Rear spoiler

Abstract

To accomplish a sufficient straightening effect by a rear spoiler.SOLUTION: A rear spoiler 1 includes: a spoiler main body 2 which includes an upper surface and a lower surface 22, extends in the vehicle widthwise direction, and extends from a front end 23 to a rear end 24 in a state attached to the rear portion of a vehicle; and a pair of stays 3 and 3 in the vehicle widthwise direction which are attached to the rear portion of the vehicle, and which support the spoiler main body 2. The spoiler main body 2 includes a straightening portion 50 that straightens the flow around a wing portion 40 which is the end portion of the spoiler main body 2 in the vehicle widthwise direction. The straightening portion 50 includes protrusions that protrude downwardly from the lower surface in a region between the main body end and the attached portion of the support portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear spoiler that is attached to the rear of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a technique of attaching a rear spoiler to the rear of a vehicle for the purpose of generating downforce on the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a rear spoiler (rear wing spoiler) is attached to the rear end of the vehicle via a pair of left and right supports so as to generate downforce and also obtain a streamlining effect. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-107399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a rear spoiler is attached to a vehicle, airflow is likely to be disturbed at the ends of the rear spoiler in the vehicle width direction, making it difficult to achieve a sufficient rectifying effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a rear spoiler attached to the rear of a vehicle, the spoiler comprising: a main body portion that extends in the vehicle width direction when attached to the rear of the vehicle, has an upper surface and a lower surface, and extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and a pair of support portions attached to the rear of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction to support the main body portion. The lower surface has a mounting portion to which the support portions are attached, and the main body portion has a rectifying portion that rectifies the airflow around the main body end portion, which is the vehicle width direction end of the main body portion, and the rectifying portion has a protrusion that protrudes downward in the vehicle height direction from the lower surface in a region between the main body end portion and the mounting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a sufficient airflow rectification effect can be obtained by the rear spoiler. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a rear view showing a state in which a rear spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a rear spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle; [Figure 3] Plan view of the rear spoiler in Figure 1 alone. [Figure 4] Underside view of the rear spoiler in Figure 1. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating problems that may arise with a rear spoiler according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the rear spoiler of FIG. 1 as seen from behind and diagonally below. [Figure 7] An enlarged view of the main part of Figure 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the effects of the rear spoiler according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9. Figure 1 is a rear view (viewed from behind) showing a state in which a rear spoiler 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle 200, and Figure 2 is a side view (viewed from the left). In the following, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined with respect to the vehicle as the reference point as shown in the figure, and the configuration of each part will be described according to these definitions. The front-rear direction is the length direction of the vehicle 200, the left-right direction is the width direction (vehicle width direction), and the up-down direction is the height direction.

[0009] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear spoiler 1 has a spoiler main body 2 and a pair of left and right stays 3, 3 that support the spoiler main body 2 from the vehicle 200. The spoiler main body 2 has a main wing 20 extending in the left-right direction and wing tip portions 40 provided at both left and right ends of the main wing 20. The spoiler main body 2 is formed as a whole by integral molding using constituent materials such as ABS resin and fiber-reinforced plastic. The stays 3 are attached to mounting portions 202 provided at both left and right ends of a back door 201 of the vehicle 200. The stays 3 are also formed as a single unit by integral molding using constituent materials such as ABS resin and fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a plan view (viewed from above) of the rear spoiler 1 alone, and Fig. 4 is a bottom view (viewed from below). As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the rear spoiler 1 is configured to be symmetrical as a whole with respect to an axis CL1 extending in the front-to-rear direction. Hereinafter, the side facing the axis CL1 will be referred to as the inner side or the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side opposite the axis CL1 will be referred to as the outer side or the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] 1 and 4, the stay 3 has a base portion 31 that is attached to a mounting portion 202 of the vehicle 200, an arm portion 32 that extends obliquely upward and inward from the base portion 31, and a horizontal portion 33 that extends inward from the arm portion 32 in a substantially horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of bolts 31a protrude downward from the underside of the base portion 31. The bolts 31a are inserted into through holes (not shown) provided in the mounting portion 202 of the vehicle 200. Nuts (not shown) are screwed onto the bolts 31a from the inside of the back door 201, thereby fixing the stay 3 to the mounting portions 202 at both left and right ends of the back door 201.

