rotation. Generally, since the deflector is rather placed in an end zone of the axis of rotation which carries it, it is desirable to use a support arm to prevent in particular that said axis of rotation has a slight zone of curvature. In this way, each axis of rotation has a first end which is supported by the single electric motor, and a second end which is supported by the support arm.
[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the technical front face comprises two vertical uprights framing the lower segment, each of the two support arms originating on one of said vertical uprights. In this way, the two support arms are very far from each other, each of said two arms being placed near a deflector.
[0014] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the two support arms are parallel to each other and extend along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle. In this way, since the two axes of rotation extend along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, the two support arms extend perpendicular to said two axes of rotation.
[0015] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, a self-lubricating ring is placed in the opening of each of the support arms so that each axis of rotation passes through said self-lubricating ring. This self-lubricating ring thus contributes to the rotational movement of the axis of rotation in the support arm. Indeed, it will eliminate any contact roughness between the axis of rotation and the support arm, and will thus make the rotational movement of said axis in said arm more fluid.
[0016] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the lower segment of the technical front face has a polymer zone having bosses in which threaded inserts have been integrated to ensure screw fixing of the single electric motor. The presence of this zone of polymer bosses will thus avoid any fixing of the single electric motor directly in the lower segment of the FAT, which could bias the initial function of supporting a member of said FAT. In this way, the structural integrity of the FAT is preserved, allowing said FAT to effectively support the member for which it was designed.
[0017] Another subject of the invention is a method of actuating the two deflectors of a vehicle according to the invention.
[0018] According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: - a step of reception by an on-board central computing unit of a signal signifying a change in position of the two deflectors, - a step of sending by said central computing unit a control signal to the single electric motor, - a single electric motor activation step which will cause the two deflectors to rotate simultaneously in the same direction.
[0019] A vehicle according to the invention has the advantage of having an actuation mechanism for the two deflectors which is simplified thanks to the use of a single electric motor, placed between the two deflectors in a central position. This results in a reduction in costs and a shorter and easier manufacturing of the vehicle. It also has the advantage of taking advantage of a part already present in the vehicle, namely the FAT, to secure part of the actuation mechanism of the two deflectors, thus avoiding having to design a specific part intended for this securing. This also results in cost savings and greater speed of assembly of the vehicle.
[0020] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, with reference to the following figures:
[0021] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a front part of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a specific area of the front part of [Fig.l], showing a deflector and the single electric motor,
[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is the perspective view of [Fig.2] but slightly offset,
[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of a section of a lower segment of a facade technical front of a vehicle according to the invention,
[0025] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an area of a front portion of a vehicle according to the invention, showing a deflector in the absence of the shield diffuser.
[0026] Referring to [Fig.l], some motor vehicles are equipped with two deflectors 1, 2 each placed in front of a front wheel 3, each of said deflectors 1, 2 being in the form of a rigid and thin flap, extending in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. These deflectors 1, 2 which are generally fixed to a front bumper diffuser 4, have the purpose of deflecting the air located in front of the vehicle during a rolling phase thereof, so that this air does not directly impact the front wheels 3 placed just behind said deflectors 1, 2. In this way, these deflectors 1, 2 improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle with the following main consequences: - a reduction in the fuel consumption of said vehicle, - a reduction in CO2 particle emissions, - an increase in the vehicle's autonomy.
[0027] It has been observed that these deflectors 1, 2 have little influence when the vehicle is traveling at a speed less than or equal to 70 km / h, but play a determining role on the aerodynamics of the vehicle, when said vehicle is traveling at speeds greater than 70 km / h. To meet this targeted need for implementing the deflectors 1, 2, it has been envisaged to be able to control these deflectors 1 in rotation, between an active deployed position as illustrated in figures 1, 2, 5, and an inactive stowed position.
[0028] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 5, each deflector 1, 2 is comparable to a rigid and flat flap, having a substantially parallelepiped shape, said flap being solid and non-deformable. In the active position, the deflector 1, 2 extends under the shield diffuser 4, in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5. In the inactive position, the deflector 1, 2 extends in a substantially horizontal plane, being stored against a horizontal wall of said shield diffuser 4. Between the active position and the inactive position, each deflector pivots by approximately 90°.
