vehicle equipped with a sturdy deflector placed in front of each front wheel

Abstract

The invention relates to a Vehicle comprising two front wheels (2), a front bumper diffuser (3) and two rigid deflectors (1, 100) each placed in front of a front wheel (2), each of said deflectors being able to pass by rotation from an active position for which it protrudes under the vehicle in front of a front wheel (2) by extending in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle, to an inactive position for which it extends horizontally by being stored in a horizontal wall (106) of said vehicle. According to the invention, each deflector (100) consists of a main section (101) composed of flexible tubular elements (102) having elastic deformation properties, and a rigid one-piece connecting section (103) allowing the main section (101) to be connected to the axis of rotation (4) of the deflector (100), the connecting section (103) being designed to keep the flexible tubular elements (102) of the main section (101) grouped and tight.Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 5.

Description

Title of the invention: vehicle equipped with a resistant deflector placed in front of each front wheel

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle having a resistant deflector placed in front of each front wheel.

[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 vehicle's speed, using a central computing unit which is embedded in the vehicle.

[0005] It is important to emphasize that when the deflectors are in the active position, they are exposed both to so-called normal external aggressions, such as for example water, snow or gravel, and to accidental external aggressions. more severe laces, such as for example stones, branches, animals, etc. However, current deflectors, as they are designed, will not withstand these accidental attacks. Indeed, the torque formed by the collision of a large object on the rigid deflector can lead to: - either at least partial rupture of the deflector, - either damage to the deflector rotation mechanism, - or a combination of the two previous events.

[0006] A vehicle according to the invention is equipped with controlled deflectors, designed to resist accidental external projections, while overcoming the drawbacks encountered in vehicles of the state of the art.

[0007] 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, each of said deflectors being fixed to a transverse and horizontal axis of rotation Y of the vehicle which is integral with the bumper diffuser, and being able to pass by rotation 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, and an inactive position for which it extends horizontally by being stored in a horizontal wall of said vehicle.

[0008] According to the invention, each deflector consists of a main section composed of flexible tubular elements having elastic deformation properties and a rigid one-piece connecting section making it possible to connect the main section to the axis of rotation of the deflector, the connecting section being designed to keep the flexible tubular elements of the main section grouped and clamped. The principle of a vehicle according to the invention is that it has two deflectors each placed in front of a front wheel, and capable of deforming elastically under the effect of an accidental impact of an external projection when said deflectors are in the active position. This capacity of the deflector to be able to deform elastically, allows said deflector to locally absorb the shock generated by this external projection, without breaking, or transmitting said shock to the mechanism for rotating the deflector which could then be damaged.After the accidental impact of the projection, the deflector instantly returns to the same position and can again deflect the air from the front wheel in front of which it is placed, said deflector being able to be stored at any time in the inactive position thanks to the rotation mechanism which has been preserved. In this case, it is the main section of the deflector which will deform elastically under the effect of the accidental impact of the external projection. The connecting section has a double function: . -it provides the connection between the main section and the axis of rotation of the deflector, -it keeps the tubular and flexible elements of the section grouped and tight main.

[0009] In order to remove any ambiguity, a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention is comparable to a rigid flap having elastic deformation capabilities. It is thanks to the presence of tubular and flexible elements that the main section of the deflector is able to deform elastically. At the same time, it is necessary for the tubular and flexible elements to be tightly clamped, so that the deflector cannot let air pass and fully plays its role of deflecting the air in front of the front wheel.

[0010] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the flexible tubular elements are parallel and all have the same length. This is a configuration particularly suited to a vehicle according to the invention, but which is in no way limiting. In this way, each deflector is well defined and has a standard shape which is easy to manufacture.

[0011] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the flexible tubular elements are arranged in a staggered pattern. This is a configuration particularly suited to a vehicle according to the invention, but which is in no way limiting.

[0012] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the shape of the cross-section of each flexible tubular element is to be chosen from a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse and an oblong shape. The flexible tubular elements are similar to strands, the cross-section of which can adopt a multiplicity of profiles which will in particular depend on the maximum forces linked to the thrust of the vehicle, and which the deflector will absorb. Nevertheless, all the flexible tubular elements have an identical cross-section within the same deflector.

[0013] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the connecting section has the shape of an elongated bar of parallelepiped shape which is crossed in its center and over its entire length by the axis of rotation, one end of each flexible tubular element being inserted into the connecting section. In this way the connecting section will ensure a certain cohesion at the level of the flexible tubular elements, allowing them to be grouped and tightened against each other.

[0014] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the connecting section is overmolded onto the flexible tubular elements.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, at least one flange is overmolded around the flexible tubular elements in order to compact said flexible tubular elements a little more, and thus reduce the air passage sections through the main section of the deflector. The deflector has two requirements: -it must be able to deform elastically under the effect of an accidental impact from an external projection in order to absorb the shock, -it must be able to deflect the air arriving frontally onto the front wheel in front of which it is mounted.