[0012] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main wing 20 has an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22. As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 21 is free of protrusions and is formed smoothly as a whole. As shown in Figure 4, a flange portion 25 is provided on the lower surface 22 a predetermined distance inward in the width direction from the wing tip 40. A substantially horizontal flange surface is formed on the flange portion 25, and the upper surface of the horizontal portion 33 of the stay 3 abuts against the flange surface, thereby fixing the stay 3. For example, the fixing is achieved by a bolt 33a that passes through the horizontal portion 33. As a result, the main wing 20 extends in the left-right direction from the upper surface of the rear end of the vehicle 200, separated by a predetermined gap SP0 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0013] The main wing 20 has a leading edge 23 and a trailing edge 24 extending in the left-right direction at the front and rear ends. Both the leading edge 23 and the trailing edge 24 are formed by curving along a gentle curve so that the left-right central portions protrude rearward, and the left-right central portions of the leading edge 23 and the trailing edge 24 are located at the rearmost positions.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2 , the upper surface 21 of the main wing 20 extends along an upwardly sloping curve from the leading edge 23 to the trailing edge 24. The lower surface 22 extends rearward from the leading edge 23 along a gently downwardly sloping curve for a predetermined distance, and then extends along a gently upwardly sloping curve to the trailing edge 24. More specifically, the upper surface 21 has a steeper slope near the leading edge 23, then extends rearward at a gentle slope, and then becomes steeper again near the trailing edge 24. The upper surface 21 extends along an upwardly convex curve near the leading edge 23, and extends along a downwardly convex curve near the trailing edge 24. On the other hand, the lower surface 22 has a gentle slope from the leading edge 23 to the trailing edge 24, and then becomes steeper near the trailing edge 24. The lower surface 22 extends along a downwardly convex curve from the leading edge 23 to the trailing edge 24. The length of the lower surface 22 of the main wing 20 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the upper surface 21 in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the wing tip 40 has an inner surface 42 facing inward in the vehicle width direction, and an outer surface 41 facing outward in the vehicle width direction. Both left and right ends of the main wing 20 are connected to the inner surface 42 of the wing tip 40. The upper end of the wing tip 40 protrudes above the upper surface 21 of the main wing 20. The lower end of the wing tip 40 protrudes below the lower surface 22 of the main wing 20. The rear end of the wing tip 40 protrudes rearward beyond the trailing edge 24 of the main wing 20 near the wing tip. The front end of the wing tip 40 is located on an extension of the curved line of the leading edge 23 of the main wing 20. As shown in Figure 1, the wing tip 40 extends at an outward angle from the upper end to the lower end.

[0016] As shown by arrow F0 in Figure 2, air flowing from the front to the rear along the upper surface of the rear of vehicle 200 flows along the upper surface 21 of the main wing 20 of rear spoiler 1 as shown by arrow F1, and also flows along the lower surface 22 as shown by arrow F2. This straightens the air flow via rear spoiler 1, allowing smooth airflow to extend all the way to the rear of the vehicle. As a result, the generation of vortices behind the vehicle is suppressed, reducing negative pressure behind the vehicle and improving driving performance.

[0017] Furthermore, the flow velocity of the air flowing along the lower surface 22 (arrow F2) is faster than the flow velocity of the air flowing along the upper surface 21 (arrow F1). This creates a pressure difference between the top and bottom of the main wing 20, making it possible to generate downforce. In this way, in this embodiment, the rear spoiler 1 can not only generate downforce but also exhibit a rectifying effect.

[0018] In such a rear spoiler 1, air separates below the main wing 20 and near the trailing end of the wing tip 40, creating negative pressure. For example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, negative pressure occurs in the dotted line area AR1. This causes air to flow around the trailing end of the wing tip 40, as indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 5, which may impair handling stability. To prevent this air from flowing around, the rear spoiler 1 in this embodiment is configured as follows.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the left end of the rear spoiler 1, seen from behind and diagonally below to the left. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, an airflow stabilizing section 50 is provided on the underside 22 of the main wing 20, in the area AR2 between the flange section 25 and the inner surface 42 of the wing tip 40. The airflow stabilizing section 50 has multiple (three in the figure) protrusions 51 that protrude downward from the underside 22.

[0020] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. 4 showing the configuration of the airflow rectifying unit 50. As shown in FIG. 7, the protrusions 51 approach each other toward the rear and have a pair of side edges 511 that intersect at their rear ends. Therefore, the airflow rectifying unit 50 (protrusions 51) tapers toward the rear end, and the rear ends of the protrusions 51 have a generally triangular shape in bottom view. The front ends of the side edges 511 of the protrusions 51 that are adjacent in the left-right direction intersect with each other. Therefore, the airflow rectifying unit 50 is formed by jagged (saw-tooth) protrusions 51 that have generally triangular peaks 512 and valleys 513 alternately arranged in the left-right direction. The angles of the peaks 512 of the multiple protrusions 51 and the widths of the multiple protrusions 51 are all equal, and the multiple protrusions 51 have substantially the same shape.