[0029] A vehicle 100 according to the invention comprises an on-board central computing unit and a mechanism for actuating the two deflectors 1, 2. In this way, depending in particular on the speed of the vehicle, this central computing unit sends a signal to the actuating mechanism to move the deflectors, either into the active position or into the inactive position.
[0030] A vehicle 100 according to the invention also comprises a technical front face 101 or FAT, which is a structural element of the vehicle 100 which is located in front of the engine block and which generally extends in a direction Y of the vehicle, and in certain cases in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. This FAT 101 has the essential function of supporting different components of the vehicle 100, such as for example a set of radiators of the engine block thereof. Referring to [Fig.l], the technical front face 101 of a vehicle according to the invention comprises a horizontal lower segment 102, a horizontal upper segment 103 which is placed above and in line with the horizontal lower segment 102, and two vertical uprights 104, 105 joining ends of said lower segment 102 to ends of said upper segment 103.The two segments 102, 103 and the two uprights 104, 105 thus define a rectangular frame which extends in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle 100, the large sides of the frame being materialized by the two horizontal segments 102, 103, and the two small sides of said frame being materialized by the two vertical uprights 104, 105. The frame is in a centered position in the vehicle so that a longitudinal and central axis of the vehicle passes through the middle of the lower horizontal segment 102 and through the middle of the upper horizontal segment 103.
[0031] The mechanism for actuating the two deflectors 1, 2 comprises a single electric motor 106, which is common to the two deflectors 1, 2 and two rotation axes 107, 108 at the end of each of which a deflector 1, 2 is fixed.
[0032] Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the single electric motor 106 is fixed to a central zone 109 of the lower segment 102 of the FAT by screwing. Referring to [Fig.4], this central zone 109 is composed of a polymer overthickness in which two bosses 110, 111 are made. Two threaded metal inserts 112, 113 are placed in said bosses 110, 111 to allow two screws to fix the single electric motor 106 to the lower segment 102 of the FAT 101. Preferably, the polymer overthickness is overmolded around the two metal inserts 112, 113.
[0033] Referring to [Fig. 3], the single electric motor 106 is placed in a housing which is extended by two fixing lugs 114 each having an opening. The single electric motor 106 is fixed to the lower segment 102 of the FAT 101, by first superimposing the two fixing lugs 114 of the housing enclosing said electric motor 106 on the two metal inserts 112, 113 of the polymer overthickness, then by introducing a screw into each opening of the fixing lugs 114 before screw it into the corresponding threaded insert 112, 113.
[0034] Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 each axis of rotation 107, 108 originates in the housing enclosing the single electric motor 106 and extends horizontally along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle along the lower segment 102 of the FAT 101. In other words, each axis of rotation 107, 108 has a first end which is inserted into the housing delimiting the single electric motor 106, and a second end which is the furthest from said housing and to which the corresponding deflector 1, 2 is fixed. These two axes of rotation 107, 108 are cylindrical and each deflector 1, 2 is fixed to one of said two axes of rotation 107, 108 by extending radially relative thereto. In this way, a rotation of an axis of rotation 107, 108 around its axis of revolution causes a simultaneous rotation of the deflector 1, 2 with the same angular amplitude.The two rotation axes 107, 108 are in perfect continuity with each other so that they extend along the same transverse axis Y of the vehicle 100, being placed on each side of the single electric motor 106.
[0035] Since each axis of rotation 107, 108 has a certain length between its first and second end, a support arm 115 secured to the technical front face 101 makes it possible to support said axis of rotation 107, 108, in particular so that it does not bend. Each support arm 115 is secured to a vertical upright 104, 105 of the FAT 101, more precisely to an external zone of said vertical upright 104, 105, so that said support arm 115 is in the continuity of the lower segment 102 of said FAT 101, being separated from said lower segment 102 by the vertical upright 104, 105 which carries it. Each vertical upright 104, 105 of the FAT 101 has a polymer overthickness from which the support arm 115 emerges, such that said overthickness and said support arm are made in one piece.
[0036] Referring to figures 2, 3 and 5, each support arm 115 is elongated and extends along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle 100. It should be noted that the two axes of rotation 107, 108 are parallel to the lower segment 102 of the FAT 101 while being placed in front of said lower segment 102.