[0016] The flange which is thus added to the deflector makes it possible to ensure better compaction of the tubular and flexible elements, in order to reduce or even eliminate the gaps in the passage of air through the deflector.

[0017] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, said at least one flange and the connecting section are made of the same material.

[0018] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, at least one rigid polymer sheet is interposed between the flexible tubular elements in order to prevent air from passing through the main section of the deflector. This rigid sheet makes it possible to ensure that the deflector is perfectly airtight, while having elastic deformation capabilities to accompany the elastic deformation of the deflector, in the case of an accidental impact from an external projection. Indeed, this rigid sheet must not reduce or eliminate the elastic deformation capabilities of the deflector. This rigid sheet, which is solid, appears as an aid making it possible to increase the sealing properties of the deflector with respect to incident air.

[0019] According to a possible characteristic of the invention, the position of the deflectors is controlled by an on-board central computing unit, one of the input data of which is the speed of the vehicle. Indeed, these deflectors are put in the inactive position when the vehicle is moving at a speed lower than a threshold value, for example 70 km / h, and in the active position when this speed is higher than this threshold speed.

[0020] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention is given below, with reference to the following figures:

[0021] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of an area of ​​a vehicle according to the state of the art,

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a front area of ​​a vehicle according to the state of the art showing a deflector in active position,

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a front area of ​​a vehicle according to the state of the art showing a deflector in the inactive position,

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] a perspective view of a front area of ​​a vehicle according to the state of the technique showing a deflector in active position and its rotation mechanism,

[0025] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an area of ​​a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention, showing the arrangement of the flexible tubular elements,

[0028] [Fig-8] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of different flexible tubular elements of a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention,

[0029] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is an exploded perspective view of a third mode of rea use of a deflector of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0030] Referring to [Fig.l], some motor vehicles are equipped with two deflectors 1 each placed in front of a front wheel 2, each of said deflectors 1 being in the form of a rigid and thin flap, extending in a transverse and vertical plane YZ of the vehicle. These deflectors, which are generally fixed to a front bumper diffuser 3, are intended to deflect the air located in front of the vehicle during a rolling phase thereof, so that this air does not directly impact the front wheels 2 placed just behind said deflectors. In this way, these deflectors 1 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.

[0031] It has been observed that these deflectors 1 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, 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, 4, and an inactive stowed position as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0032] Referring to [Fig.4], each of the two deflectors 1 has a substantially rectangular shape, and is mounted on a cylindrical rotation axis 4, extending horizontally along a transverse axis Y of the vehicle. More precisely, this axis of rotation 4 runs along one of the sides of the deflector 1, so that said deflector 1 extends radially relative to said axis of rotation 4. An electric motor 5 allows the cylindrical axis of rotation 4 to pivot around its axis of revolution and therefore to simultaneously pivot the deflector 1 which is fixed to said axis of rotation 4. In this way, thanks to the triggering of this electric motor 5, the deflector 1 can move from the active position for which it extends in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle as illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 4, to the inactive position for which it extends horizontally while being stored in a horizontal wall 6 of the front bumper diffuser 3.To move from the active position to the inactive position or vice versa, the deflector 1 pivots through an angle of 90°. In the active position, the deflector 1 deflects the air so that it does not directly impact the front wheel 2 behind which it is located, and in the inactive position it exerts no influence. on the air flow arriving on said front wheel 2.

[0033] It should be noted that the two deflectors 1 can be driven either with two separate electric motors 5, each assigned to a particular deflector 1, or with a single common electric motor 5, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. In this second case, the two deflectors 1 are fixed to the same rotation axis 4, the electric motor 5 being positioned midway between the two deflectors 1 and being able to rotate this common rotation axis 4, to bring the two deflectors 1 into the active position or into the inactive position.

[0034] When the deflectors 1 are in the active position, they are exposed both to so-called normal external aggressions, such as for example water, snow or gravel, and to more severe accidental external aggressions, such as for example stones, branches, animals, etc. However, the current deflectors 1 will not withstand these accidental aggressions. Indeed, the torque formed by the collision of a bulky object on the rigid deflector 1 can lead to: - either at least partial rupture of the deflector 1, - either damage to the deflector rotation mechanism 1, - or a combination of the two previous events.

[0035] Referring to Figures 5 to 9, in order to be able to effectively resist these accidental external projections with high kinetic energy, the deflectors 100 of a vehicle according to the invention each comprise: - a main section 101 composed of flexible tubular elements 102 having elastic deformation properties, and - a rigid monobloc connecting section 103 enabling the main section 101 to be connected to the rotation axis 4 of the deflector 100.

[0036] The term “flexible” applied to the tubular elements 102 of the main section means that said elements have a certain mechanical strength and that they are capable of deforming elastically under the effect of an external stress such as the impact of an accidental external projection.