[0021] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of main wing 20 taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 6, including peak 512 of protrusion 51. As shown in Figure 8, protrusion 51 protrudes downward by a predetermined amount (predetermined thickness) t1 from underside 22 of main wing 20. Therefore, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, there is a predetermined step between protrusion 51 and underside 22.

[0022] 7, the three protrusions 51 are referred to, for convenience, as inner protrusion 51A, middle protrusion 51B, and outer protrusion 51C, in that order from the inside. The inner protrusion 51A is located rearward of the middle protrusion 51B, which is located rearward of the outer protrusion 51C. For example, comparing the positions of the peaks 512 of the protrusions 51A to 51C, the peaks 512 of the inner protrusion 51A are located rearward of the peaks 512 of the middle protrusion 51B, which are located rearward of the peaks 512 of the outer protrusion 51C. In this way, the multiple protrusions 51 are located so as to gradually offset rearward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, following the shape of the trailing edge 24 of the main wing.

[0023] The inner side edge 511 of the inner projection 51A extends to the flange portion 25, and the outer side edge 511 of the outer projection 51C extends to the inner surface 42 of the blade tip 40. Therefore, multiple projections 51 are provided across the entire area AR2 between the flange portion 25 and the blade tip 40.

[0024] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the effect of providing a rectifying section 50 on the rear spoiler 1. When a protrusion 51 is provided on the underside 22 of the main wing 20, small vortices are generated in a mist-like state downstream of the protrusion 51 (rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle). This suppresses air separation (the generation of large vortices), allowing the air to flow smoothly behind the protrusion 51, as shown by arrow A2 in Figure 9. As a result, as shown by arrow A3, the air outside the wing tip 40 is pulled by the air flow downstream of the protrusion 51 (arrow A2), preventing the air from wrapping around inside the wing tip 40.

[0025] This reduces the negative pressure area AR1 around the trailing end of the wing tip 40, reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the wing tip 40. This reduces the amplitude and frequency caused by the pressure difference. As a result, the frequency and magnitude of lateral vibration of the vehicle 200 when traveling in a straight line are reduced, and changes in the lateral acceleration of the vehicle 200 when turning can be suppressed, improving handling stability.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, airflow straightening sections 60 are provided not only in the area AR2 between the flange section 25 and the blade tip 40, but also in an area AR3 of the left and right flange sections 25 that includes the axis CL1. Similar to the airflow straightening sections 50, the airflow straightening sections 60 are formed by a plurality of protrusions 61. This causes small vortices to be generated in a mist-like state downstream of the protrusions 61, making it possible to suppress air separation. As a result, the airflow straightening sections 60 increase the flow velocity on the lower surface of the area AR3, further improving handling stability.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved. (1) A rear spoiler 1 attached to the rear of a vehicle 200 extends in the vehicle width direction when attached to the rear of the vehicle 200, has an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22, and includes a spoiler main body 2 extending from a leading edge 23 to a trailing edge 24 so as to generate downforce on the vehicle 200, and a pair of stays 3, 3 in the vehicle width direction that extend downward from the lower surface 22 and are attached to the rear of the vehicle 200 to support the spoiler main body 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The lower surface 22 has a pair of flange portions 25 to which the pair of stays 3, 3 are attached (FIG. 4). The spoiler main body 2 has a rectifying portion 50 that rectifies the airflow around the wing tip 40, which is the end of the spoiler main body 2 in the vehicle width direction (FIG. 4). The rectifying portion 50 has a protrusion 51 that protrudes downward from the lower surface 22 in an area AR2 between the wing tip 40 and the flange portion 25 (FIGS. 6 to 8).

[0028] This configuration rectifies the flow in area AR2 and reduces the negative pressure area AR1 around the wing tip 40 (Figure 9). This makes it possible to suppress the air flow that goes around the trailing end of the wing tip 40, improving handling stability.

[0029] (2) The protrusions 51 have a pair of side edges 511 that extend toward each other toward the rear and intersect at the rear end (FIG. 7). This gives the protrusions 51 a tapered shape, which can generate mist-like vertical vortices and achieve a good rectifying effect.

[0030] (3) The airflow rectifying portion 50 has multiple protrusions 51 extending across the vehicle width direction (FIGS. 6 and 7). The multiple protrusions 51 include an inner protrusion 51A or a middle protrusion 51B (first protrusion), and an middle protrusion 51B or an outer protrusion 51C (second protrusion) that is provided outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner protrusion 51A or the middle protrusion 51B (FIG. 7). One of a pair of side edges 511 (the outer side edge 511) of the inner protrusion 51A or the middle protrusion 51B and one of a pair of side edges 511 (the inner side edge 511) of the middle protrusion 51B or the outer protrusion 51C intersect with each other at their front ends (FIG. 7). As a result, the multiple protrusions 51 form the airflow rectifying portion 50 in a sawtooth shape (a so-called chevron shape). This allows the airflow in the region AR2 to be properly rectified, thereby improving handling stability.

