Air screen for motor vehicle including mechanical reinforcement

Abstract

The invention relates to an air screen for a motor vehicle comprising a mechanical reinforcement. The air screen (4) is intended to be fixed under the chassis (6) of a motor vehicle (2) and comprises a first part (8) intended to be present near a wheel arch of the motor vehicle (2), when the air screen (4) is fixed under the chassis (6) of the motor vehicle (2). The air screen is remarkable in that the first part (8) of the air screen (4) comprises at least one mechanical reinforcement (12), present at an area likely to be struck by a curb crossed by the motor vehicle (2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Air screen for a motor vehicle comprising a mechanical reinforcement Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the automobile industry and more particularly that of the aerodynamics of motor vehicles. Technological background

[0002] In the automotive field, air screens are used to optimize the airflow around motor vehicles. More specifically, air screens aim to limit the formation of turbulence around vehicles as they move.

[0003] The use of air screens has led to a significant reduction in the aerodynamic drag of motor vehicles, thus allowing a significant improvement in their performance. More specifically, the installation of air screens under the chassis of vehicles has made it possible to optimize the airflow under them.

[0004] According to another advantage, the presence of air screens under the chassis of a motor vehicle allows the protection of the engine, the transmission and other essential components of the vehicle from the projection of elements coming from the roadway.

[0005] However, it has been found that air screens can be seriously damaged when the motor vehicle crosses a curb. In particular, when the motor vehicle descends a curb, it is possible for the air screen to violently collide with the edge of the curb and be irreversibly damaged.

[0006] It then becomes necessary to immobilize the motor vehicle for the time required to replace the damaged air screen with a new one. The costs associated with this repair can be substantial, especially when the air screen in question is a large and complex part.

[0007] The invention aims to reduce this risk of irreversible damage to an air screen, located under the chassis of a motor vehicle, when said vehicle crosses a pavement. Subject of the invention

[0008] For this purpose, the invention proposes an air screen intended to be fixed under the chassis of a motor vehicle, the air screen comprises a first part intended to be present near a wheel arch of the motor vehicle, when the air screen is fixed under the chassis of the motor vehicle.

[0009] The air screen is remarkable in that the first part of the air screen comprises at least one mechanical reinforcement, present at an area likely to be struck by a pavement crossed by the motor vehicle.

[0010] In other words, the air screen is reinforced specifically at a first part of the air screen, likely to be struck by a sidewalk, when a motor vehicle equipped with said screen crosses the sidewalk.

[0011] Advantageously, the air screen proposed by the invention is therefore less likely to be irreversibly damaged when crossing a sidewalk. The invention thus makes it possible to significantly increase the durability of an air screen.

[0012] By minimizing the risks of damage to the air screen when crossing a curb, the invention not only offers potential savings in terms of maintenance costs for the motor vehicle, but it also contributes to more efficient and sustainable use of said screen.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen forms a protrusion oriented towards the roadway. In other words, the protrusion is configured to be directed towards the roadway, when the air screen is fixed under the chassis of a motor vehicle.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen forms a protuberance extending along or substantially along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle when the air screen is fixed to the air screen.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the length of at least one mechanical reinforcement is between 8 cm and 35 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm.

[0016] According to another particular embodiment of the invention, the width of at least one mechanical reinforcement is between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, the height of at least one mechanical reinforcement is between 0.2 cm and 2 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm.

[0018] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising an air screen as defined above, fixed under its chassis, so that at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen is present at the level of a wheel arch of the motor vehicle.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen is present at the level of a front wheel arch of the motor vehicle.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen extends at least partly along a front wheel arch of the motor vehicle. Preferably, at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen extends beyond a front wheel arch of the motor vehicle, towards the rear of the motor vehicle.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle comprises a battery tray, located at the front of the motor vehicle, and the motor vehicle comprises a rear reinforcement of the battery tray, at the front wheel arch, and at least one mechanical reinforcement of the air screen covers the rear reinforcement of the battery tray. Description of figures

[0023] The invention will be better understood from the following description which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective and partial view of a motor vehicle comprising an air screen, according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective and partial view of an electric motor vehicle comprising an air screen, according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] As a reminder, the invention proposes an air screen intended to be fixed under a chassis of a motor vehicle. The air screen is configured to limit the risks of irreversible damage when a motor vehicle equipped with the air screen crosses a sidewalk.