[0037] Referring to [Fig. 5], each support arm 115 has a parallelepiped shape, being delimited by a horizontal upper face 116 and a lower face, two vertical lateral faces 117, a front surface 118 and a vertical rear surface. A front zone of the support arm 115 has a through-orifice 118 of cylindrical shape and intended for the passage of the rotation axis 107, 108. This through-orifice opens onto the two vertical lateral faces 117 of the support arm. Each support arm 115 is placed between the first end of the rotation axis 107, 108 and the second end thereof, to which the deflector 1, 2 is secured. A self-lubricating ring 119 can be inserted into the through-orifice of each support arm 115. This ring 119 will slightly reduce the passage section of the through-hole and will facilitate the rotation of the rotation axis 107, 108 around its axis of revolution when the deflector moves from one position to another. This self-lubricating ring 119 will eliminate any roughness between the rotation axis 107, 108 and the corresponding support arm 115 and will therefore promote the movement of said rotation axis 107, 108 in said support arm 115.
[0038] A method of actuating the two deflectors 1, 1 of a vehicle 100 according to the invention comprises the following main steps: - a step of reception by the central computing unit on board the vehicle 100 of a signal signifying that a change in position of the two deflectors 1, 2 is necessary, - a step of sending by said central calculation unit a control signal to the single electric motor 106, - a step of activating the single electric motor 106 which will cause the two deflectors 1, 2 to rotate simultaneously in the same direction to reach the targeted position
[0039] In order to remove any ambiguity, it is assumed that within the framework of the present invention, the deflectors 1, 2 can only occupy an active position or an inactive position.
Claims
Claims
1. Vehicle comprising two front wheels (3), a front bumper diffuser (4) and two rigid deflectors (1, 2) each placed in front of a front wheel (3), said vehicle comprising a mechanism for actuating the two deflectors (1, 2) allowing each of said two deflectors (1, 2) to pass by rotation around an axis of rotation (107, 108) extending along a transverse axis Y and horizontal of the vehicle, from an active position for which it projects under the vehicle in front of a front wheel (3) by extending in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle, to an inactive position for which it extends horizontally while being stored against the diffuser (4), characterized in that the vehicle comprises a technical front face (101) having a lower segment (102) extending along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle,and in that the mechanism for actuating the two deflectors comprises a single electric motor (106) which is fixed to the lower segment (102) of the technical front face (101), and two axes of rotation (107, 108) located in the extension of one another along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle, each of said two axes of rotation (107, 108) originating on the single electric motor (106) and ending with a deflector (1, 2).,
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the single electric motor (106) is fixed to the lower segment (102) of the technical front face (101) by being placed along a longitudinal and central axis of the vehicle.
3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the single electric motor (106) is fixed by screwing onto the lower segment (102) of the technical front face (101).
4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each deflector (1, 2) is fixed to an axis of rotation (107, 108) without the possibility of movement relative to it, and in that each axis of rotation (107, 108) is cylindrical so that rotation of said axis of rotation (107, 108) around its axis of revolution causes simultaneous pivoting of the deflector (1, 2) with the same angular amplitude.
5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the technical front face (101) has two support arms (115) each provided with an opening through which an axis of rotation passes. (107, 108), and in that each of the two support arms (115) is located between the single electric motor (106) and the deflector (1, 2) which is fixed to the corresponding rotation axis (107, 108).
6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the technical front face (101) comprises two vertical uprights (104, 105) framing the lower segment (102), and in that each of the two support arms (115) originates on one of said vertical uprights (104, 105).
7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the two support arms (115) are parallel to each other and extend along a longitudinal axis X of the vehicle.
8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a self-lubricating ring (119) is placed in the opening of each of the support arms (115) so that each axis of rotation (107, 108) passes through said self-lubricating ring (119).
9. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower segment (102) of the technical front face (101) has a polymer zone (109) having bosses (110, 111) in which threaded inserts (112, 113) have been integrated to ensure screw fixing of the single electric motor (106).
10. Method for actuating the two deflectors (1, 2) of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - a step of reception by an on-board central computing unit of a signal signifying a change in position of the two deflectors (1, 2), - a step of sending by said central computing unit of a control signal to the single electric motor (106), - a step of activation of the single electric motor (106) which will cause simultaneous rotation of the two deflectors (1, 2) in the same direction.