[0031] (4) The spoiler body 2 is curved so that the central portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes rearward, and the multiple protrusions 51 are provided along the shape of the trailing edge 24 (Fig. 4). Furthermore, the inner protrusion 51A is provided rearward of the intermediate protrusion 51B (Fig. 7). This allows the inner airflow to extend rearward, so the airflow on the outer side of the wing tip 40 can be effectively guided rearward without being deflected.

[0032] (5) The underside 22 of the main wing 20 further has an airflow straightening section 60 in the area AR3 between the pair of stays 3, 3 (Fig. 4). Similar to the airflow straightening section 50, the airflow straightening section 60 has a downwardly projecting protrusion 61, more specifically, a sawtooth protrusion 61 that is continuous in the left-right direction (Fig. 4). This provides a good airflow straightening effect across the entire width of the rear spoiler 1.

[0033] The above embodiment can be modified in various ways. Some modifications will be described below. In the above embodiment, the spoiler main body 2 as the main body is disposed above the upper surface of the rear of the vehicle via a pair of left and right stays 3, 3. However, the support portion may have any configuration as long as it extends downward from the underside of the main body, is attached to the rear of the vehicle, and supports the main body. The entire rear spoiler, including the main body and support portion, may be formed as a single unit.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 51 are provided continuously in the vehicle width direction on the underside 22 of the spoiler main body 2 as the main body. That is, the airflow straightening portion 50 is provided in a sawtooth shape so that a pair of side edges 511, 511 intersect at the rear end and the side edges 511, 511 of adjacent protrusions 51, 51 intersect at the front end. However, the airflow straightening portion may have any configuration as long as it straightens the airflow around the main body end (wing tip 40 in this embodiment), which is the end of the spoiler main body 2 in the vehicle width direction, and has protrusions that protrude downward from the underside in the region AR2 between the main body end and the flange portion 25 (support portion) for attaching the stay.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the wing tip 40 is provided at the end of the main wing 20 in the vehicle width direction, but the configuration of the main body end is not limited to that described above. In the above embodiment, the underside 22 of the main wing 20 is provided with multiple protrusions 51 including a first protrusion (e.g., inner protrusion 51A or intermediate protrusion 51B) and a second protrusion (e.g., intermediate protrusion 51B or outer protrusion 51C) located outboard of the first protrusion (toward the end in the vehicle width direction), but the number of protrusions is not limited to that described above.

[0036] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. One or more of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be arbitrarily combined, and modifications can also be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 rear spoiler, 2 spoiler body, 3 stay, 20 main wing, 21 upper surface, 22 lower surface, 23 leading edge, 24 trailing edge, 25 flange portion, 50 airflow control portion, 51 protrusion, 51A inner protrusion, 51B intermediate protrusion, 200 vehicle, 511 side edge, AR2 region

Claims

1. A rear spoiler attached to the rear of a vehicle, a main body portion that extends in a vehicle width direction when attached to a rear portion of the vehicle, has an upper surface and a lower surface, and extends from a front edge to a rear edge; a pair of support parts in a vehicle width direction attached to a rear part of the vehicle and supporting the main body part, the lower surface has a mounting portion to which the support portion is attached, The main body portion has a rectifying portion that rectifies the flow around a main body end portion that is an end portion of the main body portion in the vehicle width direction, The rear spoiler is characterized in that the airflow adjustment portion has a protrusion that protrudes downward in the height direction of the vehicle from the lower surface in a region between the main body end portion and the mounting portion.

2. The rear spoiler according to claim 1, The projection has a pair of side edges that extend toward each other rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and intersect with each other at a rear end.

3. The rear spoiler according to claim 2, the airflow rectifying portion has a plurality of the protrusions in the vehicle width direction, The plurality of protrusions include a first protrusion and a second protrusion provided closer to the end in the vehicle width direction than the first protrusion, A rear spoiler, wherein one of the pair of side edges of the first projection and one of the pair of side edges of the second projection intersect with each other at a front end portion.

4. The rear spoiler according to claim 3, A rear spoiler characterized in that the main body portion is curved so that the central portion in the vehicle width direction protrudes toward the rear, the multiple protrusions are arranged along the shape of the rear edge, and the first protrusion is arranged rearward of the second protrusion.

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