[0037] In this way, the two deflectors 100 are capable of elastically deforming under the effect of an accidental impact of an external projection when said deflectors 100 are in the active position. This ability of the deflector 100 to be able to elastically deform allows said deflector 100 to locally absorb the shock generated by this external projection, without breaking, or transmitting said shock to the rotation mechanism of the deflector 100 which could then be damaged. After the accidental impact of the accidental external projection, the deflector 100 instantly resumes the same shape and the same position and can again deflect the air from the front wheel 2, in front of which it is placed, said deflector 100 then being able to be stored at any time in the inactive position thanks to the mechanism rotation that has been preserved. The damping capacity of the deflector 100 is provided by the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101, which will first deform elastically upon impact from an external projection, then instantly return to their initial shape. The connecting section 103 is also designed to keep the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section grouped and tight.

[0038] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 9, the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101 are parallel to each other and have the same length. They are arranged in a staggered pattern. These flexible tubular elements 102, which have elastic deformation capabilities, are comparable to strands which are organized to form a bundle whose general shape is perfectly structured.

[0039] Referring to [Fig.8], depending on the needs encountered, the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101 can have cross sections of various shapes: rectangular, square, elliptical, oblong, oval, etc. On the other hand, within the same deflector 100, all the flexible tubular elements 102 have cross sections that are identical in terms of shape and dimensions.

[0040] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 9, the connecting section 103 is elongated and has a parallelepiped shape. It is crossed in its center and over its entire length by the axis of rotation 4 of the deflector, the axis of revolution of said axis of rotation 4 being merged with the longitudinal and central axis of said central section 101.

[0041] Referring to [Fig.7], the connecting section 103 is overmolded onto the tubular and flexible elements 102 of the main section 101, so that said connecting section 103 has a dual function: -that of connecting the main section 101 to the rotation axis 4, -that of keeping the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101 grouped and tight.

[0042] Referring to [Fig. 6], since it is not completely excluded that air passes through the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101, calling into question the function of deflecting the air in front of the front wheel 2, a clamping flange 104 is added to the main section 101 of the deflector in order to compact said flexible tubular elements 102 a little more. This clamping flange 104 is comparable to a closed strip of material, having a rectangular shape. It surrounds the flexible tubular elements 102 and is preferably overmolded onto said flexible tubular elements 102.

[0043] Referring to [Fig.9], another means for preventing air from passing through the main section 101 of the deflector 100, consists of inserting a rigid sheet 105 of polymer between the flexible tubular elements 102 of the main section 101. This rigid sheet 105 is solid and has elastic deformation capabilities. The The term "full" means that the rigid sheet 105 is devoid of any opening, any hole and any orifice. This rigid sheet 105 extends substantially over the entire surface of the main section 101. This rigid sheet 105 will thus prevent any passage of air through the main section 101 of the deflector 100, while allowing said deflector 100 to retain its function of deflecting air in front of the front wheel 2 in front of which it is located.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle comprising two front wheels (2), a front bumper diffuser (3) and two rigid deflectors (1, 100) each placed in front of a front wheel (2), each of said deflectors (1, 100) being fixed to a transverse and horizontal rotation axis (4) Y of the vehicle which is integral with the bumper diffuser (3), and being able to pass by rotation from an active position for which it projects under the vehicle in front of a front wheel (2) by extending in a vertical and transverse plane YZ of the vehicle, to an inactive position for which it extends horizontally by being stored in a horizontal wall (106) of said vehicle, characterized in that each deflector (100) consists of a main section (101) composed of flexible tubular elements (102) having elastic deformation properties, and a rigid one-piece connecting section (103) making it possible to connect the main section (101) to the axis of rotation (4) of the deflector (100),and in that the connecting section (103) is designed to keep the flexible tubular elements (102) of the main section (101) grouped and clamped.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible tubular elements (102) are parallel and all have the same length.

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible tubular elements (102) are arranged in a staggered pattern.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the shape of the cross-section of each flexible tubular element (102) is to be chosen from a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse and an oblong shape.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the connecting section (103) has the shape of an elongated parallelepiped bar which is crossed in its center and over its entire length by the axis of rotation (4), and in that one end of each flexible tubular element (102) is inserted into the connecting section (103).

6. Vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting section (103) is overmolded onto the flexible tubular elements (102).

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that at least one flange (104) is overmolded around the flexible tubular elements (102) in order to compact said flexible tubular elements (102) a little more and thus reduce the air passage sections to through the main section (101) of the deflector (100).

8. Vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one flange (104) and the connecting section (103) are made of the same material.

9. Vehicle according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least one rigid sheet (105) of polymer is interposed between the flexible tubular elements (102) in order to prevent air from passing through the main section (101) of the deflector (100).

10. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the position of the deflectors (100) is controlled by an on-board central computing unit, one of the input data of which is the speed of the vehicle.

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