[0027] [Fig. 1] shows a partial view of a motor vehicle 2, equipped with an air screen 4 according to the invention. The air screen 4 is held to the chassis 6 of the motor vehicle by known means.

[0028] The air screen comprises a first part 8 located at the level of the front wheel arches 10 of the motor vehicle.

[0029] Remarkably, the air screen 4 comprises two mechanical reinforcements 12, present at the level of the first part 8 of the air screen. Each mechanical reinforcement 12 forms a protrusion which is directed towards the roadway. In other words, each protrusion forms an appendage oriented towards the outside of the motor vehicle 2.

[0030] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the mechanical reinforcements 12 extend along or substantially along the longitudinal direction AA' of the motor vehicle.

[0031] The length of the mechanical reinforcements 12, measured along the longitudinal direction AA', is between 8 cm and 35 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm.

[0032] The width of the mechanical reinforcements 12, measured in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction AA', is between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm.

[0033] The height of the mechanical reinforcements, measured in a direction normal to the air screen, is between 0.2 cm and 2 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm.

[0034] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the dimensions mentioned above, given as non-limiting examples.

[0035] According to the present example, each mechanical reinforcement 12 is positioned close to a front wheel arch 10 of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the mechanical reinforcements extend towards the rear of the motor vehicle, beyond the front wheel arch 10.

[0036] The particular positioning of the mechanical reinforcements 12 advantageously allows only the mechanical reinforcements 12 to be struck by the edge of a sidewalk, in the event of the motor vehicle 2 suddenly crossing the sidewalk.

[0037] Thus, advantageously, the air screen 4 according to the invention is less likely to be irreversibly damaged when crossing a sidewalk. The presence of the mechanical reinforcements 12 therefore makes it possible to significantly increase the durability of the air screen 4.

[0038] By way of non-limiting example, the air screen is formed from light metals, such as aluminum.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment, the air screen is made from synthetic polymers, reinforced by the incorporation of glass fibers and carbon fibers.

[0040] Preferably, the mechanical reinforcements 12 are produced by molding or by stamping.

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated by [Fig.2], the motor vehicle 2 comprises a battery tray 16 located at the front of said vehicle. The motor vehicle comprises a rear reinforcement 18 of the battery tray, located at the level of a front wheel arch 10.

[0042] Remarkably, the motor vehicle comprises an air screen 4 as described above, of which at least one mechanical reinforcement 12 covers the rear reinforcement 18 of the battery tray.

[0043] According to the present example, the air screen 4 is fixed to the chassis 6 of the motor vehicle in such a way that the mechanical reinforcement 12 is located at the level of the rear reinforcement 18 of the battery tray, preferably opposite said reinforcement.

[0044] Thus, advantageously, the rear reinforcement 18 serves as support for the mechanical reinforcement 12 to increase the mechanical resistance of said reinforcement.

Claims

Claims

1. Air screen (4) intended to be fixed under the chassis (6) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising a first part (8) intended to be present near a wheel arch of the motor vehicle (2), when the air screen (4) is fixed under the chassis (6) of the motor vehicle (2), characterized in that the first part (8) of the air screen (4) comprises at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) present at the level of an area likely to be struck by a pavement crossed by the motor vehicle (2).

2. Aeraulic screen (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) forms a protuberance oriented towards the roadway.

3. Air screen (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) forms a protuberance extending along or substantially along a longitudinal direction (AA') of a motor vehicle (2), when the air screen is fixed under the chassis (6) of the motor vehicle (2).

4. Air screen (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length of at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) is between 10 cm and 35 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 30 cm.

5. Air screen (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the width of at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) is between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm.

6. Air screen (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the height of at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) is between 0.2 cm and 2 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm.

7. Motor vehicle (2) characterized in that it comprises an air screen (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, fixed under its chassis (6), so that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) is present at the level of a wheel arch of the motor vehicle (2).

8. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) is present at a front wheel arch (10) of the motor vehicle (2).

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) extends at least partly along a front wheel arch (10) of the motor vehicle (2).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 9 comprising a battery tray (16) located at the front of the motor vehicle (2), and in that the motor vehicle (2) comprises a rear reinforcement (18) of the battery tray at the front wheel arch (10), and in that at least one mechanical reinforcement (12) of the air screen (4) covers the rear reinforcement (18) of the battery tray.

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